13 Travel Experiences You Need to Add to Your Bucket List Now!

Looking for an out-of-the-world travel experience? Something that dreams are made of, a-trip-of-a-lifetime that you can show off to the world? You’ve landed at the right place! Read on as we give you a lowdown on the tear-it-out, frame-it, bucket-list-worthy travel experiences across the world. 

1. Stay in an Igloo in Lapland

How about spending an Eskimo-like night inside an igloo? Kakslauttanen Igloo East Village, a one-of-its-kind nature resort in Finland, offers exceptional accommodation options such as glass igloos, log chalets, and snow igloos, among others. Imagine lying down on your back in a glass igloo and looking up at the beautiful sky flaunting the Northern Lights!

2. Sleep under the stars at the Thar

A charpoy arrangement in the middle of the Thar Desert is definitely worthy of being on your travel bucket list. There are quite a few local operators in Jaisalmer who will organize it for you. The experience includes a camel safari to the sand dunes, where you are welcomed with garma-garam chai and pakoras. As the night sets in, a cultural programme and a lavish Rajasthani dinner awaits you. End the day, gazing at the star-studded sky, comfortably tucked in your charpoy.

3. Fulfill your Harry Potter dreams in London

Alohomora!

Congratulations, you’ve just unlocked the magical world of Harry Potter!

If you’re a Potterhead, pre-book your Warner Bros. Studio Tour of Harry Potter in London at least a month in advance. This tour will make you feel like a part of Harry’s world and will give you a chance to explore Dumbledore’s office, Gryffindor Common Room and Diagon Alley. Make your experience come a full circle as you get a souvenir photo clicked at Platform 9 ¾.

Book Your Flight to London

Read more: 7 Spectacular Secret Places in London

4. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, Bollywood style

Har pal yahan, Jee bhar jiyo,
Jo hai samaa, Kal ho naa ho…

Yes, we’ve all seen Shah Rukh Khan singing this song as he walks down the Brooklyn Bridge in the movie Kal Ho Naa Ho. This iconic Bridge boasts of a dedicated walkway for pedestrians (right lane) and bikers (left lane) so you can leisurely stroll and take in stunning views of the New York skyline at the same time. The 1.3 mile walk takes about 2 hours and offers many exciting photo opportunities including that of the skyline, the Statue of Liberty, the East River and the prominent Manhattan Bridge.

Want to do it Shahrukh style? Start your walk from Brooklyn and head to the Manhattan side, singing along the way!

Book Your New York Holiday Now!

5. Watch the Moulin Rouge Show in Paris

A Parisian treasure, the Moulin Rouge cabaret show is what glamour is made of. Electrifying dance performances, fluttering costumes, elaborate headgear, a spectacular display of lights and Paris' most precious dancing talent—all of this comes together to present a dazzling cabaret show. Pre-book an evening dinner show, which includes a round of champagne, for an unforgettable experience. And don’t forget to dress up in your elegant formals or you may just be turned away. 

Book Your Flight to Paris

6. Get drunk at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam

Heineken fan or not, this brewery interactive tour is a must on your Amsterdam itinerary. The 1.5-hour self-guided tour includes a ‘transformation into Heineken’ 5D show, fun photo and video booths, simulation games and lots of beer tasting. 

Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes brewery tour and get to know the secret recipe of your favourite drink! Flaunt your Heineken experience on Facebook and Twitter using #HeinekenExperience while you’re there and watch as you show up on the live tweet counter.

7. Walk down the world’s most crooked street in San Francisco

Located between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets in San Francisco, Lombard Street’s claim to fame is its steep one-way road with eight sharp hairpin turns, which make it the ‘crookedest street’ in the world. You can choose to walk up the stairs or take the crisscrossing path as you go ‘up’ the street. While you are here, don’t forget to click pictures as you stand in front of the street, which looks like a wall of traversing walkways and bright big flowers behind you.

Book Your Flight to London

8. Dine amidst the clouds in Marbella

Marbella in Spain is about all things exotic and is your go-to place for over-the-top experiences. And when we say over-the-top, we mean it literally! This luxurious destination welcomes you with an extravagant dining experience in the sky, at La Sala. The high-flying restaurant takes you to a viewing height of 50 metres, where a sumptuous 5-course meal and a lavish champagne menu is served. Since only 22 people can go for this at once, make sure you book in advance. 

9. Get splattered with tomatoes at La Tomatina in Buñol

​

The Valencian town of Buñol will make your Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara dreams come true. Held on the last Wednesday of August every year, the La Tomatina festival is celebrated with much zeal here. All you need to do is crush and throw tomatoes at the people around you! Remember, flaunting your precious Bollywood moment on Facebook is a must! #ZNMD

Book Your Flight to Valencia (nearest airport)

Read more: All You Wanted to Know About the La Tomatina Festival in Spain

10. Spot lions at Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat

You’re in the middle of a forest in a vintage jeep when you spot giant paw prints. As you bend to take a picture, you hear a roar in the distance. That’s how thrilling a wildlife safari at Gir National Park is. 

The sole home to Asiatic lions in the wilderness, Gir is where you can see the giant cats roaming about freely in their natural habitat. It’s also home to over 200 species of birds and other animals such as leopards, deer and the Chowsingha—the world’s only four-horned antelope. There are many slots during the day for the wildlife safari and it costs Rs. 4900 per jeep.

11. Go diving with the sharks in Melbourne

Don’t rub your eyes, you read that right. We ARE indeed talking about diving with the sharks! Opt for an aquatic adventure and get set for an up-close and personal encounter with the majestic (read scary!) sharks at the SEA LIFE Aquarium in Melbourne. Also, brace yourself to come face-to-face with sea turtles, thousands of fish species, sea horses and more.

The icing on the cake is that no prior scuba experience is required. Simply check the ‘non-certified’ box while booking the activity and you’ll be given an hour’s training before you delve in to ‘meet and greet’ the sharks.

Book Your Melbourne Hotel Here

12. Float in the Dead Sea

Ever dreamt of floating in water without any effort? Or of lounging in water as if on your favourite recliner? If yes, plan a visit to the Dead Sea now! 

This salt lake is bordered by Jordan on the east and Israel and Palestine on the west. Its hypersalinity makes floating easy due to natural buoyancy. It also prevents plants and animals to flourish, hence giving the sea its name. In addition to an incredible floating experience, the Dead Sea’s mineral-rich waters and mud have great medicinal value and are used in making skin care products. Be sure to stock up your supply of Dead Sea products during your visit here!

13. Board a luxury train in Switzerland

The Glacier Express passes through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels as it makes its 7.5-hour journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The luxury train boasts of huge glass windows and a see-through roof, which are perfect for you to admire the beautiful scenery of Switzerland and take tons of photographs. As you sip your favourite wine, the train will take you through deep gorges, pretty valleys and picture-postcard like alpine forests.

Book Your Flight to Zurich