With international travel on pause for the moment, our travel bucket lists aren’t getting any shorter. In fact, quite the opposite! As the focus remains on staying home, staying local, and waiting for the world to heal, it’s easy to get caught up staring out your window dreaming of your next destination. 

So, when it’s safe to travel again, where will you go? 

These adventure destinations are sure to inspire your next lockdown daydream session.

1. Hike Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala 

If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal with a live volcano, Guatemala is the place to do it. Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes, three of which are active and the rest dormant. Acatenango is the third-highest volcano in Guatemala, offering a challenging but achievable hike. 

Reaching the summit takes around five hours, but it can also be done as an overnight hike with options to camp out under the stars. From here you’ll see Acatenango’s crater and reach the best lookout point for viewing the active Fuego Volcano, which is always putting on a show.

2. Try Dog Sledding in Alaska

Imagine speeding through snow-covered Alaskan Forest on a sled pulled by dogs. This Alaskan obsession can be enjoyed as a one-day trip or multi-day adventure, with opportunities to see the vast Alaskan countryside, pet the beloved sled dogs, and learn about the rich cultural heritage behind the sport.

3. Snorkel with gentle giants at Ningaloo Reef, Australia

The whale sharks of Ningaloo Reef are the biggest fish in the ocean. Living on a diet entirely of plankton, there’s no need to fear these gentle giants. Between March and August, these amazing creatures migrate along the coast, putting on a spectacular show for snorkelers.

If you’re curious about sharks, but you’re not quite into cage diving with Great Whites, this adventure might be right up your alley.

4. Visit the cutest little capital in the world – Wellington, New Zealand

Fly to the corner of the world and visit the cutest little capital, Wellington City. Here you can get the full mix of New Zealand’s natural, cultural, political and historical scene while trying some of the country’s best cuisine and coffee. 

Wander along the waterfront, visit parliament’s Beehive building, or discover New Zealand’s vibrant history at Te Papa Museum. If you stay nearby you’ll also be able to visit the native wildlife at Zealandia Ecosanctuary, or see many of the famous movie artefacts at Weta Workshop. With the smell of coffee filling the air and music bustling out from every shop, the vibe is always good in Wellington.

5. Go Ziplining in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Head to Northern Thailand to scale the canopies of the 1500-year old Chiang Mai Rainforest. Ziplining on a single-person swing lets you glide along the Yang treetops, giving a bird’s eye view of the jungle below and making this a bucket list activity for GoPro fanatics and rush-seekers. This activity offers the perfect adrenaline rush for solo travellers, groups or families. See the wonders of the jungle including cliffs, rivers and the wonderful Chiang Mai wildlife.

6. Try Coasteering in Pembrokeshire, Wales

What’s Coasteering, you ask?

Coasteering is an exhilarating way to explore the coastline of Wales. This unique adventure takes you to Pembrokeshire where you’ll navigate the coastal terrain with a mix of cave exploration, cliff jumping, swimming, and rock climbing. This safe, action-packed adventure will get your adrenaline pumping and showcase the beauty of the Welsh coast and wildlife. With a fun team of experienced guides, your Coasteering experience will be one for the memory bank.

7. Go Dune Bashing in Jaisalmer, India

Experience the beauty of Sam Sand Dunes in Jaisalmer on this thrilling 4×4 adventure. Dune Bashing is relatively new to India but is quickly gaining popularity with adventure-seekers. Unleash your inner adventurer as you blast your way over the golden mounds of the Thar Desert.

Check out the tourist hub at Jaisalmer while you’re at it. Taste the Indian cuisine, ride a camel, and visit the ornate Jain temples that date back as far as the 12th century.

8. Walk village-to-village in Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is a colourful string of picture-perfect villages on the Italian Riviera. Like a scene from a postcard, the incredible location offers an authentic Italian experience. Traverse the area’s villages using a mix of boat, rail, and walking trail. 

This flexible walking adventure can be as long as you like, with the option to stop for a smooth cappuccino, an Italian lunch, or handmade gelato along the way. See the hillside fishing villages, climb the steep pathways, marvel at the olive groves, and explore a historical castle before making your way back to your seaside hotel.

9. Float through the Takachiho Gorge, Japan

Head to Japan’s Takachiho Gorge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With unimaginable scenery, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set. This deep volcanic gorge was formed by four separate volcanic eruptions that date back as far as 270,000 years ago. Feel the mist from the waterfalls plunging over the basalt columns as you float along the calm Gokase River. Feel free to disembark your boat to hike the Takachiho trails and discover the natural and cultural features of the area.  

10. Take a Hot Air Balloon over Marrakech, Morocco

No adventure bucket list is complete without a ride in a hot-air balloon, and where better to do this than over Marrakech. Take in the expansive view from above this bustling city. See the Atlas Mountains, valleys, date palms and olive groves, and look out onto the surrounding Berber villages. You’ll set off at sunrise when the air is still and the city is waking. When you’re safely back on the ground, explore more Moroccan experiences such as camel riding and 4×4 tours.

When the world opens up again, your dream travel destinations await.

So for now hold onto that bucket list, and keep dreaming of your next adventure!