Rock a Little Travel

Helping busy people travel more

Travel Tips

The Best Blogging Courses in 2021

By

Blogging courses for 2021

Hey everybody! Looking to support women-owned and women friendly businesses this black Friday?

I’m recommending three of my favorite blogging courses, two of which are women owned. The other is not owned by a woman but is well known for promoting inclusive, female friendly content.

Better yet, all three of these courses are currently having black Friday sales.

If you’re a blogger and looking to invest in yourself next year, let me help you find the best blogging courses in 2021.

First, let me be totally honest. I’m not recommending the best blogging courses based on my own financial success as a blogger.

I’m not making six figures, I don’t get paid to fly around the world, and I’ve never been featured in Forbes or Conde Nast.

So why take advice from a blogger who hasn’t “made it yet”? Well, because I’m just like you.

Since starting this blog back in 2018 I’ve taken at least a dozen blogging courses covering everthing from website design to photography to creative writing.

With that kind of experience, I know which were the best blogging courses and which weren’t so great. So let me help you cut through the b.s. and get to the good stuff.

Best Blogging Courses in 2021

Venice in a day
Me in Venice in 2018 before I learned to take better pictures on my trips.

In case you don’t know me, my name is Eden and I write the blog you’re currently reading called Rock a Little Travel.

I began my blogging journey on January 1, 2018, as one of my New Year’s resolutions. I had always wanted to have a travel blog, so I decided 2018 would be my year.

What I didn’t know then was how steep the learning curve is when you’re just starting out.

It took me three months just to get the first edition of my blog online, but it wasn’t pretty. The design was terrible, the photos were bad, and the writing sucked.

After several more weeks and dozens of time consuming mistakes later, I decided it was time to invest in learning the skills I needed to become a successful blogger.

This is where I entered the wonderful world of blogging courses. Let me introduce you to my first.

Superstar Blogging

Things to do in Austin
At my first travel blogging conference in Austin in 2018.

The first blogging course I invested in was Nomadic Matt’s Superstar Blogging. My only regret in signing up for this course was that I didn’t sign up sooner.

The first sections of the Superstar Blogging program are all about how to properly set up your blog. This information alone would have saved me months of wasted time (and frustration).

Here’s what you get in the course.

The Superstar Blogging program is set up into eight units as follows:

  • Unit 1: Setting up and getting started
  • Unit 2: Building a brand
  • Unit 3: Writing content
  • Unit 4: Mastering Social Media and Networking
  • Unit 5: Search Enging Optimization (SEO)
  • Unit 6: Newsletters
  • Unit 7: Monetizing your blog
  • Unit 8: Working with brands

Each of the eight units goes into detail about the various topics covered and in most cases even provides step by step instructions. Honestly, this course is worth it just for unit 1 alone.

The Superstar Blogging course has evolved over the years and now functions as more of a Masterclass. In addition to the coursework above, you also get access to the following:

  • Weely Q&As and strategy calls
  • Unlimited tech support
  • Notes and edits on your writing
  • Access to a community forum to meet and network with other students
  • A collaboration board
  • Bonus webinars from other successful online content creators
  • Real world assignments to keep you motivated

If you’re looking for the best blogging courses for beginners, this is the one I recommend when you’re just getting started. The course is only $49 per month and you can quit anytime.

I promise you, that may be the best $49 you ever spend on your blog. I know it was for me.

Join Superstar Blogging!

So what’s next?

Once you get comfortable with the basics of blogging it’s time to take it up a notch. Introducing, my latest obsession.

Travel Blog Accelerator

Courses for blogging

Kristin Addis of Be My Travel Muse launched Travel Blog Accelerator in May 2020. As soon as I saw Kristin’s announcement for her new course, I knew I had to join.

To be totally honest, at this point in my blogging career, I was totally over blogging courses. It seemed every blogger on the planet was launching a blogging course and I was so over it.

But I knew this time it was different.

What really caught my attention with Travel Blog Accelerator was the monthly group calls. I loved the idea of being able to actually interact with Kristin and the other group members.

I wanted to really meet people, not just be another comment on their social media feed.

The other thing that intrigued me about Travel Blog Accerlator was that it would be interactive and adapt to the needs of the group.

I liked the idea that we could ask questions, make suggestions, and recommend future topics.

So far we’ve covered the following topics in our monthly teachings since the course launched:

  • May 2020: Finding your perfect niche
  • June 2020: Search Engine Optimization
  • July 2020: Monetization
  • August 2020: Growing social media
  • September 2020: Growing your email list
  • October 2020: Creating and Marketing Your First Products
  • November 2020: Blogging as a business
  • December 2020: I’m super excited for next month’s topic!

At the end of each monthly teaching presentation Kristin opens up the call to questions from the group. We usually have about 20 to 30 minutes of questions after each call, depending on the topic.

In addition to the monthly teachings Travel Blog Accelerator also includes the following:

  • Live monthly mastermind calls (I always look forward to these!)
  • Direct access to Kristin and all the other awesome bloggers via a private Slack group
  • The chance to make your money back via writing opportunities and other projects

We typically have two monthly mastermind calls each month and have gotten to meet some incredible people.

So far we’ve had calls with Liz Carlson of Young Adventuress, Alyssa Ramos of My Life’s a Travel Movie, and Alex Baackes of Alex in Wanderland, just to name a few.

These mastermind calls are interactive, packed with good information, and really fun. As always, we get to ask questions at the end.

I can’t stress enough how much I love being a part of Travel Blog Accelerator. This is the online blogging community I’d always been looking for but never found elsewhere.

Need more convincing?

Kristin currently has Travel Blog Accelerator on sale for just $111 per month.

Join Travel Blog Accelerator!

For the introverts out there who don’t want to interact with other people, I recommend focusing on your SEO once you’ve got the basics down.

For the best SEO blogging course, let me introduce you to my favorite one night stand.

SEO The Easy Way

After you’ve got your blog set up and you understand the basic fundamentals of blogging, I strongly recommend investing in a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) course.

The one I found the most helpful was SEO the Easy Way from Make Traffic Happen.

In SEO The Easy Way you will learn the following:

  • Why you need to do keyword research for your blog.
  • What tools you need to perform keyword research.
  • What type of keywords you should be looking for as a beginner.
  • How to find appropriate keywords for your blog.

You can get through this course in a night or two and within 6 months you should start seeing organic search traffic coming to your blog. This is of course, if you follow their strategy.

Join SEO the Easy Way!

If you’re a blogger hoping to invest in yourself next year, I really believe these are the best blogging courses out there. But please don’t take my word for it, give them a try yourself. You’re worth it.

Want to save it? Pin it.

Related Posts

Eden Fite at Chichen Itza in 2020
Eden Fite
Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

10 Travel Lessons for 2021 and Beyond

By

Photos to Inpire You to Visit Miami

Consider these important travel lessons when booking your trips in the future.

Man, what a year 2020 was. Didn’t see all that coming, did you? Me either!

Like most of you, I learned a heck of a lot after that roller coaster of a year.

While some of the events of 2020 were incredibly hard to deal with, I often found myself trying to make the best of things. After a few weeks of collective fear and sadness, I think we all did.

So while we all lost so much last year, many have also found a way to turn things around and improve their lives, their mental health, their fitness, and everything else you can think of.

Over the summer of 2020 I was pleased to see so many of you starting new businesses, launching new products, achieving fitness goals, buying your first homes, and so much more.

I spent much of 2020 chasing down lost travel refunds and figuring out how to protect myself better in the future. This post is what I came up with and I hope you find it helpful in planning your future travels too.

Here are my 10 biggest travel lessons of the year to help you travel better in 2021 and beyond.

1. Always book travel on a travel rewards credit card

travel credit cards

If you are a frequent traveler and take a lot of flights, you should already be booking your trips with a travel rewards credit card.

Besides all the perks and rewards points redeemable for free travel, you’ll have more protection when things go wrong.

Most travel rewards credit cards offer coverage for delayed or cancelled flights, lost baggage, stolen or damaged property, and more.

Many of the best cards even offer airport lounge access, which is a major benefit if you find yourself sitting around bored in airports a lot. Who wouldn’t want free wine and snacks?

2. Always book your own airfare

Airplane wing

If you want your airline tickets covered in the event something goes wrong, make sure you purchase your own airfare with your own travel rewards credit card.

If purchasing airfare for someone else, their flight will not be covered with any protections unless you are married to that person.

For example, my boyfriend booked both of our flights to Barcelona in March 2020 on his Chase Reserve card. When the travel ban was implemented and we could no longer travel to Europe, he only received compensation from Chase for his ticket. They would not offer compensation on my ticket because we were not married.

However, I also have a Chase travel credit card. Had I booked my own flight I would have had coverage as well. Just something to think about next time you make airline reservations.

3. Never make a non-refundable hotel reservation

How to afford to travel more - Hotel Meson Panza Verde, Antigua, Guatemala

This is perhaps the biggest of the travel lessons I’ve personally learned this year.

I unfortunately made non-refundable hotel reservations with IHG (Hotel Indigo and InterContinental) back in February 2020 for travel dates in October 2020. Even more unfortunately, these reservations are in Russia.

Despite the fact that Russia is not open for American tourists, I have been unable to obtain a refund or credit from IHG. Their customer service is also pretty terrible, so multiple lessons learned on this one.

The moral of the story is, if you’re going to book so far in advance, at least make sure your reservations are refundable. You can always find a good hotel deal later.

I’m out a couple hundred bucks, but honestly, things could have been much worse.

Update: I received a refund for one of these hotel reservations in March 2021 for a refund requested in October 2020. The other reservation was rescheduled for sometime in September 2021, which I may or may not be able to use.

4. Don’t make travel reservations too far in advance

San Simeon

Do not book travel reservations more than a year in advance unless necessary.

Now, if you’re attending a huge event like South by Southwest or Comic Con, then yes. Make those reservations. You don’t want an event to sell out on you or get stuck at a hotel 45 minutes away from your event.

For normal vacations though, it’s just not necessary to book so far in advance. Shop around yes, but it’s not necessary to commit to a specific flight or hotel.

Heck, you may change your mind on the destination all together by the time your trip rolls around. So I say, just keep your options open.

When planning your trip months in advance, take time to do your research, figure out where you want to stay, and track those airfare prices. But hold off on hitting the BUY NOW button. Seriously, it can wait.

5. Customer service matters

Reasons to Visit London
Photo by deyangeorgiev

If anyone has had to cancel an airfare or hotel reservation in the last 8 months, you’ve likely experienced either surprisingly good customer service, or disturbingly bad customer service.

I’ve personally experienced both. And I’ll tell ya, those experiences will shape my future travel purchases and impact who I decide to do business with going forward.

Norwegian Airlines and Marriott were surprisingly impressive. I won’t call out the negative experiences, but there were a few.

Okay I will. IHG needs to do better. Hopefully they will learn from this experience and implement better practices going forward.

But now that we’ve all interacted with these companies in some of the most challenging of times, we know who we can trust going forward.

6. Loyalty matters

Santa Barbara

Another one of the most important travel lessons I’ve learned this year is how much brand loyalty matters in challenging times.

If you’re a frequent customer with a given brand, they are often more willing to work with you, even outside of their current cancellation policies.

So for frequent travelers, I always recommend loyalty with a brand you enjoy. Whether that be an airline, hotel, or any other travel company, always join the rewards program.

This way when you contact them with questions or concerns, they’ll be able to see that you spend a lot of money with their company. This will often be enough to motivate them to make you happy.

7. Sometimes bad things happen

Travel lessons

As we’ve all learned this year, sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes they’re really bad.

This is not only an important travel lesson, but also just an important life lesson.

Keep this in mind when planning your travels in the future. Whenever possible, have a back up plan, make reservations with a favorable cancellation policy, and purchase travel insurance for unexpected events.

If you’ve never purchased travel insurance before, now is the time to make this a priority.

8. Be prepared to pivot

Restaurant in Venice, Italy

Sometimes when we travel, luck just isn’t on our side. Be prepared to do something else if you need to.

Sometimes an attraction will be unexpectedly closed, you’ll miss a flight, take a wrong turn, lose your phone, break your camera etc. Take things in stride and pivot when you need to.

Remember, if you’re taking a vacation and traveling abroad, things probably aren’t really all that bad.

9. Sometimes you just gotta let go

View from Porteau Cove

This one may be a bit controversial, and certainly a tougher pill to swallow, but sometimes I think you just have to let things go.

What I mean is this. Sometimes things won’t go your way and sometimes you’re going to be out some money.

This can happen by missing a train, getting stuck in bad weather, booking a hotel room you end up hating, etc. If you can get your money back for all these things, that’s great.

But sometimes, you’re just not going to get a refund or credit, no matter how badly you want one. In these cases, I suggest you just move on.

In many cases, the energy and stress these situations cause are just not worth your time.

If you’ve called the company once or twice and been told no, just move on.

Now to be clear, I’m saying this about reservations and tickets for around $100 or less. If a business owes you a thousand dollars, keep calling.

I’m just saying it’s more stress than it’s worth to keep calling Iberia Airlines for the $40 they owe me from March. I just don’t have time for that. Sometimes it’s not worth it.

10. Learn to live in the moment

Slolavordustigor Street in Iceland

Finally, possibly the most beneficial of these travel lessons for 2020, is to learn to live in the moment.

We cannot control the world around us and things can change at a moments notice. This is what we all learned collectively last year. So let’s take the wisdom we gained from that experience and put it into practice.

Let’s not get stuck on what would have been or what could have been. Let’s focus on today, on the right now. Let’s make the best of this moment we’ve got right here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and learned a few things about how we can all travel better in 2021 and beyond. If you’d like to support this blog please consider sharing this post, it really helps a lot. Thanks for reading.

Book Your Trip

Find the best flight deals by using SkyScanner. This is the search engine I use to compare flights and prices before booking my own trips.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION
I recommend searching for hotels through Booking.com to compare hotels on amenities, location, and price. If you are a member of a hotel’s rewards program, always book direct with the hotel. If you are not loyal to a specific hotel brand, using Booking.com for the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is more important than ever. For just a few dollars a day you can protect yourself and your trip. I personally use World Nomads, but whomever you choose, don’t skip out on travel insurance. It can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Want to save it? Pin it.

Related Posts

Eden Fite at Chichen Itza in 2020
Eden Fite
Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

How to Practice Responsible Tourism

By

Responsible Tourism
Photo by Nito 100 at iStock

Responsible tourism has become more important than ever.

From reducing carbon emissions to prioritizing animal welfare, there are limitless opportunities and ways for us to improve the way we travel and reduce our impact on the planet.

The more I learn about the impact that travel has on our planet and the locations we visit, the more I want to make changes to address the problem.

We’ve been hearing a lot about over-tourism and how more people traveling leads to greater negative impacts on our environment. With that in mind, I’ve identified 10 ways to practice more responsible tourism and help you reduce your carbon footprint while traveling. 

10 Tips for Responsible Tourism

Responsible travel
Photo by SGC Design Co at Unsplash

These 10 tips for responsible tourism vary in their degree of impact and difficulty but I believe that even small steps in the right direction are necessary to get us where we want to go.

I also believe that committing to small changes can often lead to committing to bigger changes. In short, let’s all do the best we can.

If everybody is heading in the right direction, we’ll get there eventually.

1. Don’t buy bottled water 

bottle of water

Of all the sustainable travel tips I mention, this has got to be the easiest for anyone to implement. I think the majority of people are aware that plastics are a real problem for our planet and our environment.

Hopefully, most of us are doing our part to begin reducing our consumption of plastics, especially single-use plastics such as water bottles. If you haven’t already, pick up a reusable water bottle from the store and take it with you when you travel.

You’ll save tons of money from this as well considering water bottles in the airport are going to cost you at least $5 each. There are even compact travel water bottles that fold or roll up for easy storage in your carry on bag.

Keep it empty as you go through the security of course, but once you’re in the terminal, fill up your water bottle at the water fountain.

You can find reusable and portable water bottles just everywhere.

2. Take public transportation

Sustainable travel tips

One of the best ways to travel in a sustainable way is to take public transportation as often as possible. Most major cities across the world, and especially in Europe, have excellent public transit systems.

In most cases, you can even get to your hotel from the airport by bus or train, within a reasonable amount of time. Taking the bus or train is also a much more affordable way to get around, especially when you’ve got all the other expenses associated with travel to deal with.

If you’re visiting a destination for the first time and are not sure how to get around on public transit, take a look at Rome to Rio to see what your options are.

Their search results include every form of transportation you can think of, and even include the prices for each option. Google Maps is also a great tool to use to see public transportation options when you’re on the go. 

3. Eat less meat and more plants

Travel tips for sustainability - eat more plants

This is one of my personal favorite tips for responsible tourism, though it can stir up some controversy now and then.

I know some people don’t like to hear this, but the less meat you consume, the better it is for the planet. In fact, many would argue that dropping meat and dairy from your diet may be the single biggest way you can reduce your impact on the planet.

While I’m not here to tell you what to eat, even just reducing meat consumption can help in big ways. Some have suggested reducing meat consumption to one meal per day, or even just abstaining from meat and dairy products one day each week.

It’s up to you of course, but the suggestion is there and the impact can be sizable. As an added benefit, veggies are good for you and typically come with additional health benefits. 

4. Don’t buy so much stuff

souvenirs

The more stuff we buy, the more stuff is produced. This production increases deforestation, increases pollutants, and uses up more land. It also leads to more garbage ending up in the world’s landfills, because we know that eventually, that’s where all this stuff is going to end up.

Together, all of these things accelerate the impact of climate change. If we can collectively make the effort to reuse what we already have and buy less stuff, we can reduce or slow the impact of climate change.

We’ll also save a ton of money from not buying overpriced souvenirs. 

5. Support local businesses

One day in Marrakech
Photo by take pics for fun at iStock

It goes without saying that when big corporations move in, small businesses often go out of business. This same pattern happens over and over again when new destinations become popular tourist attractions.

Once big business gets wind of the business opportunity, they put up shop and offer prices lower than the locals can afford to offer. Eventually, the local businesses are all gone and we’re left with far less authentic experiences.

More importantly, local families lose their source of income and many times, the ability to support their families.

Whenever possible, try to shop at local businesses when you travel. This includes if you’re buying gifts, going out for dinner, ordering cocktails, or booking a tour. All of these ways tourists spend money can help locals in the destination you’re visiting.

6. Ethical Animal Encounters

Ethical Animal Encounters - Responsible tourism
Photo by Paul Carroll at Unsplash

Responsible tourism also includes only engaging in ethical animal encounters.

Travelers should always avoid things like elephant rides, rodeos, or circuses, where it is well known that the animals are not treated humanely.

As a genderal rule, when you encounter wildlife, always be sure to give the animal plenty of space, do not touch them, feed them human food, or call out to get their attention.

Animals are not for your amusement, but can be enjoyed respectfully from a distance.

7. Respect the culture

Street musician in Morocco playing live music
Photo by iStock

If you’re an adventurous traveler, you will hopefully find yourself immersed in cultures completely different from your own.

When you do, be sure that you’re respectful when out in public and interacting with locals.

If you’re unfamiliar with the local culture of the country you’ll be visiting, do some research ahead of time. This way you’ll know what to expect and you’ll know how to to act to be polite.

8. Attempt to learn the local language

Eden Fite sitting on a bench with the Eiffel Tower in the background

Another important part of responsible tourism is to make an effort to learn the local language.

No, you don’t need to study for days on end or try to become fluent, but learning the basics and some common words will go along way.

I’ve been to France a handful of times and I’ll be honest, my French sucks. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try. You should always try.

One of the best travel tips for Paris you’ll ever get is to always attempt the local langauge and always greet a shop owner in French as you enter a store. If you know the basics, this is easy to accomplish.

More often than not, locals will notice right away that you don’t speak their language well. They will often accomodate and switch to English (if that’s your language) but not always.

Sometimes you just won’t speak the same language as the person you’re trying to communicate with. Just roll with it.

9. Behave respectfully at all times

Weekend Getaway to Europe - Copenhagen, Denmark

When traveling abroad (or anywhere really) behave in a respectful and polite manner at all times.

This means not yelling in the streets in the middle of the night, acting poorly after drinking too much, making rude comments to people in the streets, etc. I’ve seen all these behaviors during my own travels and I’ll tell ya, they don’t look good on anyone.

In short, always say please and thank you and always follow local rules and customs. If you do those things, you should be good.

10. Offset your carbon footprint

Sustainable travel tips

While we’re in the process of working to change habits and find more sustainable ways to get across our oceans, we can participate in Carbon Offset.

This is where we compensate for our emissions by funding an equivalent carbon dioxide saving elsewhere. If you visit Carbon Footprint, you can calculate the impact of your upcoming trip, and donate a small amount to a project to offset that footprint.

Typical projects include tree planting, community projects, and renewable energy. You can read all about the philosophy behind carbon offset and get more details about how it works at the Carbon Footprint website. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed these 10 Tips for Responsible Tourism. If you would like to support this blog please consider sharing this post, it helps a lot. Thanks for reading.

Book Your Trip

Find the best flight deals by using SkyScanner. This is the search engine I use to compare flights and prices before booking my own trips.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION
I recommend searching for hotels through Booking.com to compare hotels on amenities, location, and price. If you are a member of a hotel’s rewards program, always book direct with the hotel. If you are not loyal to a specific hotel brand, using Booking.com for the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is more important than ever. For just a few dollars a day you can protect yourself and your trip. I personally use World Nomads, but whomever you choose, don’t skip out on travel insurance. It can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Want to save it? Pin it.

5 Practical Tips for More Sustainable Travel Pinterest Pin

Related Posts

Eden Fite at Chichen Itza in 2020
Eden Fite
Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

5 Epic Places for Halloween Around the World

By

Photo by Pixabay

If you’re looking to take your Halloween experience up a notch, this list of 5 Epic Places to Spend Halloween Around the World should give you some serious Halloween destination inspiration.

While Halloween can be fun just about anywhere, some cities take their celebrations a bit more seriously than others. If you’ve never traveled over the Halloween holiday before, you’re in for a real treat.

1. New Orleans

Halloween in New Orleans
Photo by Pixabay

New Orleans knows how to party and they know how to do holidays right. If you’re looking for a good time out on the town, head to the French Quarter in New Orleans.

You can enjoy cocktails and music on Bourbon and Frenchman Streets, take a river cruise head to the Garden District for trick or treating and beautiful decorations, or take a cemetery and ghost tour.

2. Copenhagen

Copenhagen in a day

Copenhagen, Denmark is perfect for those looking to enjoy Halloween in Europe. The city of Copenhagen is home to the Tivoli Gardens amusement park, which takes Halloween decorating to the next level.

The entire amusement park is decorated with ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins. You can also find Halloween inspired souvenirs and treats. Tivoli is especially cool at night when all the Halloween decorations light up.

Besides Tivoli, Copenhagen is beautiful in the fall. The summer crowds are long gone and the city’s parks are covered in bright fall colors. Copenhagen also has an epically good food and restaurant scene.

3. Mexico

Day of the Dead - Halloween
Photo by Pixabay

In my opinion, Mexico is one of the best places for Halloween in North America. It’s both affordable and easy to get to, especially for travelers from the United States.

Instead of celebrating Halloween, the country of Mexico celebrates Dia de Los Muertos, or Dia de Muertos.

This three day holiday takes place yearly from November 1st to November 3rd and is a celebration of the lives of those that have died. It’s an absolutely beautiful holiday celebrated with colorful flowers. Katrinas (skeletons), offrendas, candles, and more.

Both Oaxaca and Mexico City are two popular places to visit this time of year, but the holiday is celebrated in areas throughout Mexico.

In recent years, Mexico City has even held a Dia de Los Muertos parade in the city center. Though this event is not a traditional part of the celebration and is mostly for tourists. That being said, it is quite the spectacle and worth your time if you’re in town.

4. Disneyland

Disneyland Halloween

For the Disney fans out there, you know Disneyland goes all out for everything, especially holidays. Well Halloween is no different.

Visitors to Disneyland at Halloween time can expect the park to be decked in Halloween decor from top to bottom. Several of the rides are even updated to celebrate the holiday.

Park guests can also indulge in special holiday treats, both savory and sweet. There are also special gifts and souvenirs available that are only sold during this time of year.

Similar to Tivoli in Copenhagen, the park is best experienced at night when the Halloween decorations are lit up.

5. Ireland

Halloween in Ireland
Photo by Pixabay

I saved the best for last.

For a truly authentic Halloween experience, head to Ireland. The Halloween holiday actually originates from Ireland and the Celtic holiday of Samhain.

The Samhain holiday marked the end of the summer harvest and beginning of winter. It was believed that on the night of October 31st, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

Today, nobody does Halloween like the Irish. For the biggest and best celebration, head to Derry – Londonderry for the Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival.

This 5 day festival draws thousands of visitors every October with live music, street performances, costumes and specialty markets.

If you’re in Dublin, you can also join in on the Bram Stoker festival which runs for four days from October 28th to October 31st.

I hope you’ve found some inspiration from these 5 Epic Places for Halloween Around the World. If you enjoyed this post please consider sharing it. Thanks for reading.

Book Your Trip

Find the best flight deals by using SkyScanner. This is the search engine I use to compare flights and prices before booking my own trips.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION
I recommend searching for hotels through Booking.com to compare hotels on amenities, location, and price. If you are a member of a hotel’s rewards program, always book direct with the hotel. If you are not loyal to a specific hotel brand, using Booking.com for the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is more important than ever. For just a few dollars a day you can protect yourself and your trip. I personally use World Nomads, but whomever you choose, don’t skip out on travel insurance. It can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Want to save it? Pin it.

Related Posts

Eden Fite at Chichen Itza in 2020
Eden Fite
Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.

5 Reasons Why Travel Insurance is Important

By

5 Reasons Why Travel Insurance is Important - Rock a Little Travel

I know talking about travel insurance isn’t fun, but it’s important. In fact, it’s the first thing you should consider once you book a trip.

Whether you’re planning the adventure of a lifetime or just a weekend getaway to your favorite city abroad, you’ll want to include the purchase of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in your trip planning.

I’m recommending you purchase travel insurance not only because of my own personal experiences while traveling, but also because I think it’s worth the few dollars a day even if you don’t use it.

Hopefully, you don’t need it.

1. Because sometimes accidents happen

Why Travel Insurance is Important

Life happens, and sometimes it’s not what we want it to be.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know it’s impossible to predict when things may go wrong while traveling abroad. Most of the time, travel accidents happen when you least expect. Usually, at the most inconvenient time.

Due to the unpredictable nature of travel accidents, it makes sense to want to protect your trip in the event things go wrong.

Whether it be a scooter accident in Italy, a fall off a camel in Morocco, or a surfing accident in Mexico, you don’t want to be left without coverage when you need it most.

While I’ve only ended up needing medical care once while traveling (thanks Pink Eye in Hawaii), I’ve had a lot more close calls and near misses. Here are just a few:

  • I slipped and fell on the ice in Iceland and landed on my hip (this still hurts)
  • I almost got crushed between two horse carriages at the Medina in Marrakech
  • I was in a vehicle accident on the highway in Costa Rica
  • I got extremely painful food poisoning in Medellin, Colombia

Even though the above examples didn’t land me in the hospital, its evidence enough for me that accidents can and do happen.

So why take the risk?

2. Because it can save you A LOT of money

In the event you are in an accident or get yourself injured, a travel insurance plan can have you covered for unexpected medical expenses.

We all know that medical care can easily cost thousands of dollars, especially if surgery is involved. Even just an emergency room visit can be expensive.

Why risk thousands of dollars in medical bills when you could have purchased travel insurance ahead of time?

3. Because sometimes you need assistance

No matter how well we plan for a vacation, there are many unpredictable events that can occur anytime and without warning. While certain countries and regions of the world are often considered more stable than others, you honestly never really know.

Its always possible that political climates may change during a trip. You may be in a region that isexperiencing political protests, civil unrest, political instability, pandemics, or even military conflicts.

If you find yourself in one of these circumstances, you may very well need the assistance of a travel insurance company to help you get home safely and without accruing unnecessary expenses.

4. Because it is often required

Why is travel insurance important (1) rights reserved
Photo by Javier Brosch

Depending on your specific travel plans and destination, some trips may require you to purchase travel insurance.

When I joined a group trip to Morocco in 2018 for example, I was required to provide proof of travel insurance prior to departure. This not only limits liability for the tour operator, but also ensures you have coverage in the event something goes wrong on the tour.

Most group tours will require you to purchase travel insurance in advance.

Travel insurance is also required for entrance into certain countries, including in Europe. While I’ve personally never been asked about travel insurance coverage, it’s best to have it in the event they do.

5. Because it gives you peace of mind

If nothing else, consider purchasing travel insurance coverage simply for the peace of mind. This way you won’t have to worry if something goes wrong.

All of the information provided about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.

Benefits of travel insurance

Travel insurance may cover the following:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Overseas medical expenses
  • Personal liability
  • Emergency medical evacuation
  • Global assistance services
  • Cancellation coverage

It’s also important to remember that travel insurance is intended to cover travel-related emergencies, it is not intended to be used as health insurance for routine appointments.

What is travel insurance worth?

Well, the lawyer answer to this question would surely be… It depends.

Aside from covering the cost of your peace of mind, the value you get from any purchased travel insurance plans would depend on the coverage you select.

You can read about the specifics of what’s covered and what’s not over at World Nomads.

I hope you’ve found this post about the 5 Reasons Why Travel Insurance is Important to be helpful as you weigh your options for purchasing travel insurance. If you’d like to support this blog please consider sharing this post. Thanks for reading.

Book Your Trip

Find the best flight deals by using SkyScanner. This is the search engine I use to compare flights and prices before booking my own trips.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION
I recommend searching for hotels through Booking.com to compare hotels on amenities, location, and price. If you are a member of a hotel’s rewards program, always book direct with the hotel. If you are not loyal to a specific hotel brand, using Booking.com for the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is more important than ever. For just a few dollars a day you can protect yourself and your trip. I personally use World Nomads, but whomever you choose, don’t skip out on travel insurance. It can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Related Posts

100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers

By

Sail boats

If you’re an avid traveler, chances are you have your own bucket list ideas you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime.

If you don’t, this list will help add some serious bucket worthy goals to your list.

Some of the items are this list are much harder than others, but many are far more achievable than one may think.

Just keep an open mind, you never know where life will take you.

100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers

Bucket List Ideas
Map of continents

1. Visit all 7 continents

This is one of the most popular bucket list ideas, especially among frequent travelers and travel bloggers. To accomplish this, one would need to visit all of the following 7 continents:

  • Asia
  • Africa
  • Europe
  • North America
  • South America
  • Australia
  • Antarctica

Of course Antarctica is the most expensive destination on this list. Antarctic cruises can be taken allowing you to step foot on the continent but cost upwards of $7.000 USD per person.

2. Visit all 195 countries in the world

Another popular, yet far more challenging and time consuming travel bucket list idea is to visit all the countries in the world. The list of countries currently stands at about 195. I say about because this number varies slightly depedning on the criteria you use.

Most that achieve this are individuals that have taken time off from their jobs to travel the world. However, for those of us who can’t leave our jobs to travel, one could achieve this goal by visiting about 10 countries a year over a course of 20 years.

Half Dome in Yosemite

3. Visit every National Park in the United States

The United States is currently home to 62 National Parks covering all 50 United States.

  • Arcadia
  • Arches
  • Badlands
  • Big Bend
  • Biscayne
  • Black Canyon
  • Bryce Canyon
  • Canyonlands
  • Capitol Reef
  • Carlsbad Caverns
  • Channel Islands
  • Congaree
  • Crater Lake
  • Cuyahoga Valley
  • Death Valley
  • Denali
  • Dry Tortugas
  • Everglades
  • Gates of the Arctic
  • Glacier Bay
  • Glacier
  • Grand Canyon
  • Grand Teton
  • Great Basin
  • Great Sand Dunes
  • Great Smokey Mountains
  • Guadalupe Mountains
  • Haleakala
  • Hawaii Volcanoes
  • Hot Springs
  • Isle Roayle
  • Joshua Tree
  • Katmai
  • Kenai Fjords
  • Kings Canyon
  • Kobuk Valley
  • Lake Clark
  • Lassen Volcanic
  • Mammoth Cave
  • Mesa Verde
  • Mount Rainier
  • American Samoa
  • North Cascades
  • Olympic
  • Petrified Forest
  • Redwood
  • Rocky Mountain
  • Saguaro
  • Sequoia
  • Shenandoah
  • Theodore Roosevelt
  • Virgin Islands
  • Voyageurs
  • Wind Cave
  • Wrangell – St. Elias
  • Yellowstone
  • Yosemite
  • Zion

4. Visit the new 7 wonders of the world

The 7 wonders of the new world are as follows:

  • Great Wall of China (China)
  • Christ the Redeemer (Brazil)
  • Machu Picchu (Peru)
  • Chichen Tiza (Mexico)
  • Roman Colosseum (Italy)
  • Taj Mahal (India)
  • Petra (Jordan)

5. Visit the 7 natural wonders of the world

The 7 wonders of the natural world are as follows:

  • Mount Everest (Nepal)
  • Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
  • Harbor of Rio de Janiero (Brazil)
  • Grand Canyon (United States)
  • Aurora Borealis (Arctic and Antarctic)
  • Paricutin Volcano (Mexico)
  • Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)

6. Swim in all the world’s oceans

The world’s 5 oceans are as follows:

  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Southern Ocean

7. Fly completely around the world

Flying completely around the world will obviously require some serious planning and of course, several stops along the way. But the jist of this is that you will start and stop in the same city by flying in one direction, completely around the world.

For the majority of those attempting this challenge, it will require at least three stops, most likely in North America, Europe, and Asia.

A quick Google search tells me that the fastest flight aoround the world via commercial flights so far has taken 52 hours and 34 minutes. This was completed by an airline executive so I’m guessing money was no object. For those on more of a budget, you may need to take extra time to coordinate more affordable flights.

8. Sail around the world

For those of you who like sailing, perhaps you’re interested in a sail around the world.

You’ll likely need a boat, above average sailing skills, and someone to sail with you to accomplish this goal. I’m also told the average trip around the world via boat typically takes around 3 to 5 years. This is due to all the stops along the way.

For thos uninterested in sighseeing along the way, one could likely get this trip completed in a few months.

9. Climb Mt. Everest

A successful summit of Mount Everest requires time, money, physical training, and patience.

It is estimated that it will cost each climber anywhere between $35,000 to $100,000 to climb Mount Everest. Just the permit alone costs around $11,000.

It is estimated to take approximately 2 months to complete the climb to the peak of Mount Everest and return to Base Camp.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Bucket list
Photo by Pixabay

10. Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the easiest of the 7 summits to complete, making it one of the most popular.

The hike up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro takes anywhere form 5 to 9 days, depending on your chosen route.

You’ll need to be in good shape, but the ascent does not require technical climbing skills. The cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is around $4000.

11. Summit the highest mountain on each continent

The highest mountain on each continent is as follows:

  • Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa)
  • Mount Elbrus (Europe)
  • Mount Everest (Asia)
  • Mount Kosciuszko (Australia)
  • Mount Aconcagua (South America)
  • Denali (North America)
  • Vinson Massif (Antarctica)

12. Travel above the Arctic Circle

To travel above the Arctic Circle you’ll need to visit one of the following 8 countries:

  • United States (Alaska)
  • Canada
  • Russia
  • Greenland
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Iceland

13. Travel below the Antarctic Circle

To reach the Antarctic Circle you will need to take an Antarctica cuise that sails below the Antarctic Circle. These start around $6,000 and can go as high as $13,000.

Northern Lights
Northern Lights

14. See the northern lights

There are many places from which to see the Northern Lights. Some of the most popular destinations are Canada, Iceland, and Norway. You’ll also need to time for your visit to these destinations for the winter months.

15. View a solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the central disk of the sun. A total solar eclipse can be seen from somewhere on earth about every 18 months.

To view a true full solar eclipse, you will simply need to be in the right place at the right time. You can find a solar eclipse timetable online.

16. Go skydiving

For those of you not afraid of heights, you may wish to give skydiving a try. Skydiving is one of the most popular bucket list items for adventure seekers.

First time skydivers are typically required to jump tandem first. This menas an experienced skydiver will be harnessed to you. There is also a course you can take in order to be able to jump solo in many locations.

Prices for skydiving typically range from $120 – $300. Those interested in skydiving can find opportunities all over the world.

17. Go bungee jumping

Another popular item on many bucket lists is bungee jumping.

Bungee jumping requires jumping off a high surface with a bengee cord attached to your ankle. This activity if freqently done from bridges.

Bungee jumping is a popular activity world wide and can be done for anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on where you are.

Bucket list ideas - learn to surf
Photo by Pexels

18. Learn to surf

One of my own favorite bucket list ideas is to learn to surf. This is something I’ve always wanted to learn to do.

Those interested in learning to surf can do so on their own time or take lessons. Prices for lessons will vary depending on where you are in the world.

In general, you can expect it to take a few weeks to get the basics down, and much longer to become skilled.

Popular surfing destinations include Hawaii, Costa Rica, Australia, Morocco, and South Africa.

19. Learn to Dive

Scuba Diving is a popular item on many bucket lists, and for good reason. Who wouldn’t want to see the incredible life living beneath the world’s oceans?

In most cases, Scuba Diving will require a certification (PADI) that takes about a week to get if done all at once. On the low end, a PADI certification will cost around $300. On the higher end, this will cost closer to $1,000.

20. Go Scuba Diving at the Great Barrier Reef

The world’s most famous Scuba Diving spot is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. If you haven’t gotten certified before your visit, it will cost you around $1,000 to do so here. Though, as the world’s largest coral reef system, it is likely one of the most beautiful places to do so.

Camino de Santiago
Photo by Pexels

21. Walk the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage in Europe that runs from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France, to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

Those who complete the pilgrimage cover over 500 miles of trail aross northern Spain. It takes the average pilgrim about 30 to 35 days to complete the Camino de Santiago.

22. Hike the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,653 miles from the southern United States border with Mexico to the northern United States border with Canada. It runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington.

Completion of the entire Pacific Crest Trail takes the average hiker about 5 months and can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000.

23. Hike the Appalachian Trail

Similar to the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail runs 2,200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. It runs through 14 U.S. states including Georgia, North Carolina, Tenessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Cennecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.

Completion of the entire Appalachian Trail takes about 5 to 7 months and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Photo by Trevor Fenwick

24. Hike the Inca Trail

The Inca Trail in Peru runs 26 miles along the stunning Andes Mountains. This four to five day hike leads hikers up to Machu Picchu.

25. Go on a safari in Africa

While there are many places to go on safari in Africa, here is a list with some of the most popular:

  • Kenya – Masai Mara
  • South Africa – Kruger National Park
  • Zambia – South Luangwa National Park
  • Tanzania – Serengeti National Park
  • Namibia – Etosha National Park

26. See the big 5 on a safari in Africa

The big 5 refer to the following animals:

  • Elephant
  • Lion
  • Leopard
  • Buffalo
  • Rhino
Map of Africa
Map of Africa

27. Visit all the countries in Africa

There are currently a total of 54 countries in Africa. Below is a list of those countries:

  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Comoros
  • Congo
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Djibouti
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Egypt
  • Equitorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bisseau
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
Map of Europe

28. Visit all the countries in Europe

There are currently 44 countries in Europe. Below is a list of those countries:

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
Map of Asia
Map of Asia

29. Visit all the countries in Asia

There are currently 48 countries in Asia. Here is a list of those countries:

  • Afghanistan
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Cyprus
  • Georgia
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Lebanon
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mongolia
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • North Korea
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Quatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • State of Palestine
  • Syria
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor – Leste
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vietnam
  • Yemen
Countries in Central America
Countries in Central America

30. Visit all the countries in Central America

There are currently 7 countries in Central America. Below is a list of those countries:

31. Visit all the countries in North America

There are currently 23 countries in North America, which technically include the 7 countries of Central America. I have listed Central American countries separately, so these are the remaining 16 countries that make up North America:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Canada
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Haiti
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
Map of South America

32. Visit all the Countries in South America

There are currently 12 countries in South America. Below is a list of those countries:

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

33. Visit all the Hawaiian Islands

The 6 Hawaiian islands are as follows:

  • Island of Hawaii
  • Oahu
  • Maui
  • Kauai
  • Lanai
  • Molokai
CR Backpackers Hostel
CR Backpackers Hostel

34. Stay in a hostel

Staying in a hostel while traveling abroad is a right of passage for most young travelers. If you began traveling when you were a bit older, you may have missed out on this experience, but it’s never too late.

Hostels are affordable, fun, and one of the best ways to make friends while traveling.

I stayed at Costa Rica Backpacker’s Hostel in San Jose, Costa Rica on my first international solo trip, and have recommended them ever since.

35. Stay in an over water bungalow

A stay in an over water bungalow in a tropical destination is one fo the most luxurious bucket list ideas on this list.

Over water bungalows are popular in destinations like Tahiti, the Maldives, and Bora Bora. These luxury experiences often cost upwards of $800 per night. Which of course does not include flights to get to these far away tropical destinations.

As you can imagine, a vacation that includes a stay in an over water bungalow can easily cost in the thousands of dollars.

36. Attend The Yacht Week

The Yacht Week is described as an annual floating festival that takes place at various destinations around the world, and at various times throughout the year (depending on location).

The Yacht Week consists of you and a group of friends booking a spot on a yacht and traveling around via boat to various islands and ports. This is all done in groups of 10 – 50 other yachts, filled with people doing the same as you, drinking and partying for a week straight.

Locations for The Yacht Week are Croatia, Polynesia, the Caribbean, Montenegro, and Greece. It will cost about $1,000 per person, but other expenses add up quickly. However, if you looking for a unique experience to party and meet some new friends, The Yacht Week is for you. Solo travelers are also welcome.

37. Attend Burning Man

Burning Man is one of the world’s most famous, and most unique annual events. Burning Man is held annually in Black Rock City, Nevada during the month of August.

38. Attend all the world’s major film festivals

While there are oer 3,000 film festivals held annually around the world, these are the most popular:

  • Cannes International Film Festival
  • Sundance Film Festival
  • Tribeca Film Festival
  • Telluride Film Festival
  • Toronto Internatinal Film Festival
  • Venice International Film Festival
Penguins in Antarctica
Photo by Pixabay

39. See penguins in the wild

Some of the most popular places to spot penguins in the wild are:

  • New Zealand
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • South Africa
  • Ecuador
  • Australia

40. Go diving with sharks

For those looking for some extra adrenaline filled adventure for their bucket list ideas, consider diving with sharks.

There are spots all around the world where one can Scuba dive with sharks. Popular locations include Maui, San Diego, Belize, and the Bahamas. If you prefer a more controlled environment, consider cage diving with sharks in South Africa.

41. Swim with whales

If you’re one who loves the ocean and has a fondness for marine life, consider seeking an opportunity to swim with whales.

Opportunities to swim with whales can be found in locations such as Tonga, Tahiti, Sri Lanka, or Norway. As always, please be sure you are not touching or disturbing the wildlife in any way.

Zip lining in costa rica
Photo by Pixabay

42. Go zip lining

If you like outdoor adventure and you’re not afraid of heights, consider adding zip lining to your list of bucket list ideas. Zip lining is popular in Central American coutries like Costa Rica and Panama due to the abundance of rain forests with tall trees.

However, you can pretty much find zip lining anywhere these days. Basically, if you look for it, you will probably find it.

43. Go hang gliding

There are many perfectly beautiful places in the world to try out hang gliding. If I were to try hang gliding, I would consider locations such as Lake Atitlan in Guatemala or Guatape in Colombia.

Personally, I like the idea of hang gliding over or near a large body of water. Even if I won’t be landing in it, having it close by just makes me feel better. Plus, a massive lake sure adds to the view.

Parasailing Aruba

44. Go para sailing

While I haven’t tried para sailing yet either, I could suggest tropical destinations like Aruba, Hawaii, or the Bahamas.

45. Attend Carnival in Brazil

Carnival is a national festival in Brazil held the week leading up to Ash Wednesday. It’s one of the biggest festivals in the world and draws millions of visitors every year.

While Carnival was originally a food festival timed to take place just before Lent, it has transformed into much more. Today, Carnival consists of street parties and parades, with food, drinks, constumes, and music.

46. Attend Holi Festival in India

The Holi Festival is held annually in March across India. This fun and colorful event celebrates the beginning of spring and is a time to mend relationships, express love, and make new friends.

This festival involves singing, dancing, water guns, and the throwing of colorful powders. The largest celebrations are held in Delhi, Jaipur, and Hampi.

Oktoberfest in Munich
Photo by Pixabay

47. Attend Oktoberfest in Munich

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest and most famous beer festival. The event is held annually in Munich, Germany and draws millions of visitors.

48. Attend a World Cup match

If you’re a futbol fan (or soccer in the US), then attending a World Cup game is an absolute must. Futbol games can get wild with their very passionate fan base, so they’re almost always a good time.

49. Attend a World Series game

If you’re a baseball fan, you absolutely must attend at least one World Series game in your lifetime. Yes, the tickets are pricey. But just one game won’t hurt.

50. Attend the Olympics

If you’re a sports fan in general, a trip to the Olympic games is also in order. I haven’t been yet myself, but I certainly hope to one day.

51. See a play on Broadway

If you’re into theater and planning a visit to New York City, don’t miss your opportunity to see a Broadway play. The best shows do sell out, so get those tickets early.

Paris Opera House - Palais Garnier - Paris Experiences
Photo by mshch

52. Attend an opera

If you’re an opera fan, or you’ve just always wanted to see one for the experience, consider a visit to one of the many famous opera houses around the world.

someof the most famous places to see the opera are The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, Sydney Opera House in Australia, The Bolshoi in Moscow, and the Paris Opera in France.

53. See a ballet

Another popular and artsy night out can be had at the ballet. Cities famous for their ballet companies include New York City, Moscow, Paris, and London.

Moulin Rouge in Paris
Moulin Rouge in Paris

54. Attend a burlesque show

Burlesque can be seen just about anywhere in the world, well maybe not anywhere, but most places. The big cities of North America and Europe are going to be your best bet.

55. Learn to dance flamenco

If you want to learn to dance Flamenco, head to southern Spain where this style of dance originated.

56. Learn to salsa

You can learn to dance salsa in many places, but it originated in New York City and was inpsired by the dance style in Havana in the 1950s.

57. Learn to merengue

Merengue is said to have originated in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

58. Learn to line dance

I can’t tell you where line dancing originated, but I can tell you that you can learn to do it in just about any major city in the US. Just find yourself a county western bar and show up. The steps are usually fairly easy to pick up.

Bucket list ideas - eat pasta in Italy
Bucket list ideas – eat pasta in Italy

59. Eat pasta in Italy

If you are fortunate enough to get to visit Italy, you must try the pasta as often as possible. Most people I know who have visited Italy, return home having fallen in love with the country, but also rave about the food. The Italians know how to live, and they know how to cook. Enjoy it.

60. Eat pizza in Naples

It’s true what they say about the pizza in Naples, Italy. It’s absolutely fantastic. If you’re planning a visit to Rome and you have some extra time, take the train down to Naples for a day, even if it’s just for the pizza.

61. Have afternoon tea in England

Afternoon Tea is a cultural institution in Englend. If you visit, don’t miss your opportunity to experience this unique tradition.

wine tasting in Napa
Photo by Unsplash

62. Go wine tasting in Napa

If you’re a wine lover like myself, you know Napa Valley is one of the premier wine regions in the world. A wine tasting in Napa is a must if you’re in the San Francisco area.

63. Drive Route 66

The most iconic road trip of all time. Route 66 stretches 2,448 miles from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, Illinois.

Arenal Volcano Costa Rica
Photo by Frank Ravizza

64. Climb an active volcano

It is estimated there are potentially over 1,500 active volvanoes in the world. However, a volcano is considered “active” if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years. So to make this bucket list idea more compelling, here are the top nine most active volcanoes in the world (according to NASA):

  • Santa Maria, Guatemala
  • Sakurajima, Japan
  • Galeras, Colombia
  • Mount Merapi, Indonesia
  • Taal Volcano, Phillipines
  • Mount Nyiragongo, Congo
  • Mount Vesuvius, Italy
  • Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland
  • Mauna Loa, Hawaii

65. Take a cruise

This one is certainly not for everybody, but I know plenty of people who swear by them.

While I’ve never personally taken a cruise before, I’d love to try one to a destiantion like Alaska. Honestly, I mostly just want to see the whales.

66. Fly first class

If you usually fly in economy, consider paying for the update to first class sometime. I think it’s fun to splurge on occasion, especially if you can get the upgrade on a long haul flight.

67. Stay in a penthouse suite

If you’ve never stayed in a penthouse suite, you’ve gotta try it at least once. Just be sure to pick a fun destination where you’ll have an incredible view.

68. Spend a night at the Ritz

If you want to get a little fancy on your next vacation, book a night at the Ritz Carlton. It’s a fun splurge once in a while.

69. Spend a night at the Four Seasons

If the Ritz wasn’t fancy enough for you, try the Four Seasons. Not sure where to go? I suggest reserving one of their over water bungalows in Bora Bora.

70. Arrive by sea plane

Perfect for those who enjoy tropical, far off places. Typically sea planes can be found in destiantions like Polynesia, the Maldives, Alaska, Fiji, or New Zealand.

If you’re an adventurous traveler, you’ll likely find yourself on a sea plane at some point.

Great Wall of China
Photo by Pixabay

71. Visit the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is actually made up of many walls, constructed at various times in history, the most famous of which was constructed during the Ming Dynasty. All together, the various sections of the Great Wall of China combine to a total length of over 13,000 miles.

It is possible, but it would take many months to walk the entire Great Wall of China.

72. Visit Jerusalem

Jerusalem is considered one of the holiest places on the planet and is one of the most popular religious destinations on the planet. Even those not particularly religious will appreciate the history and culture of the city.

Vatican City
Photo by hornet 83

73. Visit the Vatican

If you’re Catholic, or just interested in world religions, history, or art, a visit to Vatican City is a must. Make sure you visit both the Vatican Musuems and St. Peter’s Basilica. There are a million things to see in Vatican City, so make sure you plan to spend the whole day.

74. Attend a Papal Audience

If you’re Catholic and you’re going to be in Rome on a Wednesday, try to get tickets for the Papal Audience held in St. Peter’s Square outside St. Peter’s Basilica.

75. See the Sistine Chapel

If you’re at all interested in art history, you cannot miss a visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Musuems.

76. See the Mona Lisa

If you’re visiting Paris and planning a visit the The Louvre, don’t skip the Mona Lisa. Sure, maybe she’s over hyped a bit, but it’s still cool to see her in person.

77. See the Statue of David

Probably the most famous statue in the world. If you’re in Florence, be sure to get tickets in advance to the Galleria dell’Accademia so you can see the Statue of David in person.

Venice in a Day
Image of gondola’s in Venice, Italy by Anton Aleksenko

78. Ride a gondola in Venice

If you’re going to visit Venice, Italy, it’s completely worth it to splurge on a gondola ride. It will cost you about 100 Euros, but bring yourself some snacks and a bottle of wine, and just enjoy the view.

79. Ride a trolley car in San Francisco

If you’re planning your first ever visit to San Francisco, try to take the trolley from Market Street to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s the easiest and most fun way to get between these popular tourist destiantions, so you might was well give it a try.

80. See the Statue of Liberty in NYC

If you have never seen the Statue of Liberty and happen to be in NYC, take the Staten Island Ferry across the river. It’s free and you’ll get the perfect view of the statue without all the crowds.

tuk tuks,, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
tuk tuks, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

81. Ride in a tuk tuk

If you’ve never gotten to ride in a tuk tuk before, you’re really missing out. Next time you see one on your travels, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.

82. Hitchike in a foreign country

If you’re especially adventurous and on a budget, you might consider hitchiking to get from one place to another while traveling around. I have not personally done this, but know many travelers who get around this way.

83. Take the Trans Siberian Railway

The Trans Siberian Railway is one of the world’s most famous railway journeys. It begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok (or vice versa). The rail journey is approximately 5,772 miles long, spans 8 time zones, and takes 8 days to complete.

84. Drive the Pan American Highway

Probably the most epic road trip of them all, the Pan American Highway takes you from the USA border with Canada, all the way through Mexico, Central America, and South America. This road trip is over 16,000 miles.

There is a gap in the road in northern Colombia called the Darien Gap. Vehicles cannot pass this section as there is no road. Travelers will have to go around by boat or airplane to reconnect with the road on the other side of the Darien Gap.

85. Visit Mexico during Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos is one of my favorite holidays and it’s the perfect time of year to plan a trip to Mexico. Viewing the colorful decorations and Ofrendas was the highlight of my trip a few years back.

4th of July Parade - Huntington Beach
Photo by Panda Pix

86. Visit the USA during Independence Day

Independence Day is a fun time to visit the United States. The holiday is known for it’s all day parties, outdoor barbeques, and evening fireworks. Some of the best celebrations in the USA for Independence Day are Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, and New York City.

87. Attend a political protest in a foreign country

If you’re interested in politics and social justice issues, consider attending a protest in another country. I’ve stumbled on multiple protests in my own travels, so this may be easier to check off your list than you would think.

88. See your favorite band in a foreign country

If you’re a music fan like I am, always check your favorite band’s touring schedule when making travel plans. You never know if you’ll be able to see a band you love play somewhere new.

Best travel moments - Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Photo by Arseniy Rogov

89. Visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Yup, the Blue Lagoon is totally built for tourists, but it’s pretty fun. My visit to the Blue Lagoon made one of my favorite memories from my time in Iceland.

90. Go white water rafting

For those looking for some real adventure, consider white water rafting. I’ve heard this is incredibly fun, but I’ve never had the opportunity to try it myself.

91. Dive off a cliff

A perfect bucket list item for tropical destinations in places such as Hawaii or Costa Rica.

Hot air balloon near Marrakesh
Hot Air Balloons in Morocco

92. Ride in a hot air balloon

A ride in a hot air balloon is a completely unique experience and one I think just about everybody should try at least once. I tried this myself in Morocco and it’s one of my fondest memories from my trip.

93. Take a cooking class in another country

If you’re like me and food is one of your primary motivators for travel, then consider taking part in a cooking class during your trip. These are especially popular in Italy and France.

Who wouldn’t want to be able to make authentic French or Italian cuisine back home? I know I would.

94. Attend Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a carnival celebration held in New Orleans, Louisiana every year just before Ash Wednesday.

The annual celebration brings visitors from around the world to party, drink, and celebrate in the streets of New Orleans.

Visit all 50 states - Bucket List Ideas

95. Visit all 50 states in the USA

Many Americans hope to one day visit all 50 United States, me included. I’m personally just over half way, but am missing pretty much the entire eastern seaboard. Wish me luck!

96. Travel without any plans

If you’ve got the time and the money, I think an experience traveling the world without timelines and reservations would be incredible.

97. Learn another language

I know a large percentage of the world’s population is at least bilingual, but here in the USA, not so much. Which other language would you like to learn?

98. Live in another country

I think nearly everyone in the world has this dream. Just curious, if you could live in any other country in the world, which would you choose?

Coloseum in Rome
Italy

99. Visit all 1,121 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Okay, so I’m not entirely sure it’s even possible to visit all 1,121 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but if you’re looking for a real bucket list challenge, this is the one.

I imagine this would require several months of planning, many years of full time travel, and a whole lot of money. But at the end of it all, aside from possibly claiming a Guiness World Record, you’d pretty much be able to claim you’ve seen the whole world. Now how amazing would that be?

100. Your choice!

This last one is up to you. What inspires and excites you? What’s your passion? Where do you want to go more than anywhere else?

Use this opportunity to create your own list of things to do in your lifetime. Just make sure it inspires you to live your best life.

If you’ve made it this far I want to thank you so much for reading my 100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers. My goal was to inspire you to travel more and see this big beautiful, complex world we live in. If you enjoyed this post or found it interesting, please consider sharing. Thanks for reading.

Book Your Trip

Find the best flight deals by using SkyScanner. This is the search engine I use to compare flights and prices before booking my own trips.

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION
I recommend searching for hotels through Booking.com to compare hotels on amenities, location, and price. If you are a member of a hotel’s rewards program, always book direct with the hotel. If you are not loyal to a specific hotel brand, using Booking.com for the best price.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is more important than ever. For just a few dollars a day you can protect yourself and your trip. I personally use World Nomads, but whomever you choose, don’t skip out on travel insurance. It can literally save you thousands of dollars.

Want to save it? Pin it.

100 Bucket List Ideas for Travelers - Pintrest Pin

Related Posts

Eden Fite at Chichen Itza in 2020
Eden Fite
Part-time Traveler | Dog Lover | Avoider of Crowds

I help busy people find creative ways to travel more.