We recently read a quote that we can truly relate to.
"Don't live the same year 75 times and call it a life" - Robin Sharma
In this post, we would like to suggest 12 experiences that can help you in making the next 12 out of 75 years (or one year, if you choose to be like us!) truly unique. Without further ado, let us dive into our recommendations, in no particular order.
1. Road trip in New Zealand's South Island
Best time to visit - December/January
Budget - $$$
We start off our list with the place that provides the most variety in terms of experience. Whether you are after adventures that give you an adrenaline rush, hiking expeditions to remote mountain huts, shiny blue lakes, seemingly infinite sheep grazing in pastures or just chill back with a beer in a hot tub in the most beautiful surroundings, this trip has it all. Visit towns like Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Fox Glacier and Te Anau. Explore places like the Remarkables, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, Gibbston valley wineries, glaciers and breathtaking landscapes. We recommend you read through our South Island NZ blog to get started.
2. Hobbiton village & Glow worm caves in New Zealand's North Island
Best time to visit - November-March
Budget - $
While you are in New Zealand, don't forget to hop off to the North Island to spend just a weekend visiting the "Hobbiton" set of JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. This is by far one of the best movie-related experiences we have been to, only comparable to the Harry Potter experiences in Universal Studios, but without the rides.
And if you are not the biggest fan of Lord of the rings, don't fret. You just need to take an hour long drive to get to Waitomo, in order to see the magnificent Glow worm caves. While there are many such caves spread across the island, these are definitely the best.
3. Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest
Best time to visit - Late-March/April
Budget - $$
This has to be on the bucket list for anyone on this planet. We've scuba dived in other spots around the world, but the countless reef in Great Barrier Reef provide an unparalleled experience. And the cherry on top is the old rainforest in the world, the Daintree, that sits adjacent and allows you to go from underwater to jungle experiences in under an hour. Need we say more?
4. Positano
Best time to visit - May/June
Budget - $$
Why did we not say Amalfi or Capri? We love those places. The experience of driving the winding roads, looking into the abyss and swimming in crystal clear beaches doesn't get old. But the reason we called out Positano specifically is because it is the most uniquely situated town we've ever been to. It is worth looking at from either end of town and from a boat in the water. Its cute streets are definitely worth exploring and don't forget to have dinner or brunch at one of the exquisite dining venues that this town presents. One last piece of advice, beware of the crowds that flood this town and time your visit carefully.
5. Dolomites
Best time to visit - June-September
Budget - $
There are only a few unique mountain ranges in the world, and Dolomites definitely takes the first spot. Picture idyllic Appalachian villages surrounded by craggy peaks with pastures atop. Time your stay carefully based on whether you like crowds and what attractions/activities are most important to you. We unknowingly visited the Dolomites in late April, when every hotel was closed, and it was like having the whole region to ourselves. A private tour of paradise!
6. Greek adventures
Best time to visit - May/June
Budget - Santorini ($$$), Corfu ($)
No bucket list can exist without at least one mediterranean country featuring in it. And with its crystal clear waters, amazing food, and world renown islands, Greece wins hands down. For a varietal experience, we would recommend visiting Corfu on the west and Santorini on the east. These two islands are more different than similar, and it helps get a well-rounded experience of Greece. When in Corfu, we highly recommend renting a boat and taking it to one of the many secluded beaches and diving in the unreal Mediterranean waters. When in Santorini, don't forget to visit Oia (while staying in Thira/Fira), but make sure you do so earlier in the day to avoid the crazy crowds!
7. Isle of Skye
Best time to visit - May-August
Budget - $$
Castles, meadows, cliffs, sheep and secluded houses. Isle of Skye was on our "want to visit" list for longer than we would have liked. And it did not disappoint. Scotland in general is a different kind of beauty (natural and cultural), but Isle of Skye definitely blows the rest out of the water! Don't forget to visit the Donan Eileen Castle, Quiraing and the Neist Point lighthouse. Quick tip - Old Man of Storr is awesome, but only if you hike the full length. Else don't expect to get the quintessential snap.
8. Star Gazing - Death Valley/NZ/Mauna Kea
Best time to visit - Summer
Budget - $
Let nature be your tour guide and be ready to have your mind blown. If you have never seen the Milky Way, you have not truly seen stars. There are Dark Reserves around the world that you can visit to see the milky way in its full glory. We have had the opportunity to experience this from Death Valley National Park in the US as well as from Aoraki and Wairarapa dark sky reserves in New Zealand. Another place that people we know have seen awesome night sky displays are Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
(Above photos from Unsplash.com by Jackson Hendry, Klemen Vrankar, Ryan Hutton)
9. Hiking to Machu Picchu
Best time to visit - June-August
Budget - $
Machu Picchu needs no introduction. The Incan civilization is definitely worth visiting. But this is one place where the journey is as good as the destination. We highly recommend hiking to Machu Picchu if you are into hiking. There are a couple of multi-day trails you can take - Inca trail (the most famous) or the Salkantay trail (the one we recommend). There are multiple tour companies that provide an outstanding experience, so book now!
(Above images from Unsplash.com by Michael Brawn, Flo P, Toomas Tartes, Eddie Kiszka)
10. Interlaken (Switzerland)
Best time to visit - June-August
Budget - $$$
Again, there is no dearth of mountains in this world. But the amount of awesomeness that the area of Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald pack is just mind boggling. Whether it is taking multiple gondolas to reach James Bond's Schilthorn or taking the train through the mountain to reach Jungfrau, you will not be disappointed.
11. Northern Lights - Alaska/Yellowknife/Finland
Best time to visit - Winter (or Fall)
Budget - Free (plus flights)
We have all seen the crazy photos of Northern Lights dancing in the sky. And it is even more amazing in person. If you have the budget, we recommend staying in a glass igloo in Finland or Iceland. However, if you don't want to spend those hard-earned bucks, you can enjoy this free fluid-fireworks show in numerous locations around the world. We recommend Fairbanks (in Alaska), Yellowknife (in Canada) and northern Finland.
(Above image from Unsplash.com by Vincent Guth)
12. Hawaii adventures
Best time to visit -
Budget - $$$
We can't get over Hawaii. We just can't. We have visited all four major islands (Maui, Oahu, Big Island and Kauai) and each one is unique in its own right. If you want a well-rounded experience, we would recommend starting your Hawaiian exploration by visiting Maui and Oahu. Next, experience the numerous microclimates and visit the Volcano National Park on Big Island. And end it all by flying over the Na Pali coast on Kauai, the Garden Isle.
We hope you enjoyed our list of these once in a lifetime experiences. Wish you happy travels! :)
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