Long lists, shortlists… Bucket Lists. We all love the satisfying feeling of ticking things off all the lists we make to keep up with our goal-getting. No matter how long or short your travel Bucket List may be, allow us to indulge you in even more listing and daydreaming with these destinations straight from the horse’s mouth. Yes, our very own globetrotting, boundary-breaking, tech-savvy employees (we call ourselves Tipsters,) have also got Bucket Lists of their own as well! We’ve decided to share not just our best tips – but also a few choice words about how and why traveling like we do makes sense in today’s cluttered world, in the hope of inspiring everybody ready this to go forth and travel the world.
For information on the travel status of each destination in this article, including updated requirements for entry, consult our Travel Restrictions Page.
The best bucket list destinations for nature lovers
Those looking for quietude amongst the noise and haste – cue your favourite scene from “Into the wild,” get ready to turn off the distractions and turn on the sound of nature – in full HD.
Press the reset button in a naturally heated river in Iceland
Marta Krywult, Senior Growth Manager, Organic (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Aside from visiting popular geothermal spas like The Blue Lagoon, (which you may know from that app with lots of square pictures,) try venturing off the beaten path and wading into the lesser-known naturally heated river. The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is located around 45 km from Reykjavik and offers visitors a relaxing reset in 40-degree water flanked by lush, raw terrain. We’ll let you decide if this sounds like it’s worth your while.
Consider this a useful exercise that can be applied to any well-known destination – look beyond the obvious for a truly authentic and memorable experience that’ll last a lifetime.
Head unheeded and happy into the heart of life in Antarctica
Sydney Trager, Senior Marketing Specialist (New York City)
Don’t be afraid, vacation can be for relaxing, but it can also be for facing challenges and most of all, vacation can be for learning
Find flights to Antarctica (via Ushuaia)
Island Hop like it’s nobody’s business in Fiji
Sergio Vasquez-Pratz, Localization Project Coordinator (Berlin, Germany)
Remember The Blue Lagoon? No, not the one in Iceland that we already mentioned earlier in the article but rather, that 80’s movie with Brooke Shields. If you’re wondering where it was filmed – look no further than Fiji – and yes, it looks even better in real life!
After landing at Nadi International Airport, you can easily find inexpensive tours that sort out transport, accommodation, and food to The Yasawa Islands – an archipelago that appears to have been sculpted from the imagination of some far-flung force of nature too vast and omniscient to be reckoned with. Get an island-hop boat pass that departs from Denarau Port, and unearth your first dilemmas in paradise. Some islands are as small as a house, others roughly the size of a golf course. They all have themes of their own – catering for everything 24-hour raves to undisturbed silences and spa retreats.
Variety is the spice of life and a varied holiday destination gives you the luxury of being able to be your very own holiday planner. Succumb to your whims and get out of your comfort zone.
The best bucket list destinations for thrill-seekers
Get those butterflies churning around your tummy and feel the hairs on your arms rise with sheer excitement. If you’re on the prowl for destinations that will get your adrenaline pumping, get out that notepad and get jotting.
Slide down gravel slopes as if they were made of water in Cerro Negro, Leon, Nicaragua
Sarah Alderding, Regional People Partner (Sydney, Australia)
Travel and adventurism go hand-in-hand. Always be prepared for an adrenaline rush in unfamiliar settings.
Watch the world awaken in Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii
Solomon Mercurio, Senior Product Designer (Cambridge, U.S.A)
If on Maui, you can’t afford to miss a sunrise or sunset atop Haleakala. If you want to drive to the summit, remember to pack warm clothes: It’s way colder than you’d expect up there. A hat, gloves, and jacket are highly recommended. If you’re planning to hike in the crater, I’d recommend the Sliding Sands Trail. Warning: It’s much easier going down into the crater (the first half of the hike,) then back up to the top. You’re climbing at a high altitude going back up (10,000 ft (3,048 m) so you’ll feel the strain on your body! Bring plenty of water and take your time.
Travel is a test for all of us – plan ahead, push your limits then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Hike towards infinity on Mahe Island, The Seychelles
Allan Kortbæk, Social Marketing Specialist (Copenhagen, Denmark)
There are hikes galore on many of the islands in The Seychelles and The Anse Major Nature Trail is one of Mahe Island’s most endearing. Catch the bus from Beau Vallon police station to the small settlement of Danzilles and walk up to the end of the road from there. The trail is easy to walk and is graced with lush vegetation on all sides as well as jaw-dropping vistas of Silhouette island in the distance – and a blue ocean of infinity beyond. The tranquil Anse Major beach awaits you at the end of the trail. Grab a water taxi back to Beau Vallon for the full Anse Major Nature Trail experience.
Get away from it all – somewhere where you can afford introspection and contemplation. Surroundings like these offer your mind a chance to think out of context and make memories that’ll keep you sane for a lifetime in your everyday life.
The best Bucket List destinations for a city break
Plunge headfirst into it all – the clanging sounds, the horns, the unfamiliar clash of faraway languages and people from a thousand walks of life – all enmeshed in the belly of the thriving city.
Immerse yourself in localhood in the worn streets of Havana, Cuba
Tahmina Hoshmand, Senior Onboarding Specialist (Texas, U.S.A)
Don’t be afraid to be a local! I always ask staff members of local restaurants where they love to grab a drink/eat/explore. You will almost always find the best hidden gems and meet amazing people this way be it in a restaurant, bar or with local street food! The Casa Particulares (accomodation rentals run by locals, often in their own houses) in Cuba were an amazing way to have a nice traditional meal in a local household.
Always let your host family know your plans/whereabouts…because duh!
Travelling is an exchange of emotions, cultures and ways of life – deconstruct your stereotypes of others by learning their ways and doing as in Rome, when in Rome (or in this case, Havana.)
Do it smart in Tokyo, Japan
Ryosuke Onaka, Engineer, (Los Angeles, U.S.A)
When flying to Tokyo, choose Hanada airport instead of Narita International Airport as it’s far easier to get into Tokyo from the former. If you’d like to visit multiple destinations during your stay, one option is to immediately embark on a connecting flight to a different city and come back to Tokyo during the latter half of your trip. Using a JR pass to come back to Tokyo was fun and it allowed me to visit even more Japanese cities. A JR pass allows access to most bullet trains (excluding Nozomi) plus a few ferry rides – allowing you the flexibility to travel as you please in Japan.
Travel smart by doing your research before hitting the road – there are always miles to spare, hacks to be gained and overall, a more fulfilling experience to be had.
Find the travel Bucket List destination that tickles your fancy, pull out that phone or computer and start your next journey around our beautiful world with KAYAK. Watch this space for more tips (travel Bucket List or otherwise) from our KAYAK Tipsters.
