The time has come to make up for those long months of lockdown and plan yourself a post-pandemic adventure. We’ve gathered together some once-in-a-lifetime experiences just waiting for you to try out!
Whether you’re the type to dream of venturing to the great Machu Picchu, or you’d rather float over twinkling landscapes on a hot air balloon, there’ll be something in our round-up to get you excited about life after lockdown. If there’s ever a time to start ticking things off your bucket list in epic proportions, it’s 2021!
1. Swim With Turtles in Barbados
As unique experiences go, this one is truly spectacular. Getting up close to these incredible creatures under the sea is an otherworldly experience, and one of the top spots to do it is beautiful Barbados. It’s got the perfect combination of hot weather, delicious food, flawless beaches and spectacular sea life to swim with.
There are three species of turtles you may come across in Barbados: Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback. You might want to catch a catamaran cruise, which will take you to some of the best spots for spotting turtles – this is the most popular option for tourists. However, the waters are so calm and clear in many of Barbados’ bays that you may well spot them when you’re enjoying a dip on a beach day!
As sea turtles are classed as endangered it’s important to look after them as best you can and admire them without causing any upset or distress to the creatures themselves. You can learn more about this from resort reps, or from The Barbados Sea Turtle Project. This project looks at the conservation of marine turtle species, and has done for the past 25 years. Safety is key, for both you and the animals!
2. Enjoy Christmas Time in New York
New York is a breath-taking city no matter when you visit. However, there’s something extra special about wandering the streets of the Big Apple at Christmas time. From the famous Christmas tree perched proudly in front of the Rockefeller Centre to the glistening ice rink in Central Park, there’s a touch of magic around every corner!
You’ll never be bored on a visit to NYC. Some of the best things to do in New York at Christmas time include visiting the Winter Village at Bryant Park, checking out the incredible residential lights at Dyker Heights and going to see the fabulous Radio City Christmas Spectacular. There’s nothing quite like it to really get you into the spirit of the season.
Many visit New York around December for these fabulously festive sights, and some visit for its incredible opportunity for Christmas shopping. Iconic department stores such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s offer a haven of gifts for all the family, and if you visit at the right time, you might bag some bargains. Whatever you’re looking for in a visit to the United States, you’re bound to find it and so much more when you go to New York at Christmas!
3. Zipline Through a Mexican Jungle
Mexico is known for many things: romantic resorts, parties in Cancun, unspoiled beaches and irresistible food. You may not realise though, that there’s SO much adventure to be had in Mexico too! There are many excursions that will allow you to experience the vast Mexican jungle in many different ways.
One of our favourite activities in Mexico is ziplining. Gliding through a sea of vibrant greenery, you feel as free as the tropical birds that live there! It gives you an exhilarating rush of adrenaline and it’s just pure fun. There are various places to experience ziplining in Mexico, some taking you above the lush jungle canopy and others seeing you soar over shimmering lagoons.
If you don’t want to stop at ziplining, there’s a plethora of other ways to explore the jungle. You could take on a quad biking tour, swim in caves, boat down winding rivers or visit Mayan ruins. The activities in Mexico are just endless, and when you’re worn out from all the fun, you’re in the ultimate place to relax and unwind too!
4. Go Island Hopping in Croatia
Did you know that Croatia has more than 1,000 islands? This makes it the perfect destination to go island hopping – one of our favourite bucket list ideas! There are some award-winning excursions to go on, where you’ll spend a day zooming from one island to another on a rapid speedboat. Alternatively, you could extend your adventure and plan a night or two at each island you visit. The choice is yours!
When you go island hopping in Croatia, you’ll have all the time in the world to take in the dazzling surroundings and really enjoy the island life. The places to visit are quite diverse. You can enjoy totally secluded coves on peaceful islands and discover delicious food and drink at some glamorous celebrity hotspots along the way.
We’d recommend keeping certain islands in mind when you’re planning your experience. For example, Hvar is an amazing spot for laid-back beach bars, swanky restaurants and gorgeous scenery. Another stand-out is Korčula, dotted with sleepy fishing harbours and quaint vineyards. For those who just want to lounge on lazy beaches and soak up the sun, we’d recommend Brač. You won’t fall short of beautiful islands to visit in Croatia!
5. Tour Havana in a Classic Car
Whether or not you have a keen interest in classic cars, touring Havana in one is an amazing experience. Cuba is known for its vintage cars, as after the Cuban Revolution, the importation of American cars and parts was banned. Seeing so many grand and striking cars driving around as normal is so different to what we’re used to – it’s like stepping back in time!
Touring the city in a classic car may be quite an unusual experience, especially when you consider Cuba as a beach destination. However, it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the place and its roots. There are many private car tour companies to choose from. Some of the models you’ll potentially cruise in when you’re exploring Havana include Ford Fairlanes and 50s Chevrolets.
Aside from the cars, Havana is the perfect place to fuse a relaxing and luxurious beach holiday with a big culture fix. By day, you could be topping up your tan on a blissful beach with a rum cocktail in hand, and by night you could enjoy the city’s fine dining and catch some live music. Cuba is a true gem of the Caribbean, and certainly worth adding to your bucket list!
6. Scuba Dive in the Red Sea
Scuba diving is one of those epic travel experiences that everyone should try at least once. It’s truly fascinating to see what life is like under the sea! The Red Sea coast of Egypt is one of the hottest scuba diving spots in the world. It’s got tonnes of eye-opening excursions for divers with all levels of experience. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a total novice, the Red Sea offers the perfect waters.
If colourful dives filled with mesmerising sea creatures sound like your cup of tea, you won’t be disappointed in Egypt. There are over 300 species of coral reef and over 1,200 species of fish, some of which won’t be found anywhere else in the world! Expect to spot the likes of blue spotted rays, sea turtles, spinner dolphins, dugongs and even sharks on your under-sea adventures.
When you’re not deep in the sea among tropical fish and pretty coral, you’ll find Egypt to be the perfect place to relax and catch some rays. Some of the areas we recommend for awesome dives paired with beautiful resorts include Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Grab your flippers, pack your sun cream and prepare for the trip of a lifetime!
7. Explore Natural Wonders in Iceland
No matter what time of year you visit Iceland, you’ll find a mystical land filled with the most sensational natural wonders. You can opt for organised excursions or give yourself the freedom to road trip around this fascinating country and rent a car – either way, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a whole new world on a trip to Iceland.
There’s so much to do and see in Iceland that it can feel a little overwhelming. A perfect place to start is to follow the world-famous Golden Circle route, which has stops at some of Iceland’s most breath-taking tourist spots and national parks. You’ll hear the roar of the colossal Gullfoss Waterfall, feel your hairs stand on end as you watch geysers explode high into the air and marvel at hot springs and lava fields.
When people think of a trip to Reykjavik, one of the first attractions that springs to mind is the gorgeous Blue Lagoon. This is just one of many stunning springs you can take a dip in on your Icelandic adventure. Some others that are slightly lesser known include The Secret Lagoon, Landmannalaugar and Mývatn Nature Baths. Don’t forget your swimsuit, as having a dip is a must on your holiday to Iceland!
8. Visit Florida’s Magical Theme Parks
We all know Florida as the family holiday destination of a lifetime. Its theme parks are unrivalled anywhere else in the world and have thrills for people of all ages! Are you an avid Disney fan dreaming of taking in the wonders of the Magic Kingdom? Perhaps you’re thirsty for adventure at the epic Universal Orlando Resort? Whatever you do, you’re guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime on a holiday to Florida.
Walt Disney World is the largest of any Disney resort around the globe, and there are nine in total! It is home to four exciting theme parks, two fabulously themed water parks and plenty of spectacular resort hotels to make your stay extra special. There’s no feeling quite like the one you get when you’re at Disney – it’s not known as the happiest place on earth for no reason!
Disney is a huge part of why people visit Florida, but there are so many more amazing parks to discover. For example, Universal Studios brings your favourite movies to life, and puts you in a starring role. You’ll experience thrills on a whole new level when you take on the humongous attractions at Busch Gardens. You can even head to Kennedy Space Centre for an out-of-this-world family adventure. If you’ve not yet been to Florida, it’s certainly one for the bucket list!
9. Hike Volcanic Mountains in Tenerife
Mount Teide is the most famous volcano in the Canary Islands, and the third largest volcano in the world! There are many ways to tour it, including catching a cable car or hiking to the crater. It’s a beautiful spot to visit at any time, but many like to go at sunset and treat themselves to picturesque panoramic views over the island. You can even stay that bit later and do some stargazing!
Being on the volcano itself is fascinating. It hasn’t erupted since 1909, but it is still classed as active and the volcanic terrain is unmistakable. Think huge, rocky mountain faces and ashy trails. Depending on which route you take, you may even catch a glimpse of a lava canal. Certainly not something you see every day!
When you’re not scrambling up the biggest mountain on the island, there’s plenty else to do in Tenerife. It has a world-class water park that’s fun for people of all ages, some seriously stylish All Inclusive resorts and beautiful beaches with views for days. With Tenerife flights being approximately 4.5 hours from the UK, this one is a great bucket list experience that’s not too far from home.
Are you ready to pack your bags and start ticking epic experiences off your bucket list? There’s no time like the present! Browse our deals and sign up to our mailing list for all the latest offers, news and holiday inspiration.
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