Bucket list experiences 2023

To see an opera performance at least once in your life is a must as it takes you on a journey through time and emotion. Arena di Verona is an iconic venue that has been hosting the summer opera festival for years. The Verona Opera Festival will be even more special in 2023 as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Enjoy performances such as La Traviata or Aida and feel the acoustics as they vibrate round the arena. We recommend staying in the Italian Lakes and taking the train to Verona as its only around an hour from  Lake Garda. That way you can enjoy the beauty of the lakes by day alongside a night under the stars at the opera.

Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, has to be on your bucket list. Needing no introduction, Chichen Itza is located on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and is around a three-hour drive from the popular resort of Cancun. The ruins have also been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formerly a pre-Hispanic city, you can learn about Mayan history as you explore the vast sacred site. The most iconic structure has to be that of El Castillo, the castle, which was created to honour the most important Mayan gods.

One of the most popular islands in Indonesia, Bali astounds visitors with its vast rice terraces, historic temples and laid-back lifestyle. The Island of the Gods is truly magical, with lots of things to see and do, it really is like paradise here. The Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Ubud are a bucket list must. Arguably the best rice terraces in all of Bali, Tegalalang is one of the most picturesque places in the world. With green fields stretching as far as the eye can see, they are best visited at sunrise when you can enjoy the beauty of the rays beaming through the trees.

Cruising the Caribbean is a real delight. As you sail across the Atlantic Ocean, your cruise takes you around wonderful Caribbean islands such as St Lucia, Barbados, and Antigua. Step off and feel the sand between your toes and the sea breeze in your hair as you enter paradise. Sail into luxury and enjoy multiple destinations in one trip as cruising offers the best way to see the most in one trip. For holidays filled with sunshine, history and sparking coastlines, consider a luxury Caribbean cruise this year.

The sunset in Santorini is up there with some of the best in the world. Simply breathtaking. Thousands of people flock to the island to witness this spectacle. From high up on the cliffs in the village of Oia you can watch as shades of red and orange set fire to the sky. A prime spot is near to the old castle where you can overlook the iconic blue domes of the Anastaseos and Agios Spyridonas churches.

A satisfying bucket list item is visiting an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Get up close and personal with these amazing creatures at Elephant Hills and make memories to last a lifetime. Blending a luxury Thai tropical jungle with an amazing experience, Elephant Hills puts the animals first and has won many awards for its conservation work and animal welfare.

The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is perhaps the most iconic building in Dubai. Standing proud at 828 metres high, this impressive building is home to the highest observation deck in the world found on the 124th and 15th floor. With spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and Palm Island, this is one activity not to be missed.

Not many people know that Tenerife is one of the few places in the world to be classed as a designated Starlight Tourist Destination. The island has an ancient tradition for stargazing and has the appropriate environmental conditions to make this possible. Head to the popular Teide National Park, look up, and be amazed by the formations above you, enjoying the night sky in all its glory.

The Maldives really are heaven on Earth. Private islands with footprint free sand and palm trees swaying in the breeze, the Maldives offer ultimate relaxation and new experiences. With crystal clear waters you can enjoy snorkelling to discover a whole world of colour beneath the surface. Come face to face with exotic fish and coral and tick off something new on your next luxury escape.

The birthplace of Aphrodite, Cyprus is a gem in the Mediterranean. Sand, sea and sunshine are guaranteed with a wonderful culture to top it off. The goddess of love, beauty and fertility, legend says that Aphrodite was born from the ocean. Head to Aphrodite’s Rock on the southwest of Cyprus and take a step back in time. With dramatic white cliffs in the background and larger rocks up close, the views are pretty spectacular.

What’s on your Bucket List? At Sovereign Luxury Travel we have over 50 years’ experience in tailormade luxury holidays. We take care of all the finer details, so you don’t have to. Our Personal Travel Planners are on hand every step of the way to ensure your luxury holiday is memorable and enjoyable.    

Visit sovereign.com to start planning your next luxury escape today!

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