My favorite part of travel is discovering new places and having an adventure. Some people like relaxing on the beach or taking a cruise but I’d rather be hiking over a snowy mountain pass, visiting an incense-filled monastery, or cycling through charming little Italian villages. Here are six great travel adventures on my bucket-list.

1. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

My first big adventure after deciding to leave the work world was climbing Kilimanjaro. It was a huge challenge and reaching the summit was an amazing accomplishment. So, why is this still on my bucket-list? Some places are so spectacular that they’re worth visiting more than once. There are very few places on earth where you walk from steamy hot savanna, up through giant heather, and finally arrive on top of jagged glaciers. At 5,895 meters, Kilimanjaro will test your physical and mental strength and yet remains accessible and safe to anyone willing to put in the training.

2. Safari on the Masai Mara

After climbing Kilimanjaro, I visited Tanzania’s Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. I’d never seen such a dense concentration of wildlife. There are so many animals all in once place, it’s truly amazing. It was so crowded, a lion even laid down in the shade of our land rover for a nap! I’ve wanted to go back to Africa ever since. When you are looking at an African safari, you are quite literally spoilt for choice when choosing a place to go. The Masai Mara is quite possibly the most famous destination, as you’ll get to witness the absolutely awe-inspiring Great Migration.

3. Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef

A little over a year ago I celebrated my 100th scuba dive. Scuba diving is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. As the Secret Traveller blog by 1Cover says, it lets you experience a whole new underwater world. I’ve been fortunate to dive in some great places like Cuba, Thailand, and the Bahamas but it’s difficult to beat the Great Barrier Reef. This is one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world and a must-see for any serious or aspiring diver.

4. Hiking the Inca Trail

Ancient ruins fascinate me. How did such rich, complex cultures come to exist hundreds or even thousands of years ago and why did they disappear? What happened to them? Exploring Angkor Wat last year was one of my most enjoyable trips. As the Khmer empire was falling into decline, another civilization began to emerge in Peru. I’d love to hike the world-renowned Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and discover the secrets of this ancient city.

5. Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway

Travel adventures don’t necessarily mean climbing, hiking, or scuba diving – just take the Trans-Siberian Railway, for example. This is a legendary 5,772-mile journey that runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, running through seven time zones, and 120 unique locations. Plenty of places offer luxury packages that allow you to indulge in this 15-day adventure, but you can choose to take whichever leg of the journey you wish. Personally, I’d love to do the whole thing.

6. Cycle the Pacific Coast Highway

I love getting off the beaten track and visiting obscure places. Yet many of the most stunning places are actually pretty easy to get to. California’s Pacific Coast Highway is a cliff-hugging route that takes you past some of the most luscious scenery along the west coast of the United States. Pass through San Francisco and Los Angeles, and check out the phenomenal Avenue of Giants on the way back. I’ve had a chance to drive much of this route and I loved it. One day I’d like to see it from a different perspective – by bike!

Where’s your next big adventure?

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