Written by Shaun Swartz
There are so many places to see out there – why not start exploring early?
At GoBeyond, “teen summer camp” takes on a whole new meaning. Explore 9 different bucket list travel destinations you can check off next summer.
At over 13,000 miles in length, the Great Wall of China is a hiker’s dream. With access points less than a two-hour drive from the bustling capital of Beijing, the Great Wall is an easy afternoon escape from the city. Just be sure to arrive early, as the crowds only thicken in the afternoon.
Zipline through the Rainforest in Costa Rica
Known for its easy-going, Pura Vida lifestyle and ranked as one of the happiest countries on the planet, Costa Rica is a traveler’s paradise. From swimming in waterfalls and encountering endangered hummingbirds to hiking volcanoes and sampling coffee at local coffee plantations, Costa Rica is the kind of place where you’ll find yourself trying to find ways to sell all your belongings and purchase a one-way plane ticket.
Learn to Sail in the British Virgin Islands
John F. Kennedy once famously said the following about our relationship with the sea: “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.” That moment after the sails have been hoisted and you cut the engines and the world goes quiet for a moment – that’s what sailing is all about. Captaining a vessel through the Sir Francis Drake Channel of the British Virgin Islands is a must-do for the adventurous spirits among us.
Explore the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
In one 30-minute scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, I saw two octopi battling over a cave, two sea turtles, four sharks, and an entire school of humphead wrasse. Suffice it to say – the Great Barrier Reef is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list travel destination you don’t want to miss.
Known for its rich cultural customs, exquisite food, and breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Spain is guaranteed to take your breath away. Dance through the streets and eat all the Tapas your heart desires – just be sure to save time for a siesta in the afternoon.
Strike a pose in front of the Taj Mahal in India
Often considered the crown-jewel of Muslim art in India, the Taj Mahal was completed in 1643 and was meant to be a tomb for a Mughal emperor’s wife. Today, the Taj Mahal is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site that attracts millions of visitors every year and is a testament to the rich history of India. Who wouldn’t want to take a selfie in front of it?
Breathe the thin air of Machu Picchu in Peru
At over 7,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu was voted one of the “New Seven Wonders in the World” in 2007. For hundreds of years, historians, explorers, and travelers alike have climbed to the ruins of this ancient Incan civilization for a glimpse of life at the top of the world.
Soak in the geothermal waters of Iceland’s hot springs
Originating thousands of feet below ground, the mineral-rich waters of Iceland’s famed Blue Lagoon form a steamy, inviting pool that will melt those flight-induced travel woes faster than you can say “Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur.” And yes, that’s really a word, which apparently means “key ring of the key chain of the outer door to the storage tool shed of the road workers on the Vaðlaheiði plateau.”
