There’s no time like the present to start crossing activities off your bucket list while creating some terrific new memories. Make a splash in the warm waters of Oahu on a swim with a friendly, well-trained dolphin. How about learning a new language in Paris by studying French with a local while you sip coffee in the historic Café de Flore? From Las Vegas, you can take to the sky for a romantic hot air balloon ride with your special someone or venture to the awe-inspiring edge of the Grand Canyon. Based on some of the most popular bucket list items, we’ve identified 3 destinations where it’s easy to start turning your dreams into reality.
Visit the Hawaiian Islands
The tropical islands of Hawaii rank high on people’s must-see lists, and with attractions ranging from majestic green mountains to beautiful relaxing beaches, it’s not hard to see why. Start your dream vacation with a grand bus tour of Oahu. Between the sweeping vistas of Nuuanu Pali lookout, the huge waves of Waimea Bay, and the golden gleam of fresh-picked pineapple slices at the Dole Plantation, you’re sure to get plenty of great pictures and even better memories on this trip.
Swim with Dolphins
Athletic, intelligent, and charismatic, a dolphin is waiting to meet you in Oahu. Swim with a friendly bottlenose dolphin in a beautiful ocean-water lagoon while learning about their behavior from marine mammal experts. Touch, feed, and play with a trained dolphin to form a personal connection with one of these majestic mammals. Best of all, the inspiring and educational encounters at Dolphin Quest help support wild dolphin conservation and provide humane enrichment for the animals.
Learn to Scuba Dive
If you’ve ever wanted to try scuba diving, now’s your chance to become scuba certified in just 3 days! Learn the basics in the classroom before gearing up and splashing into the warm waters off the coast of Oahu. A sea turtle might swim by while you train among coral reefs and colorful fish. Your PADI certification qualifies you to dive up to 60 feet (18 m) deep anywhere in the world.
Visit the City of Love
Charming travelers from across the globe, Paris ranks as one of the most visited cities in the world. A knowledgeable guide can take you to all the top sights of the City of Light and enhance your visit with local insight and historical anecdotes. Feel the romance of the city as you walk the old streets of Paris, admire the architecture of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and stand in front of masterpieces like the Mona Lisa in the Louvre. And of course, no trip to Paris is complete without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Write a Book
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book, then head to the storied streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a literary walking tour to inspire your creative energies. Experience famous locales like Les Deux Magots where eccentric authors of the Lost Generation like Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald frequented. A visit to the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore invites you to run your fingertips along the spines of your favorite books. Perhaps, as you sip coffee in a Parisian café, you’ll pen the first lines of the next great novel.
Study a New Language
It’s never too late to learn a new language, and what better place to brush up on your French than in the romantic capital of France itself. Over a cup of exquisite coffee at the renowned Café de Flore, chat with a local language instructor to build your vocabulary and practice pronunciation. Between lessons, learn about the café’s historic clientele of artists, philosophers, and writers including Pablo Picasso, Albert Camus, and Georges Bataille. Gain confidence by taking your newfound skills to the streets while your instructor provides a brief walking tour of the area.
Visit Vegas
Las Vegas offers more than casinos and shows—it’s also a launching point for adventure. Let the winds welcome you with a gentle breeze as you lift off for a serene hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Bring your camera to capture spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip stretched on the horizon and the beautiful Red Rock Canyon glowing in morning light. Your experienced pilot and crew will take you 1,000 feet (300 m) into the air for a scenic ride of a lifetime. After you return to the ground, toast your flight with a flute of champagne—a longtime ballooning tradition.
Visit the Grand Canyon
You’ve seen it on TV and in nature magazines, and now it’s your turn to experience the expansive majesty of the Grand Canyon in person. From Las Vegas, ride in comfort to the Grand Canyon’s West Rim. On your way to viewing the canyon’s rusty-red rocks, you’ll stop to admire the engineering marvel of the Hoover Dam. At Eagle Point, you can watch a cultural performance at the Hualapai Native American Village, or, if you dare, take a walk on the glass floor of the Skywalk Bridge.
Go Skydiving
Most people list at least one daring activity on their bucket list, and if skydiving is on yours, then you can strap on your parachute in Las Vegas. Leap into the thrill of a lifetime with a tandem skydive over the breathtaking expanse of the Grand Canyon. If jumping from an airplane is too extreme, you can still feel the rush of flying during an indoor skydiving experience, where you float on a column of air generated by a powerful propeller below a trampoline floor in a state-of-the-art facility. Either way, you’re sure to have an exhilarating story to share.
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