Need a little travel inspiration? We’re here to help! In this list, we’re sharing incredible bucket list experiences around the world that we’ve personally experienced and recommend! There is something for everyone on this list and activities for every season.
Fair warning though: You’ll want to book a flight by the time you’ve made your way to the end of these bucket list experiences around the world.
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1. Take a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings in Egypt
Egypt is on most people’s bucket list and for good reason – it is an incredible country filled with beauty and a fascinating history. One of Kayla’s favorite travel memories is when she took a tour around Egypt with Bucket List Travel and took a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. It was so peaceful, and the views were stunning!
2. Go INSIDE the Great Pyramid.
No trip to Egypt is complete without seeing the pyramids. But did you know you can go INSIDE the Great Pyramid? Imagine practically crawling in a narrow passageway up several stories at a 45 degree angle … and people are crawling back down as you try to go up, and just when you think you’re going to die of exhaustion (and claustrophobia) you’re rewarded with a sarcophagus. It’s an incredible experience to go inside one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world!
Check out our post on making the most out of your trip to Cairo, Egypt for more inspiration on how to fill your Egypt itinerary.
3. Ride a vintage vespa in Italy.
This vintage vespa tour is a must do if you’re in Florence. It gives you the opportunity to take a break from the bustling city to enjoy the renowned Tuscan countryside. There are several photo stops along the way, but one of the highlights is the delicious food you’ll get to enjoy at the end of your tour as you look out over the lush rolling hills that make up the area.
4. Cross a rope bridge between 2 cliffs in Northern Ireland.
When we spent 4 days in Belfast on our annual bestie trip in 2024, we knew we had to visit Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. This bridge is incredible to behold in person and is an adrenaline rush to cross as it sways back and forth in the wind high above craggy rocks and the ocean.
One of the best parts? It’s closed to tour groups so it isn’t packed with the crowds you’ll get at the neighboring Giants Causeway. But while you’re in the area, you might as well see them both. Check out our guide to visiting the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge from Belfast for more info!
5. Celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Celebrating the summer solstice at Stonehenge is truly a bucket list experience like no other! Did you know that there are only 2 days each year that the public is welcome to stand freely among the stones at Stonehenge? Every summer and winter solstice, celebrations are held at the famous stones, giving people the rare opportunity to walk inside the circle, touch the magnificent stones, and watch the sunrise.
The event draws thousands of visitors so it’s a crowded experience, but everyone was so friendly and happy!
6. Kayak in front of a glacier in Alaska.
Experience the splendor of Alaskan glaciers from the water! Mendenhall Glacier is located just 12 miles from downtown Juneau, so makes for a great day trip when you’re in the area. It is so neat to kayak on the calm waters with mountains and glaciers rising up around you.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for wildlife during your excursion – Amanda got to see otters playing near her kayak! If this bucket list experience sounds interesting to you, we recommend going sooner rather than later, as global warming is unfortunately taking its toll on the glaciers.
7. Visit the Christmas markets in Germany.
No one does Christmas markets like Germany. Leading up to the holidays, markets start popping up around the country, with larger cities hosting multiple markets. The markets are bursting with color, the smell of delicious food, interesting souvenirs, and a lot of holiday cheer.
Munich is a great place to start if you’re wanting to dip your toes in the Christmas market festivities. When Kayla visited, there were 7 markets with various themes spread throughout the city!
8. Go skydiving for a milestone birthday.
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, you can jump out of a perfectly good airplane and freefall through the sky! Skydiving is an adventure offered all over the world, so the options of where you can do it are endless. Amanda went skydiving to celebrate her 21st birthday – it was a terrifying and thrilling experience that she recommends everyone doing once (but once is enough for her!).
9. Spend the night at a castle in Scotland.
Castles abound in the UK, and Scotland has some spectacular ones to visit. But what’s better than visiting a castle, staying the night in one! One of our favorites is Dalhousie Castle. It is a 13th century castle that has been converted to a hotel and is conveniently located in Edinburgh.
Dalhousie Castle made our list of The Best Places to Stay in Edinburgh and for good reason – the themed rooms are expertly decorated, they serve an excellent afternoon tea, you can take archery lessons on the castle grounds, and you can visit the falconry on the property! For the ultimate relaxation, you’ll want to make a reservation at the castle’s award winning spa.
10. Spend New Years Eve in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is known for putting on a spectacular display of fireworks on New Year’s eve. Once the sun goes down, fireworks start lighting up the skyline in an astonishing display. You’ll want to book accommodations with a view though so you can watch the fireworks from the warmth and comfort of your room.
You’ll have plenty to do too while you wait for the sun to go down from visiting the theme park that served as inspiration for Disneyland to winding your way to the top of the city’s iconic Round Tower. Check out our guide to The Perfect Way to Spend New Years Eve in Copenhagen for all the info on how to make the most out of your visit!
11. Visit Disney parks around the world.
You may have visited the Disney theme park closest to you, but have you thought of visiting one in another state or country? All of the theme parks have similarities but they also have cultural differences that makes each theme park unique.
We couldn’t pass up Visiting Disneyland Paris when we were in France, and we had the best time! We loved the throwbacks to the classics, the quirky theming of Haunted Mansion (or Phantom Manor as it’s known there), and the character meet and greets that aren’t as common in the USA.
12. See prehistoric rock art in Portugal.
There are several Prehistoric sites throughout Portugal that are worth visiting. At Escoural Cave (near Evora), you can don hard hats and see engravings and paintings from the Paleolithic era. Just a 30 minute drive from the cave is one of the oldest stone circles in Europe, The Cromlech of Almendres. In the pictures above from the Cromlech of Almendres, you can see Neolithic engravings of a crescent moon and the head of a staff!
Near the stone circle, there is a 5000 year old dolmen that was converted into a chapel and The Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro. It’s considered to be one of the largest dolmens in the Iberian Peninsula! Farther north in Piodao, are Bronze Age cart ruts cut deep into rocks and spiral rock art with animal-like figures.
These ancient engravings and structures are just one of our Reasons You Should Visit Portugal ASAP.
13. Meet your favorite author at a book festival.
We had seen several videos and pictures on social media about the book festival that takes place in Hay-on-Wye, Wales (AKA the world’s first book town). Kayla immediately put it on her bucket list, but it seemed more like a distant dream than a near reality. That all changed though when we booked our annual bestie trip to the UK and realized we’d be there during the festival!
Hay Fest is one of the top book festivals in the world. It takes place over the course of a couple of weeks, during which, thousands of avid readers flock to the little town of Hay-on-Wye so they can listen to their favorite authors speak, discover new authors, buy bookish merchandise, and spend time in a feel-good atmosphere with likeminded people. Kayla got to meet one of her favorite authors at the festival which was a complete dream as an avid reader. Read our Hay Fest Guide so you can start planning your own trip to the famous book festival in Wales!
If you’re a fellow bookworm, check out our Books page! It’s filled with book recommendations and information on literary sites around the world!
14. Hike in Acadia National Park and reward yourself with a lobster roll afterward.
If you are a National Park enthusiast, then you are likely well aware of the allure of Acadia National Park in Maine. The rugged coastline, granite peaks, and endless ocean views seem almost too dreamy to be real. While Amanda was living in the northeast US, she couldn’t NOT make a weekend getaway to hike in Acadia.
Acadia is one of the most breathtaking national parks in the U.S. With over 47,000 acres of mountains, forests, and shoreline, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise. Whether you want to catch the first peak of sunrise in the country from Cadillac Mountain, hike along dramatic cliffs on the Beehive Trail, or take a scenic drive around Park Loop Road, there’s something magical about every corner of Acadia. And of course, no trip would be complete without indulging in fresh lobster rolls along the coast! Amanda’s favorite restaurant in Bar Harbor is Side Street Cafe, so be sure to add it to your bucket list too!
If Acadia is on your bucket list, start planning your adventure now with our Acadia guide to the best (easy) hikes, viewpoints, and can’t-miss experiences in the park!
15. Go outdoor rock climbing in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Amanda has been indoor rock climbing off and on for the last eight years. While it’s not a full-blown passion, she genuinely enjoys it—so when the opportunity came to try outdoor climbing on a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, she knew she had to add it to her bucket list.
She booked a guided climb with Red River Adventures and had an AMAZING time learning how to transfer her indoor climbing skills to real rock in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Spoiler alert: outdoor rock climbing is a completely different beast! While she still prefers the controlled environment of an indoor gym, this experience was unforgettable.
From the start, Red River Adventures made the whole process seamless. Since this was Amanda’s first time climbing outdoors, she had a lot of questions—and they answered every single one with patience and clarity. On the day of the climb, everything went smoothly, thanks to their expert guides. Not only was their instructor incredibly knowledgeable, they also made the experience fun, approachable, and most importantly—safe.
If you’ve ever considered trying outdoor climbing but aren’t sure where to start, Amanda highly recommends this experience.
16. Visit Pompeii.
Visiting Pompeii is on many people’s bucket list. This ancient city, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, is truly one of the most fascinating historical sites in the world. Trust us—this place is HUGE. Even after wandering through the streets, homes, and preserved artifacts for hours, you’ll barely scratch the surface.
To fully appreciate what you’re seeing, we highly recommend exploring with a guide. The history here is so rich and layered that it’s easy to miss incredible details without some context and explanation. And whatever you do—don’t rush your visit! Give yourself plenty of time to take it all in.
If you’re planning a Mediterranean adventure, check out our Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary: 7 Days Around Italy & Spain for even more must-see stops and travel tips!
17. Snorkel in crystal clear waters in the Caribbean.
There’s nothing like swimming in crystal clear water, and the Caribbean is a great place to do it! Not only is it incredibly beautiful and relaxing, but it’s super cool to be able to see marine life so clearly while you swim. It can be a little daunting swimming in the darker waters of the Atlantic where you can’t see what’s around you, but swimming in blue waters where you can see all the way to the ocean floor is a wonderful experience!
18. Get tattoos, piercings, or permanent jewelry in another country with your best friend.
Why get a knick knack souvenir that might get damaged in your suitcase when you can get a tattoo or piercing to last a lifetime instead to commemorate your travels?
When we spent 4 days in Belfast, we made an appointment to get permanent welded jewelry together. Our anklets are one of our favorite souvenirs we’ve brought home from a trip and they’re a fun adult spin on the traditional friendship bracelets.
Do you have any bucket list experiences to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!
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