Ideas For Your 2017 Travel Bucket List

A bucket list is a tool that helps us visualize our dreams. By writing our top adventures down, we are also making a promise to ourselves. The world is full of thrilling bucket list adventures. But with so many to choose from it is hard to know which adventures to start with in 2017. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Try an Extreme Sport

One item I highly recommend adding to your 2017 bucket list is trying an extreme sport. A few of my personal favorites are bungee jumping, skydiving, and scuba diving. The wind rushing passed your face as you soar 15,000 feet above the ground or the grandeur of exploring the world 90 feet below the ocean's surface is indescribable.

A few reasons why an extreme sport is a good choice is that you most likely can find any of these experiences within a couple of hours from your house, they do not take a lot of time, and they aren't as expensive as other items on this bucket list. Trust me; you will be surprised how much adrenaline you can get from one of these extreme adventures.

If you're incorporating one of these activities into your vacation plans, make sure your travel insurance covers it. RoamRight has a list of activities and the plans that cover them available online.

Get Lost in the Landscape of Patagonia

Even avid outdoor enthusiasts are stunned by Patagonia's landscape - from jagged peaks to thick frost, icy blue pools to steaming hot springs. If you feel the call of the wild, then you can't do much better than Patagonia.

The main reason Patagonia should be on your 2017 bucket list is that there are newly opened wilderness areas. Now is your chance to get to these incredible landscapes before anyone else.

Go on a Great American Road Trip

I talk about road tripping across America a lot. I think it is hands down the best way to see this incredibly diverse country.

Driving across America lets you see vast landscape changes, remote wilderness, and funky small towns that make this country unique. There are hundreds of fun road trips across America, and many of them take you to the middle of hot deserts, the top of towering mountains, and along curvy coastlines. If you have not traveled America by car, it is one bucket list item you have to do in 2017.

Discover the Massive Temples of Angkor Wat

The Cambodian temple complex of Angkor Wat is a symbol of the greatness that ancient civilizations achieved. The mystery of the sudden disappearance of the people who built these massive temples only makes the area more appealing. Even today they are still uncovering hidden temples in the area. Even if you visited Angkor Wat years ago, there are new areas to explore. If you want to see everything at Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, be sure to plan on spending several days in the area. Each of these temples is strikingly different, and the dense jungle has thankfully persevered most of them. This makes Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples one of the most interesting sights in Southeast Asia and the largest religious complex in the world.

Time Travel to the 50's by Taking a Trip to Cuba

For Americans, Cuba has been a tricky destination to visit. Until 2016, if you wanted to visit, you would have to fly from the US to another country, like Mexico and then book an onward ticket to Cuba. Luckily in the last year, the relationship between the USA and Cuba has improved. In fact, now you can book a direct flight from the US mainland. Cuba is a country that has been frozen in the 50's making it a unique and exciting destination to visit. What better time to visit than in this upcoming year before the wave of tourism hits the country.

See the Northern Lights

Is there anything more beautiful in nature than the northern lights? The beautiful shades of green that dance across the night sky should be on everyone's bucket list. There are many parts of Canada, Europe, and Alaska to witness this wonderful phenomenon.

Camping in a National Park

Not all of us have time or money to take a vacation to Cuba or spend three days at Angkor Wat. One bucket list adventure that is close to home is camping in a national park. There are 58 national parks in the USA. If you are not close to one, a good substitute is a state park. Camping is a great break from hectic life and a good way to get some quality time with your friends or family.

Let us strive to make 2017 a year of adventure. Whether you are jumping out of a plane or embarking on an epic road trip, there are endless bucket list items to experience this year. These epic adventures are a good place to start.

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.