Life is short: eat the cake, wear the swimsuit, buy the shoes, travel as much as you can, TAKE THE TRIP!  2019 could be your year; one full of new experiences and adventures that keep being put off in the name of work, kids, responsibilities.  Lucky for you, Forbes has compiled the ultimate 2019 travel bucket list and we condensed it to our top faves.  If you take any trips on this list it is sure to change you internally and bring you on the wildest ride of your life.  Keep reading!

1.    African Safari:    East Africa’s Mara, Crater & Serengeti Migration

The definitive East Africa adventure, this superb 8-night luxury fly-in safari combines the four most celebrated game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania.  The tour encompasses the vast open plains of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the delightful diversity of Tanzania’s Lake Manyara, the extraordinary Ngorongoro Crater, and the rolling grasslands of the Serengeti. Arguably the most spectacular game viewing itinerary in Africa, this is the journey of a lifetime.  Ideal for seasoned travellers and first timers alike, this wildlife and gourmet adventure combines easily with a romantic Indian Ocean island getaway to make a perfect honeymoon itinerary.

2.    The Northern Lights

The most reliable chances to see Alaska’s northern lights (also known as the Aurora Borealis) are in Fairbanks, and above the Arctic Circle. The aurora belt in Alaska’s great Interior and Arctic regions is among the most active in the world, and there are few other places on earth so suited for an Aurora Borealis vacation.

While there are no guarantees that the northern lights show will happen on any particular night, Northern Lights trips are typically best made in late fall and winter/early spring, though they can be seen throughout the winter months on nights with clear skies. If you visit Alaska in November, December or January, you will experience a very short period of daylight providing a unique experience in the high northern hemisphere.  In February and March, there are longer daylight hours for you to enjoy with evenings that still offer maximum viewing chances. No bucket list is complete without experiencing Alaska’s Northern Lights!

3.    Maldives

A 45 minute seaplane ride away from Male International Airport is Adaaran Prestige Water Villas located on the exclusive Meedhupparu Island in Maldive’s Raa Atoll Area. This is frequently the site of filming when the movie calls for a tropical oasis.  And tropical oasis it is! Despite its remote location, this resort features an outdoor pool, private spa baths, personal butler and chef service, not to mention the air-conditioned over-water villas are built over the Indian Ocean with glass panel floors. Each room boasts all the technology that one would need such as flat-screen TVs, DVD players and high-speed internet access.  Make sure to take advantage of an in-room massage and fitness center. Bathrooms come with a hot tub. Water sports activities and diving are offered. International fine dining is available on the 5 restaurants on the island. Guests repeatedly rate this resort higher than it’s competitors.

4.    The Grand Canyon

Vast and stunningly beautiful, the Grand Canyon is easily one of the world’s most famous landmarks and a natural wonder you have to see to believe. 277 miles from end to end with mile high rocky crag walls stretching from the top of the craters to the canyon’s floor, it is truly a sight to behold.  The gargantuan Colorado River follows a swift course southwest. There are tons of ways to see the canyon and a variety of places to stay such as Historic lodges, hotels and even rugged campgrounds, but be sure to book early as internationally, it is one of the top visited places.  You can even choose to see the canyon from the air by booking a helicopter tour!

5.    Great Barrier Reef

Encompassing around 3,000 individual reefs and almost 900 islands and cays, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s most unforgettable natural treasures. With an unparalleled array of marine life such as thousands of different varieties of fish, birds, and clams, hundreds of types of birds, seaweed, and turtles, it’s understandable why snorkelers and certified divers often place the reef at the top of their bucket lists. Since experts expect that the reef will be hugely negatively impacted by external causes such as climate change in the next decade, there’s never been a better reason to plan a visit to this natural wonder.

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