What exactly is a travel bucket list? Simply put, it’s a wish list of places to visit in one’s lifetime. After all, the world is big and life is short.
With an economy trending in the right direction, Americans are making time to fulfill their bucket list travel experiences. In fact, around nine million consumers travel with the 160 travel company brands of the United States Tour Operators Association each year. Travelers choose immersive experiences on all seven continents, making their bucket list dreams a reality whenever wanderlust strikes.
Have you been neglecting your travel bucket list? Good news: The world is literally on sale this September during Travel Together Month thanks to the tour operator members of USTOA. Starting September 1st, travelers will find more than 100 special offers on packaged travel to all seven continents. Featured offers take the hassle out of vacation planning by combining hotels, meals, guides, local experiences and often even airfare for both individual and group travel.
“The definition of a travel bucket list has evolved from a check-list of places to see into journeys that are life-embracing and even transformative,” said Terry Dale, president and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association. “It’s more than checking a box. Bucket list travel experiences make people fall in love with a destination and yearn to come back again and again to discover more,” he said.
“Our members provide packaged travel options to fit so many desires for simple relaxation, multi-generational celebrations, honeymoons, adventure, cultural and spiritual exploration and, of course, once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Dale continued.
Bucket lists are often filled with exotic destinations to once-forbidden destinations like Cuba, Vietnam or Iran, or adventurous experiences like swimming with sharks in South Africa, polar camping on the Antarctic Peninsula or hiking to see the Northern Lights in Norway.
But, they are also about travelers following their passions, whether it’s for fine wines and cuisine along a Rhine river cruise, exploring ancient cultures of Peru, shopping for handicrafts in European Christmas markets or rediscovering a family’s Irish legacy on the Emerald Isle.
Among the travel values featured during Travel Together Month in September are discounts on seven-day Europe trips, special buy-one-get-one airfare deals, per person dollar savings and value added extras such as complimentary room upgrades and wine dinners. The majority of offers are for travel throughout 2018 and are valid for booking from September 1st through September 30th, 2017. (Dates may be limited. Special terms and restrictions apply.) Here are a few offers to feed your wanderlust – and get you one step closer to completing your travel bucket list.
Europe: From city breaks to river cruises
Looking to complete a European capital bucket list? Some tour companies like Trafalgar and Globus are offering 10% savings on new Europe tours booked throughout 2018. Several companies such as Mayflower Tours and Viking River Cruises are offering values on European river cruises, including free airfare on select Emerald Waterways Rhine river itineraries. See deals here.
Iceland: Earth’s natural wonder
For an Iceland adventure, a “hot” destination for 2017 according to USTOA’s members, Goway Travel is offering 20% savings on its 10-day “Iceland Circumnavigation” cruises from May to September 2018. Shop experiences here.
South America: Adventures await
A trip to the Galapagos Islands tops many a bucket list, and adventure seekers will find offers from companies such as Lindblad Expeditions. Goway Travel is offering savings of up to $500 per person on cruises to the Galapagos Islands as well as free airfare on select departures throughout 2017 and 2018. See deals here.
Machu Picchu: “The lost city”
Another bucket list destination is Peru’s Machu Picchu, the “lost city of the Incas.” SITA World Tours is offering savings of $1,180 per couple on a seven-day “Peru: Ancient Civilizations” Tour with visits to the Urabamba Valley, Lima and Cuzco. Explore offerings here.
Australia: Exploring Oz and more
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji. These destinations conjure vast, cinematic landscapes, deep cultural exploration and heavenly beaches.
For straight-forward savings to the “Land Down Under,” Down Under Answers is offering $100 off Virgin Australia published fares on vacations through August 2018.
Among the offers to this exotic part of the world is Swain Destinations Fiji and Island Retreat, a week of luxurious relaxation that includes a customized itinerary and $100 FJD resort credit. Shop “down under” deals here.
Asia: Exotic and enriching
Asia boasts many bucket list wishes: The temples of Angor Wat in Cambodia sailing on the Yangtze River in China and culinary delights of Singapore’s food stalls, among many others. Travelers will find 10% savings from Contiki on all Asia itineraries of seven days or more, while Intrepid Travel is offering similar 10% savings on Vietnam itineraries that include a free Urban Adventure of up to $100 in value. See experiences here.
Japan: From city to countryside
Many travel companies offer trips to multiple countries, or a deep-dive into one destination, such as Affordable World Tours “Japan Discovery,” visiting Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. With $200 per person savings, tours are available from November 2017 through April 2018. See deals here.
Antarctica: Expeditions to the bottom of the world
Expeditions to Antarctica are the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience. Penguins, icebergs and whales are all inspiring natural wonders. Select Abercrombie & Kent luxury expedition cruises are available with savings of up to $10,000 per couple through January 2018.
Quark Expeditions is offering savings of up to 40% on select Antarctica departures, with free air and hotel transfers. And, Quark Expeditions is waiving single supplements or reducing them by 50% on select Antarctica voyages in November and December 2017. Explore expeditions here.
Africa: Safaris and more
Seeing the “big five” animals on an African safari is a huge bucket list goal. Among the safari trips offered is a “South Africa Highlights & Safari” by smarTours, with $1000 per couple savings on tours through 2018 (that also include international airfare). Shop safaris here.
Morocco: Majestic sights and experiences
Africa boasts a myriad of different travel experiences. One is Morocco, and Gate 1 Travel is offering savings of $150 per person on its 13-day Kaleidoscope of Morocco trip, with stays in Marrakesh and, of course, Casablanca. See deals here.
North America: Close to home and the heart
From the National Parks to New England coastlines, buzzing cities, and natural and man-made wonders, North America has a full complement of bucket-list options. Hawaii is a perennial travel “hot” spot. Pleasant Holidays has a special $250 savings per booking on Hawaiian vacations at participating resorts through July 2018. Shop experiences here.
Cuba: Charm and culture
Headline-making Cuba has long topped travel “must” lists. International Expeditions is offering savings of 50% off the second person in a cabin on its January-April 2018 Cuba Voyages. Explore offerings here.
So what’s on Dale’s bucket list? “Everywhere and everything!” he said, citing one of his favorite quotes whenever he talks about his list. “Whether Mark Twain actually said this or not, the sentiment really resonates: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.’”
This September, there’s no reason to hold back on fulfilling those bucket list travel dreams.
Travel Together Month offers can be found at www.ustoa.com/travel-together-month. Restrictions and certain terms and conditions apply. Information was correct at time of writing. All tours/packages subject to availability. Prices may vary from time of writing, based on currency fluctuations.
To search itineraries from the 50+ members of the United States Tour Operators Association that provide bucket-list trips around the world – from budget to luxury, escorted group tours to private journeys, couple-focused to family-friendly, and more, visit USTOA online.
