50 Inspirational Travel Experiences You Should Try on Your 20s and 30s
Off on a journey and you want something inspirational in your bucket list? Then check out this one, we are giving you 50 Inspirational Travel Experiences you should try on your 20s and 30s. Don’t just travel to get those pictures to post on social media, but travel to learn and appreciate the culture of the country, be in awe of Mother Nature, meet other people and to be a better version of yourself.
How many have you tried and how many are you dreaming to do?
1. Go Solo Backpacking
Photo by Tristan Pineda
Backpacking is a way to travel the world on a budget. Not only does this help you be confident and learn to be flexible, but also you will meet a lot of new friends on the way. You can easily meet new people when you join group tours or even by just staying in backpacker hostels.
2. Be a Tourist in your own city
Touring our own place will give us much more insight and appreciation of it. You’d be surprised that there a lot of things to see and a great history to learn. So bring your camera and see your own city with a different view.
3. Check out a movie set or location
In the country you are visiting, search if there are places where a famous movie took place; dress up and feel like the film character or a movie star.
4. Learn another language
Not only learning a language can help you get around places, but the locals will appreciate it. It will be useful in reading signs or asking directions and helps you not get lost or cheated on.
5. Spend a week at the beach
Treat yourself and relax all day on the beach. Lie on the sun and get a tan, walk on the fine white sand or swim in the fresh cool water. Let go of the stress and let your worries float away.
6. See wildlife up close and personal
Go on a safari and witness animals in their natural habitat; see them grazing, hunting or migrating.
7. Join a walking tour
Learn and have fun, join a walking tour as most go out of the touristy way but goes to hidden gems of the city.
8. Celebrate a holiday in a different country
Break what you do traditionally and try to experience a holiday in another country; places might not have the same traditions like New Year are festive in New York but peaceful in Japan; so try it out.
9. Climb a mountain
Trek or hike alone or with friends on a mountain; be one with nature; you can camp out to see the night sky too. Climbing can also build your strength and endurance; both mentally and physically.
10. Stay with locals
Staying with locals lets you know more about their culture; you get to share food and travel stories.
11. Check out a view on top of a lighthouse
Climb on a lighthouse and appreciate the look of the ocean and nearby town.
12. Go on a Cruise
Photo by Alonso Reyes
Unwind and treat yourself on a cruise. Enjoy the unlimited food, warm service, and countless of entertainment; you could do in-port activities too.
13. Tour a location where a Royal once lived
Learn more about the history and feel like a royal as you visit a palace where a king or emperor lived.
14. Eat local cuisine
Local food is part of the culture, so eating traditional food is an amazing cultural experience. So try and find local restaurants and support their community.
15. See dolphins or whales swimming freely
Photo by Hanson Lu
Jump on a boat and see these mammals with fins swim in the wild. It’s one of the best feelings to see them jumping freely rather than in a cage.
16. Buy things at a flea market
Support local and shop at a flea market. You might find a hidden gem or something cheaper than regular malls.
17. Have a picnic in a park
Photo by Robert Bye
On a great day, pack food and eat it in the park. Escape from your daily routine on eating at your house or a restaurant, try a place where you see mother nature and feel the fresh air.
18. Join a group tour
Enjoy the day without planning for yourself and join a group tour. You don’t need to worry about where to go, what to ride or where to eat; tour groups will handle that plus they give you fantastic fun facts.
19. Journey in a National park
A national park is usually for conservation purposes, that’s why you should support it. For nature lovers and hikers, this is the best way to see nature; untouched.
20. Stay at a luxurious hotel or resort
Treat yourself and take splurge on a luxury hotel or resort. Self-care and self-love are necessary, we only have one life, so we must live it to its fullest. You can check our list of best luxury hotels around the world here.
21. Take public transportation
Feel like a local and take public transit; it is a great way to learn about the culture.
22. Try a new restaurant
Eating at a new restaurant gives you a chance to try new cuisines; who knows, you might find a new favorite.
23. Visit a Wonder of the World
See at least one of the places named as the world’s most spectacular natural wonders or human-made structures. There are various lists Ancient, Modern, Nature, Cities or Underwater.
24. Wear traditional garments
Traditional clothing is an essential part of a country’s history and identity; when you wear one, wear it with respect and appreciation. Most locals like seeing foreigners in their national outfit.
25. Sleep in a hostel or a capsule hotel
If you’re traveling, then definitely stay at a backpacker hostel or a capsule hotel; you will have a chance to meet fellow travelers and share many travel stories.
26. Bathe with strangers
Whether it be Onsens in Japan, a Mudbath near a volcano, or Blue Lagoon in Iceland; try this one unique experience. It wouldn’t only be a cool story, but some springs or spas have healing capabilities.
27. Visit religious sites (church, mosque or a temple)
A great way to know a place is to go to where they pray and learn what they believe. Religious sites are windows to one’s culture.
28. Eat street food
Not only street food is cheap but it is also ready to eat. You can see it cooked or prepared in front of you, though some may consider it unsanitary, their taste has stood in time. Buying street food also supports the local community.
29. Travel alone
It doesn’t need to be backpacking for weeks abroad but even going on a solo day trip somewhere. Learn more about yourself and increase your self-confidence. Traveling solo also forces you to engage with locals and gets you out of your comfort zone, it’s a bit of a challenge, but worth it because you’ll end up being a better person.
30. Feel the Snow
Photo by Nadine Rupprecht
Make a snowman, make snow angels, ice skate or ski; feel the snow. A famous quote says “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”
31. Go to a UNESCO world heritage site
UNESCO sites are a way to learn more about the world’s cultural and natural heritage. These places have been in the world or built for years, so don’t forget to pay a visit.
32. Snorkel
Discover marine life by diving and swimming with the fishes. See colorful corals and find Nemo or Dory!
33. Stop and smell the flowers
Go to a flower field, watch them bloom, appreciate the beauty of nature and life through the simple creation called flowers.
34. Lounge on an island
Relax and unwind at an island or learn a few things about the place or talk to the locals.
35. Visit a castle
Feel like a prince or a princess as you walk inside a castle. Each is not only a captivating sight to see but full of ancient history, as well.
36. Check out a museum
Learn more about a country, culture, religion, etc. in a museum. They preserve and promote understanding of our past; it’s not too late to learn or self-reflect.
37. Volunteer
Give back, make a difference, develop a skill; volunteer. There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping others.
38. Visit somewhere you can’t pronounce
Search a town randomly or place hard to pronounce like Eyjafjallajökull (a Volcano in Iceland, Zzyzx, USA or Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Wales; that would be one unpronounceable adventure.
39. Camp outside
Hike on a mountain or hill and camp on the outdoors.
40. Roam Ancient Ruins
Feel that time stood still as you discover ancient ruins. Learn the history of the people of lived there.
41. Watch a sunrise or sunset
Photo by Jasper Boer
Feel gratitude and the beauty of life by watching the sunrise and set.
42. Journey through the Desert
Feel like Aladdin; spot wildlife, stargaze, sand surf, or ride a camel.
43. Do Extreme Outdoor Activities
YOLO; you live only once, so why not do something adventurous or face your fear?
44. Visit a place with a funny or weird name
Imagine telling your friends I’ve been to “Santa Claus.” “Accident,” “Idiotville,” that wouldn’t only gain funny stories but laughter too.
45. Feel the spray of Waterfalls
Check out gorgeous waterfalls, if you can swim near there, why not? However, at least feel their power through their shower.
46. Bike in a town
Feel the freedom of going where you want to go. Biking doesn’t only save you money, get you fit, but it can also save the world.
47. Exotic Food
You never know if you like something until you try it; so definitely go and eat some exotic food. Many are afraid, but you should conquer your fear and feed your curiosity.
48. Go on a retreat
Photo by Cara Fuller
Retreat means “to pull back” so get inspired, detox, find yourself. Allow yourself to relax genuinely. Check our article here on the 12 Best Cities to Study Yoga.
49. Make Friends
Throughout your journey, meet locals and fellow travelers. Hopefully, you’ll discover a life-long friend.
50. Get lost
Get away from the regularly crowded place and go in any direction. In getting lost, we may discover places and little quirks in the town and perhaps in ourselves.
I hope you do these Inspirational Travel Experiences and check everything out; these are doable, and it will make you truly understand a place too. Some of these experiences will make your travel more authentic. You will learn to love and protect what has been given to us. Hopefully, this list will help you to stop and relax and find yourself.
A beautiful quote by Paula Bendfeldt says, “Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell.” Happy traveling!
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