“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.”  -Lewis Carroll

We all want more out of life than an endless string of days on repeat.  We want passion, meaning, and a few bucket list experiences to brag about with our friends.

What those bucket list experiences are can differ for everyone.  For some, it might mean death-defying adventures in far-away places.  For others, it might mean settling into your dream home and raising a loving family.  What you choose to focus on is entirely up to you!

There are endless ideas for your bucket list, here are just a few I suggest.

1.  Going On Safari

Ask anyone what’s on their bucket list and many will tell you a safari in Africa.  And, for good reason!  Watching African giants in their native environment is an awe-inspiring sight that everyone should see at least once in their life.

I was fortunate to go on safari at the Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa and saw many of the country’s most impressive wildlife.  Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos, you name it!

Each game drive was more unforgettable than the last.  In fact, the very last of the trip had a very close (and extremely terrifying) encounter with a pride of lions!  I don’t often fear for my life, but being trapped in an open-air vehicle within arm’s reach of these massive predators as twilight turned to pitch black was more than a little nerve-wracking.  Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

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2.  Cage Diving with Great White Sharks

Not for the faint of heart, a cage dive with great white sharks is another awesome bucket list experience.  At up to 21′ long and weighing upwards of 2,400 pounds, these ocean giants are a sight to behold!

There are several places you can go to see these impressive creatures.  Some of the best include:

• Gansbaai, South Africa (the only place in the world where they breach)
• Neptune Islands, Australia
• Isla Guadalupe, Mexico
• Stewart Island, New Zealand

It’s important to note that not all tour companies are created equal when it comes to swimming with great white sharks without contributing to animal abuse in tourism.  Make sure to look for one that focuses on research and conservation over profits.  The well-being of the wildlife should always be their #1 priority.

I did a lot of research before choosing to dive with Marine Dynamics and the experience was nothing short of amazing.  I was able to help with the research they were conducting, learn about the great white’s biology and behavior patterns, and then saw three huge females that swam right up against the cage!  It was one of the most jaw-dropping experiences of my life.

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3.  Climbing The Sydney Harbour Bridge

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia is another extremely fun bucket list experience.  With sweeping views of the city from a truly unique vantage point, it’s a must if you find yourself in the land down under.

Not big on heights?  No worries!  The climb is a very easy slope with wide, shallow steps and high railing the whole way.  Plus, for added protection, climbers are harnessed into a thick cable the entire way.  In fact, I went with a friend who’s deathly afraid of heights and even he said it wasn’t nearly as scary as he thought it’d be.

So, next time you’re in Sydney, book a ticket for this awesome experience!

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4.  Taking The Polar Plunge

For an exhilarating (and, somewhat miserable) bucket list experience, partake in a polar plunge!  This arctic activity essentially involves jumping into ice-cold water in a number of locations across the globe.  From Iceland to Antarctica to the Arctic, as long as there’s sub-zero water around you’re in business!

My dad and I participated in a polar plunge on our trip to Antarctica and it was equally awesome and agonizing.  As soon as my body hit the water my breath caught in my chest and my skin felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand knives at once.  My muscles seized up and it was all I could do to swim back to the ladder at the stern of the ship.  Once there, my hands were immobile so I had to use the crux of my arms to hoist myself out of the ocean.

The water is so cold, in fact, that our ship’s doctor was standing nearby with the defibrillator in case someone’s heart stopped!

The health benefits and risks of taking a polar plunge are a topic of debate.   But, regardless of where you stand, ensure you’re taking proper precautions and not participating if you have an underlying health condition that could make this particular bucket list experience a little too risky.  Because your bucket list should include things you want to do before you die, not things that will cause your death.

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5.  Hiking the Italian Coastline

Hiking the coastline between the villages of Cinque Terre, Italy is still one of the best experiences of my life.  The rugged coastline between colorful villages with vineyards and lemon groves hugging the steep hills was a sight worthy of the glossiest travel magazine.

The five villages are separated by roughly 7.5 miles of trail.  My favorite was a section called  “Lover’s Lane”, which is the scenic mile between Riomaggiore and Manarola.  It features artwork, lovelocks, and a love-themed seat that makes the perfect backdrop for a photo op on your journey.

However, due to the landslide in 2012, the iconic Lover’s Lane trail has been closed and isn’t scheduled to reopen until at least 2021 (although restoration work may take until 2023 to finish).  Still, you can hike around the other open trails for an experience you’ll never forget.

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6.  Swimming Between Tectonic Plates

Did you know you can swim between the tectonic plates of two different continents?  Talk about a noteworthy bucket list experience!

Located in Þingvellir National Park, the Silfra Fissure is the only place on the planet where you can snorkel or dive between two continents.  It’s here where the Eurasian and North American plates meet.  And, if you’re not opposed to a bit of a chilly dip, you can book a tour to swim in the fissure’s crystal clear waters.

The day I went it happened to be snowing.  Lovely.  But, once I wrestled my way into my drysuit I warmed right up!  Still, the water in the fissure is so ice-cold from glacial melt that we were instructed to keep our hands clasped behind our backs so they’d be out of the water as we swam.  Why, you ask?  Because otherwise, you run the risk of frostbite in your fingers.  Not exactly an ideal souvenir.

Don’t let the cold deter you though!  Swimming between the tectonic plates is an awesome adventure and well-worth the goosebumps!

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7.  Marveling At Masterpieces

Throughout history, we have been blessed by the works of some truly gifted artists.  Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Picasso, Dalí, Monet, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Klimt, Greco, Warhol.  Each had a unique way of breathing life into the world around us using a riot of color and curves.

And, one of the most compelling experiences you can add to your bucket list is seeing these masterpieces in person.

A few museums around the world that are worthy of a visit include:

• The Louvre, Paris, France
• Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
• British Museum, London, United Kingdom
• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, Italy
• Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
• State Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York City
• National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

And, while many host noteworthy masterpieces like David, Venus de Milo, and Starry Night, lesser-known works of art are equally deserving of your admiration.  For instance, after battling the mob taking selfies in front of the Mona Lisa, I wandered around the corner and was stopped in my tracks by The Young Martyr.  An oil-based painting by Paul Delaroche, it features a young woman with her hands bound laying in a river with a halo over her head.  The soft colors and subtle lines of this heartbreakingly beautiful scene are what I remember most from my time in the Louvre, despite being surrounded by many more well-known works of art.

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8.  Touring Castles in Europe

Life may not always be a fairy tale, but happily ever after feels within reach when you visit Europe’s picturesque medieval castles.

Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful and opulent palaces on the planet.  It’s no wonder why many have served as the inspiration for backdrops in some of Disney’s most iconic films.  Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Brave, and Snow White, just to name a few.

Some of the most stunning castles on the continent (including a few of my favorites) include:

• Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
• Chateau De Chillon, Switzerland
• Alcázar of Seville, Spain
• Palace of Pena, Portugal
• Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
• Corvin Castle, Romania
• Castle de Haar, Netherlands
• Hohenwerfen Fortress, Austria
• Bodiam Castle, England

Each has its own characteristic charm and dream-like beauty.  And, each makes a perfect destination for a day trip as you make your way around Europe’s charming villages.

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9.  Riding On A Giant Ferris Wheel

For a super-sized spin worthy of a spot on your bucket list, try taking a ride on one of the world’s largest ferris wheels.  These giant observation wheels take roughly 30-minutes to complete a full rotation.  During that time, riders can take in the view or even grab a drink in one of the bar pods.  Talk about a happy (half) hour!

I took a spin on the (then) world’s largest, the High Roller, in Las Vegas during a quick weekend trip.  And, it was a 550-feet of awesome!  I just grabbed a regular ticket, but you can also purchase a happy hour ticket for a ride in one of the bar pods (if you want to indulge in a cocktail while you’re suspended hundreds of feet in the air.  Cheers to that!)

Some other observation wheels around the world include:

• Ain Dubai, or Dubai Eye (700-feet) scheduled to open in 2020
• Singapore Flyer (541-feet)
• London Eye (443-feet)
• ICON Orlando (400-feet)
• Melbourne Star (394-feet)

The floor to ceiling glass creates a perfect opportunity for a bird’s eye view of each city (not to mention a fun way to pass the time!)

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10.  Visiting All 7 Continents

A lofty goal many people want to accomplish before they die is seeing all seven continents.  And let me tell you, it absolutely should be!

Seeing different corners of the globe is a life-changing experience.  It opens you up, pushes your boundaries, and teaches you to appreciate things in a way that little else can.  The value of easy communication, clean drinking water, and simple pleasures (like elevators and air conditioning).  And, it can create friendships that far outlast the trips themselves.

In 2019, I was fortunate enough to visit all seven continents in one year.  And, from Morocco to Ireland to Antarctica, I was left with a number of new bucket list experiences and countless incredible memories.  My first (deeply uncomfortable) hammam in Marrakesh.  Swimming in the world’s highest infinity pool in Singapore.  Hiking through the Blue Mountains in Australia.  Kayaking past icebergs in Antarctica.

Every continent, country, and city is filled with bucket list-worthy adventures around every corner!

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These are just a few ideas to wet your whistle.  But, no matter what bucket list experiences you want to have in your life, all that matters is you make a plan to accomplish your goals so you can start living your life on purpose.

What are some of the things on your bucket list?  Comment below, I’d love to hear about them!

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