While the ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to wreak havoc on international travel (with a few notable exceptions), it can't stop us from daydreaming about, planning for, and talking to our travel advisers about all the adventures we are going to experience the moment we're given the go-ahead. The following 50 are some of the most thrilling experiences the world has to offer, so here's to hoping you've got a few spaces open on your bucket list!

The islands of this sprawling blue swath of the globe sit scattered across the sea like diamonds, with each one offering a mix of beach paradise and cultural delights. Whether you visit Tahiti, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, American Samoa or the myriad of other isles, you will pinch yourself for simply being there.

It's hard to top the exhilaration of an African safari, as these overland adventures show off the fascinating wildlife the continent has to offer by day and skies full of stars at night. While the great migrations of Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa are the most popular destinations, countries such as Botswana and Namibia also offer spectacular safari opportunities.

Connecting Moscow and the Far Eastern town of Vladivostok-so far east it sits on the Sea of Japan-this epic rail line spans nearly 6,000 miles and provides travelers with just as many special memories and miles traveled. The journey lasts six days, but it's recommended to stretch the trip out over a couple of weeks by stopping off along the way to connect with the locals and embrace the inspiring landscapes and myriad of interesting towns. If that's not enough adventure, there are also branches of the line that extend to China and Mongolia.

Mount Kilimanjaro towers above its surroundings, garnering it the nickname "Roof of Africa". While the mountain is most certainly mighty, scaling it is an obtainable goal for regular travelers providing you're in decent shape and do the proper training. Seeing snow on the equator at the top will thrill you and the views over the plains below will fill you with wonder.

This fascinating Indonesian island is home to idyllic beaches, lush greenery and unique culture, all of which have helped make Bali a by-word for paradise. Whether you only visit this special island or make it part of a larger trip to the region, it will be an experience you won't soon forget.

From the big city of Dublin to the rural delights of the countryside, the Emerald Isle is full of extraordinary scenery and warm welcomes. Explore ancient sights and gorgeous green landscapes by day (or family history if it applies) and spend your nights sipping stout by the fire while listening to a band play traditional Irish music in a local pub.

When it's winter here, it's summer there. They have koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and quokkas (look that last one up, they're cute as a button). The locals go crazy for cricket, days on the beach, using eccentric slang, and enjoying amazing food & drink. It can only be Australia, a wondrous place full of vast landscapes that feels familiar yet exotic and is about as far as you can travel and still be on the same planet.

These volcanic islands that straddle the equator are home to a fascinating family of wildlife that has adapted to this unique environment, helping to inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in the process. Today, it serves as the ultimate adventure for nature lovers.

Surely it's no coincidence that some of the world's most renowned wine regions (Tuscany, Bordeaux, Mendoza, and the Douro Valley spring to mind) are also visually stunning. Take your time to sip your way through the landscapes while soaking up the sunshine that makes these regions so prolific at producing wine.

Costa Rica's jungles and rainforests are home to arguably the world's most astounding amount of biodiversity. Visit to see plants and animals that will leave you in awe, take canopy walks surrounded by clouds and lounge on beaches fringed by palms and hammocks.

Formerly the exclusive domain of only the most intrepid adventurers or researchers, Antarctica is more accessible than ever via cruise. A trip to the bottom of the planet provides experiences you can't find anywhere else and is the ultimate exclamation point on any bucket list.

The food, the wine, the history, the bucolic countryside: it's all waiting for you in Italy, the home of "La Dolce Vita" and more "pinch-me" moments than anywhere else in Europe. See the Colleseum and the rest of the ancient wonders in Rome before heading to Florence, Venice and the glamorous Italian Riviera.

Seeing a city like the City of Lights with your own eyes is what travel is all about and viewing it from a cruise down the River Seine is just the way to start your trip in Paris. Your bucket list will be officially ticked when you sip some champagne while watching the sunset from the hills of Montmarte.

From the ancient medinas and markets of Fez and Marrakesh to the orange sands of the Sahara and peaks of the Atlas mountains, Morocco offers a kaleidoscope of travel experiences. While you can almost see Europe from Morocco's shores, you will feel as though you've travelled much further afield.

After spending a few days in London-arguably the world's most captivating city-head for the quaint English countryside, a space full of ancient stone circles, castles, sweeping landscapes and coastal delights. Then, move on to Wales or Scotland, to dig even deeper into the history and culture of this ancient isle and experience even more dramatic hills and lakes.

Japan is a land where the past meets the future, and nowhere else on the planet offers a travel experience quite like it. Speed between cities on bullet trains, visit ancient temples, slurp ramen with the locals and sing karaoke-all on the same day.

Home to gilded temples, paradisical islands, mouthwatering cuisine and one of the world's most invigorating cities in Bangkok, Thailand is the perfect place to get an introduction to Southeast Asia, a region you're destined to fall head over heels for.

The world's largest rainforest stretches across multiple South American nations, offering endless adventures and nearly as many opportunities to learn about this fragile and unique ecosystem and the indigenous cultures that call it home.

South America is full of captivating cities, but none conjures up quite the allure of Rio. Soak up the sun and play some soccer on the golden sands, sip a caipirinha and the get caught up in the pulse of the city at night. Visit during Carnival for the ultimate bucket list experience.

Sometimes it's easy to forget about how much natural beauty we have on our own doorstep, so head out the door and into the car for a road trip that connects scores of the USA's amazing national parks. From the grandeur of Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon in the West to Arcadia and the Smoky Mountains in the East, the domestic bucket list is full of endless possibilities.

Whitewashed facades crowned with blue tavernas on the harbor, glamourous beaches, the sun sinking into the sea in the evening: it's all waiting for you in on the Greek Isles. Bounce between these heavenly landmasses on the local ferries in order to find your favorite island.

This ancient Buddhist temple complex is truly one of the world's most revered sights and seeing it with your own eyes is bound to be a memory you'll cherish forever. Hire a private guide to explore the lesser-known corners of Angkor Wat for the ultimate experience.

This natural wonder spans the border of Argentina and Brazil and is surrounded by atmospheric walkways which allow visitors up-close-and-personal to its power and beauty. Makes for the perfect end to a trip to either country or a bucket list trip across South America.

Unlike many of the natural wonders of our planet, you can never know for certain if you will see the Northern Lights. But if you do, it will be an experience that will move you. To increase your chances, head to Alaska or Scandinavia in the dead of winter and to make the experience extra special, book a stay in an ice hotel.

This bay near Hanoi in Vietnam is filled with dramatic limestone-cliffs and is truly like nothing else on the planet. Spend a few nights on a Halong Bay cruise to maximize your experience.

There's nothing quite like the feeling of hopping aboard a European train with a newly-validated Eurail pass in your hand, knowing that the entire continent is waiting for you to discover it. While you may not reach every corner of Europe on one trip, you'll have an exhilarating time trying.

In addition to being located in the heart of the Holy Land-a region full of iconic bucket list sights for believers and history lovers-the Dead Sea offers the unique opportunity to float. The salinity of the water makes it all possible and it's truly one of the world's most unique experiences.

Taking on a long-distance hiking adventure like the Appalachian Trail, Camino de Santiago, Pacific Coast Trail or myriad of other trails around the world will prove to be one of the most challenging-and most rewarding-travel experiences of your life. The journey will prove to be both a physical and emotional sojourn that will shape you for years to come.

This ancient trade route connects Europe and Asia and many adventures are still waiting for you if you follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo. Samarkand and Khiva are two of the more beguiling destinations along this Central Asian trail of sights.

This gorgeous region of India is famous for its atmospheric lagoons and lakes and exploring them via a cruise on a traditional houseboat has become one of the most signature activities of the region. These cruises offer a window into the sights and sounds of local life not to mention amazing views from the deck of the ship.

These amazing human cousins are facing challenges for survival and by seeing them in person you will gain a newfound appreciation for them in addition to placing a checkmark on the bucket list. The island of Borneo (split between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei) is home to both opportunities to view orangutans and contribute to their wellbeing.

Even if the ruins of this ancient Incan city weren't located high amongst the clouds in the Andes, it would be a sight worth seeking out. Throw in the magical setting and the journey to reach it (scenic train or epic hike) and you have one of the most cherished travel experiences in the world.

The world's most famous fortification, the Great Wall of China is, in fact, a series of barriers that stretch thousands of miles across the Chinese frontier. While some spots are crowded with tourists, if you dig a little deeper, you can find sections of secluded undulating sections perfect for quiet contemplation.

Stretching across parts of France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and Slovenia, the Alps are full of beautiful vistas and charming villages. Spend your days hiking among the flowers and snowy peaks and your evenings sharing fondue and local meats at a welcoming family-run chalet hotel.

This mysterious city carved out of rocks was located at the crossroads of busy ancient trade routes, but after being abandoned it was seemingly forgotten about by the outside world. Petra has been discovered anew (most famously making an appearance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and a trip to Jordan to see it will feel like the stuff of silver screen legends.

Mountain gorillas are some of the world's most fascinating and endangered animals and sadly these gentle creatures face a perilous future. Trekking to see them in Uganda or Rwanda will give you a new appreciation for their plight and the awakenings that travel can offer.

Victoria Falls is one of the world's most stunning cascades and seeing its mists rise before your eyes will get your heart racing. After you've experienced the magic of "the smoke that thunders", head to the east to experience Africa's Great Lakes (Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawai being the most notable), which are a collection of stunningly deep and beautiful bodies of water complete with tremendous beaches.

This region of Central Turkey is steeped in history and legend, with towns like Goreme home to fascinating rock formations and exquisite hotels built into caves. While the sights in and around these towns are thrilling, it's the views from the basket of a hot air balloon that will leave you speechless.

You can't beat a quick and relaxing Caribbean cruise, but did you know that each year numerous around-the-world cruises set sail as well? With far-flung destinations such as Asia, the South Pacific, Australia and South America, these voyages are perhaps the most sumptuous way to see the world.

Europe is a dream any time of year, but it's at its most magical at Christmas. Snow dusts the villages, town centers come alive with twinkling white lights and all over the continent, medieval squares fill up with atmospheric Christmas markets full of the aroma of hot, spiced wine and gingerbread. It's basically like stepping inside of a snowglobe and you just have to experience it once.

This mesmerizing place was once the seat of a powerful kingdom that rules huge swaths of the land we know today as Myanmar. While the sight is no longer populated, many of the thousands of shining pagodas and temples that were built during its heydey have been left behind and they make for a magical viewing experience, especially at sunset.

You've seen them on television, heard tales from friends or family who have attended, so now it's your turn to feel the energy, excitement and inebriation in the air at Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras, the Running of the Bulls or any other of the world's most raucous and thrilling festivals.

Whether you stay in an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia, which is the place where they were invented-the Maldives or the Caribbean, you'll be swept off your feet by the views of the water and sounds of lapping water from your bed.

This white marble wonder is India's most iconic landmark and seeing it with your own eyes is the only true way to fully appreciate its splendor.

These are the big ones, the last remaining ancient wonders of the world still standing and the crown jewel of a trip to Egypt. After seeing the pyramids then make for a cruise down the Nile to fully explore the marvels of this region.

So close to home, yet offering such an exhilarating travel experience, you must make it to Mexico once. For the ultimate bucket list experience, visit the Mayan Ruins of the Yucatan before heading to the center of the country to experience the dizzying capital Mexico City and the many magical colonial towns like Gunajauto or Puebla.

These stunning salt flats in Bolivia are the world's largest and have become one of the most sought-after photo ops on the planet. Learn all about the evaporated lakes and special conditions that made the flats possible before playing with perspective to take a once-in-lifetime profile pic.

Modern bungee jumping may have been invented in England, but it's the Kiwis that perfected it and made it popular. Visit the extreme sports capital of Queenstown and take a plunge to get your adrenaline pumping. Then, explore the rest of New Zealand's gorgeous South Island, making stops at Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier.

You don't have to leave America to take an epic train journey as Amtrak has scores of routes full of romance and breathtaking views of our amazing landscape. You're bound to make a few new friends too as train travel lends itself to camaraderie among passengers more than any other mode of transport.

Big soccer fan? Go to Europe or Latin America and see a game in person or watch a World Cup live. More a fan of America's Pastime? Then head to Japan to see a series of baseball games. Love tennis? Then Wimbledon and the Australian Open are calling your name. You get the idea, no matter your sports passion, there's a premier event to attend somewhere on the planet that will get your adrenaline pumping.