The Ultimate Travel Bucket List For Adventurous Souls
The Ultimate Travel Bucket List For Adventurous Souls
This is the ultimate bucket list for travel lovers who want to explore the world and find themselves while they’re at it.
Life is about exploring and discovering who you are, and traveling is a great way to do that! I originally wrote this post to be a “30 places before 30” bucket list. But then I realized that you can’t put an expiration tag on adventure. So, instead, think of this as inspiration for 30 places to visit in your lifetime. 🙂
Traveling creates opportunities for you to challenge yourself, learn new things, and experience life from a different perspective. These are all things that I feel are so important to experience at the same time as figuring out adulthood, aka, figuring out who you are as a person.
At the time of writing this, I have just over a year left in my twenties, and my 30 before 30 bucket list is almost complete. There’s so much to experience in this vast world, and you’ve got a lifetime to do it. 30 may still be young, but that doesn’t mean you want to wait to start exploring. Start making those life-changing memories now. There will always be more adventures to add to your log later.
1. Travel solo
As terrifying it may seem to go somewhere new alone, you never learn more about yourself than when you’re traveling solo.
Done it.
2. Go camping in the desert
Up until a couple of years ago, the only type of camping I’d ever done was in the mountains. It’s an entirely different experience pitching a tent in the desert, and definitely one you should experience before you turn 30.
Done it.
3. Go camping in the mountains
Vice versa, camping in the mountains is a necessity. In both instances, I mean really go camping. I’m talking pitching a tent, no cell service, peeing behind a bush, and cuddling up next to a fire and watching a million stars at night type of camping.
Done it.
4. Visit another country
In my humble opinion, no 30 before 30 bucket list is complete without traveling to another country. Make sure you take the time to learn about the culture of the country you’re visiting, too. Getting to know the cultural differences of other countries is so important because it will broaden your perspective and help you understand the world from a different point of view.
Done it.
5. Visit another continent
Traveling abroad opens up the world in ways you could never have imagined, but traveling to a new continent will culture shock you on an entirely different level. Visiting another country on your same continent may be exciting, but visiting a new continent is like entering a brand new world. Go somewhere with an entirely different culture, a different language, and a different way of life. Embrace the adventure and travel to another continent at least once before you turn 30.
Done it.
6. Stay in the boonies
It’s one thing to stay in a hotel in the heart of a city where people are used to tourists and cater to visiting travelers. But in order to truly experience the culture of a new place, stay out in the boonies. Better yet, live like a local and stay with a host family. You can find vetted and approved host families on sites like these:
Still on the bucket list.
7. Swim with sharks and dolphins
One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had was swimming with sharks in New Zealand. Was I nervous? Maybe a little. Was it worth every second? Absolutely.
I never would have expected sharks to act the way they did when I got in the water. They actually swam up and rubbed against my legs looking for pets, the way a cat or a dog would. It was so precious. Which is not the adjective I would have expected to use before the experience.
I haven’t had the chance to swim with dolphins yet, but it is 100% on the bucket list.
In progress.
8. Recreate a dish you love at home
First of all, when you travel, be sure to try all the things. You never know when you’re going to be back, so allow yourself to indulge in all the local cuisine. Then, when you get home, have a little fun in the kitchen and figure out how to recreate one of your favorite traditional dishes.
Done it.
9. Talk to a stranger in a foreign country.
The first rule of visiting a new country is to stay safe. The second rule of visiting a new country is to experience the culture. And what better way to experience a new culture than to speak with a local about it? One of the most profound experiences I’ve had is when I strike up a conversation with a stranger in a pub or cafe and ask them about their story. Hearing about someone else’s life is a great way to gain perspective.
Done it.
10. Spend a month exploring a single country
There’s only so much you can learn about a new culture by spending a few days there. Make sure to add a trip where you spend an entire month in a new country to your 30 before 30 bucket list. When you have more time you can explore everything from the big cities to the little towns and everything in between.
Done it.
11. Get lost
Getting lost somewhere new may sound scary, but I have a philosophy that you’re never really lost. When I was 16 I used to get in my car and just drive. I’d purposefully get myself lost and then try to find my way back home. My mom had no idea I did this and she’d probably freak if she found out. But, it was a defining experience for me as a teen. I got to see little towns in my state that I probably never would have explored otherwise.
Likewise, when I went to Scotland a few years ago, my husband and I took the bus to a random stop in Edinburgh and wandered around the town for hours until we found our way back to the Airbnb we were staying in. Some of my best memories are from getting lost on purpose.
Of course, always practice the first rule of traveling and stay safe. Bring your phone and a charger, have a bit of money on you. But also tap into your sense of adventure, cuz that’s what traveling is all about.
Done it.
12. Take a spontaneous trip
A few years ago my sister came to visit me in Phoenix. She, my mom, and I all went out to eat at a restaurant, and after dinner sis mentioned how she was craving the cheddar apple pie from California Adventure’s Carsland.
“So let’s go get some,” I said. Both she and my mom stared at me, then shrugged, and next thing you know, we were getting into my car and taking off down the highway for the 5-hour road trip to Anaheim.
Life is short, be spontaneous.
It’s also a bucket list goal of mine to do the thing Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel do in Yes Man and show up at the airport and buy a plane ticket to anywhere. There’s even a website for spontaneous trips like that. Pack up + Go will curate an entire surprise vacation just for you based on your travel budget and a quick survey.
Done it.
13. Road trip across your country
While visiting a new country is a 30 before 30 no brainer, so is road-tripping across your own country. By taking a cross-country road trip you are bound to learn more about your native culture and yourself.
Done it.
14. Visit your home town the way a tourist would
Those of us who’ve been bitten by the wanderlust bug yearn to visit the great wide yonder, but how much exploring have you actually done in your hometown? Traverse your city the way a tourist would and I bet not only will you have a blast, but you’ll learn something new, too.
Done it.
15. Do something that scares you
Traveling somewhere new can be a scary experience on its own since it requires you to leave your comfort zone. I urge you to tap into your sense of adventure and go a step further. Do something that scares the bejesus outta you while you’re traveling.
When I was in New Zealand, a group of people I was traveling with went bungee jumping in Queenstown. Unfortunately, I was scared out of my mind and didn’t go. To be fair, I didn’t really want to bungee jump anyway, but doing something that scares the wits out of me is still on my bucket list.
Flip the coin, and when I went to Kauai, a friend of mine was terrified but determined to go sky diving. I taught her how to practice EFT to calm her nerves, and she was able to get on the plane and drop out into the sky. She had an absolute blast.
Do something that scares you while you’re young. The longer you wait, the less likely you’re going to do it in the future.
Still on the bucket list.
16. Fly premium class at least once
What is money for if not a tool to help us live our best lives?
You deserve to experience a flight in premium luxury and fly either business or first class. Add this to your 30 before 30 bucket list and splurge that little extra at least once while you’re young. Enjoy the extra legroom, the restaurant-worthy meals, and the free drinks. It has always been a goal of mine to fly in one of those seats that lie flat and have a door to give you privacy.
Check out these tips for flying premium class without breaking the bank.
Still on the bucket list.
17. Stay in an Airbnb Unique Stay
Traveling is about experiencing new experiences, and how cool is the experience of staying in a treehouse? Or a cave? Or a tiny home? Or a teepee?
Airbnb has a ton of unique stays that vary from castles to hobbit holes. It’s totally worth adding a unique stay to your 30 before 30 list.
Still on the bucket list.
18. Stay in an all-inclusive resort
This was an experience I didn’t know I wanted. Usually, I love staying in Airbnbs because it feels more authentic. I like to experience the local aspect of the places that I travel to, and sipping margaritas in a hotel lobby doesn’t feel like the down-to-earth traveling that I like to do.
So, when I manifested a free trip to stay at the El Cid Moro Beach All Inclusive Resort, I had no idea how I’d feel about the experience. Turns out, sipping free margaritas on a private hotel beach is pretty freaking neat.
Do I still love the more authentic travel experience of staying in a home? Of course. Would I book a stay at an all-inclusive resort again? Absolutely. It’s good to have both.
Done it.
19. Explore your own country
Depending on where you’re from, one end of your country could be drastically different from the other end. I’m from the U.S. and the difference between the east and the west coast feels like an entirely different country. Same with the north and the south. Not only is the climate different, but the culture is totally different as well.
If you’re in the U.S., definitely put visiting all 50 states on your ultimate lifetime bucket list, but also visit at least one state in all four sections of the U.S. before you turn 30.
Done it.
20. Book your dream trip
You deserve to live your dream life now. So many people hold off on booking their dream trips until they hit retirement. Don’t make that mistake! Book your dream trip now! And then do it again in 10 years, and again after that, and again after that. Imagine how many dream trips you’ll be able to fulfill if you don’t hold off on booking that one trip until you’re older.
Done it.
21. See at least one wonder of the world
Only one wonder of the ancient world is still standing (the Great Pyramid of Giza), but seven new wonders of the modern world have since been selected. These wonders demonstrate how civilizations have left their mark on the world, and seeing at least one of these wonders must be included in your 30 before 30 bucket list.
I have a goal of visiting all seven (plus the pyramids) in my lifetime, but so far have only made it to the Colosseum.
Done it.
22. Go white water rafting
A combination of connecting with nature and boosting your adrenaline, white water rafting is still at the top of my 30 before 30 bucket list. I love this bucket list item because it doesn’t seem as scary as dropping out of a plane or off a cliff, but it still activates the adventurer within you.
I’ve only got a year and a half to make this happen before my 30th birthday, so wish me luck!
Still on the bucket list.
23. Skinny dip
This is one of those things that you need to do just to say you’ve done it before. It’s fun. It’s silly. It’s freeing. To be honest, I don’t remember if I’ve skinny-dipped before. It seems like something I would do, but I don’t have any specific memories of doing it, so… Guess I need to do it (again?) to be able to confidently say I’ve done it.
Still on the bucket list.
24. Go wine tasting in a vineyard
There’s no other experience to have in your twenties that will make you feel like a grown-up like wine tasting in a vineyard does.
Let’s be honest, in our twenties, we’re used to buying the cheap stuff and probably don’t even know what good wine tastes like yet. It’s such an eye-opening experience to visit a vineyard and have a wine connoisseur walk you through an experience that will explode your taste buds. I promise you will leave feeling so refined, and probably a little bit tipsy.
Done it.
25. Go to Disneyland
I’m one of those Disney adults that goes to Disneyland every year and immediately gets post-Disney-depression when I leave. So, I might be a little biassed on this one, but I still think I’m right.
If you haven’t gone to Disney as an adult, do it. A lot of blogs might tell you to go to Disney World and visit Epcot to drink around the world, and, while that’s a total blast, I still say to go to Disneyland. There’s so much pressure in our twenties to grow up and find ourselves, it becomes a necessity to tap into and connect with our inner child every once in a while. Disneyland is the perfect place to do just that.
Done it.
26. Book the ultimate couple’s getaway
If you’ve got a significant other, make sure to take some time to nurture that relationship with a couple’s getaway. Better yet, at least once in your twenties, book the ultimate couples getaway. It’s a trip that will bring you closer together and you’ll make memories you will remember for a lifetime. If you need a little inspiration on where to go, check out this list of the most romantic getaways in the United States.
Done it.
27. Take a girls-only trip (or guys only)
There are three trips I think you should take at least once before you turn 30 and that is a solo trip, a couple’s getaway, and a friends-only trip. If you have siblings, then also consider doing a siblings only trip. There is nothing like traveling somewhere you’ve never been to bring you closer together to the people you love.
Done it.
28. Travel somewhere where you don’t know the language
We’ve already established that traveling can be nerve-wracking because it snaps you out of your comfort zone, so why on earth would you want to freak yourself out even more by traveling to somewhere where you don’t know the language?
Going somewhere where you don’t know the language will take you out of your comfort zone even more, it will help you appreciate where you’re visiting on a deeper level, and it will give you a challenge to solve. In this modern age, there is always a way to communicate, such as using Google Translate or a different app, so you’ll be able to get around.
Of course, be respectful and try to learn a few basic phrases before you get on the plane, but don’t ever let not knowing the language stop you from seeing the world.
Done it.
29. Count your blessings.
Be grateful for the experiences you’ve lived. If you’ve had the privilege of traveling away from your hometown and seeing a different part of the world, consider yourself lucky. Count your blessings. Be grateful. You are living an incredible life.
Done it.
30. Recognize that you have your entire life to explore the world
Life doesn’t end after the big 3-0. In our society, we put so much emphasis on turning 30. I haven’t hit that milestone birthday yet, but my husband has, so take it from him— 30 is pretty much the same as 29. Your life isn’t going to drastically change from just one birthday. So relax, you’ve got time. If you can’t cross off your entire bucket list by this date, it’s ok. Save some adventures for later.
In progress.
Ready for your next adventure? Use Booking.com to reserve a bed or two.
While you’re gone, use GetYourGuide to check out the best local tours and attractions at your destination.
Planning a trip soon?
Here are a few helpful services:
Booking.com | Find a comfy place to lay your head after a full day of adventuring.
Vrbo | If you’re looking for a more homey vibe, these rental homes might do the trick.
Expedia | Whether you’re looking for some wheels or a flight, you can find a way to get to your destination here.
Get Your Guide | Find local attractions and tours and book tickets to your excursions.
TSA | If you’re flying, check out the TSA page to make sure that you pack to TSA regulations.
Click Here to see more from the Adventuring Dreamers Resources.
