We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you ... you're just helping re-supply our family's travel fund.
Whether it’s your dream to climb Mount Everest, horseback through Montana, or sail a catamaran through the British Virgin Islands, chances are you’re a bit of an adventurer. Or, at least you might desire to become one. You’re in luck—I’ve got a list of 15 bucket list places to visit in the world.
No matter which destination you decide to tackle first, you’re going to need to book accommodations. I’m a huge fan of using Booking.com, because you can book lodging at places such as hostels, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and villas. Book your stay today.
The Top 15 Bucket List Places to Visit in the World:
1. Petra
Located in Jordan, The Treasury is arguably one of Petra’s most iconic features. Many people come during the day and stay well into the night because of the paper lanterns that illuminate the ground in front of the treasury.
2. Tulum
To get to Tulum, you’ll fly into Cancun and then take a shuttle for just shy of two hours. I recommend taking a private minivan or bus to Tulum from Chiquila for a convenient and scenic journey.
Instead of deer crossing signs that dot highways in the USA and Canada, you’ll find puma crossing signs. Ancient Mayan ruins, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters bring visitors from all over to this little slice of the Caribbean.
3. Mallorca
Considered the playground for many European citizens, Mallorca is a Balearic Island off of Spain with beach resorts, sheltered coves, lots of nightlife, cathedrals, and even a royal palace. Unless you’re looking for a Cancun-esque spring break atmosphere, pay careful attention to where you book your hotel room. Otherwise you might find 18-year-old Brits knocking on your hotel room door looking to party (seriously, this happened to me on a business trip!).
4. Maui
We spent 10 days on the island of Maui, which is part of the Hawaiian archipelago. One of our favorite parts of the trip was driving the Road to Haña, which is more about the journey than the destination. It takes an entire day to go there and back, and there are many different waterfalls, food stands, and other stops along the way. Check out the top five things you should do on Maui.
5. Dubai
Home to the world’s tallest building, Dubai is the land of excess and yes. Where else can you have dinner 50 meters in the sky while your table is hoisted up on a crane, ride camels through the desert, and walk around gold souks? Check out these 360 degree videos of Dubai that I took during my trip last year.
6. Norway
After visiting 21 countries in just 18 months, I can confidently say that so far, Norway is hands-down my favorite country. I found a ridiculously good flight deal from DC to Oslo and back, so I stayed there for ten days with every intention of actually getting work done. I couldn’t—not even on the long train from Oslo to Bergen. It was impossible to unglue my eyes from the scenery the entire time. I loved it so much that I kept googling what it’d take for an American to move there. Go for the adventure, but stay for the breathtaking views.
7. Iceland
I had the privilege of getting to go to Iceland as a TripAdvisor Influencer. Here, I snorkeled between continents, soaked in Blue Lagoon, and took an ATV up two different mountains. It’s my second favorite country so far because of its breathtaking views and adventure. Check out all of my Iceland pics, and let me know when you book your own trip to the land of fire and ice!
8. Orlando
Everyone needs to visit Disney World at least once in their life, which makes Orlando one of my top bucket list places to visit. Even if you’re not much a ride kind of person, you’ll enjoy all of the incredible foods from all around the world—all without leaving the park! Check out the best and worst months to plan a trip to Disney World.
9. Germany
Because, castles (and my third favorite country)! A couple of summers ago I rented a Mercedes convertible in Frankfurt and drove all the way to Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and back up to Frankfurt in two days. I stayed overnight in a little village just below Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle so I could visit both of them in the morning. I loved every bit of it. Driving on the Autobahn was fun (ever wonder what it’s really like driving on the Autobahn?), and I couldn’t help but fall in love with how dark the trees are in the Black Forest!
10. Bali
Considered one of the best retreat destinations in the world, Bali is hugely popular among the Instagram crowd. Don’t let that scare you away though—while they’ve got some incredible backdrops for your IG posts, you’ll fall in love with the people, the culture, and the food. Many digital nomads end up staying after visiting because they’ve fallen in love with it all.
11. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is home to some of the bluest water you’ll ever find, plus dense jungle and many wild animals. It’s not unusual to find a sloth or toucan if you know where to look. You can take part in many different adventurous activities in Costa Rica, such as surfing, white water rafting, ziplining, and scuba diving. One of my favorite parts is Quepos, which is in Manuel Antonio.
12. Turkmenistan
Since 1971, a fiery crater has been burning in Turkmenistan. This crater is aptly named The Gates of Hell, and it formed after an oil rig accidentally punched a hole through an underground gas cavern. Workers lit it on fire so it could quickly burn out in a couple of weeks, but that was over 40 years ago! It’s now a gaining popularity as a tourist destination, despite being located in the middle of the desert. You can even wild camp nearby.
13. Kenya
Giraffe Manor will provide you with one of the most magical breakfasts you’ll ever have. It’s located in Kenya, which is in East Africa. Here, you’ll get to interact with giraffes up close. Getting to stay in one of only 12 rooms available, you can enjoy giraffes at both breakfast and afternoon tea. Plus, you’re going to create such incredible memories for every member of your family.
14. Cinque Terre
If you google an image of Italy, you’re probably going to find most of them are of Cinque Terre. Meaning five lands, Cinque Terre is made up of five different towns that are centuries-old. When I visited, I stayed in Riomaggiore, where I attended a writing workshop in a castle at the top of the hill. It was such a trek every day, but it was such a fun experience getting to be there. Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling mask when you go—it’s fun to catch a view of the sea life under the harbor.
15. Morocco
Situated in North Africa, Morocco receives influence from European, Berber, and Arabian cultures. They’ve got medieval architecture and souks selling metal lanterns, jewelry, and ceramics. Venture out on a desert safari or enjoy the many beautiful mosques. With all of its stunning colors, Marrakech is a popular hotspot for Instagrammers.
There’s no better time than now to begin to tackle your favorite bucket list places to visit. After all, jobs come and go. When you’re on your deathbed, are you going to care about the job you had, or will you care more about the places you’ve been and the impact you’ve made? If you’re anything like our family, you’ve chosen the latter. We’re firm believers that the secret to telling a great story is living one.
Grab your passport and book your flights and hotels for these bucket list places to visit. We’re huge fans of Booking.com because we can stay in many different types of accommodations, no matter our budget. Book your trip today.
If you’ve enjoyed these top 15 bucket list places to visit in the world, you’ll love these:
Can I ask a teensy tiny favor? If you loved our list of the top 15 bucket list places to visit in the world, can you please share this on Pinterest? xoxo
Leave a Reply