Bucket List

12 Bucket List Adventures to Take in 2026

words: Sophie Alexander-Osman
photography: Sophie Alexander-Osman
published: January 26, 2026

As we move through 2026, the world has never felt more accessible or full of specialised wonders. From the long-awaited unveiling of massive cultural archives in Egypt to the rare astronomical peak of the Northern Lights, this year offers a unique alignment of events for the intentional traveller. Whether you are looking for the raw geological power of an active volcano in Japan or the silent, mirrored modernism of the Saudi desert, these twelve destinations represent the absolute pinnacle of global adventure for the current calendar year.

Some trips sit on your bucket list for years, others move up fast once the timing feels right. From ancient landmarks and natural extremes to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, these twelve destinations are the kind you plan around, not squeeze in. How many have you already ticked off, and which ones will you finally make happen this year?

1. Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt

Egypt has finally completed the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a $1 billion complex housing the full Tutankhamun collection for the first time in history. Located on the Giza plateau, the museum’s glass facade offers a direct line of sight to the three Great Pyramids, which remain the only surviving wonders of the ancient world. Visitors can explore over 100,000 artefacts in a facility designed to be the largest archaeological museum on earth.

RUNAWAY tip: The Pyramids are best viewed from breakfast at Khufu's Restaurant.

Best time to visit: October to April.

2. Explore Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea, Jordan

Jordan's "Golden Triangle" features the city of Petra, where the Treasury and Monastery are hand-carved into sandstone cliffs. Wadi Rum is a vast desert wilderness famous for its red dunes and prehistoric rock carvings, while the Dead Sea offers a unique hyper-saline environment at the Earth's lowest elevation. Visitors can float effortlessly due to the high mineral content which prevents sinking.

RUNAWAY tip: Stay overnight in a Bedouin camp in Wadi Rum for world-class stargazing.

Best time to visit: March to May or September to November.

3. Discover AlUla and the Hegra Heritage Site, Saudi Arabia

AlUla is home to Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing over 100 well-preserved tombs built by the Nabataean Kingdom. The region is notable for the Maraya Concert Hall, a structure clad in nearly 10,000 square metres of mirrors that reflect the surrounding desert landscape. You can walk through the Old Town, a maze of mudbrick ruins that was inhabited until the late 20th century.

RUNAWAY tip: The Elephant Rock formation is best viewed at sunset when the lights are turned on.

Best time to visit: October to March.

4. Hike Sakurajima, Japan’s Most Active Volcano

Sakurajima is a highly active stratovolcano located in Kagoshima Bay, known for its frequent explosive eruptions and ash clouds. The 1914 eruption was so massive that it created a land bridge connecting the volcano to the mainland. While the summit is strictly off-limits, the Yunohira Observatory provides a safe vantage point to see the active craters and the city across the water.

RUNAWAY tip: Try the world’s largest radishes and smallest oranges, both grown in the local volcanic soil.

Best time to visit: Spring or Autumn.

5. Road Trip through Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, USA

A journey through the American West covers Yosemite’s massive granite cliffs, the Grand Canyon’s mile-deep geological layers, and the towering sandstone buttes of Monument Valley. Yosemite is famous for its massive waterfalls and ancient sequoia trees, while the Grand Canyon showcases nearly two billion years of the Earth's history. These parks offer some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Northern Hemisphere.

RUNAWAY tip: Drive the Tioga Road in Yosemite for the highest and most scenic views of the park.

Best time to visit: May to September.

6. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, rising 5,895 metres above the Tanzanian plains. The trek takes you through five distinct ecological zones, starting in lush rainforests and ending in a sub-zero alpine desert at the summit. Because it is a non-technical climb, no specialised mountaineering gear is required for the journey to Uhuru Peak.

RUNAWAY tip: Choose the Lemosho or Machame routes for a higher success rate with altitude acclimatisation.

Best time to visit: January to February or June to October.

7. Drive Iceland’s Ring Road to see the Northern Lights

The Ring Road is a 1,332-kilometre route that circles Iceland, passing through glacial lagoons, black sand beaches, and active geothermal areas. With the solar maximum occurring in 2026, the Northern Lights are expected to be more frequent and vibrant than usual. The dark skies of the rural south coast provide some of the best opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis without urban light pollution.

RUNAWAY tip: Visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon at night for a chance to see the lights reflected in the ice.

Best time to visit: September to March.

8. Breakfast in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the planet, standing at 828 metres and featuring 163 floors. Having breakfast at At.mosphere on the 122nd floor allows for panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Gulf from the world’s highest restaurant. The structure's design is inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, a regional desert bloom.

RUNAWAY tip: Book a window table for sunrise to watch the city emerge from the morning fog.

Best time to visit: October to April.

9. Stay in an Overwater Villa, The Maldives

The Maldives is a collection of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, where most resorts are located on their own private islands. Overwater villas offer direct access to coral reefs, where you can snorkel with reef sharks, rays, and tropical fish directly from your room. It is the lowest-lying nation in the world, with an average ground level of just 1.5 metres.

RUNAWAY tip: Visit a resort in the Baa Atoll for the best chance to see massive gatherings of Manta Rays.

Best time to visit: November to April.

10. Tour the Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast is a 50-kilometre stretch of rugged coastline in southern Italy, known for its sheer cliffs and pastel-coloured fishing villages. Towns like Positano and Amalfi are famous for their vertical architecture and steep, narrow streets that offer views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The region is also the birthplace of limoncello, made from the massive lemons grown on terraced hillsides.

RUNAWAY tip: Hike the 'Path of the Gods' for a panoramic view of the coastline from above.

Best time to visit: May, June, or September.

11. Safari in Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

Udawalawe National Park is a major sanctuary for wild Asian elephants, with roughly 250 animals residing within its borders. The park’s open grasslands and large reservoir make it one of the most reliable places in Asia for wildlife viewing, including crocodiles and water buffalo. It also houses an Elephant Transit Home that rehabilitates orphaned calves for release back into the wild.

RUNAWAY tip: A morning safari is the best time to see elephants gathering at the water's edge.

Best time to visit: December to March.

12. Sail the Musandam Fjords by Dhow, Oman

The Musandam Peninsula is a remote Omani exclave known as the 'Norway of Arabia' because of its dramatic limestone fjords. These steep-walled inlets were formed by tectonic activity and are best explored by traditional wooden dhows. The waters are exceptionally clear and are home to large pods of wild dolphins that frequently interact with passing boats.

RUNAWAY tip: Take a dhow cruise to Telegraph Island for some of the region's best snorkelling.

Best time to visit: October to April.