4 Epic Bucket-List Destinations to Visit Pre-Kids
Planning to try for children soon? Treat yourself to an amazing adventure while you can in one of these epic bucket-list destinations that are best explored without kids in tow.
1. Japan
Japan perfectly balances tradition and modernity, urban and natural, refinement and fun. For vacationers, the country is a playground overflowing with diverse experiences to suit all.
At times hectic, especially in the big cities, overall this destination exudes tranquility—especially during fall and the spectacular Sakura season when pink cherry blossoms are abundant.
It’s worth traveling with a company with expertise in local language, customs, and cuisine to get the full experience and discover hidden gems off the typical tourist trail.
Consider looking into extended Japan-guided tours that cover the country’s many highlights, from cities like towering Tokyo and ancient Kyoto to awe-inspiring natural landscapes such as the Japanese Alps.
2. India
The chaos and clamor of India would be overwhelming for children, which rules it out for family-friendly vacations, but it’s precisely this that makes it such an exciting destination.
Before you have kids, discover this country’s rich culture that’s an unapologetic assault on the senses.
One of the essential stops on an India tour is Rajasthan, the regal state crowned by the Taj Mahal mausoleum, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a sight you’ll never forget.
You can also go tiger-spotting in the national parks, sail the Keralan canals on a rice boat, and witness the sweeping tea plantations of Assam, which lie in the shadow of the mighty Himalayas.
Each area is invigorated by vibrant sounds, scents, and flavors.
3. Peru
Walk one of the most iconic routes in the history of the world on a journey through Peru. This is a prime place to hike the Inca Trail, a historic, multi-country track through spectacular mountains.
Start with a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cuzco, the capital of the Incan Empire, which at its peak spanned 2,500 miles from northern Ecuador to central Chile.
From here, head to the mountains for a guided four-day hiking trip that promises sensational views, ancient relics, incredible wildlife, and a feeling of pure peace.
You’ll be rewarded with a sunrise view of Machu Picchu, another of the Seven Wonders, which lay undiscovered until the 20th century.
4. Tanzania
An African safari is one of the most common bucket list travel experiences.
From vast swathes of desert and arid scrubland to dense jungles where gorillas roam, the natural landscapes host a variety of incredible wildlife, widely protected in national parks only traversed by jeep.
A safari is an unrivaled way to see the world’s most majestic creatures up close in their natural habitat.
While there are many contenders for the best safari, Tanzania is considered the top option by many.
Look down on herds of zebras and elephants from the ancient Ngorongoro Crater and try to spot lone black rhinos among them.
See hippos swimming at the lesser-visited Nyerere National Park, the country’s largest. Cross the vast plains of the Serengeti, at its most epic during the annual Great Migration, and hike Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
