28 Unforgettable Travel Adventures
To travel is to live! The world is full of incredible places to explore. I love reminiscing about beautiful landscapes, destinations, adventures, cultures, food, and excursions. I share some of my favorite pictures taken abroad and provide the stories behind them in this post. Below are 28 unforgettable travel adventures.
#1: Go Sea Bob Snorkeling at Galleon in Antigua
What is Sea Bob Snorkeling? A Sea Bob is an underwater jet ski that pulls you through the water without much effort other than pressing a button. You will see amazing views of coral reefs, tropical fish, and other underwater creatures, including sea turtles.
Planning the Adventure:
Tom and I went Sea Bob Snorkeling a few times. Our first time was in Aruba and we loved it SOOO much that we had to go again. We had a flight booked to ANTIGUA and couldn’t wait to start planning activities for the trip. We booked the Sea Bob Snorkeling tour in Antigua and were super excited.
Antigua:
Antigua is drop-dead gorgeous, home to beautiful turquoise beaches, PERFECT weather, and kind locals. I LOVED every place we went to. If you are ever in Antigua, go to SHEER ROCKS. You can rent a plunge pool and enjoy a romantic dinner overlooking the ocean.
Sea Bob Snorkel Tour:
On our first full day in Antigua, we woke up bright and early and put on bathing suits for the snorkel adventure. Our guides gave us instructions and all of our equipment.
I told the instructor I was a strong swimmer and did not need a life jacket. I now know that this was a HUGE MISTAKE. A Sea Bob can hold you up, but I had a dilemma. My long, brown hair kept falling out. To top it all off, it started downpouring. Because of the rain, the waves were getting huge. I had NO life jacket! I was freaking out because I had to hold my Sea Bob and fix my goggles and hair in the middle of the ocean! Can you imagine that? After my hair finally stayed in place, I calmed down. It never stopped raining. I focused on the beautiful fish below me until the end of the excursion.
There were a few top-notch memories that I will never forget. We did not only get to see a shipwreck, but we saw not ONE, but TWO sea turtles. Tom got EPIC photos taken with a sea turtle. Even though my memories sucked because I am an idiot and did not wear a life jacket does NOT mean you will have a horrible time. I do recommend this excursion!!!
Excursion Details:
Adventure: Sea Bob Snorkeling
Location: Galleon Beach
Book Your Tour!
#2: Admire the Epic Views at the Antelope Canyon
About: Antelope Canyon. WOW! There are no words to describe the beauty of this natural rock formation! I am in awe over how incredibly picturesque and magical the canyon is.
How was the Antelope Canyon Formed? Water erosion created the smooth, wavy sandstone walls. This natural site, now an extreme tourist destination, was discovered by a Navajo girl in 1931.
Where is it Located? The Antelope Canyon is a hidden gem located 8 miles from Page, Arizona. You are not allowed to go to the Antelope Canyon without a guide and must book a tour! Navajo Guided tours begin at their office in the heart of Page, AZ.
When is the Best Time to Visit? March through October is the best time to visit because the light beams shine through when the sun is highest.
Excursion Details: BOOK HERE!
#3: Rio Celeste Waterfall Adventure in Costa Rica
Excursion Details: Rio Celeste Hike and Sloth Sanctuary Tour
Costa Rica is home to breathtaking waterfalls. Swimming in the bright blue natural pool is an experience you won’t ever forget. Rio Celeste is one of the most beautiful sites ever. This tour will take you to this waterfall and a sloth sanctuary.
Rio Celeste: On the 2-mile hike to the waterfall, you will see incredible wildlife in the rainforest. There are over 10,000 species of plants. Costa Rica is the most biodiverse country in the world. Spotting wild animals in Costa Rica is bound to happen to you. After the 2-mile walk through Tenorio Volcano National Park, you will reach narrow stairs to walk down and get to the breathtaking waterfall and your mind will be blown away by how blue the water truly is. After you stop at the BEAUTIFUL waterfall, you can swim in the bright blue river at a different location in the park.
Sloth Sanctuary: Following the waterfall, you will get to go to a Sloth Sanctuary. The sloths are in their natural habitat. You won’t get to see them up close; however, you will see them at a distance.
What Causes the Blue Water at Rio Celeste?
Rio Celeste is where two rivers meet. The rivers are Rio Bueno Vista and Quebrada Agria. The scientists at the University of Costa Rica began their research to find out what caused the bright blue color of the waterfall. They took samples of the river and found that the water was not bright blue but transparent and filled with aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. When the sunlight hits these minerals, it creates an optical illusion that makes the water seem like a bright blue color.
Excursion Details: Rio Celeste Hike and Sloth Sanctuary Tour
#4: Catch the Sunset at the Hamptons, New York
There are no words to describe how stunning the sunset is on the beach in the Hamptons. Sunsets are always beautiful but are almost always better near the beach. The Hamptons, located along the East End of Long Island, has small historic towns and villages. The area is most known for its beaches, wineries, and nightlife. If you are ever in the Hamptons, add visiting art galleries, the Montauk lighthouse, and cute farm stands to your list of things to do.
#5: Go Wine Tasting at Napa Valley, California
There is nothing like wine tasting in the world-famous wine-growing region, Napa Valley. You will have an incredible time, from sipping on sweet, sour, red, or white wines to spending quality time with your loved ones. The best part of your trip will be learning how wine is fermented and made. The scenery throughout Napa Valley is so beautiful. There are more than 420 physical wineries and 815 different wine brands in Napa Valley.
#6: Admire the Temples Made Out of Volcanic Rock in Bali
In Bali, every home has a temple. Temples are created and carved from volcanic rock. The best temples to visit are the Uluwatu Temple, Elephant Cave Temple, Besakih Temples, Tirta Empul, and Luhur Lemuyang.
A. Besakih Temples– I am grateful that we got to see the 80 temples of Besakih on a Sunday because there were ceremonies everywhere. We got to witness their traditional outfits and Balanced offerings to their god. This place is on the inclines of Bali’s largest volcano, Mount Agung.
–Book Your Besakih Temple Tour
B. Uluwatu Temple- At the Uluwatu Temple, you can catch the Kecak Fire Dance. This performance runs every single evening after sunset at the Uluwatu Temple. This Balinese Hindu dance and music is about the story of Ramayana. Ari and I enjoyed the performance and the culture.
–Book Your Uluwatu Tour and Kecak Fire Dance
C. The Elephant Cave Temple- The Elephant Cave Temple, also known as Goa Gajah Temple, is in central Ubud. This temple is known for its rock wall carvings, elephant-carved cave, bathing pools, and fountains.
#7: Go Cave Swimming at Scape Park in Punta Cana
Scape Park is a perfect day trip in Punta Cana that ANYONE can enjoy. The park has activities for the adventurous, from cenotes to jump in, caves to swim in, zip lines to ride, and iguanas to feed. There are so many fun activities at the park that you can spend ALL DAY there.
The Cave: As you walk down the steps, you will reach clear, bright blue water in a cave. The water is SOOO blue that it looks unnatural. The water is chilly inside the cave!
#8: Book an Island-Hopping Tour in Croatia and Stop at the Blue Lagoon
Take the tour of a lifetime, also known as the Five-Island speedboat tour featuring the Blue Cave and Hvar!
What islands do you visit? Hvar, Ravnik, Budikovac, Vis, and Biševo.
What are the highlights of the trip? A few highlights from the trip include visiting the Blue Cave, going to the fishing village of Komiža, swimming and snorkeling in Stiniva Cove, and exploring the old town of Hvar!
How do you travel to each location? You will travel by speedboat and see beautiful sights from the water.
My Experience: My favorite part about the tour described above was visiting ‘The Blue Cave’. This cave contains natural light from the sun shining through the cave. It was incredible.
Fun Fact: I also saved someone’s life on this tour. We had the option to swim out to a beach at Stiniva Cove. A few of us swam to the beach. One of us could not make it back. I was able to swim out and give him a life jacket. He made it back on the speedboat safe and sound! The tour guide was kind and gave me a free soda when we got to the next island.
Croatian Coast Island Speedboat Tour
#9: Horseback Riding to the Moon Temple in Cusco, Peru
My Experience: Sarah and I are always down for an adventure and not always prepared. As soon as we came across the opportunity to ride horses to visit the moon temple, we did not hesitate to book the tour, even though we wore sandals, white pants, and heels.
The Moon Temple: Visiting the moon temple or Salumpunku in Cusco is usually overlooked by tourists; however, it is a fascinating place to see. The temple has two caves that contain cracks within the walls. The cracks let in sunlight and moonlight. The Incas worship the moon, sun, and Pachamama, or mother nature. The tour is 30 soles or $10.00 per person.
Book Your Tour: I highly recommend booking a tour to see Machu Picchu and the horseback riding tour in person because they are more expensive online.
#10: Kayaking in Lake Tahoe, California
About: Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake located between California and Nevada. Its depth is 1,645ft making it the second deepest lake in the United States after Crater Lake in Oregon.
My Experience: I went to Lake Tahoe from Thursday, May 6th to Sunday, May 9th, with a group of friends that went to WVU. I have never seen water so beautiful, crisp, clear, and clean. It was mesmerizing. We stayed at the Marriott Grand Residence Club in Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe, California. Unfortunately, it was too cold for us to swim and too hot to go skiing; however, we made the most out of our trip and went kayaking and hiking.
#11: Stroll Through Old San Juan in Puerto Rico and Try the Pina Coladas
Puerto Rico is a large Caribbean Island of 3,500 square miles in the West Indies.
My Experience: I went to Puerto Rico at the end of June 2021 for my sister Danielle’s Bachelorette party. We had only the best time as we wandered through the streets of Old San Juan, tried the infamous pina coladas, went swimming in the beautiful turquoise beaches, and explored the one and only US tropical rainforest. I will never forget this experience, as it truly was one for the books.
Old San Juan: Old San Juan, founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, has unique colorful streets. Honestly, I have done little to no research before this trip. I was in shock at how incredible this place was. While strolling along, we tried iced coffee and Pina Coladas. There are gift shops in Old San Juan, so it is the perfect place to buy a souvenir for someone special or yourself.
#12: Swimming with Stingrays
Book your tour to swim with stingrays and explore the island of Antigua! Swimming with stingrays was the ultimate underwater adventure. We were scared shitless, BUT it was worth it. The professional tour guides calmed us down completely. Stingrays are HARMLESS. Stingrays won’t sting you if you feed them or swim with them. You can even hold one, and it won’t hurt you!
#13: Swimming with Dolphins
St. Thomas is one of the three United States Virgin Islands, along with St. Croix and St. Johns. This place is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world! The beaches in St. Thomas are STUNNING. We swam among wild sea turtles and schools of fish at Brewers Bay and enjoyed Pina Coladas at the bar at Magens Bay. We were able to swim with dolphins. Swimming with the magical creatures at Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas was one of the best experiences of my life. Book your excursion here!
#14: Water Tubing, Zip Lining, and Horseback Riding
About: If you are adventurous and love the adrenaline rush, this tour filled with outdoor activities is for you! This half-day tour on TripAdvisor has an average 5-star rating and will not only take you water tubing, but you will also be able to go zip lining, horseback riding, and to the Rio Negro Hot Springs!
Stop 1: Zip-lining through the Costa Rican Rainforest will give you the adventure of a lifetime.
Stop 2: What better way to explore Costa Rica than on a horse? This 45-minute horseback ride through the forest is incredible as you will see the local flora and fauna of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
Stop 3: Water Tubing will be the time of your life because you will bounce down Rio Negro’s speedy rapids in your tube.
Stop 4: The Rio Negro Hot Spring, naturally heated by the largest volcano, is in the Guanacaste region. The hot springs feature ten pools surrounded by a tropical dry forest. The mineral-laden waters of the hot springs in Costa Rica have therapeutic benefits. The hot springs cure aches and pains for over 200 years. The mystical healing is said to work.
Stop 5: The volcanic mud “bath” is another activity at the Hot Springs that you can enjoy! You will spread volcanic clay mud all over yourself and wash it off with a cool river water shower. The hot springs will feel great afterward!
#15: Horseback Riding in the Ocean
The Turks and Caicos Islands are made up of the larger Caicos Island and smaller Turks Island. Both tropical islands are known for tourism. The best activity in Turks and Caicos is Horseback Riding. The world is full of magical things waiting for our senses to grow sharper. This throwback epic experience did just that. Wow, we had the time of our lives because we got to go horseback riding along the turquoise, beautiful ocean. There were little to no waves. Horseback riding was a fun, unique, and calming experience that I highly recommend. The island has many small stables offering rides along the beautiful beaches. Provo Ponies is the oldest, most popular place where you can experience this activity with friendly, professional tour guides.
#16: KRKA National Park in Croatia
KRKA National Park is in southern Croatia along the KRKA river. Spending a day at this river is for you if you enjoy mesmerizing, untouched nature. The park has an abundance of waterfalls and a diverse amount of flora and fauna. The park is an hour and a half from Split, Croatia. We booked a self-guided day tour with transportation included from Split, Croatia. The tour guide gave us enough time at the park to hike through the waterfalls, go swimming, and have lunch. We went for a swim even though we did not bring bathing suits. My best friend Ari and I will forever be carefree, wandering souls!
Tours: Compare KRKA National Park Tours Available
#17: Illuminated Kayaking in the Ocean
Kayaking after dark is a rare activity that is super exciting and different. We most definitely witnessed a few wild fish while kayaking. The LED-lighted kayaks paved the way for a magical narrated adventure.
Book: LED-Kayak Tour
#18: Goat Yoga at Beach Haven
Goat Yoga is a social, fun, interactive, and therapeutic experience. The company offers classes on the weekends. View the full schedule!
#19: Zip Lining in Costa Rica
Zip-lining through the Costa Rican Rainforest will give you the adventure of a lifetime because you will get a bird’s eye view of the lively forest below. Once strapped in your harness, you will start the zip-lining course through the incredible canopy and canyons over a turbulent river! This course has eight zip-line cables, a rock-climbing wall, a hanging bridge, and a Tarzan swing! Now, if you do not want to go rock climbing, you do not have to. The guides are super accommodating.
#20: Gondola Ride in Venice
Venice is the most picturesque city in Italy. It is a city surrounded by canals and over 400 bridges. Tom and I enjoyed our ride on a Gondola with a friendly, knowledgeable tour guide who happened to sing.
#21: Exploring Edinburgh
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has stunning architecture and kind, warm-hearted people. If you love learning about history and experiencing a new culture, visiting this unique destination should be on your bucket list.
I highly recommend exploring Edinburgh, as it felt like a fairytale as we wandered through the old buildings and cobblestone streets! I loved every second, from the mini black taxis to the live street music, red telephone boxes, and castles we explored. On our way from The Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, I got to hold an owl!
The Royal Mile is known as The Old Town and is about a mile-long street between the Castle and Holyrood House. The cobblestone street is home to tourist shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs, churches, and parliaments.
The Edinburgh Castle dates back to the 12th century and stands on top of an extinct volcano. The castle has several museums, including a Royal Palace, where you can see some of the oldest crown jewels. You can stop at a point where you can see the Witches’ Well. The Witches’ Well is where they suspect witches burned. Another place within the castle to see is the apartment where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son.
#22: Bali Swing
You can swing on the infamous Bali Swings in multiple places. One of the main places you can hop on a swing is the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. I recommend this activity, as it is not only exhilarating but also loads of fun. Tegallalang Rice Terrace is gorgeous and a must-see if you are ever in Ubud. These terraces stand 600 meters above sea level. The rice terraces carved into the mountain are used for crop cultivation.
#23: Athens, Greece
Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the oldest cities in the world because it has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, landing the earliest presence on earth. The remarkable city is known for its artists, cultural impact, and history.
My Experience:
I arrived in Athens on September 23rd, 2019, and could not believe my eyes. I was in disbelief that places like this existed. As I explored the ancient ruins, I would have never thought I would have ever seen buildings so beautiful and rich in history.
If I were to describe Athens in two words, I would use the words- precious and magical because of how old these ancient sites are and how the city had marble streets and fresh gardens and trees everywhere. I felt like I was in some fairytale destination.
Ari and I purchased unified tickets. The ticket is valid for five days. Ancient sites the ticket provides entry for are the Acropolis and Slopes, Ancient Agora, Museum of the Stoa of Attolos, Roman Agora, Library of Hadrian, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos, and the Lykeion of Aristotle.
#24: Santorini
About: Santorini, a volcanic Greek island, is one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been. Santorini is a dream destination because it has incredible landscapes and awesome things to do.
My Experience: I enjoyed exploring the unique white and blue villages surrounded by beautiful deep blue waters. I am grateful that I was able to see this beautiful island in September 2019 with my best friend, Ariana. We had a wonderful time because we tried the traditional Greek food, met the locals, and learned about their history and culture. Oia is a town located in Santorini with some of the best sunsets. This place is especially magical because it has stunning views of the water. Ari and I were lucky to witness the infamous sunset while enjoying a glass of Greek wine and dessert at a traditional Greek restaurant.
#25: 20 Magic Mountains in Vegas
I highly recommend driving to go and witness the Seven Magic Mountains in Vegas. This destination is 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. This place was on my bucket list. You will find seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders. Each stack of boulders stands about 25 feet high. It is astounding that the towers can balance, as it looks like the boulders are defying gravity.
#26: Immerse Yourself in the Inca Culture at the Pisac Market in Cusco, Peru
Peru is the most visited place in the world, home to incredible attractions, beautiful beaches, and the Amazon Rainforest. Ollantaytambo is a town and Inca Archeological site at 9,160 ft above sea level. Visiting the Pisac Market on a Sunday was a more authentic experience, as the local Quechua communities set up shops on the main square dressed in colorful clothing on this day. The Peruvian women wear hand-woven traditional skirts called polleras or melkkhay made with Bayeta or wool cloth. The skirt has a band called Puyto!
#27: White Water Rafting
If you LOVE the adrenaline rush and adventure, I recommend spending the day white water rafting near Lake George, New York! Tom and I had the best time rafting down the Sacandaga River!! Our instructor helped us figure out how to navigate the currents and reach the finish line.
-Book Your White Water Rafting Adventure
#28: Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge in Ireland
You will enjoy a coastal walk filled with seabirds and glorious sites until you reach the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was both exhilarating and fulfilling. The current bridge opened to the public in 2008. The bridge went under construction to comply with safety rules by the National Trust in 2000 to protect tourists.
Fun Fact: The people are super kind in Ireland. I even lost my ticket to cross the bridge. They still let me on the bridge anyway.
We listed 28 unforgettable travel adventures. Have you ever experienced any of the adventures I shared, like swimming with stingrays or zip lining? Please comment below about your adventures!
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