If you're like me, you learn and grow the most from encounters that take place in far-flung places. These top-tier activities from all over the world are some of the greatest I've ever done, and I hope they motivate you to add some new places to your travel bucket list (and start crossing them off!). So, what are you waiting for? Compare air tickets online and start your adventure.

Be careful to give yourself plenty of time and stamina if you want to see the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona. Brownish canyons will steal your breath away at first sight. There is a lot to see and do at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it is important to come up with a strategy for how you want to spend your time there ahead of time.

2. Visit the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef environment that stretches over 2,000 kilometers and is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Natural splendor abounds, and visitors can choose between scuba diving or snorkeling beneath the surface of the ocean to get up and personal with the reef, or soaking in the breathtaking scenery from above on a tour by plane or helicopter. Many different kinds of marine life call the Great Barrier Reef their home, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs, and porpoises, as well as more than 1500 different kinds of fish and billions of other tiny marine invertebrates.

3. A Taste of Italian Cuisine

For all you gourmets out there. Any foodie worth their salt will tell you that Italy's cuisine is so much more than just pasta and pizza. You will find that Italian food is delicious whether you decide to replicate Elizabeth's culinary adventures from Eat, Pray, Love, or strike out on your own. Visit the vineyards of Tuscany, go truffle hunting in Umbria, and hunt for the best pizza in Southern Italy. The tastiest and most nutritious foods can be found in the tiniest of towns and farms.

4. An Alaskan Cruise

Immersing yourself in the sea is a great way to take in the beauty of the Alaskan glaciers. Prepare yourself for cotton-white scenery, pristine icescapes, and towering fauna on any of the many Alaskan cruises available. You should bring enough warm clothes to last the duration of your trip, but you should also save a few things in case your cruise features a formal dinner and you'd like to get dressed up. Important advice for all of our readers: request a room with a balcony. When you wake up to that scene and your coffee in the morning, you'll be grateful to us.

Start ticking off places from your travel bucket list. compare flights online and begin your travel ventures!!!