25 Top Travel Experiences in the World 2018

Travelers’ Choice Awards for 25 Top Travel Experiences in the World 2018

From cooking class, to glow worm cave tour, and Sumo Wrestling Tournament, these top travel experiences highlight the best things to do around the world; there is something for every type of traveler.

1. Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour, Florence, Italy

A hands-on experience designed for food lovers. This tour allows you to explore Italian cuisine in more depth than you would by simply eating in restaurants. Pick fresh ingredients from a Florence market and feast on the fruits of your labor. Recipes are provided by email after the class, ensuring your can recreate Tuscan dishes back at home, too. More

2. Berlin Bike Tour, Berlin, Germany

Get to know the best of Berlin on this guided 4.5-hour bike tour. The tour includes a trip to the Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate and more. Learn the history of the city, from its beginnings to its role as capital of the Nazi Third Reich, to the divided city of the Cold War, to the modern-day capital of a unified Germany. Ride along the Spree River, through Tiergarten Park and stop at a beer garden for lunch (own expense). Use of a bike and helmet is included. More

3. New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour, New York City, New York

Combine New York City’s top attractions in a guided tour via bus and boat. With insider commentary from your guide, visit Federal Hall, South Street Seaport, 9/11 Memorial, and Wall Street. Then take a harbor cruise via luxury boat, with views of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge. Back on land, hit Lincoln Center and Central Park before wrapping up this whirlwind tour. Boat cruise is not included during the off-season from January 1–April 1. More

4. Sydney Bridge Climb, Sydney, Australia

One of the best ways to see Sydney is from atop the Harbour Bridge. Book an advance ticket to guarantee your place on an often sold-out Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. Exhilarating and unforgettable, you can opt to climb a section or all of the bridge at dawn, day, or night. Plus, small groups limited to 14 people will receive personalized attention throughout the climb. More

5. Vatican VIP Experience: Exclusive Breakfast at the Vatican with Early Access to Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy

Enjoy a VIP experience at the Vatican with this morning tour that includes breakfast on site. You’ll explore the Vatican Museums before they open to the general public; admire famous sights like the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms in a more intimate atmosphere before finishing with skip-the-line access to St Peter’s Basilica through a reserved entrance. More

6. New Orleans Cooking Class, New Orleans, Louisiana

Take a seat amongst other foodies in a converted 19th century molasses warehouse and get ready to learn – and eat! Meet a lively local chef and learn the fundamentals of preparing classic Creole dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and pralines. Then dig into delicious samples complemented by local beer or a sweet ice tea. More

7. Rotorua Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance, Rotorua, New Zealand

While in Rotorua, see a cultural performance and take part in a traditional Maori ‘hangi’ feast at Tamaki Maori Village. A local guide escorts you by coach to the ‘marae’ (Maori village) for an immersive evening that begins with a welcome ceremony by New Zealand’s indigenous people. Learn about local customs and watch a powerful display of song and dance before a hangi dinner. More

8. Best of Niagara Falls Tour, Niagara Falls, Ontario

The Canadian side of Niagara Falls offers some of the most impressive views of the iconic waterfalls. This tour lets you admire the natural wonder from all angles. Gaze out over the falls from the Skylon Tower, experience Journey Behind the Falls, and either sail beneath the falls on a Hornblower cruise (summer) or see the Butterfly Conservatory and Niagara’s Fury 4-D show (winter). More

9. Vancouver to Victoria and Butchart Gardens Tour by Bus Vancouver, British Columbia

Relish stunning Coast Mountain vistas, sheer natural beauty, and BC’s picturesque provincial capital on this round-trip tour from Vancouver to Victoria. The guided tour takes you to Victoria’s must-see destinations including world-renowned Butchart Gardens. This full-day tour includes free time to explore Victoria on your own, plus all transportation and admission fees. More

10. Wild Wicklow Tour including Glendalough, Dublin, Ireland

Board your coach bus in Dublin for this full-day guided tour, and then stop at Wicklow National Park, the monastic settlement at Glendalough, and Sally’s Gap (all entrance fees included). Hear insightful commentary about each stop, and take in scenic vistas while leaving the driving and navigation to the experts. More

11. Barcelona Half-Day Bike Tour, Barcelona, Spain

An energizing alternative to pounding the sidewalks or traveling by enclosed bus. This half-day bike tour uses easy-to-ride bikes. It follows routes that avoid traffic, and features a local guide for the full lowdown on the sights and city’s culture. The gentle pace, a beach rest break, and child seats on request make it ideal for families and all fitness levels. More

12. Jungfraujoch: Top of Europe Day Trip, Zurich, Switzerland

This guided tour takes care of the organization for you, giving you more time to focus on the scenery. Travel by comfortable coach through the scenic Bernese Oberland to Lauterbrunnen. Then ride the cogwheel train to Jungfraujoch’s Sphinx Observatory for the 360-degree glacier and mountain views—all in one seamless day. More

13. Super Saver: Auschwitz-Birkenau Half-Day Tour plus Wieliczka Salt Mine Half-Day Tour, Krakow, Poland

Discover Poland’s top UNESCO-listed sites combining two popular Krakow tours at a special value price. First, follow an expert guide on a half-day tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau and explore the moving exhibitions and prison blocks of the former Nazi concentration camp complex. On the second day, marvel at the underground tunnels and salt formations inside the 700-year-old Wieliczka Salt Mine. More

14. Great Ocean Road Small-Group Ecotour, Melbourne, Australia

No visit to Melbourne is complete without traveling the Great Ocean Road. Eliminate the hassle of car rental on this tour, which includes stops at Apollo Bay and Great Otway National Park. Receive personalized attention from your guide, and access more of the Great Ocean Road than larger bus tours do. Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off are also included. More

15. Sintra and Cascais Small-Group Day Trip, Lisbon, Portugal

Journey along Lisbon’s Atlantic coast with ease on a small-group day trip, limited to just eight people to guarantee personalized attention from your guide. Take a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Pena National Palace, enjoy time at your leisure in the historic center of Sintra, and stop at the affluent coastal town of Cascais. More

16. Tokyo Sumo Wrestling Tournament, Adachi, Japan

Witness one of Japan’s most iconic cultural expressions at an exhilarating sumo tournament in Tokyo. But before that visit the informative Sumo Museum to see fascinating collections of memorabilia; then immerse in the pre-match atmosphere on the subway as you ride to the ‘kokugikan’ (Sumo amphitheater) to see a selection of atmospheric sumo matches. More

17. Inner Circle Access of Stonehenge including Bath and Lacock Day Tour, London, United Kingdom

Walk inside Stonehenge, an exclusive experience available only to your group, on this day trip from London. Choose a morning or evening tour and be one of a rare few to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site from inside its inner circle. Everything is planned: Dine at a 14th-century pub in the medieval village of Lacock (own expense), and enjoy both free and guided time in the historic city of Bath—with a visit to Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths included. More

18. Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour from Munich by Train, Munich, Germany

Visiting Germany’s Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site with a guide makes sure you don’t miss a thing while on this tour from Munich. A guide takes you through exhibits and goes into details of WWII and the Holocaust. You can walk away with a better understanding of what happened in history. Return transport from the memorial site to Munich is included. More

19. Viator Exclusive: ‘Game of Thrones’ Walking Tour of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Discover ‘Game of Thrones’ film sites of Dubrovnik on this walking tour that takes in the real-life attractions used for some of the television show’s fictional locations. As you explore the city’s World Heritage-listed Old Town with an in-the-know guide, enjoy views of the red-roofed skyline you’ll recognize as King’s Landing. Follow in Joffrey’s footsteps at Lovrijenac Fortress, stand where Ayra Stark stood and hear behind-the-scenes stories about filming in the city. More

20. Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise with 4-Course Dinner and Drinks, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

After nightfall, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam takes on an entirely different identity. See another side to the city on an evening cruise that includes a 4-course dinner and drinks—an obvious choice for first-time visitors looking to sample European cuisine. Plus, free-flowing wine and beer from the bar makes admiring Amsterdam’s illuminated landmarks even more magical. More

21. Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Take advantage of Glasgow’s close proximity to the Scottish Highlands on a hassle-free day trip to Loch Ness and the Cairngorms National Park. Ideal for history buffs and nature lovers, this guided tour transports you to historic battle sites and ancient castles, as well as reveals gorgeous natural landscapes. Plus, ample free time for optional tours and boat cruises allows you to tailor your itinerary according to personal preference. More

22. Skip the Line: Catacombs of Paris Small-Group Walking Tour, Paris, France

Explore the subterranean tunnels of the Catacombs (Les Catacombes), one of Paris’ most popular and atmospheric attractions, on a small-group tour limited to just 19 participants. This skip-the-line tour can save you hours of time waiting in line, and you’ll get an enhanced experience of the macabre labyrinth as your guide shares the stories that make the attraction so fascinating. More

23. Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Iceland

From towering waterfalls to bubbling geysers, some of Iceland’s most dramatic landmarks are clustered around the Golden Circle. This full-day, guided coach tour takes in the highlights, including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Strokkur Waterspout. Let someone else navigate and drive, so you can relax and enjoy the spectacular views as a guide shares the fascinating stories behind the scenery. Tour includes convenient pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik. More

24. Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Trip, Hong Kong, China

The Big Buddha and Lantau Island tour is planned so you don’t have to worry about wasting any time trying to figure out directions or other details. Along with a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, visit Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery, Tai O fishing village, and Big Buddha statue. More

25. The Original Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria

The original The Sound of Music tour is the top choice for fans of the iconic musical, visiting all the most memorable filming locations from the movie. Admire magnificent views of the Austrian Lake District; visit Mirabell Gardens, Mondsee Cathedral, and Lake Wolfgang; and sing along with the soundtrack on the tour bus. More

Source: Top 25 Experiences — World