Okay, okay, hold your horses here before scoffing and saying, ‘oh gosh, this is just another one of those places to see before you die articles.’ When the idea was suggested to us, this was also our first reaction, but then we thought about making an article about travel destinations that are as beautiful as they look in the photos, places to visit that truly offer something more than just crowds of tourists and give you memories of a lifetime. This list isn’t about just the beautiful places to visit, but also the experiences tied to them. Honestly, this alone could be a real game-changer in planning your precious travel bucket list!
1. Make A Wish In The Trevi Fountain In Italy
The most famous fountain in Rome, if not the entire globe, is the Trevi Fountain, also known as the Fontana di Trevi. With the exception of the coin you might want to toss in, it’s a top free attraction in the city that attracts an estimated 1,200 visitors every hour.
2. Float In The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea waters are said to help reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, it is known to aid several skin disorders. While we can’t guarantee any of this, at the absolute least, swimming in the Dead Sea will leave your skin feeling as soft as a baby’s.
3. Hike The Inca Trail To Machu Picchu
Any traveler who wishes to delve into ancient history and discover the spirit of Inca culture should take the traditional few-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu.
4. Let Go Of A Floating Lantern In Taiwan
To have their deepest heart’s desires heard, thousands of people write them on paper lanterns and release them into the sky. This is done during the annual Lantern Festival held in Taiwan’s small town of Pingxi. People do this in the hope that their ancestors will answer their prayers.
5. Explore The Ancient Ruins Of Petra In Jordan
Since the ancient city is featured in so many Instagram feeds, it’s unsurprising that many adventure seekers have put Petra atop their bucket lists. The last installment of the saga-spanning Indiana Jones films, which included this fantastic location, made the ancient city of Petra a desired travel destination.
6. Dogsled Through The Alaskan Forest
Imagine yourself sitting in a sled, pulled by some of Alaska’s most mighty animals, as you are zipping through an Alaskan forest. This is dog sledding, which is not only an Alaskan tradition but also a state obsession. It is commemorated each March with the 1,150-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race running from Anchorage to Nome.
7. Visit The Summer Palace In China
The largest and best-preserved royal garden in both China and the entire world is the Summer Palace. It is known as Yihe Yuan, or Garden of Restful Peace in China. The immense network of gardens, palaces, lakes, and hills known as the Summer Palace is built around Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake.
8. Visit The Notre Dame Cathedral In Paris
It’s understandable why the Notre Dame Cathedral ranks alongside the Eiffel Tower as one of Paris’ most well-known sights. Due to its stunning Gothic architecture and exciting past, this centuries-old cathedral in the city’s center is frequently referred to as Paris’s heart. Disney fans will also appreciate visiting this one!
9. Interact With The Penguins Of Antarctica
The breathtaking biodiversity of the sub-Antarctic islands and the unspoiled splendor of the Antarctic Peninsula combine to create the ultimate Antarctic experience. Visit and interact with penguins and explore the spectacular wilderness while taking in the hauntingly gorgeous polar landscape.
10. Go To The Petra By Night Show
While Petra is stunning during the day, Petra at night is even more breathtaking. Petra By Night show is a magical opportunity to discover the old city, which has become a world wonder, by candlelight. The unmatched experience begins by strolling the entire Siq to the Treasury, lit with more than 1,500 candles that create the spectacular atmosphere of the main attraction.
11. Visit The Colosseum In Rome
The Colosseum is fantastic, and the only way to realize how much more this monument is than just gory gladiator tales is to go inside. The Colosseum’s interior is stunning, fascinating, and varied, an actual photographer’s heaven, which will likely remain a highlight of your vacation to Rome.
12. Sunbath Topless On The French Riviera
The French Riviera attracts visitors for both business trips and vacations for a variety of reasons, including the fantastic Mediterranean weather, breathtaking scenery, golden beaches, rich history, and numerous events that take place throughout the year.
13. Eat At The Michelin Restaurant In France
There are currently 31 three-star establishments in France, so you’re sure to find something to please your palate. Bon appétit!
14. Attend The Tomorrowland Music Festival
The Americans have Burning Man and Coachella, and we Europeans have Tomorrowland. Whoever has been to the Tomorrowland festival in Belgium will recall their time as an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience. With impressive fireworks displays, friends from all over the world, fantastic cuisine, a terrific lineup, and one of the best festival experiences available, it’s the place to be during the month of July.
15. Take The Walk Of Faith At Tianmen Mountain China
Many tourists who have visited Tianmen Mountain in China have referred to it as “one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.” It is undoubtedly one of the best mountains to visit in China due to the breathtaking views, such as “Heaven’s Door” and the 99 Bends, vertical cliffs, a glass skywalk, and the world’s longest cable car trip.
16. Kayak Through Icebergs In Greenland
Sea kayaking is an excellent activity to undertake in Greenland because of its beautiful natural surroundings. The brave ones can look forward to towering glaciers, beautiful icebergs, and remote bays filled with arctic fauna and whales. The days are long, and the weather is typically lovely for paddling during the summer.
17. Cross The Salar De Uyuni In Bolivia
The largest salt flat on the planet is the Salar de Uyuni. It is more than 20 times larger than Death Valley, measuring a remarkable 4,674 sq mi. A shimmering sea of white salt crystals extending as far as the eye can see to the deepest blue horizons is a mesmerizing sight to behold.
18. Take A Helicopter Ride Into The Grand Canyon
The best choice if you only have one day while in Las Vegas and want to visit the Grand Canyon is to take one trip from Las Vegas to the South Rim region. Until you view the Grand Canyon from the South Rim, you cannot completely comprehend its enormity and majesty.
19. Hike To Christ The Redeemer In Rio De Janeiro
One of the most recognizable statues in the world, the Christ the Redeemer statue, is located 2300 feet above Rio de Janeiro at the summit of Corcovado Mountain. Over 300,000 tourists climb the mountain peak each year to see the expansive panorama of Rio de Janeiro that can be seen from there.
20. Walk To Chichen Itza In Yucatan, Mexico
A park of five square miles in size encircles Chichen Itza. It is well worth visiting as a stand-alone attraction or while traveling to surrounding destinations like Tulum or Cancun.
21. Spend The Night In A Treehouse In South Africa
Due to how unusual and rare the treehouse experience is, it is absolutely worthwhile. The sleepout is exceptionally romantic and will give you a sense of closeness to the “African Bush” that is very difficult to achieve in any other setting.
22. Climb To The Peak Of Sigiriya Rock In Sri Lanka
It is absolutely worthwhile to trek to the top of the cliff to see the Ancient City of Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, both on top and while climbing, the views are simply breathtaking.
23. Visit A Maasai Tribe In Tanzania
Most Maasai tribes continue to follow their traditional way of life as pastoralists, placing their livestock at the heart of their culture and way of life. They gladly welcome guests to their villages, often with song and dance, which you may be able to join too!
24. Explore The Silent City Of Mdina In Malta
This tiny medieval walled city has a lot to offer, including museums, historic structures, and lovely gardens. Mdina is a beautiful destination to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life because of its lack of traffic and tranquil atmosphere.
25. Visit The Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls
Besides seeing majestic waterfalls, Kaieteur Falls is a great place to see wildlife because the National Park is home to many different species. You can also spot the stunning scarlet cock-of-the-rock bird, which is the national bird of Peru, along the trail that leads to the waterfalls.
26. Tour A Monastery At Meteora In Greece
Your trip to Greece will definitely be enhanced by seeing Meteora. One of the most beautiful sites on Earth, Meteora’s monasteries and surroundings are truly breathtaking.
27. Zip Line Through The Rain Forest Of Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, ziplining is likely the top activity that both tourists and locals will recommend to you. And the locals won’t do you dirty! They certainly know how to have a good time.
28. Visit All 50 States In The United States
Traveling isn’t only about seeing a particular amount of the world’s countries or crossing things off of your bucket list. However, you ought to seize the chance to accomplish a specific objective. For instance, not everyone can travel to all 50 states, but if you do, it’s definitely something to think about.
29. See The Changing Of The Guard In London
Most first-time tourists strive to snag a position on the Buckingham Palace railings when they attend the Changing of the Guard. If you make it there early, you’ll have a fantastic view of the portion of the Changing Ceremony that takes place in the forecourt.
30. Go Tidal Bore Rafting In Nova Scotia
The Shubenacadie River in Nova Scotia is transformed into a water roller coaster by the power of the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy. Experience the adrenaline of riding waves up to 4 meters high in a Zodiac boat with the assistance of knowledgeable guides.
31. Visit The Wailing Wall In Jerusalem
The most sacred place in the entire world for Jews is the Western Wall, commonly referred to as the “Wailing Wall” or the “Kotel.” It is the last piece of the ancient Jewish temple’s exterior wall still standing and is a crucial location in Israeli history. It is located in Jerusalem’s Old City.
32. Swim In Jellyfish Lake In Palau
Palau’s spectacular Jellyfish Lake is one of the most remarkable features of the tropical archipelago. This is unsurprisingly one of Palau’s most well-known tourist destinations. A marine lake called Jellyfish Lake is situated on Eil Malk Island. Throughout the day, the lake is crossed by numerous golden and moon jellyfish, which you can swim with!
33. Tour The Hanging Temple Of Mount Hengshan In China
The Hanging Monastery is the only temple in China where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are all practiced. The temple is a must-see because it has an excellent collection of religious statues — 80 in total — in bronze, iron, terracotta, and stone.
34. Hike The Active Pacaya Volcano In Guatemala
Despite being a bit of a struggle (think elevation at 2552 meters), Volcan Pacaya is nevertheless a terrific trip because of the stunning vistas and volcanic landscape.
35. Eat Insects At Chiang Mai’s Sunday Night Market
While not for everyone, the insect-tasting experience is definitely worth it, even though your taste buds or stomach might find it a little problematic. You may get edible insects, such as worms, scorpions, tarantulas, grasshoppers, and crickets, everywhere in night markets in Bangkok or Phuket.
36. Sail To The Statue Of Liberty
Marvel at the stunning views of the Statue of Liberty from the water. On a traditional masted sailboat tour of New York Harbor, take in views of Lower Manhattan, New Jersey, and Ellis Island. Also, you might want to enjoy a beer or two while on board!
37. Go Truffle Hunting In Tuscany
Some of the world’s priciest delicacies are the underground mushrooms from Italy. The white ones are the most expensive truffles since they have a strong scent. When making travel arrangements to Italy, think about going on a tour to look for truffles with a local trifolao (“the truffle hunter”) and their lovely dogs.
38. Drive Maui’s Road To Hana
If you are on any Hawaiian Islands, doing the Road to Hana tour and drive is worthwhile. It will be a vacation you won’t soon forget, thanks to the breathtaking scenery and extensive history.
39. Hear The Pope Speak At The Vatican In Italy
Whether or not you practice religion, it is always exciting to see a notable figure from around the world in person. Attending a Papal audience or Mass is the easiest way to guarantee that you can see the Pope in person. Pope Francis holds the Papal Audience every Wednesday while he is in Rome.
40. Visit Mount Rushmore
One of the most well-known sites in the country is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. This national memorial, situated in South Dakota’s Black Hills, attracts 2 million visitors yearly. Whether traveling through South Dakota or the US by car, Mount Rushmore is worth a quick stop.
41. Run With The Bulls In Pamplona, Spain
If you are an adrenaline seeker, take part in the Running of the Bulls Festival and experience a unique cultural event that involves being pursued by bulls. And follow the dress code: an all-white outfit, a red scarf (Pañuelico), and a red waistband!
