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 listโa 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 โ๏ธ in Hawaii ๐บ๐ธ , New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ or UAE ๐ฆ๐ช
Exploring the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and enjoying the view from the observation deck in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ๐ฒ๐พ
Taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset ๐ over its fairy chimneys and rock formations in Cappadocia, Turkey ๐น๐ท.
Swim in iconic cenotes such as Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos, and Cenote Calavera in Tulum, Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ.
Bungee jumping from a towering bridge or platform ๐ in Queenstown, New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ
Visit a remote tribe either in the Amazons or Africa and observe their lifestyle ๐ฟ
Trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru ๐ต๐ช
Snorkelling ๐คฟ or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia ๐ต๐ซ, home to some of the best diving spots in the world.
Horseback Galloping ๐ along the beach ๐ in Essaouira, Morocco ๐ฒ๐ฆ
Island-hopping in Palawan to explore the stunning limestone cliffs and pristine beaches ๐ of El Nido and Coron in Philippines ๐ต๐ญ.
Swimming with dolphins ๐ฌ in the wild
Experiencing the futuristic skyline of Dubai ๐ฆ๐ช by visiting iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, and the Palm Jumeirah.
Road tripping ๐ along the iconic Route 66 in the USA
Swimming with sea lions ๐ฆญ, sea turtles ๐ข, 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 ๐ช๐จ
Witnessing the Northern Lights in Iceland ๐ฎ๐ธ or Norway ๐ณ๐ด
Going safari adventure in Kruger National Park in South Africa ๐ฟ๐ฆ, one of Africa's largest game reserves, to spot the "Big Five" (lion, elephant ๐, buffalo ๐ฆฌ, leopard ๐, and rhinoceros ๐ฆ) 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 ๐ต๐ท
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 ๐ช๐น .
Cave diving in
Marvelling at the grandeur of Red Square, including iconic landmarks like the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, and Lenin's Mausoleum ๐ท๐บ
Visiting the ancient wonders of Egypt ๐ช๐ฌ, including the pyramids and the Sphinx
Scuba diving ๐คฟ in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
Swimming in the natural thermal pools ๐ซ of Furnas on Sรฃo Miguel Island in Azores, Portugal ๐ต๐น heated by geothermal activity.
Camping ๐ under the stars in the Sahara Desert ๐
Attending a traditional Japanese tea ๐ต ceremony in Kyoto ๐ฏ๐ต
Hiking to the top of a volcano ๐ in Nicaragua ๐ณ๐ฎ, Guatemala ๐ฌ๐น , or Hawaii ๐บ๐ธ
Walking along the iconic Great Wall of China ๐จ๐ณ, one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.
Immersing yourself in the vibrant street food culture of Seoul ๐ก , exploring markets like Gwangjang Market and tasting local delicacies like kimchi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki ๐ฐ๐ท
Exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia ๐ฐ๐ญ
Learning to surf ๐โโ๏ธ in Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท
Watching killer whales (orcas) in their natural habitat off the coast of British Columbia, Canada ๐จ๐ฆ.
Volunteering abroad and making a positive impact in a community in need. ๐ค
Sampling authentic Dominican cuisine ๐ฉ๐ด , including mofongo, sancocho, and fresh seafood ๐ฆ, at local restaurants and street food stalls.
Taking a cross-country train journey, like the Trans-Siberian Railway or Orient Express ๐
Paragliding ๐ช over scenic landscapes, such as the Swiss Alps ๐จ๐ญ or the Himalayas
Riding the historic Star Ferry โด across Victoria Harbour to enjoy stunning views of the Hong Kong ๐ญ๐ฐ skyline.
Visiting a coffee plantation in Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท to learn about the cultivation and harvesting of coffee beans โ๏ธ
Sampling traditional Dutch cheese ๐ง and stroopwafels at local markets and cheese farms in Netherlands ๐ณ๐ฑ
Attend a traditional cultural festival, like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro ๐ง๐ท or Diwali in India ๐ฎ๐ณ or Festival of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ .
Going on a gastronomic tour of Italy ๐ฎ๐น, sampling authentic pizza ๐ in Naples and gelato ๐ง in Florence
Exploring the mystical beauty of the cloud forests in Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท
Sailing through the picturesque Greek Islands ๐ฌ๐ท on a yacht โต๏ธ
Attending a live performance at the Sydney Opera House ๐ฆ๐บ
Cave tube and wander through hidden cave pathways in San Ignacio, Belize ๐ง๐ฟ
Road-tripping or sailing along the stunning Amalfi Coast in Italy ๐ฎ๐น
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives ๐ฒ๐ป and Seychelles ๐ธ๐จ
Visiting the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of Banaue in Ifugao Province in Philippines ๐ต๐ญ , often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Experiencing the vibrant energy of Shanghai's futuristic skyline ๐ and bustling streets, including the historic Bund waterfront and modern skyscrapers of Pudong ๐จ๐ณ
Camping โบ๏ธ overnight ๐ in a national park, like Yosemite in the USA ๐บ๐ธ or Banff in Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
Discovering the unique wildlife of Madagascar ๐ฒ๐ฌ, including lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees ๐ณ, in national parks like Andasibe-Mantadia and Isalo.
Taking a helicopter ๐ tour over iconic landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon or New York๐บ๐ธCity skyline ๐บ๐ธ
Learning to salsa dance in Cuba ๐จ๐บ or tango in Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท
Riding a camel through the desert ๐ช sands of Morocco ๐ฒ๐ฆ or Rajasthan
Going on a spiritual pilgrimage, such as the Camino de Santiago in Spain ๐ช๐ธ or the Golden Temple in India ๐ฎ๐ณ.
Visiting the iconic Big Buddha statue on Lantau Island in Hong Kong ๐ญ๐ฐ and exploring the nearby Po Lin Monastery
Dip in bubbling mud pools, geysers, natural hot springs and other geothermal wonders of Rotorua, New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ.
Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the cherry blossoms ๐ธ in Japan ๐ฏ๐ต during springtime
Swimming with nurse sharks ๐ฆ in Belize ๐ง๐ฟ
Taking a hot spring bath in an Icelandic geothermal pool ๐ฎ๐ธ, like the Blue Lagoon
Exploring the enchanting ruins of Petra in Jordan ๐ฏ๐ด
Attending a major sporting event, such as the FIFA World Cup โฝ๏ธ or the Olympics
Learning to cook traditional cuisine in a culinary class in Thailand ๐น๐ญ or France ๐ซ๐ท
Riding in a gondola in Tbilisi, Georgia ๐ฌ๐ช
Going on a wildlife safari in India ๐ฎ๐ณ to spot Bengal tigers ๐ and elephants ๐
Visiting the ancient city of Rome and exploring iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City ๐ป๐ฆ
Exploring the colorful streets and colonial architecture of Cartagena's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ๐จ๐ด
Trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal๐ณ๐ต for breathtaking views of the world's highest peak
Exploring the stunning fjords of Norway ๐ณ๐ด by boat or kayak ๐ถ
Enjoying a traditional dim sum ๐ฅ brunch at a local teahouse and sampling Hong Kong's famous culinary delights. ๐ญ๐ฐ
Attending a music festival in a unique location, such as Tomorrowland in Belgium ๐ง๐ช, Burning Man in Nevada or Coachella in California ๐บ๐ธ , Tale of Us in Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ or Afterlife in either in Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท, Colombia ๐จ๐ด, Brazil ๐ง๐ท, or Peru ๐ต๐ช
Exploring the futuristic Gardens by the Bay in Singapore ๐ธ๐ฌ, including the iconic Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest dome.
Snorkelling or diving in the clear waters of the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas ๐ง๐ธ, home to vibrant coral reefs ๐ชธ, marine life, and the famous swimming pigs ๐.
Going on a dog sled adventure through the snowy wilderness of Alaska or Lapland ๐บ
Swimming in the bioluminescent waters of Puerto Rico ๐ต๐ท or the Maldives ๐ฒ๐ป, where the water glows with natural light at night.
Exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal in Guatemala ๐ฌ๐น, surrounded by dense jungle and exotic wildlife.
Going on a wine-tasting ๐ท tour through the vineyards of Tuscany, Italy ๐ฎ๐น, sampling renowned Chianti and Brunello wines.
Exploring the historic center of Macao ๐ฒ๐ด, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its blend of Chinese and Portuguese architecture.
Swimming with whale sharks ๐ฆ in the pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia ๐ฆ๐บ.
Visiting Swiss ๐จ๐ญ Chocolate ๐ซ 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 ๐จ๐ด, hidden deep in the jungle.
Learn how to samba in Brazil ๐ง๐ท
Climbing to the top of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris ๐ซ๐ท
Visiting the Statue of Liberty ๐ฝ in New York City ๐บ๐ธ
Visiting the historic neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam to experience Singapore's multicultural heritage ๐ธ๐ฌ
Attending a traditional Maasai village ceremony in Kenya ๐ฐ๐ช or Tanzania ๐น๐ฟ to learn about Maasai culture and customs.
Exploring the ancient town of Hoi An, Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ, known for its well-preserved architecture, lantern-lit streets, and vibrant markets.
Swimming with dolphins ๐ฌ or stingrays at Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas ๐ง๐ธ
Going on a spiritual retreat to an ashram in India ๐ฎ๐ณ, practicing yoga and meditation in a serene environment.
Relaxing on the pristine beaches of Langkawi ๐ฒ๐พ and indulging in water sports like snorkeling ๐คฟ .
Taking a scenic train journey through the Swiss Alps ๐จ๐ญ on the Glacier Express, passing through picturesque mountain villages and stunning alpine scenery.
Visiting the ancient city of Petra in Jordan ๐ฏ๐ด by night, when the rock-carved Treasury is illuminated by hundreds of candles ๐ฏ
Trekking through the rugged terrain of Patagonia in Chile ๐จ๐ฑ and Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท, encountering dramatic landscapes of glaciers, mountains ๐ , and fjords.
Ride the fastest roller coaster ๐ข in Ferrari-Themed park in Abu Dhabi, UAE ๐ฆ๐ช
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia ๐ญ๐ท, cascading over limestone cliffs and surrounded by lush forests ๐ณ.
Exploring the cultural heart of Ubud, Indonesia ๐ฎ๐ฉ , visiting temples, art galleries, and rice terraces ๐พ
Exploring the vibrant street art scene in cities like Berlin, Germany ๐ฉ๐ช, or Buenos Aires, Argentina ๐ฆ๐ท, discovering colorful murals and graffiti masterpieces.
Indulging in Belgian chocolate ๐ซ at world-renowned chocolatiers like Neuhaus, Leonidas, and Godiva.
Taking a boat tour to spot humpback whales ๐ off the coast of Madagascar ๐ฒ๐ฌ, 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 ๐ป๐ณ
Exploring the historic Panama Canal ๐ต๐ฆ, one of the greatest engineering marvels of the modern world, and watching ships navigate the locks.
Doing an expedition across Kazakhstan ๐ฐ๐ฟ to showcase the wonders of my culture to the world ๐
The page has been last updated on April 17, 2024
Written by:
Samina Batyrova
Content Creator | Entrepreneur | Digital Marketer
โ๏ธย ย Empowering women to be bold
โ๏ธย ย 50 countries before 30
โ๏ธย "Lead with a genuine heart and pure intentions"
Check out my podcast!
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