7 Out-of-the-Box Bucket List Travel Ideas for Every Traveller

How do you decide what to add to your travel bucket list? Obviously, you'll add experiences you've never had and places you've never visited before. But how far out of your comfort zone do you go? 

Foodies might picture dining atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris or indulging in delicious street food in Kolkata, India. Adrenaline junkies probably dream of ascending Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or hiking along the breathtaking cliffside portions of the Inca Trail in Peru. Or, as a leisure lover, your dream travel bucket list might include a holistic wellness and spa escape in Southern Thailand or lounging on the beaches of Fiji. Regardless of how you love to live and travel, our bucket list items usually reflect what we cherish most. Yet, many of us don't even consider that some of the greatest bucket list items are just outside our comfort zones. 

Travel is all about embarking on new adventures and pushing the limits of our imagination. Bucket lists are the same. So, we've gathered eight opposite travel styles to showcase some of the best and most surprising out-of-the-box bucket list travel ideas you must consider. If any of these capture your imagination, our expert Destination Specialists will help you turn these wild bucket list dreams into reality, even outside your comfort zone.  

The Luxurious Lounger & Rugged Explorer

You'll probably humour a luxury traveller if you ask them to join you on a camping trip, while more rugged travellers and backpackers might be offended if you suggest they settle for glamping. A way to win them both over and showcase the best of both worlds is by planning a trip to Patagonia, where luxury and adventure come together beautifully. Patagonia's reputation as a backpacker haven is well known, though its vast, rugged landscapes, breathtaking vistas, and immersive fjords are must-visits for all styles of travellers. Luxury 5-star hotels and a remote geodesic dome hotel make the world-renowned hiking, fjord and glacier cruises, stargazing, and horseback riding accessible to those who cherish their rest and relaxation and to those who cherish their adventurous bragging rights. 

The Cruise Lover & Anti-Cruiser

Cruises are a strong topic of debate. To some, they're the best way to explore the world, while others are quite against them. Luckily, once again, there's a bucket list experience to bring these two opposing travellers together in one of the world's most unique and sought-after destinations: the Galapagos Islands. Cruising through the Galapagos is the perfect way for cruise enthusiasts to go above and beyond the typical cruise experience, with wet-landings onto volcanic islands, snorkelling with golden rays and sea lions, informative wildlife-focused excursions and much more. We also guarantee that any cruise skeptic will be won over when they witness energetic blue-footed boobies dance, Galapagos penguins stroll along the beach, and the sun set over the world's most intriguing uninhabited islands. 

The Wildlife Enthusiast & Urban Trendsetter

Australia isn't only vast in size. It's vast in experiences. However, there are a few things that this incredible country is known wildly for, including its unique and quirky wildlife and iconic cities. Some will venture Downunder to search for leaping kangaroos in the Outback. In contrast, others make it a point to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to guarantee they won't face any spiders or snakes. Despite these differences, both people might eventually run into each other because Australia's most famous cities are only a stone's throw away from exciting wildlife experiences, and some even closer. Wildlife enthusiasts and travellers anxious about Australia's more dangerous critters can experience the best of Australia's wild side and urban legacy in cities like Brisbane, home of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and Sydney, home of the Taronga Zoo. 

The Futurist & Nature Recluse

Japan's advanced technology and stunning natural settings contrast beautifully, with an abundance of bucket list activities on both ends of the spectrum. Akihabara is the ultimate tech destination in Japan, with virtual reality (VR) arcades and endless electronics, gaming, and anime merchandise. In addition, the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku is one of Japan's most intriguing shows, combining robots, dragons, ninjas, dancers, and neon lights. Travellers of all variety will love Japan's advanced rail system, which will whisk them across the country, including to Hakone. Here, you can settle into a traditional Ryokan inn and marvel at how—like Japan's technology draws nature lovers away from the wilderness—the awe-inspiring view of Mt. Fuji inspires the most devoted tech fan to step away from the neon glow of Tokyo into the Japanese Alps. 

The Planner & Wanderer

Morocco is a bucket list destination that speaks to the soul, whether your soul prefers to wander or plan diligently. It's also a destination where both the planner and wanderer can step outside their comfort zones with the promise of positive returns. Wanderers exploring Casablanca's medinas, speaking with locals in Marrakech, or wandering along Meknes' hypnotic green tiles will gain even more with a planned approach. Some of Morocco's best experiences, like a Berber cooking class and a relaxing hammam, are easier to access with a bit of pre-planning while making your spontaneous adventures more efficient. Planners, on the other hand, will fall in love with the unscripted energy of Morocco and will quickly learn that sometimes the best experiences come from following your senses instead of your map. And there's no better place to do so than Morocco, where the Atlas Mountains, imperial cities, and the Sahara Desert become your playground.  

The Foodie & Fitness Aficionado

It's obvious that Italy is a dream destination for food lovers. Still, some may be surprised to learn that the country of pizza, pasta, and gelato is equally coveted by fitness enthusiasts. Italy's stunning and diverse scenery offers endless opportunities to get active and earn those delicious meals. Follow trails through the beautiful Cinque Terre cliffside villages, cycle through Tuscany's wine country, wander through history in Rome, or even ski the Dolomites to build up your appetite in one of the world's premier culinary destinations. Foodies and fitness aficionados alike will be willing to "compromise" and indulge in Italy's bucket list cuisine and active adventures. Whether they're trading a Neapolitan pizza for a stroll through Spaccanapoli, some arancini for a hike up Mount Etna, or tiramisu for island hopping in Venice, or vice versa, Italy is a bucket list destination that laughs in the face of comfort zones in the best way. 

The Beach Bum & Culture Connoisseur

While the beach-goer dreams of sinking their toes into the golden sands of the Red Sea, the culture connoisseur is captivated by the ancient wonders of the Pharaohs. Egypt's glaring sun, shimmering sea, and rich history create an enthralling destination of contrasts where travellers of all kinds are compelled to step outside their comfort zones into must-do experiences. The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Nile River, the Red Sea, Luxor's Valley of the Kings, and the beaches of Alexandria are just a few of the bucket list experiences with enough cross-appeal to draw the beach bum and the culture enthusiast out of their comfort zones. Both travellers will find themselves equally enchanted by Egypt's balance of relaxation, stunning natural beauty, and historical wonder and feel the urge to step outside their comfort zones and explore.