Need novel travel ideas? Here’s a popular bucket list of truly out of this world destinations and experiences that promise an unforgettable holiday!
The world is home to many wondrous places that are so surreal you’ll feel like you’re in a fantasy land. From offbeat hidden gems to stunning destinations known far and wide for their grandeur, we bring you 11 travel destinations you must see for yourself to believe – travel bucket list, let’s go!
1. Sea of Stars beach, Vaadhoo Island Maldives
With its luxurious beds of white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, it’s no surprise Maldives is coined one of the top travel destinations in the world. On Vaadhoo Island, the beaches take on another form of beauty at night, turning into the ‘Sea of Stars’. The pristine beaches and waves start to glow with a magical blue hue, transporting you into the romantic fantasy of your dreams. The best part — it’s caused by the wonders of nature. The phenomenon occurs due to the growth of bioluminescent planktons! Who says magic isn’t real?
How to Get There: Vaadhoo Island is just a 15-minute speedboat ride away from Maldives’ Malé International Airport.
2. Salar De Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
Ages ago, the prehistoric Bolivia Salt Lake dried up and created the biggest salt flat in the world, also known as the place where the Heaven meets the Earth. Spanning over 11,000 square kilometres, the Bolivia salt flats are decorated with bright, white salt formations. After it rains, the salt flats turn into the largest mirror in the world, reflecting the vast sky and creating unparalleled and ethereal photos. Heaven indeed.
How to Get There: Getting to the Bolivia salt flats might take quite a bit of time, but checking off this amazing landscape on your travel bucket list is worth it! You’ll want to first get to Uyuni city which you can reach by bus, train or plane from La Paz city. If you opt to depart by bus or train, be prepared to be on the road for at least 10 hours! The packages and ticketing details can be found here. The flights to Uyuni city from La Paz city are much faster (approximately one hour) and start from SGD $265.
3. Rainbow Mountains, Peru
As mineral erosion occurs, the Rainbow Mountains of Peru came to be. The Rainbow Mountains are becoming an ever-growing travel destination as tourists and locals alike flock the mountains to witness the vibrant colours of these natural landforms. It’s like Mother Nature picked up a brush and painted rainbows over them, creating this unreal landscape you must add to your travel bucket list!
How to Get There: the Rainbow Mountains is just a 3-hour drive away from Cusco city. From there, the hike up to the lookout will take approximately 1.5 hours.
4. Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons, Turkey
Cappadocia is a culturally rich city filled with fairy chimneys, valleys and magnificent landscapes — and the best way to appreciate it is from a hot air balloon, where you’ll get an unobstructed aerial view of this breath-taking underground city. Become part of the vivid landscape as you fly in one of the hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky over Cappadocia! If heights aren’t your thing, it’s still worth the addition into your travel bucket list because colourful balloons dotting the sky makes for a spectacular view and photo opportunity.
How to Get There: Flying is the recommended mode of transport when it comes to travelling to Cappadocia, as bus rides take well over 12 hours. The flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia takes approximately an hour with prices starting from SGD $120.
5. Darvaza Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
The Darvaza ”Door to Hell” or “Gates of Hell” is actually a gas crater in the middle of Karakum desert that has been burning for over 40 years. It was created when a gas-drilling accident happened in 1971 and has since become a travel destination for tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the over-decade old amber flames. Making a trip to the Gates of Hell really brings a whole new meaning to bucket list. 🔥🔥
How to Get There: There is no direct transport to Darvaza yet, so local tours are the most efficient way to kickstart your adventure to the Darvaza gas crater. They’ll plan everything for you from meals to accommodation so you can just enjoy the ride!
6. Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza have been shrouded in mystery ever since they were discovered. It used to stand at a towering 146 metres (remember, they were built in ancient times without the help of the mechanisms we have today!) but due to erosion over centuries, it’s now approximately 138 metres tall. Still pretty impressive to say the least! Some even say aliens were involved in the construction of this extraordinary landmark. The Great Pyramids of Giza are among the last remaining ancient wonders of the world to still exist, and there’s no doubt it’s on the top of many travel bucket lists. Standing before the mysterious, looming Great Pyramids that embody endless stories from thousands of years ago will truly be a surreal experience.
How to Get There: The Pyramids of Giza are easily accessible from Cairo. Just board a bus at Midan Tahrir in the center of Cairo. You can also hail a taxi from Cairo, which will take approximately half an hour.
7. Antelope Canyon, Nevada
The Antelope Canyon boasts majestic, swirling rock formations that create a flowing illusion. As sunlight beams through, the Antelope Canyon transforms into a place where you discover how great of an artist Mother Nature can be. If you’re looking for your next favourite travel photo, the Antelope Canyon is definitely a must-have on your travel bucket list!
How to Get There: Most travellers book tours to get to the Antelope Canyon, but self driving is possible too. If you choose to get a rental car instead of the tour, the drive is around 4.5 hours from Las Vegas.
8. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
This tunnel shrouded with lush green leaves is a private railway that doubles up as a romantic strolling spot for couples. It’s believed that if a couple makes a wish through this tunnel, their wish will come true by the power of true love. However, even if you’re riding solo, this peaceful green trail still makes for an enchanting, fairytale-like destination worth adding to your travel bucket list. Be careful though, a train still runs on this railway track three times a day!
How to Get There: The Tunnel of Love sits near the center of Klevan, a small village in Ukraine. You can travel by train or bus, which takes approximately 3 hours on the shortest route. Ticketing details can be found here. Train timings may vary though, so plan ahead!
9. Musa Underwater Museum, Cancun
If you think museums are boring, this unique underwater museum will change your mind! Dive into the deep and discover art and the ocean in a way you definitely have not experienced before. Instead of being just a fun activity to do on your vacation, the Musa Underwater Museum is also doing the eco-system great wonders by using only materials that are friendly to the ocean, and also encouraging of coral growth. Now that makes your travel bucket list an extra meaningful one!
How to Get There: Well, the MUSA Underwater Museum is under water, so you’ll definitely need to engage a tour company in Cancun to take you through the wonders of the ocean and ensure your safety.
10. Monarch Butterfly Migration, Mexico
Watch the world turn orange at the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary, where thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate to seek solace from the colder months. Watch in awe as these majestic insects spread their wings and take over the skies by hundreds, but maybe opt this out of your travel bucket list if you’re afraid of insects!
How to Get There: Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary is accessible by the metro! Get off at Observatorio station and cross the road to Terminal Poniente, where you can take a bus going towards Angengueo town. The bus ride will take approximately 3 hours. Remember to tell the bus driver that you want to get off at the Sierra Chincua Butterfly Sanctuary so you don’t miss your stop!
11. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resorts Kelo Igloos, Finland
Imagine being able to enjoy northern lights and starry skies all night long from the comfort of your own bed. Well, at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resorts, you can! With specially-designed glass igloos that will allow you to experience how magical a winter night under the northern skies can be, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resorts is an essential to your ultimate travel bucket list! Seriously, even other lavish hotels might begin to seem dull in comparison.
How to Get There: From Ivalo airport, you can get to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resorts with a 30-min shuttle bus ride. If you’re travelling from other regions, you can always take a bus as most of them stops at Kakslauttanen. Bus ticketing details can be found here.
No matter where your travel bucket list brings you, don’t forget to bring your YouTrip card overseas to utilise YouTrip’s Wholesale Exchange Rates for favourable currency exchange rates!
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Enjoy a worldwide fees-less travel experience!
