Bucket List: 225 Things to Do Before You Die

77. Ride the Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer en routeMany of activities on this list require plane and/or car travel. So it’s time to change things up a bit—with an unforgettable trip through the Rocky Mountains onboard the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer train company. Traversing western Canada’s provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, one of the several railcars owned by the company takes some of the most gorgeous routes (four in all) in-between the likes of Banff (in the middle of Banff Ntl Park), Calgary, Kamloops, Jasper (situated within the breathtaking Jasper Ntl. Park), and the legendary Whistler in the Coast Mountain’s Pacific Ranges. And to Rocky Mountaineer’s credit, it’s been awarded the title of World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train at the World Travel Awards in 2005, 2006, and 2007, and as one of the World’s Best Journeys by National Geographic. ALL ABOARD! Indeed.

78. Visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu in Peru Machu Picchu, also known as The Lost City of the Incas, is a breathtaking 15th-century site in the mountainous Cusco Region of the Andes in modern-day Peru. It towers a whopping 8,000ft above sea level, and is believed to have been an estate of the Incan King Pachacuti. Among the terraced hills and mountaintop plateaus you’ll find all sorts of remnants—small residences, workshops, sanctuaries, temples, and parks included.

79. Tour the Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein CastleNeuschwanstein: Commissioned as a retreat home by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, it’s one of the most famous, picturesque castles in the entire world. The Romanesque Revival-style palace is one of the most recognizable palaces in the world next to Versailles. And if it looks strangely familiar to “something American”, think of Disney World’s Sleeping Beauty Palace, which is practically a clone of the German palace’s image. The best way to get to Neuschwanstein (near Fussen, Bavaria, Germany), according to Frommer’s, is either by “car hire” (renting a car and local driver–generally more expensive) or taking the train, which is typically less expensive and more efficient.

80. Cage-Dive with Crocodiles

Tourists cage diving at Crocosaurus CoveWhat’s scarier than diving with the freshwater equivalent of Jaws—that is, huge crocodiles with terrifying jaws capable of taking an adult arm with very little effort—with nothing more between you and the reptilian beast but a thin glass cube? Not scared, you say? Good, because the Cage of Death exhibit in Darwin City, Australia is your ticket to more thrills! But for those who just can’t muster up the courage to go face-to-face with an underwater man-eater, the park also hosts an exotic turtle sanctuary, ‘baby alligator feeding and touching’ forum, and aquarium.

81. Explore the Great Pyramid of Giza

Pyramids of Giza Just about everyone learned about the Great Pyramids in history class, but so few have actually had the extraordinary privilege of visiting them. Make it a point to be one of those few. And when you’re done seeing the ancient Great Pyramid, take in the rest of the Giza Necropolis (the only one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World that actually still exists), which includes the other two pyramids, the Great Spinx, ancient cemeteries, and an ancient industrial site.