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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

10 bucket list experiences from hot air balloon rides to seeing the Northern Lights

Hot air balloon rides, sandboarding and seeing the Northern Lights are amongst the top 10 bucket list experiences all Brits should try once, according to Tripadvisor.

The travel platform recently unveiled the winners of its 2022 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards and now is spotlighting a brand new category from the awards - Bucket List Experiences.

In fact, research from the brand found that holidaymakers want to take their trips to the next level and pack in as many activities as possible to make up for lost time - and luckily, there are plenty of brilliant experiences to quench that thirst.

To determine the top 10, they looked at the quantity and quality of reviews - check out the bucket list below...

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1. Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari & BBQ at Al Khayma Camp - Dubai, UAE

Why not take part in a camel safari? (Get Your Guide)


The red dunes of Dubai’s Lahbab desert provide a stunning backdrop for sightseers, and the perfect venue for extreme sports.

Start with a 4WD dune bash, sandboarding, and ATV ride, then, visit the Bedouin-inspired Al Khayma camp for a camel ride, falcon interaction, and cultural activities before a starlit barbecue-buffet dinner and live show.

Find out more and book here.

2. Classic Inca Trail Trek 4D/3N to Machu Picchu - Cusco, Peru

Visiting Machu Picchu is a classic bucket list experience (G Adventures)


Travel along the famous Inca Trail, dubbed one of the best hikes in the world, during this four-day excursion from Cusco.

This pilgrimage trail is a mix of cultural, historical, and natural sights that give guests an overview of the ancient Incas.

Pass through several villages and archaeological sites until you reach the sacred mountain of Machu Picchu, where you enjoy a guided tour.

Find out more and book here.

3. Hot Air Balloons Ride - Luxor, Egypt

Luxor looks pretty good from hot air balloon (Tripadvisor)


Soar above Luxor’s West Bank for an aerial perspective of the city’s archaic sights by the light of sunrise.

You can enjoy scenes of vast temples and tall statues illuminated and richly coloured by the sun sitting low in the sky.

Find out more and book here.

4. Cappadocia Balloon Ride and Champagne Breakfast - Goreme, Turkey

Rising from the plains of Anatolia, Cappadocia is an ancient, fairy-tale landscape famous for its honeycombed underground cities and towering, chimney-shaped rocks.

Get a bird’s-eye view of the unforgettable scenery from the region’s best vantage point, by hot-air balloon with a breakfast buffet onboard.

Find out more and book here.

5. Blackstone Beach, Cliff Jump & Hidden Treasures - Aruba

Get behind the wheel of your own UTV on this thrilling, heart-pumping off-road adventure to explore Aruba's rugged, desert terrain.

Find out more and book here.

6. Ziplining Forest Adventure - The Original Canopy Tour - Rotorua, New Zealand

Lose yourself ziplining through Rotorua’s lush native forest that has stood for centuries.

This three-hour adventure mixes fun, education, and conservation together to create unforgettable memories.

You'll soar across 600m of ziplines and cross some phenomenal swing bridges. These vantage points will give you a whole new perspective on how special New Zealand’s native forests really are.

Find out more and book here.

7. Arenales Caves and River Adventure in Puerto Rico - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Spend an adventurous day exploring rivers and caves with this tour of the Arenales Caves.

The experiences allows you to hike through rivers, visit an underground cave, and get the chance to do some swimming.

Plus, finish off your day of adventure with a hike to a small hidden spring.

Find out more and book here.

8. Skydive Tandem - São Paulo, Brazil

While skydiving is a classic bucket list experience, doing so above the glorious vistas of Brazil takes it to a whole new level.

You'll be in safe hands when jumping from a height of 12,000 feet. Take off for a scenic flight over the city of Boituva, feel the thrill in a freefall of up to 50 seconds, reaching speeds of over 124 miles, then admire the views as you parachute down.

Find out more and book here.

9. Northern Lights Adventure with Greenlander - Tromso, Norway

Norway is a good spot to watch the Northern Lights from (Mediadrumimages/Yannick Legodec)

Seeing the Northern Lights is a dream of many travellers, and this tour offers the best chance of being there at the right time.

With a professional photographer as a guide and a small group, you'll get plenty of attention and tips on how to capture the best possible photos of the Aurora Borealis.

Find out more and book here.

(For something a little closer to home, we've got a guide to the best UK places for seeing the Aurora ).

10. Swim with the Manatees Includes In-Water Guide/Photographer - Crystal River, Florida, US

Hop aboard a US Coast Guard certified vessel where you will join your Master Captain to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters.

You will be paired with an expert in-water guide who will be with you every step of the way to assist in making your manatee tour safe and memorable.

Your in-water guide will also serve as your professional photographer to capture your manatee swim memories.

Find out more and book here.

If money was no object, where is the first place you would travel? Let us know in the comments below.

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