While there’s no specific age to get up and travel, there is something unique about taking off and experiencing the world in your twenties. Go while you’re youthful, single and without a lot of obligation.
There are such a variety of epic gatherings, celebrations and culture far and wide, so stretch your wings and get out there!
In no specific order, here are 20 things to experience worldwide in your 20s!
1. Yacht Week
Get your friends together, pick a goal (Virgin Islands, Thailand, Croatia, Greece or Italy), pick a yacht and prepare for The Yacht Week– a seven-day sailing holiday. Every day you sail to another destination and every night you party under the stars with kindred Yacht Weekers from around the globe.
2. San Fermín Festival—Pamplona, Spain
Touch base in Pamplona for the San Fermin Opening Ceremony where you will spend the morning being drinking sangria and the evening meandering the lanes filled with music and dancing.
The next morning, prepare for the renowned ‘Running of the Bulls.’ You can either take part in the run or be an observer. In any case, it’s an ordeal you’ll always remember!
3. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru
Set off on one of the most amazing trails on the planet. The Inca Trail is ever-changing, bringing you over towering mountains and through the forest, just to ending up at Machu Picchu. The hike is trying at times yet is very rewarding. Take as much time as necessary and appreciate this physical, visual and otherworldly voyage.
4. Travel to Watch the World Cup
Despite whether you’re a diehard soccer fan or not, watching the World Cup live is an unquestionable requirement! Other than the crowds and the excited energy in the stadium, the World Cup is the biggest tournament, bringing from around the world together. Bring your jersey, paint your face and prepare to cheer.
5. Oktoberfest—Munich, Germany
Who doesn’t love a good German beer? Oktoberfest is an awesome way to celebrate the end of the summer season by partying in one of the fourteen beer tents, each representing one of Germany’s finest brews.
Before you know it, you’ll be on top of table singing with your new pals from around the world.
6. Burning Man—Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Encounter a week unlike you’ve ever experienced in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert at Burning Man. A a huge number of people meet up each year to construct Black Rock City—a city that is built out of respect for craftsmanship, self-expression and independence.
7. Mardi Gras—New Orleans, Louisiana
Make a beeline to New Orleans to observe Fat Tuesday and the days paving the way to Mardi Gras. Take a sip of Sazerac (a local New Orleans alcoholic beverage); walk around Bourbon Street; and make sure to catch the parades!
8. Take a Solo Trip
Taking a solo trip makes you have to figure out how to make your own choices on your own and learn how to get yourself from place to place. This type of independence is bound to increase your self-esteem.
Also, to be honest, you’re never truly alone. There’s always potential friends to make—in your hostel, at tourist sites, etc. Give yourself the gift of autonomy, a chance to encounter new cultures and an ideal opportunity to find out more about yourself.
9. Carnival—Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnival is regularly viewed as one of the greatest celebrations on the planet and is the benchmark in which every other carnival around the globe looks at. The festival is rich in Brazilian culture, craftsmanship, music and festivity.
10. Motorbike Through Vietnam
Begin in Saigon. Take a boat ride and explore the Mekong Delta. Then jump on a motorbike to explore the rest of Vietnam. Remain overnight with local people in their towns as you go up (or down) this beautiful nation.
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You can go solo or go with friends. Make this outing as short or as long as you want to make it!
11. California Coast (Highway 1) Road Trip
Begin in Southern California and drive one of the most scenic routes on Highway1. This drive takes you through the mountains, woodlands and the sea.
12. Cycle The Death Road in La Paz, Bolivia
This is not for the feeble of heart. Jump on a bicycle and set out on a cycling ride on one of the world’s most dangerous roads. While the road comprises of steep, tight streets, it does take you through waterfalls and stunning scenery. It’s like nothing else!
13. Full Moon Party—Thailand
This party is based off of the lunar calendar. Every time there is a full moon, a Full Moon Party assembles in Koh Phangan, Thailand. 10,000-30,000 people gather. Be prepared to paint your body in shiny paints, watch jugglers and fire-breathers, and hit the dance floor. It’s very touristy, however, insane and enjoyable to experience when in your 20s!
14. Holi Festival—India
The Holi Festival, or the Festival of Colours, is an old Hindu religious celebration that commends love and sharing. This festival is known for dancing, playing music and tossing powdered paint at each other. Don’t wear anything you’re not willing to get paint on!
15. Party in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City. Las Vegas is the city where you can discover everything without exception and it has a bit of something for everybody.
Sip mixed drinks at one of the pools or take off for some shopping during the day.
In the nighttimes, experience nightlife that is unparalleled to anything else quite like it.
Also, obviously, practice your poker face at one of the numerous casinos.
16. Bay to Breakers—San Francisco, California
This 7.5 mile race happens on the third Sunday in May. Runners begin in the northeast side of San Francisco and advances to Ocean Beach. A good time for both runner and observer; plan to see individuals wearing anything between strange ensembles and (and maybe even some birthday suits!).
17. Explore Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is one of the most populated travel circuits on the planet for 20-somethings. Take a month or two and go river tubing in Laos, hit the shorelines in Thailand, and visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Local people are friendly and the food is beyond-amazing.
18. Surf Safari—Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Go down to the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, hitting up a portion of the best surf spots like Nosara and Playa Avellanas. Try not to stress in case you’re not an extraordinary surfer. There are a wealth of surf schools that will teach you. If surfing isn’t for you, there’s also a lot of yoga retreats and excellent shorelines.
19. Take a Budget Backpacking Trip in Europe
Hiking through Europe is the stereotypical “transitioning” for most youthful explorers. With little preparation, modest flights and heaps of hostels, it has turned out to be easier and cheaper to move from region to region around Europe, while encountering different cultures, languages and food.
20 Tomorrowland—Boom, Belgium
Jump on over to Belgium to encounter one of the biggest electronic music festivals on the planet: Tomorrowland. Top DJs and loads of people from everywhere throughout the world assemble here for some of the best electronic music and live performances you’ll get all year. Even though the festival take place in Boom, make sure to spend a couple of additional days investigating other parts of Belgium. Don’t forget to check out the beer, chocolate and frites—some of Belgium’s bests!
Featured photo credit: Clue Bunch via cluebunch.com
