Looking for a new place to travel to this year? I’ve got 12 incredible options for you! Time to get your passport stamped and head out for an adventure like no other! ‘Cos these exciting experiences are something that no travel lover should miss!

#1 Hunting Down the Aurora Borealis in Finland

The Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon that occurs at the North Pole. During winter, colourful lights dance around in the sky as electrically charged particles collide with each other. It’s almost like nature’s very own display of a magical laser show! If this isn’t a part of your bucket list, it definitely should be!

Best time to visit: During the winter months, i.e. September to March, in Finland or any polar region.

#2 Whale Watching in Sri Lanka

Seeing whales swim around in the open sea, is one of the most exciting things you can do in Sri Lanka. In the warm Indian Ocean, you can spot blue whales, humpback whales, Bryde´s whales, pilot whales, and plenty of dolphins too! Watching some of the world’s largest mammals putting on a little show is an enthralling experience indeed.

Best time to visit: Between November and April.

#3 Seeing the Bioluminescence in Maldives

Image Credits – Geographical Magazine

In some parts of Maldives, the bioluminescent phytoplankton in the water, turn the beach into a field of glowing stars at night. As the waves touch the shore, a bright green-blue glow appears on the surface that is sure to leave you mesmerised.

Best time to visit: Between May and December.

#4 Experiencing the Wildebeest Migration in Masai Mara

‘The Great Wildebeest Migration’ is one of nature’s greatest journeys one can witness. Nowhere in the world, is there a movement of animals as massive as the wildebeest migration. Over a few months, more than two million wildebeest travel across the Savannah grasslands, starting from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the pastures of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. It’s one remarkable sight!

Best time to visit: The migration can be seen from July to October in Kenya

#5 Watching the Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Japan

As spring approaches, all the Japanese cherry trees aka Sakura, start to bloom. Each tree sports different shades of a gorgeous pink colour! People from all around the world gather to watch the gorgeous flowers bloom in Japan and envelop the streets in a delicate hue of pink.

Best time to visit: The blooming season starts from Mid-March. The flowers usually last for about a week before they start falling.

#6 Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, along the north-eastern coast of Australia, is rated as the best place to scuba dive! It’s considered to be the largest coral reef system, full of marine flora and fauna unlike anywhere else in the world. Will the great barrier reef be your next scuba dive?

Best time to visit: All through the year – from Queensland, Australia!

#7 Adopting Baby Elephants in Kenya

Did you know there is an orphanage in Kenya for baby elephants? The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust cares for elephant calves that were separated from their mothers at a very early age and provides them with artificially made mother’s milk, to ensure they grow up healthy. But this is quite an expensive affair and they need all the help they can get. So, they allow you to adopt an elephant calf by paying $50 towards its care. They’ll even send you a report card on how the elephant is growing every month!

Best time to visit: Throughout the year, in Nairobi Kenya!

#8 Meeting Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Trek deep into the Bwindi forest to see gorillas in their natural habitat – no walls, no fences, no zoos! These endangered mountain gorillas cannot survive anywhere else and hence are kept away from all zoos. Once you get the necessary permissions and passes, the gorilla experts will take you on a trek to go say hello!

Best time to visit: Due to the weather conditions and the dampness in the Bwindi forest, majority of the tourists prefer visiting the gorillas from June to September & then from December up to February.

#9 Walking through the Lavender Fields in France

Image Credits – keywordsuggest.com

This is an experience you must see in Provence, France. Bright and fragrant lavender flowers bloom across acres of land, enveloping it like a purple blanket! How can you not fall in love with a sight like this?

Best time to visit: Between June and August in Luberon, Provence in the South of France

#10 Diving from a Plane in California

The Monterey Bay in California, famous for its view of the beautiful coast line below, is a popular sky-diving spot. They even offer a great sky diving course one can take to get certified!

Best time to visit: Any day of the year, as long as it’s not cloudy!

#11 Walking Along the World’s Largest Salt Flat

Image Credits – Hall Of Fame Magazine

Salar de Uyuni is a unique kind of desert, spanning across 10,582 sq. km in Bolivia! What’s so special about it? Unlike other deserts, instead of sands you’ll see a vast expanse of white salts. This place is also called the largest mirror in the world because sometimes, the surface becomes reflective. Salar de Uyuni is breathtakingly beautiful and unique and is a must for every traveller’s bucket list!

Best time to visit: Any time of the year!

#12 Floating in the Dead Sea in Jordan

Imagine relaxing in a sea with a density so high, you’ll naturally float! Because of the high salt content in the Dead Sea, nobody/nothing can sink in the water! Why do you need a hammock, when you can sleep on the sea! Read a book, laze around, or just give your body a natural salt scrub, while floating in the Dead Sea in Jordan!

Best time to visit: Any time of the year in Jordan