21 trips to take before turning 30

Posted on 10/10/2018

For years I always used to be scared of turning 30 but then some of my closest friends turned 30 and they were having the time of their life.

It dawned of me, 30 years old isn’t that bad after all. Thirty is a great age and I’ve been told it begins a decade marked with knowing yourself better than ever and feeling more deeply connected to those around you. This is why I have pulled together my favourite trips to take before turning 30.

Life might not get easier at 30 (pretty sure that never happens) but it can definitely get sweeter. Travel can play a huge role in that. Adventure is a means of self-discovery; as we learn about the world and experience different ways of living in it, we grow more in tune with how our own skills and passions play a role.

And while life doesn’t end when you pass 29, you will certainly look back on your twenties with fewer regrets if you manage to pack in these once-in-a-lifetime trips before you have to sweat the bigger stuff.

I am now 27 years years old, meaning I’ve got four years to make it count… I’d better get booking those trips! Here are my favourite trips to take before turning 30…

1. Drive California’s Route

One of the best things you can do in your 20’s is head to the big USA. State Route 1 is a major north–south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline of the U.S. state of California. At a total of just over 656 miles, it is the longest state route in California.

2. Road trip around Iceland

This Nordic island nation isn’t far from the UK, but packs in astonishing natural phenomena and take-your-breath-away landscapes. Contemporary cuisine, Lord of the Rings-esque lands, stargazing, endless hours of daylight and geothermal springs. It’s hard to narrow it down. And make sure you take a pit stop at The Blue Lagoon like I did above…..

3. Exploring Bali

Highland panoramas, scenic waterfalls, open blue skies, golden sunsets and awesome sunrises across the coastline. There’s a reason why people say that Bali stirs the soul. Explore temples and palaces, go river rafting, sign up to a surf school, volunteer at an orangutan sanctuary, take a yoga class in the mountains and party all night. Best of all, it’s cheap – so you’ll be able to live like a king on a fortnight’s trip here. And if you’re looking for adventure, you can go river rafting!

4. Island hopping in Greece

If you’ve never made it to Greece, then schedule in some time to discover its lesser-known islands by boat. Make a two week long itinerary fir Greece and visit Santorini, Crete, Mykonos and Rhodes and and discover little-known gems Astypalea and Tinos.

5. Visit The Great Wall of China

Discover why the Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. Tick off a visit to this awe-inspiring piece of ancient architecture steeped with history on this ultimate tour through China with Cosmos. This tour also showcases other remarkable landmarks in China including the Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai and the Muslim Quarter in Xi’an with walking tours and sightseeing opportunities to see the architecture at its finest.

6. Volunteer your skills where they’re needed

We can learn a lot about ourselves when we’re serving others. Your 20s are the perfect time to volunteer abroad, whether it’s in a country you’re passionate about or to put a skill to good use. Learn how traveling can (and maybe should?) be a two-way street.

7. Backpack through Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is one of the most accessible regions for the novice traveller – thanks to its mix of volcanoes, rainforests, rice fields, beaches and coral reefs. Some popular stops include Chiang Mai in Thailand, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Laos, Hanoi in Vietnam. Explore thousand-year-old Hindu ruins, rave on the beach, attend a Buddhist ceremony at dawn and hike through the jungle looking for wildlife. The possibilities are endless.

8. Take a trip with your best friends

I would 100% recommend taking a trip with your best friends every year. Some of my most memorable trips have been with my best friend Katie, as we travelled the world together. Despite having a boyfriend for the past six years, I make it a priority to plan trips with friends every year.

9. Trendy Berlin

Edgy, cool and creative, Berlin is one of the world’s best cities for boutique shopping, brilliantly offbeat nights out and hipster hangouts. Because it’s one of Europe’s most exciting cities.

10. Beautiful Islands of Croatia

Ancient walled towns, dreamy deep-blue seascapes, an unrivaled festival scene and guaranteed good weather. What’s not to love about Croatia? Visit festival and wellness island Obonjan, go fun-seeking at Sonus, take a Game of Thrones tour, go white-water rafting, stroll around the museums in Zagreb or simply spend your days enjoying cocktail after cocktail on the beach.

11. Go on an active vacation

I love going on an active vacation, whether its surfing in Bali, scuba diving in Thailand, cycling in France or hiking in Scotland. Who says you need to lie down and sunbathe for a week and not move? Go on an adventure that tests your limits and adopt healthy habits for life.

12. Nightlife in Ibiza

No surprises here – of course the island that never sleep had to make the cut. Even if you go to the white isle once, then you’ve ticked it off your bucket list. It’s one of the best places for under 30’s to play. Nowhere does sunset beach clubs and cocktails quite like Ibiza.

13. Spend a weekend in NYC

New York is actually a fairly compact city, despite being one of the most popular cities in the world. And Manhattan alone can be walked in less than 30 minutes. But behind the map, are an array of magical discoveries waiting to be found. There are glorious cafes, bookshops, rooftop bars, shops, museums and much more.

14. New Zealand

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places on earth, and my favourite country on the planet. New Zealand is home to some incredibly beautiful views, lakes and glaciers. Make sure to take a decent camera, and grab those all important Instagram shots. Make sure you check out my blog posts from my own trip to New Zealand here.

15. Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale (also know in Turkish as cotton castle) is a town in western Turkey known for the mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces on a nearby hillside. Ruins here include a well-preserved theater and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 2km and the famous Antique Pool is stunning with submerged Roman columns, from the result of an earthquake.