The concept of the ‘bucket list’ may not have existed for quite as long as many of us tend to believe, but the strength of the idea has nonetheless made it a cultural mainstay. For years now, bucket-list plans have been a central part of the holidaymaking conversation, whether talking about pie-in-the-sky plans for outlandish getaways or rare experiences that are hard to capture in a bottle.

There are many of us, of course, whose minds go a little blank when asked about our own bucket list experiences. This isn’t for a lack of imagination, but more for the sheer possibility provided to us by the world. If you’re in this camp, you might want a little prodding in the direction of some incredible experiences—whether to inspire your list or give you a cheeky reason to spend a little more on your next summer getaway.

Witnessing the Northern Lights

Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, is a simply breathtaking atmospheric phenomenon, the result of solar winds colliding with our atmosphere. These lights are only visible from certain remote places near the poles and only when the right atmospheric (or extra-atmospheric, as it were) conditions allow.

We’ve been lucky enough in recent years to see the Northern Lights creep southward and hence be visible from English backyards, but the real deal is seen from within the Arctic Circle. Norway is an ideal place to visit for this very phenomenon.

Sailing the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands feature on a great many bucket lists, even if only for their quintessential historical import. These are the isles, after all, at which Charles Darwin realised his theory of evolution, observing the unique mutations of Indigenous bird species (and, of course, the giant Galapagos turtles). This unspoiled natural conservation zone is also an incredibly beautiful place to behold, relaxing and inspiring in equal measure.

Climbing Mount Everest

Mount Everest is perhaps one of the most common childhood dream destinations in the West. This, the tallest peak in the world, has come to mean so much to so many people—whether a test of resilience or a personal milestone.

Everest base camp treks are frequent and surprisingly accessible too. The trip beyond base camp, though, is something entirely different and should not be attempted without rigorous training, investment in equipment, and a large support network behind you.

Exploring the Amazon Rainforest

From one incredible natural landscape to another, we bounce to the Amazon rainforest—a seemingly boundless woodland thick with incredible flora and fauna. The rainforest has a great deal of name recognition, partially on account of its endangered status; this status makes it, sadly, much more of a time-sensitive bucket-list experience than it ought to be. As a final note, if you’ve got any bucket list intent to traverse this rainforest, you should only ever do so with a guide!