A trip to Disneyland is great family fun, as is a vacation at the beach or in the mountains. There are thousands of amazing things to see right here in America. However, the world is full of breathtaking and exotic places where you will have the chance to experience new cultures and take in the beauty of foreign landscapes.
You owe it to yourself to visit one of these places at least once in your lifetime. After you do, your view of the world might never be the same. Some of the areas mentioned here aren’t easy to get to, but the more remote the destination, the more unspoiled the surroundings. Besides, getting there is all part of the adventure.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
If you love the ocean and the incredible things that live below the surface, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef might be a perfect adventure for you. The most extensive system of coral reefs in the world lies in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Australia.
You can enjoy the Great Barrier Reef tour from a glass-bottom boat, or jump in the water with a snorkel for a more hands-on experience. It’s a long flight from the US to Australia, but since you have to fly over the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand to get there, you could always plan to make a stop in one or both places along the way.
After making the long journey to Australia, you might as well visit Sidney, Queensland, Brisbane or Melbourne while you’re there!
Antarctica
Traveling to the continent of Antarctica is also a long journey. If you’re coming from the US, the first leg of the trip will most likely take you to South America. From there, you would board an Antarctica cruise ship, travel through Cape Horn and the Drake Passage, and then on to Antarctica.
Experience the wonder of glaciers and icebergs close up, and let the penguins entertain you. The vast expanse of water and ice will be in stark contrast to the world that you know. Now, doesn’t that sound like an adventure worth putting on your bucket list?
Serengeti National Park, Africa
Imagine going on an African photographic safari in Tanzania. The Serengeti National Park is home to many endangered species, including the elephant, black rhinoceros, and cheetah. It is also home to lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and many other wild animals.
Riding in the back of a caged-in jeep, you could see these animals in their natural habitat. Photographing them in this environment is a rare opportunity. If you love wildlife, this is an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Machu Picchu, Peru
If you’re energetic and enjoy the outdoors, you might consider hiking the Inca Trail that will lead you to Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.
Those who prefer a less athletic experience can take a train from Cusco to the iconic Inca ruins of this 15th-century city. Before starting your hike, it may be wise to spend a day or two getting acclimated to the high elevation. After exploring the ruins, travel to the beaches of Lima, Peru’s capital, and largest city.
Costa Rica, Central America
Do you love the idea of walking through a jungle or rainforest? Maybe you prefer hiking around an active volcano or enjoying the glorious beaches of two different oceans.
If this sounds like you, then Costa Rica could be your adventure destination. While you’re in Central America, you could take a side trip and cruise through the Panama Canal to see the engineering miracle with your own eyes.
There are countless possible destinations for your adventure of a lifetime. Plan carefully and do your research so you’ll know what to expect and make a list of the things you want to see.
The more exotic locations are harder to get to and will probably require more than merely taking an airplane and a taxi, so set aside as much time as possible for your life-changing experience.