Unique Travel Ideas for the Ultimate Adventure Bucket List

With so many exciting things to do and places to visit, it can be both a fun and daunting task compiling your ultimate adventure bucket list.

It’s also a fact of life that the more you attempt to complete it, the more you learn about other opportunities and the longer the list grows. To help you make a start, here are some of the most unique adventure travel experiences around the world that you should definitely consider.

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN SPECTACULAR FASHION

There are many places around the globe where you can see the Northern Lights. On occasion, they can even be seen in the north of Scotland. One of the best is Finnish Lapland, where you can take a sled ride with huskies while marvelling at this natural wonder. To make your trip even more special, you can stay at an ice hotel.

There aren’t many places where such a creative structure can be maintained in the natural environment, making this a truly unique experience. Stay in rooms made entirely of ice with artwork all around you crafted by some of the finest artists in the world. Giant ice sculptures of animals await you in this unforgettable experience. Enjoy a drink at the ice bar served up in a glass made from ice. While in Finland, you can enjoy a huge array of bucket list activities, including skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling through the Lapland wilderness.

GO WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING IN THE AZORES

If you prefer the warmth of the tropics, the fascinating Portuguese Azores are a brilliant destination for whale and dolphin watching, with a variety of species including sperm whales, pilot whales, beaked whales and false killer whales, as well as playful bottlenose and striped dolphins. Take a trip out to sea with an expert guide and watch them splash through the surf created in the boat’s wake. The Azorean people were once expert whale hunters, but today they use the same expertise to give tourists and travellers priceless glimpses of these beautiful and extraordinary cetaceans. These volcanic islands are also perfect for land-based activities like hiking and cycling.

CANOE THE MIGHTY YUKON RIVER

If you’re eager to explore a truly unspoilt wilderness, head to Canada and travel the legendary Yukon River in a traditional canoe. There are plenty of expert guides who will be glad to take you on this unforgettable journey. It’s the perfect opportunity for real adventure, relaxation and self-discovery.The 320 km safari starts at Whitehorse, where the river is made up of raging rapids. Out in the wild, you’ll also see an abundance of wildlife in and beside the river.

SEE SPAIN THROUGH THE EYES OF SAILORS

With a luxury boat trip down the coast of Spain and Portugal, you can imagine you’ve travelled back in time to an era when much of the world was still undiscovered. This tour stops off at various points of interest along the way, enabling you to experience the medieval architecture of Granada and the dramatic gorge of Ronda. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun sink below the horizon while being rocked gently by the swell of the open ocean.

GO AS FAR NORTH AS YOU CAN

Short of hiking the very challenging route to the North Pole, one of the most northern places you can visit is Spitsbergen in Norway. It commonly attracts adventurers who are keen to explore the arctic environment without leaving behind the comfort and security of a luxury hotel.

Spitsbergen offers the perfect mix of wildlife- and adventure-based activities, with polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes among its residents, and a wide range of winter sports on offer. Of course, this is another destination with fantastic views of the Northern Lights if you happen to be there at the right time of the year on a clear night.

TRAVEL THROUGH PRISTINE WILDERNESS BY RAIL

Finally, why not consider taking a trip to stunning Alaska, where you can enjoy breathtakingly beautiful landscapes from the comfort of the famous Alaska railroad. This is a relaxing and traditional way to explore one of the most picturesque parts of the world.

The destinations suggested in this post were put forward by Artisan Travel, experts in the luxury travel industry. With input from locals, they specialise in unique, hand-crafted holidays and offer truly amazing tours in some of the world’s most incredible locations.