Welcome to my world of wanderlust! If there's one thing that drives me, it's the insatiable passion for exploring new horizons, immersing myself in diverse cultures, and pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone.
As an avid traveller, I've made it my mission to seek out unforgettable experiences that challenge, inspire, and enrich my life. So, I've curated my ultimate travel bucket list—a collection of dreams waiting to be realized, each one a testament to the boundless adventure that awaits. From conquering towering peaks to savouring exotic cuisines, every item on this list represents a step closer to living life to the fullest.
As I embark on this journey, I invite you to join me, whether through the pages of this blog or on my social media channels, as we witness dreams turning into reality, one destination at a time. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of me ticking off those highlighted items along the way!
P.S. The highlighted items are things that I've already done - I'll be updating this blog post over years to come so you might want to bookmark this page, because this is just the beginning of an epic adventure, with many more chapters yet to be written!
Samina's Ultimate Travel Bucket List
Skydiving from a plane ✈️ in Hawaii 🇺🇸 , New Zealand 🇳🇿, Australia 🇦🇺 or UAE 🇦🇪
Exploring the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and enjoying the view from the observation deck in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾
Taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset 🌅 over its fairy chimneys and rock formations in Cappadocia, Turkey 🇹🇷.
Swim in iconic cenotes such as Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, and Cenote Calavera in Tulum, Mexico 🇲🇽.
Bungee jumping from a towering bridge or platform 🌉 in Queenstown, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Visit a remote tribe either in the Amazons or Africa and observe their lifestyle 🗿
Trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru 🇵🇪
Snorkelling 🤿 or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia 🇵🇫, home to some of the best diving spots in the world.
Horseback Galloping 🐎 along the beach 🏝 in Essaouira, Morocco 🇲🇦
Island-hopping in Palawan to explore the stunning limestone cliffs and pristine beaches 🏝 of El Nido and Coron in Philippines 🇵🇭.
Swimming with dolphins 🐬 in the wild
Experiencing the futuristic skyline of Dubai 🇦🇪 by visiting iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the Palm Jumeirah.
Road tripping 🚐 along the iconic Route 66 in the USA
Swimming with sea lions 🦭, sea turtles 🐢, and observe rare wildlife species found nowhere else on Earth, such as giant tortoises and marine iguanas on Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Ecuador 🇪🇨
Witnessing the Northern Lights in Iceland 🇮🇸 or Norway 🇳🇴
Going safari adventure in Kruger National Park in South Africa 🇿🇦, one of Africa's largest game reserves, to spot the "Big Five" (lion, elephant 🐘, buffalo 🦬, leopard 🐆, and rhinoceros 🦏) and other iconic wildlife species in their natural habitat.
Exploring the historic streets of Old San Juan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring colorful colonial buildings, historic forts (such as El Morro and San Cristobal), and vibrant plazas in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Witnessing traditional ceremonies and rituals, such as bull jumping among the Hamar tribe or body painting among the Karo tribe, which offer insights into the cultural practices and rites of passage of these indigenous communities of Ethiopia 🇪🇹 .
Cave diving in
Marvelling at the grandeur of Red Square, including iconic landmarks like the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and Lenin's Mausoleum 🇷🇺
Visiting the ancient wonders of Egypt 🇪🇬, including the pyramids and the Sphinx
Scuba diving 🤿 in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia 🇦🇺
Swimming in the natural thermal pools 🌫 of Furnas on São Miguel Island in Azores, Portugal 🇵🇹 heated by geothermal activity.
Camping 🏕 under the stars in the Sahara Desert 🏜
Attending a traditional Japanese tea 🍵 ceremony in Kyoto 🇯🇵
Hiking to the top of a volcano 🌋 in Nicaragua 🇳🇮, Guatemala 🇬🇹 , or Hawaii 🇺🇸
Walking along the iconic Great Wall of China 🇨🇳, one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.
Immersing yourself in the vibrant street food culture of Seoul 🍡 , exploring markets like Gwangjang Market and tasting local delicacies like kimchi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki 🇰🇷
Exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia 🇰🇭
Learning to surf 🏄♀️ in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Watching killer whales (orcas) in their natural habitat off the coast of British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦.
Volunteering abroad and making a positive impact in a community in need. 🤝
Sampling authentic Dominican cuisine 🇩🇴 , including mofongo, sancocho, and fresh seafood 🦞, at local restaurants and street food stalls.
Taking a cross-country train journey, like the Trans-Siberian Railway or Orient Express 🚆
Paragliding 🪂 over scenic landscapes, such as the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭 or the Himalayas
Riding the historic Star Ferry ⛴ across Victoria Harbour to enjoy stunning views of the Hong Kong 🇭🇰 skyline.
Visiting a coffee plantation in Costa Rica 🇨🇷 to learn about the cultivation and harvesting of coffee beans ☕️
Sampling traditional Dutch cheese 🧀 and stroopwafels at local markets and cheese farms in Netherlands 🇳🇱
Attend a traditional cultural festival, like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷 or Diwali in India 🇮🇳 or Festival of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in Mexico 🇲🇽 .
Going on a gastronomic tour of Italy 🇮🇹, sampling authentic pizza 🍕 in Naples and gelato 🍧 in Florence
Exploring the mystical beauty of the cloud forests in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Sailing through the picturesque Greek Islands 🇬🇷 on a yacht ⛵️
Attending a live performance at the Sydney Opera House 🇦🇺
Cave tube and wander through hidden cave pathways in San Ignacio, Belize 🇧🇿
Road-tripping or sailing along the stunning Amalfi Coast in Italy 🇮🇹
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives 🇲🇻 and Seychelles 🇸🇨
Visiting the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of Banaue in Ifugao Province in Philippines 🇵🇭 , often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Experiencing the vibrant energy of Shanghai's futuristic skyline 🏙 and bustling streets, including the historic Bund waterfront and modern skyscrapers of Pudong 🇨🇳
Camping ⛺️ overnight 🌙 in a national park, like Yosemite in the USA 🇺🇸 or Banff in Canada 🇨🇦
Discovering the unique wildlife of Madagascar 🇲🇬, including lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees 🌳, in national parks like Andasibe-Mantadia and Isalo.
Taking a helicopter 🚁 tour over iconic landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon or New York🇺🇸City skyline 🇺🇸
Learning to salsa dance in Cuba 🇨🇺 or tango in Argentina 🇦🇷
Riding a camel through the desert 🐪 sands of Morocco 🇲🇦 or Rajasthan
Going on a spiritual pilgrimage, such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain 🇪🇸 or the Golden Temple in India 🇮🇳.
Visiting the iconic Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island in Hong Kong 🇭🇰 and exploring the nearby Po Lin Monastery
Dip in bubbling mud pools, geysers, natural hot springs and other geothermal wonders of Rotorua, New Zealand 🇳🇿.
Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the cherry blossoms 🌸 in Japan 🇯🇵 during springtime
Swimming with nurse sharks 🦈 in Belize 🇧🇿
Taking a hot spring bath in an Icelandic geothermal pool 🇮🇸, like the Blue Lagoon
Exploring the enchanting ruins of Petra in Jordan 🇯🇴
Attending a major sporting event, such as the FIFA World Cup ⚽️ or the Olympics
Learning to cook traditional cuisine in a culinary class in Thailand 🇹🇭 or France 🇫🇷
Riding in a gondola in Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪
Going on a wildlife safari in India 🇮🇳 to spot Bengal tigers 🐅 and elephants 🐘
Visiting the ancient city of Rome and exploring iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City 🇻🇦
Exploring the colorful streets and colonial architecture of Cartagena's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 🇨🇴
Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal🇳🇵 for breathtaking views of the world's highest peak
Exploring the stunning fjords of Norway 🇳🇴 by boat or kayak 🛶
Enjoying a traditional dim sum 🥟 brunch at a local teahouse and sampling Hong Kong's famous culinary delights. 🇭🇰
Attending a music festival in a unique location, such as Tomorrowland in Belgium 🇧🇪, Burning Man in Nevada or Coachella in California 🇺🇸 , Tale of Us in Mexico 🇲🇽 or Afterlife in either in Argentina 🇦🇷, Colombia 🇨🇴, Brazil 🇧🇷, or Peru 🇵🇪
Exploring the futuristic Gardens by the Bay in Singapore 🇸🇬, including the iconic Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest dome.
Snorkelling or diving in the clear waters of the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas 🇧🇸, home to vibrant coral reefs 🪸, marine life, and the famous swimming pigs 🐖.
Going on a dog sled adventure through the snowy wilderness of Alaska or Lapland 🐺
Swimming in the bioluminescent waters of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 or the Maldives 🇲🇻, where the water glows with natural light at night.
Exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal in Guatemala 🇬🇹, surrounded by dense jungle and exotic wildlife.
Going on a wine-tasting 🍷 tour through the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹, sampling renowned Chianti and Brunello wines.
Exploring the historic center of Macao 🇲🇴, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its blend of Chinese and Portuguese architecture.
Swimming with whale sharks 🦈 in the pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia 🇦🇺.
Visiting Swiss 🇨🇭 Chocolate 🍫 Museum in Kilchberg to see chocolate-making demonstrations.
Embarking on a multi-day trek to the lost city of Ciudad Perdida (The Lost City) in Colombia 🇨🇴, hidden deep in the jungle.
Learn how to samba in Brazil 🇧🇷
Climbing to the top of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris 🇫🇷
Visiting the Statue of Liberty 🗽 in New York City 🇺🇸
Visiting the historic neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam to experience Singapore's multicultural heritage 🇸🇬
Attending a traditional Maasai village ceremony in Kenya 🇰🇪 or Tanzania 🇹🇿 to learn about Maasai culture and customs.
Exploring the ancient town of Hoi An, Vietnam 🇻🇳, known for its well-preserved architecture, lantern-lit streets, and vibrant markets.
Swimming with dolphins 🐬 or stingrays at Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas 🇧🇸
Going on a spiritual retreat to an ashram in India 🇮🇳, practicing yoga and meditation in a serene environment.
Relaxing on the pristine beaches of Langkawi 🇲🇾 and indulging in water sports like snorkeling 🤿 .
Taking a scenic train journey through the Swiss Alps 🇨🇭 on the Glacier Express, passing through picturesque mountain villages and stunning alpine scenery.
Visiting the ancient city of Petra in Jordan 🇯🇴 by night, when the rock-carved Treasury is illuminated by hundreds of candles 🕯
Trekking through the rugged terrain of Patagonia in Chile 🇨🇱 and Argentina 🇦🇷, encountering dramatic landscapes of glaciers, mountains 🏔 , and fjords.
Ride the fastest roller coaster 🎢 in Ferrari-Themed park in Abu Dhabi, UAE 🇦🇪
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia 🇭🇷, cascading over limestone cliffs and surrounded by lush forests 🌳.
Exploring the cultural heart of Ubud, Indonesia 🇮🇩 , visiting temples, art galleries, and rice terraces 🌾
Exploring the vibrant street art scene in cities like Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪, or Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷, discovering colorful murals and graffiti masterpieces.
Indulging in Belgian chocolate 🍫 at world-renowned chocolatiers like Neuhaus, Leonidas, and Godiva.
Taking a boat tour to spot humpback whales 🐋 off the coast of Madagascar 🇲🇬, especially during the winter months when they migrate to warmer waters to breed.
Riding a traditional bamboo basket boat through the water coconut groves of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam 🇻🇳
Exploring the historic Panama Canal 🇵🇦, one of the greatest engineering marvels of the modern world, and watching ships navigate the locks.
Doing an expedition across Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 to showcase the wonders of my culture to the world 🌎
The page has been last updated on April 17, 2024
Written by:
Samina Batyrova
Content Creator | Entrepreneur | Digital Marketer
☀︎ Empowering women to be bold
☀︎ 50 countries before 30
☀︎ "Lead with a genuine heart and pure intentions"
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