Ever noticed how you have a little more pep in your step when you have a vacation on your calendar? Well, if you’re looking for some inspiration for what to do and where to go, I’ve got just what you need! Here are 15 incredible experiences all over the globe for your travel wish list!
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This travel guide is created in partnership with Viator. As always, all opinions are my own.
We all have places we might want to go in our minds, or perhaps you’ve even created a travel bucket list. But one of the best ways to decide where to go is to decide what you want to do instead!
It’s a common conversation in my house with my kids. One year I asked them what they wanted to do, and when they said “the beach!” so we went to 30A Florida for spring break.
Just recently my son said he wanted to see the world’s largest gummy bear. (🤷♀️) So experiences over things every day is my motto!
Booking bucket list experiences with Viator
I’ve been on toooons of tours over the years. And my go-to favorite place to do this is with Viator. I love that I can see real traveler reviews and photos, and that the tour itinerary and what’s included is super transparent. This makes it easier to plan your trip and what to pack!
I also love that with Viator there are usually a variety of options in most destinations, which means I can find something that works well with my schedule, and keeps my interest.
Anyway, let’s get to it!
Travel wish list places and experiences you’ll love
Here are 15 absolutely amazing bucket list experiences in destinations I’ve personally been to, that I’d 10000% recommend. (Was that too many zeros? I don’t think so. 😉)
High adventure experiences full of adrenaline
Starting off with a few of my favorite adventures…
1. Zipline in Costa Rica
One of the most incredible countries for nature is Costa Rica. In fact, 6% of the world’s biodiversity is in the tiny country of Costa Rica, which covers only 0.3% of the globe’s surface! And the best way to see it? Via zipline tour!
Located in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde is the adventure of a ziplining tour. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, or just want to experience something new, you’ll love this activity.
Soar through the air on 10 ziplines as you pass lush forest, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see monkeys and sloths along the way!
Zipline tourZiplining is one of the best things to do in Monteverde, and one of my very favorite adventures in this country. I loooove Costa Rica, and recommend it to everyone who hasn’t been. It’s an incredible country, and ziplining absolutely should be on your travel wish list!
Here’s a full 7-day itinerary for Costa Rica to plan your dream adventure.
2. Dubai Dune Buggy in the Arabian Desert
Gah! Visiting Dubai is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And what tops the list of the best tours in Dubai is a dune buggy tour!
In Dubai, you can visit the Burj Khalifa, go shopping at the Dubai Mall, visit the world’s largest waterpark, and a whole lot more in this part of the United Arab Emirates.
But the most fun my family had? This incredible desert dune buggy tour! Driving over the sand dunes in the Arabian Desert is a bucket list check, for sure.
One of the stops we made on our dune buggy tour was sand boarding. My kids, husband and I all took turns riding the board down the dunes – another first for us!
You also have an option to add a camel ride to your tour (which my family opted out of).
A trip to Dubai, and especially a desert dune buggy tour, needs to be on your travel wish list!
Dubai dune buggy tourFun water adventures for your wish list travel
From swimming to boating and more, here are a few fun destinations to enjoy the water (and the marine life within!)
3. Stingray City in Grand Cayman
One of the most unique places in the Caribbean is Stingray City near Grand Cayman. This is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible wild animal experiences you can have!
Stingray City is definitely the most famous attraction in the Cayman Islands. You have to take a boat to get there, and most Stingray City tours include snorkeling and Starfish Point.
This shallow sandbar is a natural phenomenon, and home to dozens of friendly southern stingrays that swim up to visitors, allowing you to interact with them in their natural habitat (which I absolutely love!)
While you can’t snorkel at the sandbar (the stingrays can become aggressive with too much kicking, etc), you can wade in the water and get up close with these gentle creatures. It’s an unforgettable experience, and absolutely worthy of any travel wish list!
Stingray City tour4. La Jolla California kayaking tour
As someone who’s been to San Diego many times over the years, I can say definitively that kayaking in La Jolla is one of the best things to do in the area. La Jolla is home to restaurants and shops, but also a bunch of water activities and nature, too!
With direct beach access, you can surf, kayak or simply enjoy watching the hundreds of sea lions making their home along this iconic coast.
One of the first times I ever took a kayaking tour was in La Jolla. My husband and I took a two-person tandem kayak tour, exploring La Jolla’s sea caves and watching the sea lions frolic in the water.
La Jolla kayak tourIt’s one of those water adventures that have stuck with us through the years! Even though we’ve kayaked in Monterey along the PCH, in the Florida Keys, Turks and Caicos, and a ton of other places, this remains one of my favorites.
5. Puerto Rico day trip: Icacos Island
This is such a fun day trip in Puerto Rico, I’ve done it twice! If you’re ready for some of the most teal water you’ve ever seen in your life, then this is it!
Taking a day trip from Fajardo, Puerto Rico to this uninhabited island is such a travel wish list item, and will be a memorable trip for sure!
Swim, snorkel, and lounge on the beach at this remote island along the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. The catamaran trip includes lunch and drinks, and is such a fun way to experience this spot in Puerto Rico.
Icacos Island day tripHere’s everything you need to know before you go to Icacos Island, Puerto Rico.
6. Maui Hawaii whale watching tour
One of the most magnificent water adventures is a whale watching tour in Maui. I’ve done this several times in Hawaii, and without a doubt the best spot is along the coast of Maui.
From December through April, with peak season January – February, you can take a whale watching tour to see the migration of the mother whales giving birth to the babies.
Whale watching tourI’ve enjoyed seeing whales breach, and the mother whales teaching babies life skills needed to survive before making their way back north.
I love that this experience is great for all ages, and it’s certainly one of the top things to do in Maui with kids.
Travel wish list tours to experience history and culture
There’s such magnificent history all around the world, these tours have been some of my favorites for education and wonder…
7. Colosseum tour in Rome, Italy
While travelers are drawn to Rome for many reasons, but perhaps the #1 reason is the Colosseum. (Or maybe that’s #2 just after Italian food. 🤤)
Anyway, a place on any travel wish list is the Colosseum tour in Rome. Most of these tours include the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill as well. I loved the Viator Colosseum tour we did because it included the arena floor, which is the exact location the gladiators fought. 🤯
If you only have one or two days in Rome, a visit to the Colosseum absolutely needs to be at the top of your itinerary!
Colosseum tourNote: you’ll want to book your tour as soon as you book your trip as Colosseum tickets go fast!
8. Ancient Mayan city of Tikal, Guatemala
Located in the northeastern part of Guatemala in the Peten Provence, this is one of the most historically significant – and largest – ancient Mayan city. An estimated 100,000 Mayans lived in over 4,000 structures in the park.
Having been to many ancient temples and pyramids across Mexico and Belize, I can say with certainty that visiting Tikal should be on your travel wish list if you want to see the best!
Day trip to TikalPro tip: it’s actually easier to get to Tikal from San Ignacio, Belize, than most places in Guatemala because that’s the closest touristy area to the ruins. My mom and I explored Tikal during a budget trip to Belize, and I’d 100% recommend it!
9. Mysore Palace tour, India
Nestled in the heart of Karnataka, India is this cool adventure. I took a trip from Bangalore to Mysore during my time in southern India, and it was such a fun, unique experience.
A day trip to Mysore (Mysuru) includes the incredible Mysuru Palace (which the city is most famous for), Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, the Devaraja Market and more. With knowledgeable guides, you’ll get the history and witness the incredible architecture in Mysore!
Day trip to MysoreWalking tours that will blow your mind
Walking is one of the best ways to experience a city. These tours are perfect for that!
10. Bewitched walking tour, Salem, Massachusetts
The dark history in Salem, Massachusetts has been commercialized for decades. So on a recent RV trip out east with my family, we decided to do a walking tour of Salem, so we could better understand the history of Salem witches.
My entire family (plus two golden retrievers!) went on this informational walking tour in Salem, and we learned so much. Salem is dedicated to showcasing this part of their history, and it’s really impactful to hear it from a knowledgeable guide, rather than movies or the media.
If you’re into history, this walking tour is 100% worthy of any travelers’ bucket list!
Salem Bewitched tour11. Quebec City, Canada walking tour
Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to see a city, and this walking tour in Quebec City is worth every penny!
Quebec City is also known as ‘the Europe in North America’ for its stone streets and architecture, and is a joy to walk through. It absolutely reminded me of my time in Ireland.
Fun fact: the historic district in Quebec City is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Taking a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide brings the city’s history and culture to life.
Quebec City walking tourBeautiful destinations you won’t believe your eyes
These next tours are in places that are truly jaw-dropping. You’re gonna love them!
12. Boat tour of the Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful (and popular!) places in Southeast Asia is the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. While you can stay on the islands and explore all the best things to do in the Phi Phi Islands, a popular way to see this beautiful location is a boat tour from Krabi.
The ride from Krabi is so beautiful, and just a preview of what you’ll see in Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay.
Brought to popular culture by the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie, The Beach, Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands have seen loads of tourism since! The boat ride through Koh Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh is simply incredible, and you can absolutely tell why this location was chosen for a movie.
This part of Thailand is simply so gorgeous, and I’d highly recommend to add it to your travel wish list!
Phi Phi Islands tour13. Half Day Santorini, Greece tour
One of the most iconic islands in Europe is Santorini. With the blue domes and crisp white buildings, it’s such a travel wish list-worthy location.
Many people travel to this island on a cruise, and a half day Santorini tour is perfect for that type of trip. Of course, you could spend a week experiencing Santorini slowly. But I preferred our Aegean Sea cruise, which allowed us just a day on the island.
A half day tour includes the major sights of the island, including Oia, Imerovigli (which is perfect for sunset), Red Beach and more!
Santorini tour14. Donegal & Slieve League tour in Ireland
Talk about underrated destinations! One of the things about traveling is that you can take the popular route (like Santorini, above), or you can go off the beaten path.
So I bring you to one of the most unique experiences in Ireland: visiting Slieve League (Sliabh Liag). At 601 meters tall, nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, these are the highest sea cliffs in Europe. And way less busy than the Cliffs of Moher, too!
Combine this natural beauty with the charming towns of County Donegal, Ireland, and you’ve got a fun day tour!
Slieve League day tourSo when you book your trip to Ireland, consider going off the beaten path, because the country is much more than Dublin, Cork or Galway!
15. Lisbon to Sintra, Portugal: beautiful castles tour
It’s one of those places where you’ll have to pick your jaw up off the floor. A day trip from Lisbon to Sintra is full of castles, a sight that fairytales are made of!
Pena Palace in Sintra is one of Portugal’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. You can tour inside and outside of this real-life castle.
And beyond that on a Sintra day trip, you’ll get to experience more of Portugal’s magic, at the Quinta da Regaleira, another “villa” that is basically a castle!
Taking a day trip to Sintra is part of a Lisbon itinerary you’ll absolutely love!
Sintra day tripEndless places, more tours
Can you even believe this list?! While it was curated by me, it’s powered by Viator.
And with over 300,000 travel experiences around the world, always, always, always search Viator first for any destination.
I’ve personally booked so many tours through Viator and I’ve had nothing but good experiences. And more than that, memories that literally last a lifetime!
Explore Viator toursTravel wish list – that’s a wrap!
Creating memories is what travel is all about. Whether you’re booking tours with your loved ones, are part of a group, or are traveling solo, there’s so many options and amazing destinations around the world.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list and can book one (or hopefully more!) of the travel experiences above. This world is full of amazing places. It’s time to experience more of them!✈️
Related content:
101 Travel Bucket List Ideas (Plus How to Create Your Ultimate List)
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