Whether it’s ziplining or scuba diving, some exciting new travel ideas can add to your trip!
A major benefit of traveling is getting to see new places and enjoy new experiences, but let’s face it—sometimes it’s easy to fall into a routine. Hitting the beach over and over is great, but pushing a bit past your comfort zone is often how incredible vacation experiences and favorite travel memories are made!
So whether that means nudging your travel personality towards an adrenaline junkie or finding new cultural experiences, here are some ideas for how (and where!) to push yourself into amazing travel experiences.
See Some Serious Reefs:
Maybe you’ve popped your head underwater just off the beach for a peek of colorful coral and tropical fish, but why not take it a step further? Visiting a major reef can immerse you further in the wonders of the deep.
You likely know about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and with good reason. The largest barrier reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, packed with more than 400 kinds of coral and sea creatures like angelfish, parrotfish, clownfish and surgeonfish (many may know from Finding Nemo).
But did you know the western hemisphere has its own enormous reef? In Belize, the world’s second largest barrier reef boasts manta rays, nurse sharks, and more than 500 fish species like porcupine fish, barracuda, and yellowtail snapper—not to mention countless coral like the aptly named Staghorn coral.
Adventurous extra: Try scuba diving after dark!
Take the plunge:
Cliff jumping is an easy way to push yourself on your next vacation; all it takes is one small step. Or if you’re feeling bold, one giant leap! There are plenty of places you can dive down dozens of feet into water below:
Merida, Mexico for example, one of the top places to travel in 2022, is near many cenotes—giant sinkholes holes naturally filled in with rainwater. They’re often “hidden” in lush jungles so make for a picturesque plunge!
Speaking of, Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios, Jamaica is a beauty too! Multiple cascading waterfalls all rush into the water below, and once you’re there you can take a turn jumping off a ledge.
Adventurous extra: Get further into the water on a rope swing.
Walk on the wild side:
Getting up close and personal with animals is a great way to push yourself on vacation too-especially if you’re venturing into the wilderness.
Critter curious? Look no further than our 49th state. You’ll never forget seeing Alaska’s official animal, the enormous Alaskan moose which is the largest of the species. But the Last Frontier also has the largest populations of bald eagles in the world, and a venture into their national parks gives you a good chance at sighting these majestic birds.
And Australia has simply too much wildlife on land as well not to mention it again—with koala sanctuaries, platypus, wild kangaroos aplenty, Tasmanian devils and crocodiles, it’s truly the spot for seeing unique creatures.
Adventurous extra: Stop in New Zealand to see kiwis, one of the more interesting national animals out there!
Culture and Coastlines
Seeing something new broadens your horizons, whether that be land features or unique new cultures, and some places offer both!
Across Scandinavia for example, fjords are narrow inlets once carved by glaciers that stretch from the sea far inland, like the 66-mile Njordfjord. And the region’s history and mythology includes Viking tales and structures like in the medieval town of Visby, as well as famous Hans Christen Anderson stories and a statue to his masterpiece “The Little Mermaid” in Copenhagen.
Far on the other side of the world, Hawaii’s volcanoes influence the native culture and coastline. Eruptions added to the coast (even recently) when flowing lava meets the Pacific, and many Hawaiian legends and songs feature the volcano goddess “Pele” who you wouldn’t want to anger!
Adventurous extra: Some villages near Olden, Norway have farms 2,000 years old!