There are so many interesting cultures, amazing sights, and dream places to visit in the world that it can be hard to figure out your priorities, i.e. which regions, countries, or continents best fit your personal must-do and must-see travel list.

If you are a true traveler or want to be one, it can be hard to choose your next once-in-a-lifetime vacation spot. When you travel, you get to experience new things, meet new people, and try new foods from all around the world.

As a true traveler, unlike tourists and vacationers, you go abroad to learn about and participate in local customs. You see each trip as a rare opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and a chance to grow physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Moreover, you often get so involved with the places you visit that they experience reverse culture shock when you get back home. You dream of people speaking the languages you heard and long for the traditional foods of the country you visited.

Many of the true travelers find it hard to choose the best travel bucket list ideas because the world is full of beautiful places that offer a wide range of life-changing experiences. Also, the more you travel and see, the more you realize how important it is to keep a place’s uniqueness and authenticity and how rewarding it is to be able to see them for yourself. Unfortunately, globalization and mass tourism have taken over large parts of all continents, turning natural wonders and places where people have lived for hundreds of years into huge amusement parks for tourists. This makes it even harder to find real, unspoiled dream places to visit.

Lastly, real travelers know that stepping out of their comfort zone and into the unknown is a big part of any real and legitimate trip.

The following five places are a unique travel bucket list which will surprise and amaze you and you must see at least once in your lifetime. These places will give you a real look into the local culture, history, traditions, and society. They will also give you amazing experiences and let you see wildlife and natural wonders that will leave you speechless. Please keep in mind as you read that the order is strictly alphabetical. We wouldn’t dare tell you which one to read first because they are all unique and amazing.

The Amazon Rain Forest

The famous place where almost every traveler has thought about going at least once and has guessed when and with whom they might go. Well-known all over the world for its incredibly diverse wildlife and natural environment, you can go on exciting adventures and see amazing things there. Still, no trip should be taken lightly, and this one in particular needs to be planned down to the last detail, both to stay safe and to show respect for such a beautiful place.

Also, if you plan your trip well, you’ll get more out of it. You’ll see more, have more unique experiences, avoid the most popular spots, and get a look at the secretive Amazon communities from the inside.

Our tip: It’s not easy to get to the best places in the Amazon Jungle, and booking guides and transportation on your own is dangerous. So, the best way to see the Amazon Jungle is with the help of an experienced travel planner. One of the best ways to experience the Amazon Jungle right now is to spend 3 nights in an eco-friendly lodge in the middle of the jungle and take part in a 4-day discovery program led by local naturalist guides. You can also combine this with a great tour of Peru that includes Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

The mountains in Austria

Austria is one of the most interesting and diverse countries in Europe. It has a lot to offer, from the dramatic Alps and lush valleys to the picturesque villages full of old-world charm and local character. Beautiful landscapes that are carved to perfection, beautiful glaciers, dense forests of fir trees, interesting mountain trails that lead to lush pastures, and flower-filled meadows that become a winter wonderland when snow covers them.

The locals love to refer to these beauties as the mountain calls, and it’s true that you can’t wait to put on your hiking boots and head out to explore the beautiful nature. Along with the natural beauty, the cities have a lot of cultural and musical memories, cutting-edge art, and beautiful architecture.

Our tip: If you’re looking for dream places to visit, you might want to book a trip to an authentic chalet in the Austrian Alps, where the outdoors is just blissful no matter what time of year it is. Carinthia and Tirol are both great places to go on vacation and have some of the best places to stay.

Bali

Bali’s natural beauty, its enchanting atmosphere, its beautiful beaches, and its overall spiritual aura give it a unique allure that has drawn true travelers looking for peace and a rewarding emotional and cultural experience for hundreds of years.

Bali’s dances, colors, temples, and flower offerings will captivate you from the moment you step off the plane. Huge palm tree forests and rice fields. Temples and volcanoes that make you feel something. Traditions that are unique, people who are kind and smile, and arts and crafts that are amazing.

No matter where you go or what you do, the island will amaze you with its amazing sights, feed your soul with its genuine spirituality, and pamper your body with its tropical beauty. Bali is the perfect place for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation because it is always warm and humid, there are so many different things to do, and the culture is fascinating.

Our tip: If you’re looking for a place to relax and re-energize, the countryside of Bali is a great place to find balance and relax, especially if you treat yourself to a luxurious villa for a vacation.

Faroe Islands

A group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that look like Atlantis but are not well known. The surprising, clean, and colorful Faroe Islands are the best place for a real traveler to go. These unique islands, show that, thankfully, there are still authentic, truly enlightening places to visit.

They are a paradise for people who love active vacations and want to learn about new cultures. They have beautiful fjords and headlands, cliff sides, sheep-filled green meadows, and exciting water-based adventures. They also have delightfully picturesque villages with colorful houses and a striking way of life that is enhanced by inspiring local art, music, and fine dining.

The only way to understand the Faroes is to go there and see for yourself.

Our tip: Make sure you visit the Faroe Islands with a local guide. This is the best way to see the most authentic parts of these amazing islands. This tour might include a couple of nights in a typical home as well as kayaking, rappelling, or cliff climbing.

Galapagos

There are giant tortoises, marine iguanas, amazing cacti, penguins, mockingbirds, amazing endemic trees, deep-sea volcanoes, and many species of finches, flightless cormorants, and mockingbirds.

Included by UNESCO in the World Heritage Site, Galápagos Islands are said to be a one-of-a-kind living museum and display of evolution, so they should be on your travel bucket list. The Galápagos archipelago is made up of 19 larger islands, but only 4 of them are inhabited. It is a place where animals and nature rule and humans live in harmony with them.

Of course, the best way to get the most out of a trip to the Galápagos is to plan it well. There are places to stay on land all over the park, but cruising is by far the best way to see the islands.

Our tip: The Galapagos Islands are physically and emotionally far away, so make the trip worth it. Choose a cruise that lasts at least a week and includes naturalist-led tours and a stop on the mainland of Ecuador.