Everyone has a travel bucket list, whether that’s a collection of destinations you’d like to visit or a series of experiences you’d like to have at some point in your life.  These might stay the same for years, or they might be influenced by travel trends and popular holidays you see friends and family going on.

If you’re looking for travel bucket list inspiration, here are five of the top experiences for this year that you should add to your future plans.

Stay on a Private Island

Starting the list with a luxury recommendation – one of the best bucket list experiences is staying on a private island.  It might not be something that you can afford to do every year, but if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to an unforgettable holiday, there’s truly nothing like it.

Private islands exist all over the world, with many options in places like the Caribbean, The Maldives and the Indian Ocean.  Many are dedicated to exclusive resorts that offer a small number of guests a wealth of different experiences and high levels of attentiveness, but there are also some small islands with only one residence on them that offer total privacy and dedicated service.

From wellness retreats in Indonesia with all-inclusive treatments and classes to relaxing breaks on luxury private islands in Madagascar, a trip to a private island is the ultimate travel experience where you can let go of any stress and enjoy having everything you need managed by someone else.  It’s a great idea for a romantic holiday, a family trip celebrating an important milestone or achievement, or a trip focused on relaxation, self-love and renewal.

Embark on a Multi-Day Trek

If you’re the kind of person who loves a challenge when they’re travelling, or prefers to get out and about and explore a new destination, a great activity to add to your bucket list is a multi-day trek.  Short hikes and scenic walks are a lovely way to spend a day, but a longer trek that sees you spending days on a trail can be a really wonderful experience that offers opportunities to push yourself and connect more with your surroundings.

The scope of different multi-day treks that you can do on holiday is pretty wide, ranging from intrepid journeys like hiking in the Himalayas or even tackling some of Mount Everest or Kilimanjaro, to less extreme trails like the South West Coast Path.  Whether you decide to hike with a group of friends, as part of an organised tour or as a solo adventure, you’ll not only get to explore brilliant scenery but also finish your trip with a real sense of accomplishment.

See the Northern Lights

A common bucket list experience that many people dream about is seeing the northern lights.  You don’t necessarily have to travel far to witness the event, but for the most magical experience, it can be worth visiting a country in the northern hemisphere that is known for its regular sightings of the magical night-time light show.

Iceland is one of the most popular places to visit to see the northern lights, with a reasonable chance of seeing the phenomenon between September and April when the nights are much longer and visibility is best.  Other places to see the northern lights include Norway, Sweden and Greenland, but they’re also sometimes visible in the north of Scotland in the UK at certain times of the year.

Seeing the northern lights isn’t something that you can easily organise, but it’s definitely worthy of a bucket list because of how spectacular they are.  There are various tours available which take you to some of the best spots in places like Iceland to witness the aurora borealis, but it’s never guaranteed, which is one of the things that makes this such a sought-after experience!

Cruise Somewhere Cold

When you think of a cruise holiday, the first things that come to mind are likely ideas of tropical holidays with plenty of excursions to sunny beaches.  But an adventure that you should add to your bucket list is a trip to somewhere frozen in the northern hemisphere for a truly unique cruising experience with scenery that is absolutely unforgettable.

One of the most popular places for this kind of holiday is Norway, cruising the fjords, visiting fishing villages along the coast, and witnessing winter scenery that ranges from snow-dusted rooftops to huge, icy glaciers.  Or, for the ultimate adventure, you can take a cruise ship all the way to Antarctica and see the southernmost continent on the planet as part of a guided tour.

Snorkel in a Coral Reef

Witnessing rare and unique landscapes is a common theme when it comes to travel bucket list experiences, which is why so many people put snorkelling in a coral reef on theirs.  Being able to swim in warm and beautifully clear waters as you look down on a colourful array of coral is incredibly memorable, especially when you’re also surrounded by shoals of vibrant tropical fish.

You can find coral reefs in various destinations around the world, although these marine landscapes are being impacted by climate change and some are shrinking or even being wiped out altogether.  You can make your experience more meaningful by taking part in a snorkelling excursion or tour led by a company working on reef conservation that can educate you on what’s happening to these ecosystems as you explore them.

Some of the best places for coral reef snorkelling include Baros in the Maldives, Roatán in Honduras and the Great Barrier Reef between Papua New Guinea and Australia.  More adventurous travellers can try their hand at scuba diving to get closer to the reefs, but snorkelling is a great way to enjoy this bucket list experience in a group or with your family.

Summary

Everyone’s travel bucket list is going to look different, whether you enjoy thrill-seeking adventures when you go on holiday or are looking to encounter a wide variety of scenery and wildlife.  These five suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to inspirational travel ideas, so take your pick and then start dreaming up some of your own!