Exotic vacations in faraway places are often at the top of bucket lists -an  African safari, an Antarctic expedition, an overwater bungalow in the South Pacific. But these 5 bucket list travel ideas that may not be on your radar … yet. 

If an African safari sounds both amazing and exhausting, try pairing unforgettable wildlife viewing with a relaxing beach vacation. A safari in Tanzania not only offers game drives across the Serengeti and Tarangire National Park, but you can end your adventure on the white sands of Zanzibar, an archipelago off the coast of East Africa. More accessible and more low-key than the Seychelles or Maldives, the spice island of Zanzibar provides relaxation as well as its own version of wildlife viewing - with populations of turtles, dolphins and reef sharks! One of my favorite partners in Africa offers a 12-day safari + Zanzibar beach combo.

Greece has hundreds of islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, but most travelers seek sunsets on Santorini and the party scene on Mykonos. While the vistas are breathtaking, so are the crowds. I always counsel clients to daytrip to those islands if they must, but to stay on the lesser-known, less crowded islands to get a true Greek experience. Check out these options;

Roughly 100 miles north of Los Cabos in Baja Mexico sits La Paz, Mexico’s next resort hot spot. Go before everyone else catches on and enjoy Balandra Beach, a protected lagoon that’s among Baja’s best. Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez, where sea lions and whale sharks share the waters. Sail through a living aquarium on a yacht charter to Isla Espíritu Santo, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed with teeming reefs.

Home to 9,000 species of flora and fauna, the Galapagos Islands were the world’s first UNESCO Heritage Site. A volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most remote places in the world. Join an expedition cruise and follow in the footsteps of Darwin to experience an immersive and once-in-a-lifetime adventure with landscapes as fantastical as the animals.

Climate in the Galapagos split roughly into two seasons: cool and dry (June-November), and warm and wet (December-May). August and September are the coolest temperatures and choppiest conditions. For scuba diving, the warmer season is better for visibility and sea turtles. 

Why not venture outside of the typical Italy hot spots on your next European adventure? Maremma, a hidden gem on Tuscany’s southern end, is beloved by Italians. Rent a vintage Alfa Romeo and pretend you’re Jackie O driving through Tuscan vineyards, farms and medieval villages. You’ll also find Etruscan ruins, thermal hot springs, rocky swimming coves and wild beaches. The proximity of the countryside to the Tyrrhenian Sea creates a truly immersive Italian experience. One of my favorite Italy suppliers knows all the secret spots around the islands of Elba and Giglio to explore on a Tyrrhenian sailing excursion.