If you are building a bucket list and not sure where to start, this page pulls everything together. It is the main place to explore bucket list ideas by destination, experience, and travel style, all in one space.
If you want to step back and see how everything fits together, the Make a Bucket List homepage shares the idea behind the site and how we turn travel plans into experiences worth remembering.
The interactive maps below let you browse bucket list experiences by country. Click a place to see what we have already explored there, from well-known highlights to smaller moments that made the trip memorable. Each country links through to guides that break things down into ideas, routes, and practical tips, so you can plan around experiences rather than just places on a map.
These maps reflect destinations we have already visited and written about. Each country grows over time as new trips, experiences, and ideas are added, making this a useful place to return to whenever you are planning your next adventure.
If you are still shaping your list, our guide on how to build a bucket list walks through turning ideas into achievable plans.
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Page Contents
Explore Bucket List Ideas by Map
Choose a continent, then tap or click a country to explore destination-specific bucket list ideas. You can zoom in to reach smaller countries and regions. Every map leads to in-depth guides that group experiences by place and travel style, helping you turn inspiration into a realistic plan.
🇪🇺 Europe
Europe is packed with bucket list experiences that range from classic landmarks to slower, more local moments. These country guides cover well-known highlights alongside walks, food experiences, scenic routes, and cultural stops that shape a trip beyond the postcard views. Each country links to detailed guides that help you plan experiences by region, season, and travel style.
🇺🇸 🇨🇦 United States of America & Canada
The United States and Canada offer some of the widest variety of bucket list experiences anywhere in the world. From national parks and road trips to major cities and coastal routes, each state and province links to destination guides focused on experiences rather than tick-box sightseeing. Click a location to explore ideas built around landscapes, cities, and long-distance travel.
🇦🇺 Oceania
Oceania is ideal for big, experience-led travel. Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific are home to outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, and long-distance journeys that often become trip-defining moments. These guides focus on activities, routes, and places that shape how a journey feels, not just where it goes.
Cruising Bucket List Ideas
Prefer your adventures with sea views? These guides focus on cruise-based bucket list experiences, from Arctic expeditions to tropical island hopping. Cruise ports appear within the country sections on the maps above, while the guides below cover broader cruise planning and inspiration.
- Southampton Cruise Parking
- What to Pack for the Norwegian Fjords
- Tips for First Time Cruisers
- Back to Back Cruises
- Cruise Ship Bucket List
Browse Bucket List Ideas by Experience
The experiences below highlight common bucket list themes, with selected examples linking through to full guides.
| Adventure & Adrenaline Cable Bay in New Zealand |
Nature & Wildlife Safari in Kenya |
| Cultural & History Auschwitz |
Food & Drink Belgian Waffles in Bruges |
| Once-in-a-Lifetime Sleep in an ice hotel |
Challenges & Growth Solo travel across Europe |
Top Picks & Trending Bucket List Ideas
These ideas reflect destinations and experiences that are often flagged as once-in-a-lifetime trips or long-term travel goals.
- Visit Antarctica – Long-term planning required
- Ride the Glacier Express in Switzerland
- Sleep in a cave hotel in Cappadocia
This section is updated as new trips are planned and experiences are added.
Featured Countries:
🇳🇴 Bucket list ideas in Norway
🇮🇹 Italy travel experiences
🇬🇷 Things to do in Greece
🇫🇷 France bucket list ideas
🇧🇪 Travel experiences in Belgium