Travel Bucket List 2024 - 12 Best Ideas of A Lifetime

Are you young and wild at heart? Having a partner to roam about this world with? Or more than ready for the most daredevil adventures of your lifetime? If yes, then this travel bucket list 2024 has some of the best ideas for your new itinerary and help you see more of the world. 

We have handpicked the most desirable destinations, from the always popular sites like the Taj Mahal or Paris to the most challenging life goals like Machu Picchu or Mount Everest. There would be something for everyone!

Travel Bucket List For Your 20s

• Hunt the Northern Lights across the world
• Cappadocia, Turkey
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Halong Bay, Vietnam

Travel Bucket List For Couples

• Taj Mahal, India
• Paris, France
• Hawaii, USA
• Chiang Mai, Thailand

Travel Bucket List For Adventure Seekers

• Dubai, UAE
• Antarctica
• Machu Picchu, Peru
• Himalayas, Nepal

Travel Bucket List 2024 For Your 20s

By the way, what is a travel bucket list?  Just in case you've ever asked or been asked this question: Like a to-do list gives you direction on what to do in a day, a travel bucket list will navigate you to the places you want to set foot on in your life. 

To give more meaning, aspiration, and motivation to life, why not have a list of your own, describing exactly the travel fantasy that you've always had in mind so far?

See The Northern Lights

Viewing the Northern Lights makes you feel like you're in another world. Photo By stein egil liland on Pexels

Few things are more enchanting than peering up to the sky and seeing the Northern lights (“Aurora Borealis”) shine. Northern lights show up when charged solar wind particles collide with Earth’s magnetic field, with swaths of red, green, and purple lights dancing in the sky.

To cross this unmissable wonder off your travel bucket list in 2024, you'll need a little bit of planning, however. It's a must to prepare for the right weather conditions, time and place to watch the ethereal aurora with your own eyes. Head to these destinations for incredible viewpoints of the “Aurora Borealis”, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Greenland and Finland.

Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride In Cappadocia, Turkey

Sign up for a hot air balloon flight to see the best part of the fairy-tale Cappadocia. Photo By Niketh Vellanki on Unsplash

If Cappadocia were to have an official postcard for the place itself, it should be the image of the sky full of bright hot air balloons. Once you get up high on these balloons, you can get a 360-degree view of the wildly unique landscape of Göreme National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The rock structures (described as “fairy chimneys”), tuff valleys, and pigeon homes make for a stunning aerial view. 

If Cappadocia ranks high among the top places to visit before you die, set aside at least 2-3 days on your itinerary. You need clear weather for balloon rides, so one day may not be enough in case your flights are cancelled and switched to another day.

Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

One of the largest living structures in the world happens to lie in the Great Barrier Reef. As you dive (or snorkel) in this coral stretch of 1,400 miles, you can get up close and personal with 400 different coral types. This also means that you float around thousands of fish species, including jellyfish, minke whales, and bottlenose dolphins that call the reef home. 

With diverse marine life and so much scuba diving and snorkelling potential, the Great Barrier Reef is among epic bucket list travel experiences for both animal lovers and underwater adventure seekers.

Explore Limestone Caves In Halong Bay, Vietnam

The serene beauty of Ha Long Bay never fails to amaze wanderlust souls Photo By digitalarbyter :) on Unsplash

This gem on the northeastern coast of Vietnam is famous for huge limestone karsts, jungle-covered islets, and turquoise water. 

You can hike, walk, or kayak through the ancient caves to see the karsts and encounter the diverse wildlife there. During the day, the mirror-like water and the surrounding lush green make any angle at the Bay incredibly Instagrammable.

Otherwise, you can explore the magic of the Bay by jumping on an overnight luxury cruise that takes you around. Sit on the deck with a good bottle of wine, and admire one of the most beautiful sceneries of Vietnam.

Travel Bucket List 2024 For Couples

Creating a romantic getaway travel bucket list is a fantastic way to deepen the bond with the traveller in your life. There’s nothing better than doing things you enjoy together (along with a few surprises along the way). Be sure to Involve your partner in the planning process.

See the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a feast for the eyes and comes with a meaningful story to tell. Photo By Zhangeldy Beimish on Pexels

How do you make a travel bucket list? If it's a getaway for two, among the best answers is the classic - the Taj Mahal! This mausoleum complex was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Later, the Taj Mahal is also the resting place of Shah Jahan himself. 

Not only a symbol of eternal love, the structure is also an architectural marvel in itself. The symmetrical structure is a blend of Indian, Islamic, Persian and European styles. The white-marbled building also changes its colour from dusk till dawn (as the marble and the sunlight interact).

It can be the wax yellow in the early morning or the light bluish in the late evening. The best time to see the Taj Maha, however, is early morning (and you can also avoid the crowd during this time).

Falling More Deeply In Love In Paris

Paris is always a classic honeymoon dream for newlyweds. Photo By Dimitri Kuliuk on Pexels

From romantic gardens and sweeping boulevards to endless charming café terraces, Paris oozes romance in every corner. 

Whittling down a to-do list in this City of love is a love of labour. Take a walk along the Seine, or even better, take a cruise on the River (one of the best ways to admire the city’s landmarks is from the water). 

It’s also up to you and your partner to splash out at Michelin-starred restaurants for a special date night. Otherwise, grab a basket of bread and cheese to host a picnic at one of the city’s prettiest public parks. 

Just like from the famous line in Casablanca, “We'll always have Paris” - no one can take away memories of the good times you and your lover will share there. 

Island Hopping in Hawaii

You can’t go wrong honeymooning on tropical, pristine Hawaii beaches. Photo by Braden Jarvis on Unsplash 

What is the number one place on your travel bucket list? Hawaii gets plenty of votes for this question. It's no surprise for such a classic honeymoon destination! This tropical island paradise might be on the expensive side, but it’s worth it. 

Those sun-soaked beaches with clear water are a big part of the deal. You can spend all day lazing on the shore at one of the popular Hawaiian beaches like Oahu, Kauai, Maui, or the Big Island. 

Yet, don’t skip activities like snorkelling, whale watching, or surfing, which guarantees drawing you closer to your partner. The rich culture and the welcoming aloha spirit of the people there will also add to the Big Island’s allure.

Discovering Temples in Thailand’s Chiang Mai

Explore the Buddhist heritage, magnificent temples and street food cultures of Chiang Mai. Photo by Southtownboy Studio - stock.adobe.com

Our travel bucket list 2024 also presents immersive culture experiences if that's what you wish to do as a couple! 

Chiang Mai - northern Thailand’s largest city - is known for its beautiful Buddhist temples and ancient cities. Embrace temple wonders with the other half by checking out Doi Suthep - one of the most sacred temples in the north of Thailand. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) are also a must-visit. 

A trip to Chiang Mai can't be complete without a visit to the buzzing Night Bazaar night market, where you can sample local cuisine and take home exotic holiday souvenirs.

Travel Bucket List 2024 For Adventure Seekers

The world is full of incredible adventures waiting to be discovered. At the start of 2024, why not put a few adventure holidays on your travel bucket list? Here’s a heads up: Make sure you're physically fit first. Once you start zipping through the forest or seeing the scenery atop a mountain peak, you’ll find everything is worth it.

Signing Up for Skydiving in Dubai

There's no better way to appreciate Palm Jumeirah than getting off the ground! Photo by Viktor - stock.adobe.com

Although still a new dive zone in the world, Skydive Dubai has quickly become a favourite on many people’s extreme adventure bucket lists. You’ll never be the same after experiencing a city jump 13,000 feet above the ground. 

Your bravery will be rewarded with a bird-eye view of Palm Jumeirah -  the world's largest artificial archipelago, the Dubai Skyline, and the Persian Gulf. For a change of view, jumpers can also choose to free fall on the Desert Dropzone for a view of the Arabian desert. 

Don't be afraid, even if you're a first-timer, as the tour offers tandem diving for those with little to zero experience. Solo dives are also available for those wanting to savour the adrenaline rush on their own.

Crossing the Drake Passage to Antarctica

The Drake Passage’s waves can reach as high as 40 feet (12 meters) - taller than a four-story building. Photo By Danita Delimont - stock.adobe.com

Crossing the Drake Passage, a gateway to Antarctica, is a journey in itself. Describing the cruise trip as crazy is still underselling it. The weather is unpredictable, the seas almost never calm, and waves can be as high as a building. It could be said to be the rite of passage for any thrill seekers out there.

At the end of a 2-day journey is Antarctica Peninsula, an untouched continent that so few tourists have visited. Perhaps this makes it a more attractive destination for intrepid travellers who want to avoid the crowd.

Trekking Amongst the Ruins of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu - an architectural and engineering feat of the Inca Empire Photo by Eddie Kiszka on Unsplash

Join the millions of visitors annually to admire the charm of one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Machu Picchu is the Lost City of the Incas that dates back to the 1500s. 

The structure showcases the Inca's advanced engineering and architecture that many would describe as “ahead of time". The stones for the building used no mortar, but the Incas fit them with amazing precision that even a credit card cannot sneak into the cracks.

If you're an intrepid traveller, there are also over 1,000 stairs carved into the mountain's rocky surface to conquer. Before starting your journey, however, remember to get yourself acclimated to the high altitude and prepare your fitness to reach this ancient city.

Conquering The Treks of the Himalayas, Nepal

Everest is the greatest goal of climbing adventures 

Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

If you're wondering “What is the #1 most visited place in the world?”, Mount Everest is not the answer. Yet, if “What are unique travel goals?” is your question, there's no better answer than this dangerous feat.

Sitting up 8,849m above sea level, this lofty mount - presents both challenges and rewards for intrepid conquerors. 

The sheer height, treacherous terrains, and potential altitude sickness turn Mount Everest into the dividing line between the “brave souls” and “the rest of the travellers”. 

The fact that there are only a few can reach the peak makes the place an attractive addition to the travel bucket list 2024 for aspiring trekkers. 

For non-seasoned hikers, you can plan a staycation in the Everest Base Camp, where you can have jaw-dropping views of the Khumbu glacier and imposing mounts like Nuptse, Pumori, and Ama Dablam. 

The scenery is just part of the attraction, as there is also rich Sherpa culture, local cuisine, and warm hospitality of the people. On your way to the camp, don't forget to stop by Lobuche, the World's Highest Bakery Cafe and Teahouses, which has long become synonymous with the trek. 

Introducing CabinZero Classic 28L - Maximised Space, Minimalistic Design, and Ultra Lightweight!

Travel hassle-free with our CabinZero Classic 28L 

Our CabinZero Classic 28L is perfect for people who want to travel light and minimalistic but still want to maximise the space. Coming at the size of 39 x 29,5 x 20 cm (15.4" x 11.6" x 7.9"), this backpack can fit as an approved handbag on most airlines. 

This means that with our CabinZero 28L, you can pack more of your essentials (laptop and camera included), carry them right onboard and conveniently tuck them under the seat. This allows for easier access to the items you need throughout the flight!

Our 28L backpack features one large main compartment. We try to keep things minimal inside and don’t include many zippers and pockets. This instead gives way for your large bulky items and more packing cubes to go inside. 

What's more? The front loading also opens like a clamshell, which gives you better reach to the interior for effortless packing. For added convenience, our backpack also has two inner pockets (one with mesh and one with fabric front) to take care of the smaller items. 

CabinZero Classic 28L also provides travellers with a separate laptop compartment with a padded laptop sleeve for more protection. Any laptop from 12" to 15.6" can easily slide into this back compartment to join your adventure.

CabinZero Classic 28L is airline-approved as carry-on luggage.

Outside, the compression straps also add a nice touch, which lets you squish the bag down to pack more items. Again, this is all about maximising the space by forgoing the bells and whistles. 

We also keep the weight in mind, as any well-traveled backpack shouldn't drag its owners down. 

At only 600 g (1 lb 5 ounces), you can feel more comfortable carrying things around. Whether you’re in a long queue at the airport or covering extensive mileage by foot, we want to make sure it’s an enjoyable experience. 

In case of misfortunes, the backpack also has a built-in tracking tag. You can register your contact information to up the chance of finding your lost companion.

Best of all, CabinZero Classic 28L comes in a variety of colours. If you think you've found your new travel partner with this solid backpack, don’t hesitate to have a look and find your favourite hue!

Dream, Explore, and Discover with this Travel Bucket List 2024!

Your travel bucket list 2024 adventure kicks off right here! Whether you're well in your 20s, blessed with a dearest companion to travel with or have a fearless soul, there are many places on this planet to fit the bill. 

Lounging on a serene beach on the Big Island? Climbing up high to Machu Picchu? Or sleeping under the Northern skies to behold Aurora Borealis in all of its glory? So, what are the top five picks from your bucket list? 

Pin down your answer, book the ticket, and get down to the packing step for one of your first adventures of 2024!

Kelsey