7 Wanderlusticious Activities around the World I’d Love to Experience

Back in December, I compiled some of my favorite travel-related gift ideas that I had found around the web. I’m still oohing and ahhing over most of those items, but the list also made me realize just how difficult travelers can be to shop for. After all, what do you give someone who has minimized their possessions and stuffed their entire life into a backpack?

Hint: it starts with “e” and ends in “xperiences.”

Here’s where a company called Tinggly, who you may have recently seen mentioned around the travel blogosphere, enters. It’s pretty simple: purchase a certificate for $125 U.S./€100/₤80, give it to your favorite traveler, and he or she then has two years to cash in the certificate for one of 100+ experiences in over 50 countries around the world. Sweet.

I’ve had a look around Tinggly’s offered experiences and am excited to join them for a jet boat thrill ride around Sydney Harbour in a few weeks. But for whenever I next get a chance to travel the world, here are a few other experiences I’d love to partake in.

Hunting for the Northern Lights on the seas of Iceland (learn more)

I am completely obsessed with the idea of seeing the Northern Lights (or even the Southern Lights, which aren’t too far from me!), and seeing them by boat in Iceland sounds out-of-this-world spectacular.

Visiting Iguazu Falls (learn more)

A friend who recently traveled to Iguazu Falls described it as the type of place that is so magnificent it reminds you exactly why you travel, which is why it’s high on my list for whenever I make my big South America trip happen.

Touring NASA in Houston, Texas (learn more)

I’m a complete sucker for all things space, especially NASA (I loved the touring NASA exhibit I saw in Madrid), so how neat would it be to visit the NASA Control Center? Serious geek out time.

Staying at Vietnam’s “Crazy House” (learn more)

I love quirky architecture (Gaudi totally floats my boat), and what better way to experience it than staying a night in a building as bizarre as this one?

Rappelling, canyoning, and ziplining Costa Rican waterfalls (learn more)

I could definitely see my adventurous side coming out when surrounded by Costa Rica’s striking scenery.

Touring the Grand Canyon (learn more)

I may hail from the western U.S., yet I’ve still never managed to get to the Grand Canyon! It’s about time I get around to appreciating what’s in my own backyard, darn it.

Snowmobiling through Finland (learn more)

Just thinking about it makes me shiver, but venturing into the cold to see Lapland, Finland’s landscapes on the back of a snowmobile? Yes please.

Have you experienced any of these? What tops your bucket list?

Disclaimer: I will be a guest of Tinggly in a few weeks, but my endorsement is genuine! Also, all photos (except me on a camel, duh) are credited to Tinggly.