You are a traveler after my own heart. Been a few places, seen a few things but have a couple of must do things that you still want to tackle. Bucket list adventures are those things you want to experience before you leave this earth. I’ve read numerous articles that have been written about which adventures you should put on your list. That said, I’m a believer that not all of us are the same and not every trip should be on everyone’s bucket list. Nature lovers might love an African safari or trip to Galápagos Islands, while adventure lovers might want to climb to the top of Mt Everest (or at least Everest Base Camp). No matter what tops bucket list adventures, there are few things to consider before making an investment in what should be the trip of a lifetime.
Adventure Lovers
If your idea of travel involves heart stopping adventure, don’t take any shortcuts. I’ve watched many movies and took notes of the things not to do.
- Look for a reputable outfit to help you plan. Many adventure trips have a danger element associated with them and you want to make sure that everyone that goes on the trip returns home intact. Check to ensure the vendor is certified to do whatever it is you are about to do. Check reviews on trip advisors or some other well know tool. The more reviews they have the better. Try to avoid vendors with only few reviews that are all great. That could be their cousins.
- Listen to your gut. Many people take chances on vacation that they wouldn’t normally take because “when will I get the chance to come back and do this again?” You also don’t want this to be the last thing you do either.
- Listen to the experts. If you’ve selected a reputable vendor and they tell you to follow a certain set of rules. FOLLOW THEM. They have likely seen a few mishaps in their time and are only there to keep you safe. Don’t be the idiot that goes on safari and steps out the vehicle to get that perfect photo with the cool looking lion. You will die.
- Understand Your Budget before you book. Once you’ve decided to do the adventure, you don’t want to start pinching pennies. This is not the right time for bargain hunting. The average cost of some of these adventurous journeys could be around $5,000 and that’s not factoring in upscale hotels, airfare, meals, etc. While no one wants to break the bank on a trip, you also don’t want to find yourself in a rusted out cage while diving with sharks.
Some of the top adventure trips
Just outside of Cape Town in a small town called Hermanus, you can find some of the best cage shark diving in the country. There are a few different ways to do this, but I chose the type of cage that is attached to the side of the boat for my adventure. I’m a wimp. Read my blog Beyond Fear: The Beauty of Shark Diving in South Africa
So technically, I didn’t hike all the way up. I took the scenic train and the heart stopping bus ride to the starting point which was adventurous enough for me. But if you’re up for it, you can take the multi-day trek for views that are hard to capture in photos. Read my blog Journey from Lima to the Sacred Land of Machu Picchu
There are a few places to do this but my favorite was on the Serengeti in Kenya. If you plan well, you might get lucky enough to see the great migration. Spotting the Big 5 up close and personal in the wild is life changing. Once you do this, you’ll never visit a zoo again. Read my blog Kenya Wild Encounters: Getting up Close on Safari
Iceland or Norway to see the Northern Lights
Sure you can see the Northern Lights from the US and Canada. But making the trek up to Iceland or Norway and doing it while dogsledding is an adventure of its own. It took me three trips to the Nordic countries before I saw them and yes, it was super cold. But it is magical. I’ve never seen anything like it. Read my blog Chasing The Northern Lights: Everything You Need to Know
Foodies
True foodies love exploring all the different cuisines of the world. Street food, food trucks, 3 Michelin starred restaurants, you are ready to do them all. Exploring local cuisine could come with some risk. It might be on your bucket list but there are a few things you may want consider before taking a bite out of that thing wrapped in foil. You don’t necessarily need a tour guide to do this type of bucket list adventure, but having one will only make your life easier.
- Hygiene Standards. This might go without saying, but the hygiene standards around the globe differ dramatically from place to place. Your stomach might not be condition to deal with street food in Vietnam or India.
- Global Rating Systems. If you find a Michelin rated restaurant, you can rest assured that they have been evaluated alongside of the toughest standards out there. You are less likely to get food poisoning from some dirty kitchen practices and you’ll probably have access to an English menu (not always but likely).
- Tourist Traps. You know them when you see them. They are located in highly trafficked areas and usually have someone standing outside luring in unsuspecting (hungry) guests. The prices are deceptive and what comes out is less than desirable.
- Ask a Local. The best way to find good food, is to ask the people that live there not other tourist. Locals can guide you to the spots that they love which are usually out of tourist heavy areas.
Some Outstanding Foodie Destinations
The truth is you can make any destination a foodie destination. Here are some of my favorites and why they hit the mark for me.
Japan. I love seafood and Japan does the best job of honoring the delicate flavors in every dish I consumed. They have found ways to make an otherwise poisonous puffer fish a treat. It’s not just the sushi here that makes this a destination another highlighting the juicy beef found here. Read my blog Foodies Guide to Japan
France. This is the birthplace of modern cuisine and still leads the way in innovating flavors. France has been pioneering and refining culinary techniques for centuries. There is a strong emphasis on using fresh, high-quality ingredients. But the bread and pastries here are a standout on any table. Did I mention the cheese?
Italy. There is nothing like having the fresh pasta in Bologna and truffles on everything in Piedmonte. Step away from the pasta and pizza that has transformed the international dining scene and experience regional specialties like risotto, osso buco, and tiramisu to understand why Italy stands out.
Southeast Asia. Thailand and Vietnam are in a class of its own when it comes to street food. You can basically stop anywhere and have a great meal. They have somehow found a way to parlay even the simplest dish into a foodie’s dream meal.
Peru. This is home to ceviche. The fact that they perfected cooking fish in lime juice and creating one of the freshest fish dishes, you’ll ever taste sold me on this as a foodie destination. Outside of this, there is an abundance of “superfoods” in this country such as maca, chia seeds, and purple corn, all of which are incorporated into traditional dishes.
Total Relaxation
While relaxation might not top the bucket list for some, finding a serene landscape and peaceful environments to disconnect from it all was right there with adventure. There are some places that sit high on the list for this type of experience. But keep a few things in mind before you book.
- Look beyond great website photos. Stock photos are easy to find and getting a great photographer to pull off incredible looks is pretty easy these days. You want to do a bit of digging to really learn about the place so you don’t end up in a bunkbed with five of your closest stranger friends nearby.
- Look for Brands You Recognize. If you find a spa resort connected to a brand you know like Clarins, it’s bound to be good. Global brands have standards that are associated with their name. Making it an easy way to identify spas with higher standards.
- Read reviews. I can’t stress this enough. Other travelers will tell you what it’s really like and most of them will post photos alongside of their review. Spend some time reading what others have to say to make sure there aren’t things that would be a no go for you in that mix. Look for the most recent ones as some places started off really good only to lose their appeal over the years.
- Location is everything. You can check out of it all near a beach, in the jungle or in the middle of the desert. The choice is yours so choose wisely as you will likely only have the resort to lean on.
Top Destinations to Check Out of it all
Costa Rica. This destination is well known for the variety of wellness retreats and resorts that offer yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and holistic activities set against breathtaking landscapes. People make their way here to experience the Pura Vida” lifestyle, which translates to “pure life” or “simple life.” To top it off, the country is committed to sustainability and is truly eco conscious.
Thailand. Thai massages and holistic practices can be found in many spa retreats around the world. The stunning beaches and islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Samui make Thailand a great destination to detox from the day to day grind. Resorts are dotted around the country offer immersive experiences focus on mindfulness, meditation, and holistic well-being, providing an ideal escape for those looking to disconnect and rejuvenate
Maldives. The choice to disconnect is easy when you venture out to the Maldives. In fact, some resorts intentionally limit or do not provide internet and phone connectivity in certain areas, encouraging guests to detach from the digital world. Staring out at the crystal clear waters while you feet dangle from the deck of your overwater bungalow is sure to calm the minds of the busiest professional.
Bali, Indonesia. Not all of Bali meets the criteria for checking out. Some areas are crowded with tourist and traffic. Make your way to places that are slightly isolated from modern distractions such as Revivo Spa near Nusa Dua, Ritz Carlton Mandapa, Ubud or Six Senses Uluwatu. Sit back and let the onsite teams guide you to total relaxation. Read my blog A Journey of Wellness and Renewal in Bali
Ready to Go
There are so many different types of bucket list adventures to take. Ultimately, it all comes down to you and what you want to check off of your bucket list before you….well, run out of time. Put on your fearless badge and create a bucket list that we all envy.
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