Bucket-List Adventures: 10 Unique Journeys For The Travel Lover

There’s a lot of talk these days about people wanting experiences rather than possessions so why not give someone (or yourself!) the gift of a perfect trip? Whether they’re an adventure seeker, a wellness enthusiast or someone who yearns for one-of-a-kind experiences, these unique journeys are designed to create unforgettable memories. Read on to discover 10 bucket-list adventures that are ideal for the travel-lover in your life.

Adventure

What adventure seeker could say no to an epic trip to East Indonesia’s remote Asmat region & West Papua with Aqua Expeditions? Pick from two once-in-a-lifetime odysseys. You can elect to do a 9-night West Papua and Asmat Tribe Expedition. It starts in Kaimana and journeys to the Kei Islands and the beaches of Cape Papisol before venturing deep into the West Papua region. You’ll visit local villages and meet with representatives from the Indigenous Asmat community and see the tribe’s communal houses and witness traditional wood carving. The trip finishes in Triton Bay where, if you’re feeling brave, you can take a dip with 40-foot whale sharks.

The other option is to gift a cruise through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first icebreaker and hybrid-electric polar exploration ship. These 13-day expeditions include a thrilling mix of sub-zero adventures like kayaking, ice-fishing, dog sledding, and skijoring with visits to Indigenous Innu and Mi’kmaq communities. Enjoy rare wildlife sightings, including caribou and black bears, and marvel at the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky. Ending in Quebec City, guests on January departures can take in one of the world’s largest and most iconic winter carnivals, the Quebec Winter Carnival (aka Carnaval de Québec).

Never Done Before” Bragging Rights

Have someone on your gift-list that already has it all? Give the gift of extraordinary opulence with this newly unveiled L’Observatoire carriage aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. In partnership with acclaimed artist JR, it’s the first carriage to be designed by an artist onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. The carriage’s opulent interior features French walnut wood paneling, an eye-catching stained-glass wall and plush furnishings. It also comes complete with a resplendent library filled with more than 1,000 books carefully selected by famed French publisher Gallimard, as well as a secret tearoom with a cozy fireplace.

Wellness

For a truly rejuvenating gift, look no further than the newly unveiled Guerlain Spa at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, in Anguilla. This secluded wellness oasis offers a holistic approach to well-being, drawing inspiration from the island’s Indigenous Arawak tribe. Guests can take advantage of wellness traditions like harvesting salt at the island’s largest coastal salt pond and a Driftwood Art Creation workshop, as well as healing treatments, such as Ocean Vibes, a rejuvenating face and body experience that cleverly recreates the soothing sounds of ocean waves.

Greece’s Euphoria Retreat, set on the Peloponnese peninsula, is a holistic spa that marries modern science and ancient teachings. Their latest offering, the Inner Emotional Harmony program, is a 5-to-7-day journey of self-discovery and renewal that features self-reflection, emotional healing and a focus on the power of letting go for a happier future. The program includes consultations, meditation, massage, chakra balancing, sound healing and more.

The Gift of Learning

Gift the gift of insight with a culturally and environmentally educational trip of a lifetime. For example, andBeyond offers a walking safari that offers the incredible opportunity to go on a guided trek across Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes of the Laikipia and the Masai Mara. The journey is lead by a local Samburu guide who will show participants how to follow the tracks of African iconic animals like kudu or zebra and will set up camp under starry skies As part of the experience, guests will meet with a Samburu tribe and learn about their daily rituals.

Dive into your family heritage at Dromoland Castle, a 16th-century castle-turned luxury hotel. The property has an in-house genealogist who will help you explore your family’s history using information like birth records, baptisms, marriages and more. One guest actually found out that they were related to the infamous female pirate Grace O’Malley. What will you discover?

What to get a better understanding of the vastness of the cosmos? At Nayara Alto Atacama, an adobe-style oasis in Chile, guests can gaze on the starry skies like never before thanks to the property’s locations in the world’s driest desert. There’s even the opportunity to enjoy an amazing hands-on stargazing experience at the resort’s on-site observatory. You can also learn from astronomy guide Pía Urbano Mena just what makes the Atacama the world’s top stargazing destination (one key feature is the total absence of light pollution that normally mars the view of the night sky). Pía will also take you along on an fascinating journey through the galaxy by identifying constellations and explaining the significance of the cosmos to the local Indigenous people.

In between sun, sand and sunbathing why not learn a new skill while in the Maldives? Gili Lankfanfushi (which also has specially designed vacations for solo travelers) has so much to offer aquatic enthusiasts, including youngsters who want to do more than just take a dip. The PADI Bubblemaker experience gives kids ages eight and up a safe and fun introduction to scuba diving under the guidance of a PADI professional. As kids increase their skill set, parents can explore the drop-off zone on the edge of the resort’s house reef, that’s home to small sharks, turtles and rays.

The Royal Mansour in Marrakech has an exciting new culinary experience perfect for gourmands. Their recently launched cooking school offers intimate, hands-on classes where participants cook alongside Michelin-starred chefs. Sessions focus on three distinct culinary themes. The Moroccan classics course teaches participants to prepare traditional dishes like chicken tagine with olives and lemons. In the Italian cuisine class, students will tackle the delicate art of making fresh pasta, potato gnocchi and delicious Amatriciana sauce. The pastry session delves into the world of French patisserie, creating delights such as profiteroles, chocolate tarts and artisanal cookies. Each class ends with a tasty alfresco dining experience where participants chow down on their culinary creations. This immersive cooking school is an ideal gift for food lovers who want to increase their culinary skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of cooking.