Is it just me, or does the big 3-0 feel a bit like doomsday? Approaching 30 is a strange and scary reality. Because where did the time go? And how did it come to this so quickly? As I approach 30, I realise how important it is to enjoy and make the most out of your 20’s, and more so life in general. We must make the most out of our experiences and try to get any many experiences as possible under our belt!
That said, your 20’s is the time to travel unapologetically and to really see the world. So, to help you along the way here’s a list of some of the places you must visit before 30.
1. Paris, France
I know this suggestion is cliche, but I would strongly recommend visiting Paris. I always imagined that my first trip to Paris would be with a significant other, a partner. And after waiting for 20-something years, I finally decided to visit Paris. A solo trip to Paris is not something I would have imagined for myself, but I am so glad I did it because it was one of my best solo trips.
Visiting the ‘city of love’ on my own was such an uplifting and empowering experience. And besides that, Paris has so much to offer in terms of things to do, and it is the home place of some of the best restaurants in the world!
So if you are a single pringle, add Paris to your travel list, and if need be, go alone! Because Paris is truly one of the many places, you must visit before 30!
2. Barcelona, Spain
I cannot even begin to count how many times I’ve been to Barcelona, Barcelona is just such an incredible city, and I would even go as far as to say it’s my second home. What I love most about Barcelona is that it has so much history and so much to do. And although a historic city, Barcelona is set to appeal to millennials. So when I think of Barcelona, I think of beautiful hotels, amazing food, fun activities and of course, delicious cocktails.
But best of all, Barcelona is easy to navigate. The Metro system is simple, and the locals are super friendly and are more than willing to lend a hand if you get lost or need help.
If you decide to visit Barcelona and have time to spare, I would 2000% recommend renting a car and leaving the city for a few days. Don’t get me wrong, once in the city, you probably will not want to leave, but if you do fancy a little trip out, then you must visit Mont-rebei Gorge or Aigüestortes I Estany of Saint Maurici National Park. Do not visit Lloret de Mar; I made that mistake once, and I sorely regretted it!
3. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
For years I avoided Amsterdam like the plague. It just never appealed to me, and for the most part, that was owed to the fact that the years’ all and any stories I heard about Amsterdam tended to centre on Cannabis.
And my gosh, what an injustice because there is so much more to Amsterdam than smoking weed. To put this into perspective, there’s so much more that the mere mention of weed or its association to Amsterdam; is by far a discredit to the city. And what a city it is!
Amsterdam is, by all means, one of my favourite cities, and it is a city that I think everyone should visit at least once! That said, Amsterdam is definitely one of the places you must visit before 30.
4. Venice, Italy
Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, visiting Venice is a surreal experience!
Visiting Venice is an experience. And an experience you will never forget; I remember when I first entered Venice, I was totally amazed as it was nothing like I had seen before. I will not lie to you by saying Venice is a hip and fun destination with loads of bars and clubs because it is an experience. You visit Venice to experience the Venetian way of life!
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is an incredible city, and I could write pages and pages on why I love Stockholm. Like Venice, Stockholm is a city on water, but not in the conventional sense.
Stockholm is a brilliant city with incredible brutalist architecture. And although the architecture is somewhat cold and industrial. Stockholm is a warm, welcoming and super chilled city. I really love Stockholm because it’s different!
Though besides being a brilliant city with much to do, loads of restaurants and fantastic cocktail bars, there are some things that you should know before visiting Stockholm. Although I have visited the city many times, I had a rude awakening during my first trip, and as such, I was totally unprepared.
6. Dead Sea, Middle East
A salt lake bordered by Jordan and Israel, the Dead Sea is a natural phenomenon. Estimated at 431m below sea level and accordingly the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea is specular.
Loaded with salts and oily minerals, it is scientifically impossible to sink in the Dead Sea. Instead, you will float blissfully in the water. However, to simply visit the Dead Sea would be a mistake within and amongst itself. You are in an ancient land, with Jordan and Israel quite literally a stone through away. You must seize this opportunity, and I strongly recommend that you visit Jerusalem and/or Petra.
7. Yosemite National Park, California
A national park in the western Sierra Nevada of Central California, Yosemite National Park is a beauty; and certainly one of the many places you must visit before 30!
The Yosemite National Park is truly an awe-inspiring beauty, and millions of visitors flock here each year to become fully immersed in nature and take in the sensational sceneries the park has to offer. Namely the Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point and Vernal Falls, to name a few.
8. The Great Wall of China, Beijing
An ancient series of walls and fortifications that’s a monument to China’s ancient history, The Great Wall of China is momentous. Its estimated length is about 13,000 miles which translates to just over 21,000 km.
The Great Wall of China is somewhere you visit but perhaps not complete. However, if you did decide to walk its entire length, it would take roughly 18 months!
9. Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
A defining symbol of Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza is one of the last remaining seven wonders of the world. The Pyramids of Giza and, more specifically, The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex.
A visit to the Pyramids of Giza is also the perfect way to complement a trip to the river Nile; that’s often termed ‘the father of African rivers’ and is by far the longest river in the world. If you decide to visit Egypt and the Pyramids of Giza, you must also visit The Valley of Kings in Luxor. And although a mighty long way away from Cairo, it is worth the trip. Visiting the tombs of legendary Pharos is an eyewatering and breathtaking experience.
10. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Considered one of the most extreme and remarkable vistas in South America, Salar de Uyuni is magnificent and the largest salt flat in the world.
An eerie site, measuring over 12,106 sq km, this white expanse is unimaginably beautiful. An estimated 10 billion tonnes of salt covers the Salar de Uyuni, but the greatest treasure of all lies beneath the salt flat, where approximately 70% of the world’s lithium reserves can be found. But besides that, what’s truly spectacular about the Salar de Uyuni is that when the landscape is wet, the salt flat transforms into the ‘The World’s Largest Mirror’ and reflects the sky.
11. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The largest coral reef system in the world, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef is absurdly beautiful!
A beacon for adventure; and once in a lifetime opportunity to find Nemo, the Great Barrier Reef is incredible, and what is more, there are several ways to explore its majestic ecosystem. So whether you decide to fly, dive, sail or snorkel your way through the Great Barrier Reef, it is, without doubt, one of the top places you must visit before 30.
12. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
An area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve, is extraordinary!
The closest most of us get to seeing Africa’s great savannahs is by watching a David Attenborough documentary. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but the opportunity to see and experience the savannah in the flesh; trumps all.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is filled with exotic animals; lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and hippos. It is such a beautiful experience, and if you’re lucky and time your visit right, you might be able to witness the annual Wildebeest migration.
13. Grand Canyon, Arizona
One mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon is a sight for sore eyes. Carved out by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is definitely one of the top places you must visit before 30, and I say this for many reasons.
The Grand Canyon visually represents millions of years of geological history. It is incredible, and no picture can really capture its beauty and voluminosity. It is a place you must visit in the flesh! But what is great about visiting the Grand Canyon is that it can easily be combined with a trip to Las Vegas and Death Valley.
Places you should visit before 30
Do not panic if you haven’t visited all or any of the destinations listed, because although turning 30 may be a scary and daunting reality, in reality, it is just a number. And all of the recommended destinations could be visited at any point in your life! That said, and with summer fast approaching, you may want to turn your attention to your summer plans. Are you yet to decide on where you will visit this summer? Take a sneak peek at our recent article, 12 Places you should visit this summer.
Did you find this article useful? Have you decided on where you will visit? Comment below to share where you will be visiting or recommend a destination.