Bucket List Destinations You Must See in Your Lifetime

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The world is full of beautiful, excellent places, just waiting for you to explore them. Thankfully, some people did us all a favor and discovered those places for us, all we have to do is visit. Like the lost city of Machu Picchu in Incas which was re-discovered by Hiram Bingham in July 24th, 1911. Imagine a beautiful place like that just lying around, and no one knows about its existence? Hundreds of beautiful places have been discovered and put on the map for you to see so that when we decide to make a bucket list of places to visit, we have all the tools we need to do our research.

The Galapagos

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The Galapagos Islands are a picturesque group of islands. They are located off the coast of Ecuador. They present untouched beauty and are volcanically active. There are recent eruptions still seen. For millions of years, they went untouched, and plants and animals thrived. It wasn’t until the 1800s that humans started visiting. Pirates and explorers were awed by the beauty of the place the most famous early visitor in the Galapagos was Charles Darwin who spent 19 days in 1835. He is the one who introduced the Galapagos Islands to the world. The cheapest way to get to the islands is through live boats. Once you get there, there are loads of hotels that offer affordable accommodation. There are loads of exciting adventures you can engage in while in these picturesque islands. Snorkeling is one of the things you should not miss out on. You can also go hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, scuba diving or panga rides.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece. Little Venice waterfront houses, considered one of the most romantic places on the Cyclades Islands. Photo By cge2010 / Shutterstock

Don’t miss out on the Greek experience, be sure to include Mykonos. Mykonos is a Greek island in the Aegean place. It is a beautiful place with white sandy beaches, clear blue sky and amazing adventures you can engage in. Mythology states that Mykonos was formed by the petrified bodies of giants who were killed by Hercules. The best way to get there is to fly into Athens after which you can either fly to Mykonos or take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. The journey by ferry should take you about five hours. You can explore the island’s capital town. It surrounded by a fantastic architecture such as the town hall, the castle above the harbor and don’t miss out on the Archeological, Folklore, and Maritime Museum. You can spend some time on the waterfront and admire the fleet of boats. For an adrenaline rush, you can engage in a variety of water sports. Take the opportunity to have some amazing Aegean delicacies that you will never forget. A boat ride away is a small gem called Delos. It is said to be the birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis.

The Grand Canyon

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The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona USA. It is one of the eighth wonders of the world. It is a mile-long gorge that is estimated to have been formed between 5 and 6 million years ago by the Colorado River. The first Europeans to find the Grand Canyon were the Spanish in the 1540s. It was protected as a forest reserve in 1893 by President Benjamin Harris before it was made a US National Park in 1919. You can visit the Grand Canyon Village which is a popular entryway into the Grand Canyon. You can also hike in the North Rim which is famous for its rugged and isolated trails. Alternatively, you can get a fantastic view of the canyon from the Grand Canyon Skywalk. There is also the option of rafting on the Colorado River. The easiest way to get to the canyon is to fly into the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport and then take a 90-minute drive to the canyon.

Taj Mahal

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The Taj Mahal in India is one of the most amazing architectural wonders in the world. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1632 to hold her remains. It was built over a period of 20 years. It is located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in India. The building itself is constructed of white marble; it changes color depending on the time of day. It was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983. The Taj Mahal is a fantastic place to visit; it photographs beautifully. The experience leaves you feeling better about the power of true love. To get to the Taj Mahal, one takes a 2-hour train to Agra from Delhi. You can also drive which will take you four to five hours.

Victoria Falls

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Victoria Falls is located in Zambia. It is a beautiful, awe-inspiring sight on the Zambezi River; it forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe which means that you can access it from either side. However, Zambia gives the best view of the falls. It is known as the most magnificent curtain of falling water in the world. During the rainy season, the falls produce a spray that can be seen from miles away. The view of the sunset on the falls is spectacular. A particular vantage point is the Knife Edge Bridge which gives the best view of the Eastern Cataract and the Manin Falls. To make it easier to experience the falls from both countries, the Kaza visa for entry to the countries is available at all points of entry into Zambia and Zimbabwe. There is a wide variety of watersports to engage in on the falls, including swimming at the naturally formed infinity pool. The best way to get to Victoria Falls is to fly, airlines such as Kenya Airways offer direct flights to the falls from Cape Town.

Yellow Stone Park

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Yellow Stone Park is located in the US; it spreads across three states, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. The most significant part is in Wyoming. It sits on an active volcano. It is the world’s first national park, established by the US Congress in 1872. It has geysers that shoot superheated water into the air every 60 to 110 minutes. The park contains a waterfall called the Lower Falls which is twice as high as the Niagara Falls. There is a variety of wildlife to see in the park. There is a variety of exciting activities you can engage in while in Yellowstone such as watch the geysers erupt and the colorful hot springs and hiking. You can also go rafting on the nearby rivers or set up camp. To get to Yellowstone Park, you can fly to Jackson Hole Airport and take a 56-minute drive to Yellowstone.

Blue Lagoon Iceland

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The Blue Lagoon is a large lake on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland. It formed 1976 and contained water that is rich in minerals that will do wonders to your skin. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland and sees thousands of visits every year. To get the full spa experience, the best time to visit is during the night. The water in the lagoon resets itself after every forty-eight hours. The water is at a perfect temperature of 32 degrees all year round. It is one of the top wonders of the world. The water in the lagoon can be used for Psoriasis treatment. You can get to the Blue Lagoon by road through the main highway that connects Keflavik and Reykjavik.

Belize Barrier Reef System

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The Barrier Reef System is located in the coastal area of Belize. It is the most significant barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 1996 and is made of seven protected marine sites; it has four hundred cases and three atolls. The reef has over five hundred species of fish. It has a wide range of reef types within one area. It is a beautiful site that has a wide array of fun activities you can engage in such as scuba diving, and snorkeling. The view above the water is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. There are experienced guides to take you around, and the cultural appeal in Belize is unlike anything you will ever see. You can fly to Belize from almost any major airport in the US or take a flight from Heathrow and connect through Miami.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Hot air balloon flying over rock landscape at Cappadocia Turkey. Photo By Tatiana Popova / Shutterstock

Cappadocia is located in South Central Turkey. It is known for the unique geological features that are referred to as fairy chimneys. They were created from years of erosion of the soft volcanic ash around them. In the past, cultures dug around them to make homes and even underground castles such as Derinkuyu and Kaymakli. There is a variety of fun activities you can engage in such as hiking or you can take an exhilarating hot air balloon ride around. The view from above is one of the best things in the world. There are flights into Cappadocia from Istanbul, Ankara or Antalya.

Los Colorados Mexico

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Los Colorados are stunning pink colored lakes that are filled with salt. They are located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Los Colorados means ‘the red’ in Spanish. It is the name of a tiny Mexican fishing village that is surrounded by the pink lakes. The lakes provide a stunning view, unlike anything you have ever seen. For thousands of years, Mayans used the lakes to facilitate a thriving salt production industry. The color of the lakes is a result of the red-colored algae, plankton and brine shrimp which thrive in a salty environment. The lakes are a great place to explore and watch the flamingos. Unfortunately, however, swimming in the lakes is no longer allowed. You can get to Los Colorados by road from Cancun, Medida or Tulum, the journey is 2-3 hours from either of the places.

Egypt

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Egypt is located in North Africa. It contains several tourist attractions that will blow your kind such as the famous Pyramids build for ancient Pharaohs. The culture and vast array of places to choose from will leave you wanting for more. The must-see sites in Egypt include the Pyramids of Giza which are the last surviving of the seven wonders of the ancient world. You can also visit the quiet city of Aswan and soak up the chill atmosphere as well as take camel rides, boat rides and visit the Nubian villages. You can visit the White Desert which is a scenic natural wonder. It gives a snowy illusion even though it is all white sand. If the beach is more your thing, you can visit South Sinai; it is an excellent diving destination. You can get to Egypt by taking a flight into one of the major cities.

The Great Wall of China

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The Great Wall of China is located in Northern China. The Chinese name for the wall is ‘Long Wall’ it is more than 2300 years old. Different areas of the wall were built by various dynasties to protect territorial borders. The Qi dynasty between 770-221 BC made the first part while the final section and restoration were done in 1368-1644 by the Ming Dynasty. Construction was done using stones, soil, and brick by soldiers, rebels, and peasants. It stretches over a length of 21,196 kilometers. It contains fortresses at vantage points; they were built to be impregnable. Today, 30% of the wall is gone. You can hike on the wall, or have a picnic. You can even go paragliding or take a cable car ride.

Rome, Italy

View of Colosseum in Rome and morning sun, Italy, Europe. Photo By prochasson frederic / Shutterstock

Rome contains numerous ancient architectural wonders that will blow your mind. It is such a large city that it can be overwhelming, especially if you visit without a set plan. There are several sites that you shouldn’t miss to get the real Rome experience. One of them is the Colosseum. It is a silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheatre. Construction began in 72 AD by Vespasian. His son Titus added a fourth story to it, and it was inaugurated in 80 AD. It was used for various activities such as festivals, theatrical performances, and circuses. You can visit the Vatican City and get to see the Sistine Chapel, which is full of Michelangelo’s famous works. Visit the Pantheon which is a perfectly preserved 2000-year-old Roman antiquity. The Trevi fountain is one of the most famous sites in Rome. It was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 against the rear wall of the palace of Duke of Poli. It is traditional to throw a coin into the fountain to ensure that you come back to Rome. Those are just a few of the fantastic sites Rome has to offer. Take a walk around the city and experience Italian culture as you have never had before. You can take a flight to Rome from any major airport.

The Amalfi Coast

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The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful and memorable destinations in Italy. It has a wide array of places to visit. It has about 100 beaches and amazing hiking trails. There are several fun activities you can engage in such as boating, hiking, and sea sports. Visit the picturesque town of Positano. If you are on a schedule, it is worth it to visit this little town. It has cascading cliffs with fantastic architecture. There are speedboats docked on the yacht. You can visit the Roman ruins or travel to the villages of Nocelle or Montepertuso. You can buy all kinds of beautiful antiques in Positano. The nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples Airport which is about an hour and a half from Positano.

Machu Picchu

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And last but not least on our list, Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is located in the Inca city in Peru. It is a dream come true for a person visiting South America. The ancient city remained hidden to Spaniard conquerors until its discovery in the early 20th century. It was inscribed a UNESCO heritage site in 1983. Excavations carried out in 1015 revealed that there were dwellings probably build in the 15th and 16th century. There are several fun things you can do in Machu Picchu such as visit the Sun Gate, climb the Huayna Picchu, and visit the royal tombs. You will get the ultimate hiking experience from your visit. You can get to Machu Picchu; you can get a train from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo which is the closest town to Machu Picchu.