Bucket List Travel Experiences Before You Turn 40 : Top 25. Must-Do Travel Experiences. Dream Destinations to See. Where to Travel Before 40? Places to Visit Before You Hit 40.

This site contains affiliate links. For more info, please see our full disclosure.    

If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about far-off places and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, you’re not alone. Turning 40 is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated with unforgettable travel experiences. Whether it’s soaking in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon , exploring the Amalfi Coast in Italy , or witnessing the Northern Lights in Finland , there’s a world of wonders waiting for you.

Advertisement

Imagine walking the ancient streets of Petra in Jordan , sailing through the fjords of Norway, or taking a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey . These are the kinds of experiences that not only enrich your life but also create stories you’ll tell for years to come. And let’s not forget about the magic of exploring the vibrant cultures of Japan or the serene beaches of Bora Bora.

Traveling before 40 isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about embracing the freedom to explore, learn, and grow. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and into the vast, beautiful world that awaits. So, pack your bags, grab your passport, and get ready to embark on adventures that will shape your perspective and ignite your spirit. Because there’s no better time than now to chase those dreams and make them a reality.

Why Checking These Off Matters

  • They remind you that you’re alive and capable of so much.
  • They build your confidence and create stories you’ll never forget.
  • These trips feed your soul, teach you about yourself, and show you the world.
  • Experiences = better investments than things.
  • You deserve to create a life that feels exciting and full.

Bucket List Travel Experiences Before You Turn 40 : Top 25

1. See the Northern Lights in Iceland

  • Why it’s amazing: This natural phenomenon will seriously take your breath away. Pure magic.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,500 (mid-range hotel, food, tours)
  • Soul food: Watching the sky dance in green and pink hues is like the universe is performing just for you.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

2. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

  • Why it’s amazing: It’s one of the world’s natural wonders—swim with turtles and neon fish!
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,800–$3,500 (flights are a splurge, but stays and tours can be budgeted)
  • Soul food: Being part of this underwater world reminds you how vast and beautiful life is.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

3. Watch a Broadway Show in NYC : Bucket List Travel Experiences Before You Turn 40

  • Why it’s amazing: The energy, the talent, the drama—it’s electric!
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,500 (mid-range hotel, metro pass, Broadway ticket)
  • Soul food: Inspiration overload. You’ll walk out ready to chase your dreams.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

4. Hike Machu Picchu in Peru

  • Why it’s amazing: Ancient ruins + epic mountains = unforgettable journey.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,800–$2,200 (hostel/lodge stays, guides, meals)
  • Soul food: You’ll feel accomplished and connected to something greater.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

5. Explore Marrakech’s Souks, Morocco

  • Why it’s amazing: Spices, lanterns, colors—it’s a sensory wonderland.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,600–$2,000 (riads, food, shopping, camel ride)
  • Soul food: It awakens your curiosity and pushes you to see beauty in the unexpected.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

6. Climb a Volcano in Guatemala

  • Why it’s amazing: Active volcanoes. Roasting marshmallows on lava. No big deal.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,200–$1,800 (budget hotels, local eats, tours)
  • Soul food: Face a little fear and come back stronger. You’ve got this.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

7. Eat Your Way Through Italy

  • Why it’s amazing: Pizza in Naples, pasta in Rome, gelato everywhere.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,500 (boutique hotels, train travel, food tours)
  • Soul food: Food is love—and Italy serves it by the plateful.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

8. Wander the Streets of Paris with No Agenda

9. Cruise Through Halong Bay, Vietnam

  • Why it’s amazing: Limestone cliffs, turquoise water, floating villages.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,400–$1,800 (boutique cruises, street food, local tours)
  • Soul food: Peace, perspective, and serious natural beauty.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

10. Go on Safari in South Africa

11. Celebrate Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

  • Why it’s amazing: Costumes, dancing, parades—nonstop party.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,500 (hostels, street food, events)
  • Soul food: Letting loose and feeling part of something massive and joyful.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

12. Visit the Taj Mahal, India

  • Why it’s amazing: A monument to love—grand and awe-inspiring.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,500–$2,000 (budget stays, local food, guided tour)
  • Soul food: You’ll feel small in the best way, in front of something eternal.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

13. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway, USA

14. Wine Taste in the South of France : Bucket List Travel Experiences Before You Turn 40

  • Why it’s amazing: Lavender fields, rosé, and cozy vineyards.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,200–$2,800 (chateau stays, wine tastings, car rental)
  • Soul food: A dreamy pause that refills your cup—literally and figuratively.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

15. Island Hop in Greece

16. Float in the Dead Sea, Jordan

  • Why it’s amazing: You literally float and feel like a science experiment.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,800–$2,200 (hotels, entry passes, desert tour)
  • Soul food: Healing water, new experiences, and desert sunsets.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

17. Go Stargazing in the Atacama Desert, Chile

  • Why it’s amazing: Some of the clearest night skies in the world.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,400 (desert lodges, tours, meals)
  • Soul food: Reminds you how big the universe is—and how magical it can be.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

18. Shop the Markets in Istanbul, Turkey

  • Why it’s amazing: Rugs, lanterns, spices—it’s like walking through a dream.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$1,600–$2,000 (local stays, street eats, souvenirs)
  • Soul food: Old-world charm meets vibrant energy.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

19. Take a Scenic Train Ride in Switzerland

20. Experience Cherry Blossoms in Japan

21. Do a Wellness Retreat in Bali

22. Go to Disney World as an Adult

  • Why it’s amazing: No kids? No problem. It’s your turn for magic.
  • Budget for 1 week: ~$2,000–$2,500 (tickets, hotel, dining plan)
  • Soul food: Let your inner child run wild—you’ll be smiling nonstop.
  • // Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices // Check Experiences

23. Sleep in a Treehouse in Costa Rica

24. Camp in a National Park

25. Attend a Music Festival Abroad

You Might Also Like