In search of adventure, inspiration and new experiences that will make you feel creative and alive? Check out the following 45 experiences that might give your life a whole new meaning.
Sunbathe In Palawan – The municipality of El Nido features a managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan, and its shores repeatedly top lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The majority of people who have been lucky enough to visit swear that the natural beauty and fantastic ecosystem make the experience unearthly – in a good way.
Spend The Night In A (Comfy) Car – The V8 Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany offers a unique experience not just to car lovers, but to all who think sleeping in a car equals excessive back and neck pain the next morning. The 4-star hotel has over 30 unique rooms decorated in an automobile theme, some of which even contain real cars. [Photo: Robert Basic/Wikimedia Commons]
Honeymoon In Santorini – Santorini is world-famous for its breathtaking sunsets and distinctive hotel swimming pools that trick your eyes into thinking its waters pour into the Aegean Sea. Its unique architecture and natural beauty has made the island a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, with Katikies Hotel being one of the most in-demand places thanks to its amazing view.
Dine Above Bangkok – 61 floors up, Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar provides the ultimate view of Bangkok, and some of the most delicious food you’ll find throughout all Thailand.
Ride A Horse-Drawn Carriage In Prague – Kick back in a beautiful retro horse-drawn carriage and enjoy a ride you’ll never forget. The unique architecture of the Old Town’s medieval streets will take your breath away – but don’t blink or you might miss the city’s famous astronomical clock.
Visit A CERN Facility Beneath The French-Swiss Border – Since 2013, anyone who wishes can visit one of the European Organization for Nuclear Research’s (CERN) underground sites. Here, you’ll find the Large Hadron Collider, the largest and most powerful particle accelerator ever built, just waiting for you to experience scientific research history.
Soak In A Thermal Bath In Budapest – Budapest sits on a patchwork of over 120 thermal springs, which means that “soaking in the waters” is pretty much part of everyday life. Széchenyi Bath is the largest thermal spring bath complex in Europe, consisting of 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools where you can enjoy the waters for less than USD 20 per person. [Photo: courtesy of Széchenyi Bath]
Visit The Hobbit Village In New Zealand – The wildly successful cinematic Lord of the Rings sagas were mainly filmed in New Zealand, specifically on the set for Hobbiton, built just for the movies. However, someone had the brilliant idea to turn the Hobbit village into a tourist attraction after it was no longer needed for filming, giving hundreds of thousands of fans the chance to tour the whimsical, bucolic village.
Go On Safari In Kenya – Ever wonder what it would feel like to interact with wild, intimidating animals such as lions, elephants and gorillas? If exploring the magnificent wildlife of Africa is on your bucket list, you can experience it all by booking a tailor-made safari in Kenya.
Take A Dip In Ubud – Ubud, Bali has been famous for the isolation, relaxing yoga retreats and distinctive boutique shops it has to offer, but if Instagram is any indication, the thing to do now in Ubud is take a dip in an infinity pool. Komaneka at Tanggayuda is a 5-star resort overlooking the Oos River, and has the most amazing infinity pool in Ubud by far.
Go Hot Air Ballooning In Cappadocia – The best way to see this Turkish fairy-tale region, known for its stunning rocky formations, picturesque river valleys and unreal underground cities, is from the sky – though the many stunning hot air balloons rising above Cappadocia’s landscapes also enhance the views from below. Airborne experiences vary from 30-minute to two-hour flights, but if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, head to Sunrise and Sunset Point in Göreme early in the morning. Here you can catch the balloons as they rise with the sun.
Dive With Oceanic Whitetip Sharks On Cat Island – Diving with some of the planet’s most vicious predators is not the kind of activity that most people would enjoy or even attempt, but if you’re an adrenaline junkie and adventure seeker, this is the kind of experience you can’t miss. Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas arranges safe shark-diving trips in April and May on Cat Island. [Photo: Nicolas Sanchez-Biezma/iStock]
Visit Dracula’s Castle In Bran – Obsessed with vampires? Well, you can visit Dracula’s fortress in Romania without carrying garlic, holy water or a cross. The castle – once home to Vlad the Impaler – is now a museum open to tourists, who can see the interior alone or on a guided tour.
Bungee Jump From Victoria Falls Bridge – Take a once-in-a-lifetime leap: bungee jump from the famous Victoria Falls Bridge, a height of 111 meters, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Wander The Schönbrunn Palace Gardens In Vienna – The beautiful park and gardens at Schönbrunn Palace opened to the public for the first time nearly three centuries ago, and have since become one of Vienna’s most popular cultural destinations for both locals and tourists. In case you want to combine your walk with fine European architecture, the 1,441-room Baroque palace is waiting to captivate you as well.
Browse The Bazaars Of Istanbul – Istanbul is famous for its glittering medieval spice bazaars, where the smells can easily seduce your senses. The 17th-century Eminönü Egyptian Spice Bazaar is open 7 days a week and considered one of the most popular destinations for millions of souvenir-seeking tourists that visit the city each year.
Party Hard In The Middle Of The Sea – No Man’s Fort is a Victorian-era fort originally built in the 1800s to guard Portsmouth, England from the attacks of Napoleon III. These days, however, it’s a luxury hotel with 22 rooms, including a lighthouse penthouse suite, a hot tub, a laser quest arena and a nightclub widely known for its wild parties.
Bring Game Of Thrones To Life In Dubrovnik – No one could have imagined how popular this Croatian city would become after the producers of Games of Thrones decided to make it one of the main filming locations for the fictional King’s Landing. As a result, hard-core fans now have a reason to visit that they may not have had before.
Combine Luxury With Adventure In The Galápagos – Atop the crater of an extinct volcano, eco-friendly Pikaia Lodge offers guests an unparalleled opportunity to explore the amazing wildlife and natural heritage of the Galápagos Islands while vacationing in total comfort.
Climb The Mountains Of Patagonia – For anyone who loves hiking and climbing, Chilean Patagonia is a top destination. Its unusual thorny massifs offer some of the most iconic views in the world and attract some of the world’s most decorated climbers. The good news is that there are many easier routes for less experienced adventurers, too.
Explore The Temples Of Angkor Wat – Some describe it as heaven on earth, while others refer to it as the “Mt. Olympus” of the Hindu faith and the abode of ancient gods. These Cambodian temples, after all, might be the ideal blend of creative ambition and spiritual devotion you’re looking for.
Taste The Street Food Of Hanoi – A street food tour is one of the best things you can do once you arrive in the Vietnamese capital. Hire someone to show you around the old quarter while providing you with 13 different local foods and plenty of beer and coffee for just a few dollars. [Photo: Prerna Ashok/Flickr]
Feel the Vastness Of The Grand Canyon – There are many ways to experience the Grand Canyon, but perhaps one of the best ways is through the free Park Ranger programs, where you can learn about the nature, science and history of the canyon with a park ranger as your guide.
Raise Your Glass At Oktoberfest – Experience the vibe of one of the most famous festivals on the planet as you drink beer by the litre (literally) at the Munich Oktoberfest. Meet beautiful people from every corner of the globe as you dance to the sounds played by on-site bands and DJs. Need to catch some shut-eye? Save money on a hotel and reserve a spot in a tent at one of the campsites near Munich, but book early. [Photo: Wirestock/iStock]
Throw Tomatoes At La Tomatina – Held since 1945, La Tomatina is an annual food fight festival that takes place on the last Wednesday of August in the town of Buñol near Valencia, Spain, reminding everyone that “fighting” can be fun and doesn’t have to involve deadly weapons [Photo: flydime/Wikimedia Commons]
Take A Cooking Class In Paris – What would France be without French food? La Cuisine Paris offers an exceptional cooking and baking experience, as well as tasting tours. The macaron decoration class and Versailles food tour are considered the school’s highlights, but the 180-minute French Technical classes that focus on either poultry or sauces are the ideal way to start, especially if you’re a beginner.
Witness The Rocket War On Chios Island – As a variation on the Greek tradition of throwing fireworks at midnight before Easter Sunday, two rival church congregations in Vrontados, a small town on the Greek island of Chios, perform a “rocket war” by firing thousands of homemade rockets across town, targeting the bell tower of the church on the other side and creating an “explosive” atmosphere and an impressive treat for the eye. [Photo: chios.gr]
Find Your Mojo Doing Yoga In Pune – With more than fifty yoga centres, schools and ashrams waiting for you in Pune, India, it’s a safe bet that anyone looking for meditation and relaxation will find their ideal place there. One of the most famed spots is the Kerala Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat, nestled away in a picturesque mountain valley in Mulshi, only an hour from Pune. [Photo: Fabrice Florin/Wikimedia Commons]
Learn To Tango In Buenos Aires – Tango is the heart and soul of Argentina – a must-do for any visitor to the country. Any insecurity you may have about your first class on the timeless dance will disappear once you enter La Viruta, a classic venue in the capital known for its friendly and unpretentious scene.
See The Northern Lights – “See the Northern Lights at least once”: a guaranteed entry on every traveller’s bucket list. Known for its clear skies and offering an observation tower for optimal viewing, Abisko National Park in Sweden is considered an ideal location to catch one of nature’s most jaw-dropping displays. [Photo: Jasper den Boer/iStock]
Scuba Dive In The Great Barrier Reef – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is the planet’s largest coral reef system. Composed of over 2,900 colourful individual reefs and 900 islands, it’s reportedly visible from outer space. Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, for instance, has been organising live-aboard voyages to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea since 1969, making them a solid choice for experienced guides. [Photo: Maerie/iStock]
Ride The Glacier Express In Switzerland – Covering 300 km of spectacular views between Zermatt and St. Moritz, The Glacier Express offers one of the most breathtaking train journeys on the planet. Also known as the “slowest express train in the world,” the journey lasts nearly 8 hours as the train snakes its way through the Alps, traversing narrow valleys, passing through 91 tunnels and crossing 291 bridges. [Photo: KvdB50/iStock]
Take A Journey On The Ganges – Sailing down India’s fabled river at sunrise is a marvellous experience for any traveller. The city of Varanasi in particular presents a unique combination of physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements, with old buildings, ashrams and palaces evoking the colours of the rainbow when the morning sun hits them.
Swing At The “End of the World” In Baños – La Casa del Arbol is a popular viewing spot in mountainous Baños, Ecuador, where thrill seekers can swing at the “end of the world.” The question is: Are you brave enough to swing over an abyss without any safety measures whatsoever? [Photo: KalypsoWorldPhotography/iStock]
Snorkel In The Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) – Need a break from the beach? Sign up for a Snorkel in the Museum Tour, an excursion that visits the 516 underwater statues located in Manchones Reef, Punta Nizuc and Punta Sam, making Cancún home to the biggest artificial reef in the world.
Vacation On The Palm Jumeirah Islands In Dubai – Dubai’s captivating man-made islands form the shape of a palm tree and aren’t just another tourist attraction, but an awe-inspiring feat of engineering. Though they may look like part of a sci-fi film set, they’re as real as can be, just waiting for you to visit. [Photo: Nikada/iStock]
Soak In The Blue Lagoon In Iceland – For less than USD 85 you can soak, get a hydromassage under a waterfall and recharge your batteries in the soothing, milky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, one of the coolest geothermal spas in the world, located in a lava field a few miles outside Reykjavik.
Examine The Peculiar Nazca Lines In Peru – The Nazca Lines are one of the greatest mysteries on the planet, and until recently, very few people had access to them. These days, however, you can fly over the arid Nazca Desert to see the lines and admire the geoglyphs of animals and mythical creatures.
Have A Cappuccino At A Roman Museum – But not just any Roman museum, the Museo Canova Tadolini, which provides its guests with a wonderful variety of drinks and food from hot chocolate to cappuccino, delicious pastries, homemade cakes and pasta, as you sit among priceless ancient Roman statues. [Photo: Museo Canova Tadolini via Facebook]
Cross The Salar De Uyuni Salt Flats In Bolivia – Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats on Earth, is located in Bolivia. Photographers from all over the globe gather there to capture the unearthly landscape. Take it all in on a one-day tour for the remarkable price of just USD 40.
Participate In A Tea Ceremony In Kyoto – During the 150 minutes a traditional Japanese tea ceremony usually lasts in Kyoto, you’ll have the opportunity to wear a kimono while witnessing up-close a demonstration of the entire tea preparation process as performed by a Japanese master.
Have A Cocktail Behind A 35-Ton Vault Door In New York – If safety and discretion are two of the things you need to enjoy a night drinking cocktails with your friends, then the basement vault at the Trinity Place bar and restaurant in New York is the place for you. The bar was originally commissioned by the New York Realty bank in 1904, which explains why its two doors weigh in at 35 tons each.
Enjoy Hot Soup In A Snow Restaurant In Kemi – If you want to do something really different to escape your everyday routine, consider booking an evening at the SnowCastle in Kemi, Finland, which offers the unique experience of dining in a restaurant completely made of snow. [Photo: Art of Backpacking/Wikimedia Commons]
Spend The Night In A UFO In Harads – The Treehotel is a magical place in Harads, Sweden, with outstanding rooms hanging from huge trees. Despite the awesomeness of each room in this strangely stunning hotel, the UFO room is by far the most popular and in-demand.
Lunch In An Underwater Restaurant In The Maldives – Perhaps the most unusual and enchanting eatery you’ll ever see, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant – the world’s first underwater restaurant – sits 5 metres below sea level and offers 180-degree panoramic views of the vigorous coral gardens surrounding it.
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