My Top 10 Travel Experiences

People often ask me to name my favorite country, or my favorite vacation. But I can’t. I tell them that asking me to do this is like having me choose between ice cream and chocolate. I like both. I’m going to eat both. So instead of telling you about my top travel experience, I’m going to share my top ten thus far (while enjoying a bowl of ice cream topped with chocolate sauce).

#1: Hiking the Inca Trail 

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I mean really, do I need to provide a caption or explanation for why this is number one? Look at this. And the picture doesn’t even do it justice. It was four days and three nights of hiking at high altitude, sleeping in tents, and seeing world wonders. It was challenging but oh-so-rewarding. I went through a company called Enigma and would highly recommend.

#2: Exploring the Angkor Temples 

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I always loved Indiana Jones when I was a kid. I loved the idea of exploring something for the first time and feeling like I was discovering important historical artifacts. So this is why the Angkor complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia was a traveling highlight. The decaying, crumbling towers full of incredible statues and scripture is breathtaking, especially set in Cambodia.

#3: Taking a Jeep tour through Bolivia’s Salt Flats

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Three days and two nights of riding through desert, past lagoons dotted with flamingoes, cacti over fifteen feet high, and stretches of salt as far as the eye can see. Traveling in Bolivia, especially around Uyuni was otherworldly.

#4: Walking on the Great Wall of China 

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When I was little my favorite movie was “Big Bird Goes to China.” I must have watched it over thirty times (sorry, Mom and Dad) and became obsessed with the idea of digging a hole and winding up on the other side of the world. While I never dug a hole deep enough, I did get there, and now I’m living in the country. I will likely go again before I leave. (Post edit: I did go again, and this time I went camping on the Great Wall of China!)

#5: Hiking a Glacier in Patagonia 

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Patagonia in general was an amazing trip. I spent a month traveling from Santiago, Chile through the lake districts and down to El Calafate, before returning to civilization in Buenos Aires. A highlight was definitely putting on some spikes and hiking up and down a glacier. Oh, and being rewarded with a glass of Bailey’s on “the rocks.”

#6: Taking a Cruise Around Halong Bay

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I think I paid something like $70 to sleep a night on a junk boat, in my own room, with a view of the sea and limestone mountains. And it included meals and a kayak outing. There’s a reason Halong Bay in Vietnam is high on many traveler’s bucket lists.

#7: Strolling Through the Bamboo Forest in Japan 

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I could make a whole list of my top experiences in Japan alone. The country is rich with culture, temples, and amazing food. But the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto is nothing short of magical. This might actually be my favorite photo of all time.

#8: Diving the Great Barrier Reef 

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This was a recent trip of mine, and I loved everything about Australia (except the price tag). But getting my scuba license, and diving the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns was something else. And now that I’m certified, I look forward to a whole other world of traveling. For more information, see my post here.

#9: Dancing (and watching) Tango in Buenos Aires 

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For me, Buenos Aires has the same romantic appeal that Paris does for most. I actually rented an apartment in San Telmo for a week and enjoyed the city like a local, with mutual local friends. I ate dinner at 10pm, drank wine at sidewalk cafes, and danced until sunrise. But my favorite part was watching the tango shows in the squares of the San Telmo neighborhood, especially on Sunday during the market.

#10: Living Like a Monk in Korea 

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When I lived in Seoul, my friends and I often took weekend trips outside the city with Meetup.com. One of my favorites was experiencing a temple stay. It was two days and one night of experiencing life as the monks do, from waking at dawn and being silent, to participating in moonlight meditation walks. Definitely an experience worth having!


I love to hear from my readers! What’s your number one experience? What should I add next to my ever-growing list?

38 Comments
  • Michelle | Lights Camera Travel
    Posted at 06:03h, 28 April

    These are ALL on my bucket list and the only one I’ve done is Hiking the Great Wall which was spectacular. All these all your own images? They are incredible!

    I highly recommend diving Sipadan in Borneo, Malaysia. I dived all over Asia and this was by far the best and every bit worth the money!

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 06:07h, 28 April

      Yes, Michelle, they are all my own images 🙂 And thank you! Also, thanks for the recommendation. It’s now on the list!

  • Marie @ Marie Away
    Posted at 20:00h, 28 April

    Awesome! I’ve hit a few of these and hoping to cross off a few more in South America this year! Loving the photos 🙂 The bamboo forest looks unreal, something I’ve never thought about experiencing–but I certainly am now!

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 00:13h, 29 April

      Marie, South America is so amazing. And so is that bamboo forest! Make sure to add it to your list 🙂 xo

  • Eden
    Posted at 02:04h, 29 April

    You’ve basically ticked off many of the travel experiences on my bucket list. Would LOVE to be able to do these someday. I went to Korea last year, but unfortunately only had time to explore the main cities, need to go back and see more 🙂

    http://www.mintnotion.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 02:06h, 29 April

      Korea is so amazing. I need to make it back to Seoul while I’m so close. xo

  • Samantha
    Posted at 02:16h, 29 April

    Turkeynis next on our list and we’re SO excitied!

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 02:23h, 29 April

      You should be! Are you moving there? I think I’m heading there in January 🙂

      • Samantha
        Posted at 02:44h, 29 April

        Yeah we’ll be living there for two years 🙂

  • Carina
    Posted at 09:05h, 29 April

    So many items here are on my bucket list! I’d love to visit ang kor war and JAPAN, and bolivia, omg.
    I’ll be going to vietnam in august and definitely have to find a way to see cruise through halong bay!

    X, Carina
    Running White Horses | Fashion + Travel

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 02:04h, 30 April

      Great, Carina! YOu will LOVE Vietnam 🙂 xo

  • Lizzie
    Posted at 11:25h, 29 April

    Wow, all of these look like incredible experiences! I’d particularly love to hike a glacier in Patagonia… It’s been on my list for a while 🙂

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 02:05h, 30 April

      Thanks, Lizzie! They were. And, yes, make sure to make it to Patagonia! I went in December and it was fantastic. xo

  • Justine
    Posted at 03:24h, 30 April

    You’ve definitely had some amazing travel experiences! I’ve only done two of these — cruising through Halong Bay and exploring the Angkor temples. But I am dying to go to Bolivia and see those salt flats. That’s number one on my travel wish list right now!!

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 04:21h, 30 April

      You will LOVE Bolivia and the salt flats. The whole 3 days was unbelievable–like exploring a different planet! 🙂

  • Maja
    Posted at 20:25h, 03 May

    travel experiences are priceless 🙂

  • Maireem
    Posted at 03:50h, 06 May

    This is incredible! You are so lucky to have gone to all these places 🙂

    http://www.maireem.blogspot.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 04:02h, 06 May

      Thanks, Maireem! I feel very fortunate, indeed 🙂

  • Kathryn
    Posted at 07:30h, 06 May

    This is a great list! I just came back from Vietnam and I wish I was able to visit Halong Bay 🙁 I will have to return. Your experiences sounds amazing.

  • admin_jennifer
    Posted at 07:32h, 06 May

    Thanks, Kathryn! Vietnam is so massive, it’s hard to pack everything in. I was there for a month and still had trouble! 😉

  • Kelly | Endlessly Exploring
    Posted at 10:56h, 08 May

    Amazing list Jennifer! Hiking glaciers in Patagonia looks absolutely incredible – so breathtakingly beautiful! Would love to do that one day! 🙂 x

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 12:12h, 08 May

      Thanks, Kelly! I appreciate you reading. I love your blog 🙂

  • Diana Maria
    Posted at 02:27h, 11 May

    I am so jealous of your travel experiences! I really want to hike the Inca trail, I think I might do that next summer if all works out. You’ve made me want to do so much more travelling, this was such an inspiring read!

    http://mylovelierdays.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 02:29h, 11 May

      Awww thanks, Diana! This is the best compliment, and is why I do what I do 🙂 DEFINITELY do the Inca trail, but make sure to reserve about 5 months in advance. I really recommend the company mentioned in the post! xo

  • Grace Blake
    Posted at 13:26h, 26 May

    I love this list! I can’t wait to get to Peru one day!!

    http://www.australianabroad.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 00:15h, 27 May

      Thanks for the comment! Definitely plan on Peru–it’s magical! 🙂

  • Maddy
    Posted at 20:31h, 09 June

    Yep, these are ALL amazing. I can see why it’s impossible to just choose one! Hiking the glaciers in Patagonia is definitely on my to-do list! Beautiful photos too, by the way! 🙂
    http://www.travelalphas.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 00:19h, 11 June

      Thanks, Maddy! I’m going to check out your blog. xo

  • Karen Nicolai
    Posted at 20:30h, 28 June

    Love your Blogs Jen! Your M&D keep us up on your adventures. Wish I had traveled this much when I was younger. Our family is headed to Iceland for 10 days! Whitewater rafting near the Arctic Circle and many other fantastic adventures.

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 23:10h, 28 June

      That’s great, Karen! Thanks so much for reading. I definitely feel fortunate 🙂

  • Brandon Collins
    Posted at 07:01h, 08 July

    I ABSOLUTELY ADORE Japan! That photo of the bamboo forest really catapults me back to my journey through it and all the Torii Gates. Just stumbled upon your blog and I really enjoy your writing. Maybe we’ll cross paths sometime. Cheers

    http://www.bcollinstattourism.com

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 12:33h, 08 July

      Thanks for the compliment and for reading, Brandon. Japan also holds a very special place in my heart. Thanks for reading! 🙂

  • Teffy
    Posted at 18:00h, 15 July

    I also loved the trail to Machu Picchu and the salt flats, and the tango in Buenos Aires is definitely so breathtaking!! I love diving, so the Great Barrier Reef was definitely one of my favourites as well, though it doesn’t top diving off a small Island called Fernando de Noronha in Brasil, where a school of wild dolphins came and started swimming around and over us. It was honestly one of the most magical experiences of my life!
    The experience with the monks sounds so incredibly special, that is definitely something I’d love to try! X

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 22:30h, 15 July

      Thanks for reading, Teffy! I’ve heard amazing things about Fernando de Noronha in Brasil, and your experience is nothing short of phenomenal. Hope to make it there some day. xo

  • Madi @ The Restless Worker
    Posted at 19:21h, 06 November

    You have done some pretty amazing things! I would absolutely love to hike the inca trail, walk the Great Wall of China, or well – anything that you’ve done on this list. Your blog layout is really nice as well!

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 00:29h, 08 November

      Thanks so much, Madi! 🙂

  • Cez of eTramping
    Posted at 02:13h, 16 February

    Halong Bay looks spectacular! What a list you have here.

    • admin_jennifer
      Posted at 04:40h, 16 February

      Thanks! Halong Bay was spectacular. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that it’s changed quite a bit since I went (around 6 years ago)…