New Survey Shows Top 20 Bucket List Travel Experiences

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” Mark Twain

The Northern Lights is the most wanted experience in a new survey conducted by travel experts Bucket List Travels. The study of over 2,000 British travelers also shows that their biggest regret at the end of their lives will be not having explored enough of the world. The poll by Bucket List Travels, a new specialist travel inspiration website dedicated to the discovery of the world’s greatest “bucket list” travel, has shown that most of us have a travel bucket list. Of the other bucket list top five, an American road trip came second, followed by a safari in Africa, exploring the Great Barrier Reef and cruising Norway’s Fjords.

Over 50% polled said they’d like to see at least five more different countries in their lifetime, with over a third doing bucket list travel whenever they get a chance. Not surprisingly, this is highest among singles and the younger age groups.

Roman philosopher Seneca said “travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” A third of those in the Bucket List Travels survey said that travel refreshes their mental perspective on their lives, focusing back on the positives and less on the negatives. Medical studies indicate that there are many holistic, physical and mental benefits of travel that are significantly enhanced when going somewhere new. We feel a sense of achievement having been somewhere new. People also say travel helps them build closer relationships with their family and friends, appreciate what they have, gain an increased sense of mindfulness and even enjoy better sleep.

Matt Roach, Founder of Bucket List Travels, says: “the world’s greatest light show, it’s no wonder the Northern Lights came out on top. A remarkable, ethereal light display that’s one of nature’s greatest spectacles.” Also featured in the top ten most coveted experiences are seeing the Niagara Falls, visiting the Eiffel Tower, marvelling at the Pyramids of Giza, visiting the Great Wall of China and whale watching. The full top 20 bucket list travel experiences, as per the survey was:

1. See the Northern Lights
2. American Road Trip
3. Safari in Africa
4. Great Barrier Reef
5. Safari in Africa
6. Cruise Norway’s Fjords
7. See Niagara Falls
8. Eiffel Tower & Louvre
9. Pyramids of Giza/Cruise Nile
10. Great Wall of China
11. Go whale watching
12. Machu Picchu
13. Alaskan Cruise
14. Visit Grand Canyon
15. Swim with dolphins
16. Ride the Bullet Train
17. See the Statue of Liberty/Empire State
18. Visit Taj Mahal
19. Visit Galapagos islands
20. Petra (Jordan’s Lost City)
21. Visit the Amazon Rainforest

Bucket List Travels currently features over 2,200 carefully selected recommendations from leading, specialist travel writers from around the world, complemented by more than 25,000 images of destinations. It includes most of the world’s signature and famous travel experiences with more being added regularly, alongside many lesser known, but equally, if not more, rewarding places. An advanced search engine allows travel-seekers to quickly search these recommendations and filter the results down to their specific needs and desires – a huge time saving.

Once the traveler has found something to do or somewhere to go, the site aims to help in the holiday planning by providing destination guides, recommended places to stay nearby, recommendations of who to book with, and ready-made, simple itineraries. Bucket List Travels is packed with excellent suggestions each of which has a link to how to make it happen. A recent round-up of the best travel experiences in 2023 suggests a variety of things like diving in a natural sinkhole, going inside a volcano, truffle hunting in Tuscany, or taking a road trip around Iceland.

The site makes bucket list travel research so much easier and it allows users to save their favorites, to create their own personal travel bucket list.

By Joanne Shurvell, Contributor