Every once in a while, we step off the plane and head toward the baggage claim at our home airport feeling a little bit different than when we departed.

Maybe we slept in a bit longer. Or relaxed and rejuvenated poolside. Or maybe, just maybe, we immersed ourselves in a destination in which the people, culture, natural wonders, and even that Chilean Sopaipilla — a dessert pastry drizzled with honey — changed our lives forever.

It happens. And while such a transcendent trip can happen anywhere — from Reno, Nevada to Harrisburg, Pa. — there are some bucket list travel destinations where it’s a lot more likely to occur. The below list of potential life-changing getaways is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a good start if you’re looking to get more out of your next vacation than a couple of Instagram posts and a higher credit card balance.

The U.S. National Park Road Trip

Each year millions of folks climb in their cars, campers, and conversion fans and hit the road for America’s 400-plus national park sites. (More than 60 of these locations are true national parks, as opposed to battlefields, preserves, and other designations).¹

The most ambitious of this bunch string together visits to multiple U.S. National Parks — creating memorable and even life-changing trips found atop many bucket lists. After all, there’s just something about lying out under the stars knowing that you’re probably closer to a roaming buffalo than an ice machine that ignites a sense of adventure within the soul.

If you’re looking for an itinerary, start with The Grand Circle Road Trip, among the most popular national park road trips. This circuit includes stops in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada with Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park headlining your list of stops. It can be completed in about two weeks. And if you need a little pampering before or after the trek, Las Vegas makes an ideal entry and exit point.²

The African Safari

If you’re truly looking to immerse yourself in Africa’s stunning savannahs, then driving a 4WD Dodge Caravan to the nearest zoo leaves a lot to be desired. So, what will it be? Kenya’s majestic hippos? Tanzania’s cheetahs and wildebeests? Or Rwanda’s endangered mountain gorillas?³

Here’s the thing about African safaris: they come in all shapes, sizes, and locations —from month-long glamping getaways to budget trips where you care more about the sights and sounds than the creature comforts. Pro tip: If you want a truly immersive experience, try Tswalu Lodge’s “Breakfast with Meerkats,” Here you’ll be surrounded by the curious mongooses, who make continual cameos from their holes while you kick back and catch an early morning snack. Also, don’t think a safari needs to look just like the ones you see on the Discovery Channel. Mix in a day of snorkeling, a historic tour through towns you’ve never heard of, or even a cooking class.

And who knows, with a little planning and luck, you might even catch all angles of the “circle of life” right in front of your eyes.⁴

The Galapagos Islands

You wouldn’t be the first person to include The Galapagos Islands on your list of bucket list travel destinations. That honor goes to Charles Darwin, who used the island chain 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador as the inspiration for his iconic book, “On the Origin of Species.”

That was, of course, because of how the archipelago’s tremendous diversity of flora and fauna inspired his theory of evolution. In fact, the Galapagos boast more than 2,000 species found nowhere else on earth. Flash forward 200 years and travelers are still visiting the island for this very reason.

Not everything at the Ecuadorian island chain is the same as it was in 1835. There are now hotels located on the inhabited islands, which include Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal islands. Travelers can also opt to stay on a live-aboard boat or simply make the Galapagos a day trip.^{3, 5}

No matter what you decide, Giant Tortoises, Pink Iguanas, and Galapagos Penguins await. Oh my.⁶

Bora Bora

If you’re looking for more of a chill spot to kick back and relax instead of a science lesson with a heck of a view, then Bora Bora fits the bill.

When you close your eyes and think of the South Pacific island of Bora Bora, you more than likely imagine this: iconic huts standing on stilts above water with lush foliage and craggy peaks in the background.

And that certainly is Bora Bora. But it’s also luxury resorts, breathtaking snorkeling dives, energizing hikes set against a backdrop of paradise, and countless secluded inlets inviting you to explore. Bora Bora is quiet and its nightlife consists of counting stars on a hammock as the tide rolls out. It’s also on the short list of the most exclusive honeymoon escapes. But you don’t need to be in love to fall in love to have the time of your life at “The Romantic Island,” as it’s known to locals and travelers alike.^{7, 8}

Here’s the thing about life-changing trips. Most of the time, they’re somewhere we’ve never been — where we may not know the language or where to find the most basic amenities. Sometimes, they’re in remote locations, where we may be the only ones for miles around. All this means is that while we’re enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we’re also a bit more vulnerable than we might be at our neighborhood park or the same beach we visit every year as a family. That’s why travel insurance is a must-have for bucket-list travel. And with a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance, you can find the peace of mind that fits your budget and itinerary — as well as benefits including Emergency Medical Transportation, Trip Cancellation, and 24-Hour Hotline Assistance.

After all, the unspoken aspect of taking a “life-changing” trip is that it’s changing your life for the better, right?

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