20 Amazing bucket list travel experiences to have around the world

The world is full of wonderful things, and we only experience a few of them if we never venture beyond our own comfort zone. But even for the most adventurous of globetrotters, there simply is too much to visit and too little time. So what is there to do? We only live once, so lets choose to do the most meaningful things, in the most phenomenal places in the world! To help you guys get your exciting adventures going, we’ve highlighted a few items on our loooong bucket list of the experiences we loved the most. Will any of these be on your list too?

1. Help at an alpaca farm and take them out for walks

Alpacas have to be one of the most beloved animals of all time, because who wouldn’t wanna give these adorable floofy creatures a big hug? Try your hand with feeding, shearing and helping them build little homes at various farms while you are exploring different countries, and have a taste of rustic good life with these gentle animals by volunteering at an alpaca farm.

2. Embrace ski season in winter wonderland 

Get ready for an unforgettable ski or snowboarding adventure in one of the most magical winter destinations in the world! Imagine gliding across glittering snow, soaking in pristine mountain views, and sipping on hot cocoa with your travel tribe. Vacations like these are typically on the pricey side, so a great way to do this without breaking the bank would be to help out at a ski lodge in exchange for this unique experience. Pro-tip, there's Workaway hosts from Japan to France that will let you explore these top ski season destinations for free!

3. Live out your fairytale dream in a traditional castle

From Disney movies to bedside fairytales, it’s no wonder that the childhood fantasy of living like royalty still lingers as we grow older. How then can we miss a chance to stay at the top of a castle in a secluded rural town? Enjoy gazing outside your bedroom marvelling at the fields of green that stretch across the horizon, and take in the magic of living in an ancient story book. “ It’s a haven, it’s an oasis, it’s magical, there is so much history to explore there,” described one of our workawayers who have stayed at a historic castle in France. Now that’s an unique once-in-a-lifetime memory waiting for you to create.

4. Dog-sledding across the Arctic landscapes

Charging across frozen lakes with just your furry friends and the sound of their paws padding across snow – it’s  immersion in nature and exhilarating action both in one! Visit a sled dog ranch, or better yet, experience the full lifestyle and learn first-hand about dog-sledding with one of our hosts – such as this one in Canada . This is the perfect way to experience life in the woods, and swap the hustle and bustle of city life to live amongst Alaskan huskies – with the comfort of knowing someone has your back.

5. Be a true nomad on the Mongolian plains

Following where the wind blows and where the grass is green…nomads used to build their lives around nature’s wisdom, and many in Mongolia are still choosing to keep this lifestyle over the city rush.  Experience the authentic nomad life by building your own yurt – or ger, as locals call it – in the stunning highlands of Mongolia and learn what it’s like to live simply and sustainably with one of our hosts .

6. Marvel at the northern lights

Yes, we know, this is basically a bucket-list staple already – but for good reason. There’s nothing quite like getting to see something after hearing and dreaming about it a thousand times, and finally understanding what the fuss is all about. The aurora borealis (gosh, it even sounds pretty) is absolutely magnificent and a reminder of how amazing nature is. Apart from the most popular  Iceland, some of our favourite places to see these dancing lights are Finland,  Sweden,  Alaska, USA and Northern Canada– where you can get insiders’ tips and even stay at the best hidden spots with local hosts without needing to be in a tourist bus for hours!

7. Spend a night camping in the Arab desert

Nothing between you and the desert sand but a clear sky illuminated by stars that stretches into the vast unknown. Imagine friendly camels trotting past as you pass cups of freshly boiled tea around a campfire with fellow workawayers around the world, while your host shares stories about their land and introduces you to the wonders of local life in the desert. Our favourite destinations are with the Berber tribes in Morocco and the Wadi Rum village in Jordan (sorry we just couldn’t pick between these!).

8. Discover that wild and free van life

Not just exploring, but literally living amongst the most stunning nature the world has to offer, in the comfort of your little home on wheels? Whether it's New Zealand's diverse range of coastal sceneries,  the epic mountainscapes of the Spanish Pyrenees, or Canada's breathtaking lakes and glaciers - travelling in a van doesn't only mean you're going on an epic road trip, but you're also exploring an incredible way of life  where you get to access nature's hidden gems, embrace the beauty of minimalism, and travel longer for cheaper without roughing it.

9. Walk on all the colours of nature in Patagonia

Stretching across both Chile and Argentina, trekking through Patagonia is the best way to experience the diverse wonders of South America’s geography from the top of the world. Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, penguin sightings – the trails here are filled with magnificent views wherever you go. Stay close to these stunning treks, drop the guidebooks and explore the lesser-known spots of the area with local hosts instead!

10. Relax on the beach with sea turtles

The earth is 71% water, so how can we complete a bucket list without including an ocean experience? Look for amazing encounters in Hawaii, or dip your toes into the beautiful isolated beaches of Costa Rica and take it one step further by participating in the local turtle conservation efforts . Enjoy the warm breeze, see majestic turtles in their natural habitat, and witness baby turtles hatching in this nesting heaven.

11. Get the full jungle experience in the Amazon rainforest

As one of our host says, the Amazon and the way of living there is something that can not be explained, you have to live it. And there is so much more to just living there! The Amazon is full of experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere in the world. Treat yourself with some fun adventures of jungle trekking and river excursions , swimming into waterfall ponds, and walking amongst thousand year-old trees while listening to locals explain the stories of their land. Meet, connect, share, teach and learn from [workawayhost uid="511339379784 " type="text" label="indigenous communities" target="_blank"]. Pick and hunt for your own food every day, wake up to birds chirping or to monkeys chasing after you!

12. Trek along the breathtaking Himalayas

13. Gaze over Cappadocia, Turkey from a hot air balloon

14. Be a true eco-nomad and volunteer for an environmental project

15. Go diving in the Great Barrier Reef

16. Make your favourite food from scratch

17. Get up close with wild animals on a safari tour

18. Immerse into a local’s life and pick up a new language

19. Explore the Greek Islands on a sailboat

20. Leave your mark around the world

To us, what matters more than just visiting beautiful destinations is what we create through the experience – connections, new perspectives, and even beautiful art for your friends and new travellers to admire! How many people can say they have a mural wall on the other side of the world, or a sculpture standing in an international hostel? We have quite a few hosts waiting for you to leave your artistic creation at their place – such as this tropical  hostel in Sri Lanka  or in this artistic community in Taiwan .

And the best part of this? You don’t even need to be an artist to leave something beautiful wherever you go. Are you good at cooking? Share a great recipe with your host family so they have a taste of food from your culture. Got a green thumb? Give your host’s garden some extra love and plant something special for them to enjoy. Even if you think you don’t have any special skills, you can always share your language, interesting stories about your home country, and most importantly your friendship with all the people you meet along the way! Now go fill your bucket list with more wonderful destinations to stay at and exciting things to do, bring an open mind with you to make them last forever – in your heart and in the hearts of others!