Thinking of trying out something new to broaden your horizon before you hit the big 3-0? Here are some ideas of travel experiences for your bucket list. Pick one that catches your fancy and off you go!
1. Treat yourself to chocolates at Cadbury world in Dunedin, New Zealand
If you are a fan of Roald Dahl’s classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you will love the tour conducted in Cadbury World. The story was after all inspired by the rivalry between Cadbury and Rowntree, England’s two largest chocolate makers in the 1920s.
Credit: Artform Canada on Flickr
Delight your senses with the smell of chocolate and sample free fresh liquid chocolate on the guided tour as well as marvel at the world’s largest chocolate waterfall. Find out how chocolate is made, tempered and moulded. At the end, filling your shopping bags with chocolates and treats at the retail store is a must!
Visit Cadbury world in July to witness and take part in the annual Jaffa Race at Baldwin Street, Dunedin where approximately 750 000 Cadbury Jaffas (chocolate balls) are released and rolled down the street known to be the steepest in Dunedin. It will definitely be a sight to behold!
Credit: Phil Whitehouse on Flickr
Credit: @imthegj on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Pre-book your tickets online before visiting to guarantee entry. If you're attending the Jaffa Race annual charity event, be prepared for the crowd as around 15 000 people attend the race every year. Cadbury World can also be found in Birmingham, UK.
Address: 280 Cumberland Street, Dunedin, 9016
Opening hours: 9am–3pm on weekdays & weekends (closed on public holidays)
Ticket prices: Family Pass (2 adults & up to 2 children 15yrs & under): USD 36.25, Adult: USD 14.50, Seniors & Students: USD 13.05, Children 15yrs & under: USD 10.15, Children under 5yrs: USD 4.35
Contact: 0800 223 2879
2. Visit a durian orchard for a durian buffet in Karak, Malaysia.
Credit: Jimmy's Durian Orchard on Facebook
Do you have an undying love for durians of any kind? Or have you heard of this king of fruits from Asia and are curious to find out how it tastes? Plan a trip to Jimmy’s orchard to satisfy your craving as this orchard promises organic, fresh and good quality durians for each serving. This orchard, which is owned by husband and wife duo Jimmy and Tanya, has approximately 300 trees bearing different varieties of durians such as Musang King and D24.
Credit: Jimmy's Durian Orchard on Facebook
While feasting on durians, you can also learn from the owners about the planting process and how to recognise the different types of durians. You can also consider wearing a helmet while walking under a durian tree?
#HHWT Tip: Bring along mosquito repellents, a hat or an umbrella when visiting the durian orchard. When durian season is in full swing around July, visitors can just walk in during opening hours without making any prior reservations. On other months, it is best to call the orchard first to arrange for a visit.
Address: 75.1km Jalan Karak | Bentong, Karak, Bentong 28600, Malaysia
Opening hours: 9am–5pm
Price: You are charged based on the amount of durians you consume or take-away from the visit. No entrance fee charges apply.
Contact: +60 16-203 1922 | Website
Directions: Approximately 1 hour drive from the heart of Kuala Lumpur
3. Sign up for the BeeMW Bee Hive – Tour & Taste in Alberta, Canada
This tour will allow you to have a first-hand experience at learning the process of honey making! You will be brought to four of the Fairmount Palliser hotel’s honeybee hives which they own and keep in partnership with ABC Bees, Canada, which conducts educational tours on bee conservation. The tour is also sponsored by Canadian company, BMW Gallery and Calgary BMW in hopes of raising awareness on bee protection and to promote the passion for bee stewardship.
Credit: avenuecalgary
If you are game enough to don a beekeeper’s suit, you will get a chance to take a close look at honey combs and bees during the scheduled tours. But don’t worry because smoke will be used to keep the bees calm so that they don’t become too active when the lid of the hive is removed. You will learn how to harvest a small amount of honey before heading back to the hotel to taste what you have collected. One of the perks of being brave is getting chauffeured to and from the hotel and the Palliser’s beehives on BMW bikes or cars.
Credit: avenuecalgary
#HHWT Tip: Send an email to the executive chef, Craig Nazareth to make a reservation for the tour during your stay in Calgary. During the second part of the tour, which involves a honey infused menu discovery led by the hotel chef, opt for honey infused non-alcoholic lemonade instead of the cocktails being offered.
Address: 133 9th Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 2M3
Opening hours: Up to four guests per day can join Chef on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons between 12 and 7 p.m.
Ticket prices: USD 67.51 per person plus tax (13-years and older), USD 37.93 per child plus tax (children ages 6 to 12-years-old)
Directions: The Fairmont Palliser is approximately 18km away from Calgary International Airport.
4. Pay a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford Upon Avon, UK
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Immerse yourself in the history of Shakespeare’s life and works at the actual site where he was born. The tour of the house is approximately 1 hour long and the guides are all dressed in period costumes from the Shakespearean era.
Credit: Ryan Kilpatrick on Flickr
The entry pass also allows you to enter the other houses of those related to Shakespeare. There is no need to rush through the exhibits though. You can always return on other days throughout your trip as your entrance pass purchase is valid for up to a year!
Credit: Uppy Chatterjee on Flickr
#HHWT Tip: Book online prior to your visit to enjoy 10% savings on entrance passes. In winter, be sure not to miss the last bus back to Leamington Spa for a transfer bus to Coventry, the nearest city. The thrilling fast speed double decker bus ride in pitch black conditions guided only by the bus’s headlights will sure make you feel like Harry Potter on a Knight bus.
Address: Henley St, Stratford-upon-Avon,Warwickshire, CV37 6QW, UK
Opening hours: Summer 2016; 27 Jun - 28 Aug: 9am - 5.30pm, Autumn 2016; 29 Aug - 30 Oct: 9am - 5pm, Winter 2016-17;31 Oct - 12 Mar: 10am - 4pm
Ticket prices: Adult: USD 22.68, Child: USD 14.90, Concession: USD 21.38, Family: USD 60.27
Contact: +44 (0)1789 204016 | Website
5. Browse through a book in El Ateno Gran Splendid in Buenos Aires, Argentina
According to a recent study conducted, Buenos Aires has more bookstores per inhabitant compared to any other city around the world. So, this 21 000 square feet bookstore is worth a visit whether you are looking to buy a new book or not. Simply soak in the grandeur and be inspired to read!
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#HHWT Tip: There are limited number of books in English sold here. But you could still grab some travel guides or just sit in one of their numerous chairs provided for reading to soak in the ambience. Try visiting later in the night as it tends to be less crowded and the spotlights makes the whole place looks even more grand.
Address: Av. Santa Fe 1860, 1123, Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Opening hours: 9am-10pm (Mon-Thurs), 9am-midnight (Fri & Sat), 12pm-10pm (Sun)
Contact details: +54 11 4813-6052
6. Rice paddies trekking in Bali, Indonesia
Credit: Rollan Budi on Flickr
There are tons of tour agencies in Bali that will provide tour guide services for you to experience a trek across Bali’s vast rice paddies. Be prepared to get wet as some trekking tours require you to cross rivers. So, make sure you are wearing proper shoes (preferably waterproof) as well as long, comfortable pants to experience the atmosphere of working in the rice paddies.
Credit: Dan Nguyen on Flickr
#HHWT Tip: It would be good though to seek some local advice, perhaps from your hotel, resort or villa personnel as they might have recommended guides whom they trust. Camera plastic protectors are recommended to ensure that your camera stays dry during the river crossings.
Address: Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegalalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Entrance fee: Sightseeing; IDP 5000 – IDR 10 000 (Depending on whether you pay it through a tour agency or directly at the rice terrace)
Private tour prices: Varies depending on the type of tour package you choose. Estimated price is between USD 78 – USD 120.
7. Go on a free tour of a leather tannery in Medina of Fez, Morrocco
The marketplace of Fes el Bali, now officially a world heritage site is worth a visit. It’s beautiful architecture and endless streets would be enough to keep you distracted for a day. If you can figure your way out of the labyrinth of alleyways, you might want to consider purchasing some leather goods.
Credit: Adam Jones on Flickr
A trip there would not be complete without catching a glimpse of how leather is made and dyed in one of their infamous tanneries. Be prepared though to be assaulted by the strong smell of animal skin and ammonia as local workers work on tanning animal skins to be made into various products. Chouara Tannery is the largest of the three tanneries in Fez and was built in the 11th century.
Credit: Guldem Ustun on Flickr
#HHWT Tip: If you're interested to take a look inside the Chouara tannery, just hang around outside one of the entrances and wait for someone to approach you for a tour. Tip them between 5-15 dirhams (USD 1 – 1.50) and your new guide will show you around the tanneries as there are no imposed charges. If you intend to purchase some products as souvenirs from their showroom at the end of the tour, remember to do some serious bargaining!
Address: Fes El Bali, Fes, Fes-Boulemane, Morocco
8. Feed wild dolphins on Tangalooma Island in Queensland, Australia
Take a 75-minute ferry ride from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island, and get a chance to hand-feed wild dolphins when the sun goes down. Every evening at sunset, up to ten bottlenose dolphins frequently visit Tangalooma Island to be fed.
Credit: @undae_ on Instagram
But in order to take part in the dolphin feeding, you have to be a guest at Tangalooma beach resort. So, do take the chance to chill at one of their hotel rooms or villa while you are there.
Credit: @ridariida on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: If you are prone to motion sickness, be sure to pop a motion sickness pill or to pack a vomiting bag. The ferry ride to Tangalooma island can get pretty choppy, especially in rainy weather. Alternatively, arrive in style to the island by taking a helicopter from Brisbane.
Address: Nautilus Drive, Tangalooma QLD 4025, Australia
Price: Ranging from USD 134.90 to USD 583.16 depending on the type of accommodation that you choose, inclusive of dolphin feeding sessions.
Contact: +61 7 3637 2000 | Website
9. Take skiing lessons at one of the ski schools in Zermat, Switzerland
If you have not tried skiing, now would be a good time to try it! Zermatt is a car-free resort town and village with numerous accommodations, restaurants, shops, a supermarket and a cinema. There are four ski areas in Zermatt, namely, Sunnegga, Gornergrat, Klein Matterhorn and Schwarzsee. There are five main ski schools and three smaller ski schools for private lessons to choose from during your stay. You will get to soak in the mountain atmosphere and enjoy the marvelous view of The Matterhorn, a mountain of the Swiss Alps as it overlooks the town of Zermatt.
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For beginners, Sunnegga is recommended as it has a dedicated beginner’s area and less challenging ski slopes. The best way to get into Zermatt is by train from the airport which costs USD 141 for a two-way ticket. Within Zermatt, you can cycle, hop on a taxi in a form of a small electric car, take a solar powered bus, go on the cable car or take a railway train.
Credit: Kosala Bandara on Flickr
#HHWT Tip: Visit Zermatt between June and September to enjoy a warmer skiing experience (ranging from 12 degrees to 25 degrees). If you are feeling more adventurous and would like to be meet skiing enthusiasts, the best time to head to Zermatt is between December and January. This is the peak season though, with prices at its highest and also with temperatures easily dropping below zero. For cheaper accommodations, consider the next village Tasch, which also has skiing areas suitable for beginners.
Address: Zermatt Tourismus (Zermatt Tourist office) Bahnhofplatz 5, 3920 Zermatt
Price: Between USD 130 – 156 for 2 hours private lessons for up to 2 people. Some school charge slightly higher for total beginners. Children under 12 are charged between USD 299- 351. Some schools charge by the hour for private lessons, so it does not matter how many members of the family learn together during those lessons.
10. Go on a safari camping trip at Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa
Fancy waking up in the morning, breathing in fresh air and surrounded by nature? If the thought of being up close and personal with wildlife excites you, then you might want to consider going on a camping trip to Africa. There are numerous popular destinations in Africa for a once in a lifetime camping experience with Namibia being one of them.
Credit: Carrie Clzauskas on Flickr
In Namibia, there are various fenced campsites which includes facilities such as showers, washrooms and a barbecue area. Etosha National Park is a popular camping destination in Namibia, providing numerous camping accommodation that fits a range of budget.
Credit: Claire Dickson on Flickr
Whether you enjoy traditional camping or are more inclined to the idea of glamping (camping in luxury tents with modern day facilities), there are plenty of accommodation options for you to choose from.
Credit: @brad_otpyg on Instagram
Enjoy the sight of elephants and hippos making their way to the waterholes and marvel at the stars before going to sleep at night. Especially if you are used to living in a city, this will be an unforgettable travel experience!
#HHWT Tip: Mentally prepare yourself for encounters with huge ants, spiders and scorpions which are all part of the experience. Come prepared with your own sleeping bag and be sure to equip yourself with lightweight trekking or hiking shoes. Spend some time to soak in and admire Etosha National Park’s massive natural salt and mineral pan, which is 130 kilometres long, visible even from space.
Address: Lazarett Street, Lazarett Commercial Building, 1st Floor, Unit 6 Southern Industrial Area, Windhoek, Namibia, Etosha National Park, Namibia, South Africa
These travel experiences would surely add to your wisdom and change you in one way or another! Don’t forget to keep your camera ready and field journals packed to document these precious travel moments that would last a lifetime.