30 Before 30 List – The Travel Edition

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Looking for 30 before 30 travel list inspiration?

I recently completed my 30th trip around the sun. Along with considering what my travel bucket list might look like for the next year, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the wonderful travel-related experiences that I’m so grateful to have achieved by my big three-zero. This hindsight ultimately inspired me to write this list, detailing 30 things to do before you’re 30. A bucket list (if you like), featuring some of the top things I’ve done before my 30th birthday. I hope that you can use this as inspiration to cram in as much as you can before you enter your third decade on planet earth. 

1. 30 countries before 30

So I managed to exceed 30 countries before 30, and hit a grand total of 34 by my 30th birthday which I was super proud of. My poor maths meant that I convinced myself for months that I had missed my goal and only visited 29 by the time I was 30. For many travellers, hitting 30 countries before 30 seems to be a pretty popular target, and I’m no different. You might be reading this and have already sailed on past the 30 country target, and if that’s the case, then read on… but if not, then I hope that you’re en route to achieving your 30 countries before 30 too.

2. Visit the Great Wall of China

I am lucky enough to have walked on the Great Wall four times after visiting China on three occasions to date (on one trip I visited the wall twice). I have visited three sections – Badaling, Mutianyu and Jinshanling. By far my favourites are Mutianyu and Jinshanling. I cannot describe the pure awe of standing on the Great Wall and seeing it wind across mountain tops for miles on end. If you have the opportunity to get to China and see this man-made wonder, I hope that you’ll take it!  

3. Backpack Thailand

One of the best trips to take in your 20s is to Thailand. Like many others, Thailand offered me my first true backpacking experience. From the beginning it was fraught with mishaps. The second leg of our flight into Thailand was delayed by 2 hours as someone drove aeroplane stairs into our plane and our plane had to be patched up before take-off (reassuring, right?) – as we were late our hotel reservation in Bangkok was given away so we walked Khaosan Road at midnight trying to locate a room. Further lowlights include food poisoning and sickness. With all that said, Thailand is an incredible country and a must on your 30 things before 30 bucket list!

Tip: There are some things you should know before visiting Thailand – check out these travel tips for Thailand for more information.

4. A motorhome road trip

I have been on various European road trips from the UK and motorhome tours of Scotland, and from these trips I have some of the most cherished memories. Motorhome travel offers a truly unique way of seeing the world. The freedom of being able to go wherever the wind takes you is liberating, and quite often you will be able to visit places that just wouldn’t be easily accessible if you travelled by plane or train. You don’t need to own one as there’s so many options to rent worldwide. 

5. Go on a volunteering trip

Although my blog is predominantly about Europe and Asia, my second ever trip abroad was to Kenya (with my first being Canada). I have had the privilege of going on an expedition to Kenya twice in two consecutive years, prior to even entering my 20s. These expeditions gave me the opportunity to do some really challenging and adrenaline-fuelled activities, like climbing Mount Kenya and whitewater rafting, but the main emphasis was volunteering in the local community. I can honestly say that these trips to Kenya changed my outlook on the world, and put my life into perspective, which is why I’d highly recommend a trip of this nature.

6. Visit a proper Christmas Market

I don’t mean the local Christmas Market (not that I have anything against them – I actually quite like them). I mean a Christmas Market abroad, with all the bells and whistles… alpine huts, storybook scenes, mulled wine in every flavour, enough fairy lights to dress the Eiffel Tower, and too much food to choose from. Personally, this is my favourite Christmas Market ever (which I could hype up until I turn blue in the face), but there are so many pretty magical Christmas city break destinations across Europe. 

7. Swim beneath a tropical waterfall

I had always dreamed of swimming in a plunge pool beneath a roaring waterfall, and when I travelled to Ubud in Bali, that dream came true. It definitely beats the local swimming pool. If travelling to somewhere tropical is too much of a stretch to cram into your 30 before 30 to-do list, then why not look for a lush waterfall closer to home (albeit it might be a colder one)? I’ve also swam in Kravice Waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina – admittedly I nearly froze to death and it was an affair which lasted all of a few minutes, but it was still wonderful. 

8. Go to the top of a mountain 

I’m not talking about climbing Mount Everest (unless you want to – I like the idea of it but probably on a fanciful level rather than a realistic one). I’m talking about (safely) going up a mountain that is easily accessible to you or that you stumble across along your travels. Climbing up through clouds and being a touch closer to the sky is a wonderful experience. I’ve been lucky enough to climb Africa’s second highest peak, Mount Kenya, and it was a trek that will stay with me for life. But thanks to cable cars, you don’t need to spend all that energy if you don’t want to. I especially loved the cable car ride up Dajti Mountain in Tirana (mostly because of the panoramic restaurant at the top).  

9. Stay in a Shepherds Hut

Staying in a Shepherds Hut is a 30 before 30 travel experience which can be done close to home or further afield. It’s a really unique experience and doesn’t need to be done without home comforts either. We stayed in a beautiful Shepherd’s Hut in the Brecon Beacons in Wales, which had its own kitchen and bathroom and views over the valley. Some of them might come a little less equipped, with perhaps only a bed, but nevertheless are a fun experience. 

10. Go on safari

A safari is probably one of the most common travel bucket list contenders (or at least I assume it is). I feel utterly blessed to have been on safari in Kenya’s Samburu Nature Reserve. But don’t just think of Africa for safari – I’ve got my sights set on visiting Sri Lanka in the (hopefully) not so distant future, where a seemingly more affordable safari is an option. Until that point, I’ll need to settle for the local zoo to see those furry critters… 

11. See a real life fairytale castle

A real life fairytale castle has to be one of the top things to see before 30, and Europe has them in abundance. Some of the most magical castles I’ve stumbled across on my travels are Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany), Eilean Donan Castle (Scotland), Ljubljana Castle (Slovenia), Bratislava Castle (Slovakia) and Bran Castle (Romania). You probably don’t even need to stray far from home to find one – why not look locally? You’ll probably be surprised at what castles (or even stately homes) are nearby! 

12. Go camping

What’s better than being at one with nature (aside from in the hayfever season) and isn’t camping just the perfect way to do it? Getting back to basics and being off grid can be good for the soul. Why not grab a cheap tent and sleeping bag, and head to a local campsite to have an adventure near to home? I find that some of my best memories have been made in nature, and have never cost a fortune. 

13. Do more staycations

Holidays don’t need to be extravagant or international – there’s plenty to see on your doorstep. Have you ever thought how fun it might be to be a tourist for the day in your hometown, or to have a few nights away in the city closest to you? I know that I’m guilty of neglecting the UK in favour of travelling abroad, but there’s so much I’m yet to experience. Why not make a top 5 staycation bucket list to work towards as part of your 30 things to do before 30?

14. Go on a cruise

A stereotypical cruise is something that I’m yet to do (although a cruise of the Norwegian fjords is high on my list so watch this space). But when that time comes, I think that it’ll be a challenge to trump the two night cruise around mystical Halong Bay that I did when I travelled to Vietnam. I think that going on a cruise and being surrounded by water for as far as the eye can see is one of those sobering ways that gives perspective on how small we are compared to this big wide world. And if you’re anything like me, it might offer a bit of head space too. 

15. See the world beneath the surface 

Those hot-spot city break destinations are all lovely, but why not edge away from the standard tourist places and go somewhere a bit different, like Tirana (Albania), Zadar (Croatia), Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Germany), or Wroclaw (Poland). Or perhaps, travel slower and stay in a destination for a touch longer. 

Slow travel is something that was on my 30 before 30 travel list. In my late teens/early twenties, I would cram as much into an itinerary as possible (like this 2 week itinerary to Vietnam). This is no bad thing – I’ve seen some wonderful places in short amounts of time but my gosh it’s exhausting. Heading into my late twenties, I naturally seemed to want to slow down a bit (where possible). Dedicating an extra snippet of time to a destination rather than trying to do it all at once is a good way to get the best out of your travel experience and delve a bit deeper.

16. Visit a tropical island

When you think of tropical islands you might think of expensive luxury retreats in the Maldives. I’ve got a special love for Asia, where budget friendly tropical islands are in abundance. One of my favourites that could be a contender for your 30 before 30 travel bucket list is Langkawi in Malaysia. I visited Langkawi as part of a 3 week trip to Singapore, Malaysia and Bali. Think sandy palm-tree lined beaches, luscious green rice fields and jungle-clad hills, and affordable hotels with beautiful swimming pools. 

17. Collect a postcard from each place you visit

A long time ago, I started sending myself a postcard from each place that I travelled to. More recently, I’ve just collected a postcard from each destination, rather than sent one – partly because of the cost of international postage stamps (and me being rather unwilling to spend my pennies) and partly because sometimes it’s a pain to find a Post Office (and this might be the only place that you can purchase a stamp). It’s something that I’ll continue to do beyond my 30 before 30 travel list, because I think having an album of postcards to look back on is quite special. 

18. Take a car road trip 

I don’t mean a small affair – I’m talking about an epic road trip to somewhere beautiful, and a journey that is packed with snacks, music and service station stops. It can be solo or with someone you love. Pick a place in your country that you’ve always wanted to go to, find somewhere lovely to stay, pack the car, get into your comfies, and hit the road. 

19. Go on an all inclusive holiday

You might think that this isn’t your cup of tea, but you don’t know until you try. I’ve only ever been on two all inclusive holidays, and they happened to be to the same hotel in Marmaris (Turkey). I always thought that all inclusive holidays meant full-time lazing around the pool coupled with eating and drinking at steady intervals throughout the day. But I think that it really depends where you go. For example, Marmaris is bursting with things to do, both in the town and through day trips (even to Rhodes in Greece), so our days were filled with a mix of relaxation and adventure.

20. Take a friends holiday 

A friends holiday which required a flight isn’t something that I got the opportunity to tick off my 30 before 30 list until my late-twenties, and then I got a double whammy with two in the space of two weeks. I didn’t do any of the stereotypical friends’ holidays to somewhere hot when I was in my late-teens/early twenties, but I’m ok with that, because the two friends holidays I had in the run up to my 30th birthday were amazing. If you ever get the opportunity to travel with friends, snatch it – it’s a great experience and lovely way to get to know your nearest and dearest even better! 

21. See the world under the water 

I’m not talking at the aquarium. I’m talking snorkelling or diving, somewhere with clear waters, abundant sea life, and with relatively warm waters (I had my first experience diving in Turkey). And if you can’t swim or don’t like the idea of taking to the water, why not book a glass bottom boat trip somewhere tropical instead? 

22. Travel on an overnight train 

If you haven’t ticked this off your 30 before 30 bucket list already,  then this is probably one suggestion that you’re going to love or hate. Travelling on an overnight train is a unique experience. I have done it from Thailand’s Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai in Thailand, and from Brasov in Romania all the way to Budapest in Hungary (we were meant to go to Vienna in Austria but delays meant the train couldn’t go further than Budapest – but that’s another story). 

In Thailand, we slept in a dormitory carriage, on bunk beds with lots of other people. From Romania to Hungary, I booked a private room, so it was just the two of us, on bunk beds. In my experience, overnight trains are loud, clunky, slow, hot (especially when your air con in your room decides to get blow heat whenever it wants to) and restless (worsened by going through border control on the Romania/Hungary border and being woken up at ridiculous-o-clock). I’m not really selling it, am I? Yes, there are negatives, but the truly wonderful experience they offer outweighs all of the cons.

23. Rent a car abroad

This is something that I was quite petrified at the thought of, because of needing to drive on the other side of the road. Hence, I didn’t tick it off until my late-twenties. I should probably give credit to my partner here – he drove and took to it like a duck to water (I had one go)! We rented a car in Romania and it was the best thing ever! It afforded us a new lease of life in a foreign country and we experienced tonnes more than we ever would have without one. We drove mountain roads where we saw wild bears, visited small towns, stayed in magical places (including a mansion) and saw a glimpse of Romanian life outside of the big cities. 

Tip: Always check driving requirements for the country that you are visiting, before you rent a car. 

24. Visit a European city 

If you haven’t already visited a European city, then it should certainly be on your list of 30 things to do before you turn 30. European cities can be varied and they all have their own uniqueness – but why not spread your wings further than Western Europe? Don’t get me wrong, Western Europe is beautiful, but in my humble opinion Eastern Europe has a special charm. 

25. Experience an animal sanctuary 

There can be ethical options for animal tourism when you travel, and animal sanctuaries might* be one of them (*there is no guarantee that all animal sanctuaries are ethical – proceed with caution). After scrupulous research, when I travelled to Thailand I visited Elephant Nature Park, which is a rescue and rehabilitation centre for mistreated elephants – I got the opportunity to walk with the elephants, feed and bathe them, and learn about their journeys. I’d urge you do your own thorough research before visiting any animal-based places to satisfy yourself that they are not exploitative.

26. Visit a site of historical significance 

Travel is education – you learn so much just by being in a new place. But there are so many opportunities to immerse yourself further, like by visiting places of historical significance. It’s never easy, and is often emotive, but the opportunity to learn and remember can make it worthwhile. For example, I have been to Auschwitz and Anne Frank’s House – both of which were sobering experiences, each of which offered me the most memorable history lessons that I have ever had. 

27. Stay somewhere really quirky

Nowadays there is no shortage of quirky, unique and eccentric places to stay. And what could be more fun than staying somewhere that you will remember for years to come – like in a magical hobbit hole in the heart of the Romanian countryside? I have found that some of my best travel memories have been made in the places that we have stayed along the way – not just in the destination itself. So why not find somewhere a bit different for your next trip?

28. Visit a megacity 

Being in the midst of a megacity is an overwhelming experience, especially if you’re from a small town like me. Life does not stand still and it’s a travel feast for the senses. Personally, I’ve experienced Beijing, Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai, and Hong Kong – all wonderfully unique cities in their own right which truly never sleep (and there’s so much to do that in all likelihood, you probably won’t sleep much either!). 

29. Do a day trip to another country

Doing a day trip to another country from the base country that I am travelling to is one of my absolute favourite things to do. It’s a brilliant (albeit usually exhausting) way to see more of the world in a short amount of time, and adds to the adventure. Whether it’s a day trip to Bosnia or Montenegro from Dubrovnik, or to Vienna from Bratislava, or to Rhodes from Marmaris, it’s a good way to get that country count up and if you like the place you visit for a day, you have the perfect excuse to return!

30. Write your 31 before 31 travel list

As you near your 30th birthday and tick off each item on your 30 before 30 list, why not start writing your 31 things to do before 31? It’s fun to think about what might tickle your taste buds for the year ahead. Having a realistic bucket list can really help you get to where you want to be in the world and can give you a focus for the 365 days ahead – after all, the gurus say if you fail to prepare, then you must prepare to fail. 

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