10 Places To Visit Before You Die

BY BEN NEMTIN

People always ask us how we've been able to accomplish the things we have. In one sense, it's really simple: We made a list and dedicated ourselves to it. We never listened to naysayers, and never stopped believing we could achieve the things we wrote down.

Since 2006, Duncan, Jonnie, Dave and I have been on a mission to accomplish a list of 100 things to do before we die, and to help strangers do the same each time we complete one of our items.

Since starting The Buried Life in my parents' garage, we have traveled the world, crossing off list items like Make a TV Show (#53), Write a New York Times Bestselling Book (#19), Play Basketball With President Obama (#93) and helped many strangers do the things they want to do before they die.

Along the way, we also asked millions of people the question, "What do you want to do before you die?" Over the years, we've found that the #1 item on people's bucket lists is to travel. Since we've enjoyed our own fair share of travel adventures, we wanted to suggest a list of top 10 places to visit before you die:

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

What to Do There: Swim with Sharks in the Galapagos

Spend a day in the pristine blue waters of Galapagos snorkeling beside one of the world's most majestic predators. Set sail and navigate through beautiful seascapes to bountiful waters filled with fish of all colors. The convergence of three major oceanic currents brings an incredible mix of marine life to this area. It's an outdoor adventure that shouldn't be left off any ones bucket list. And if swimming beside sharks worries you, it shouldn't. They are beautiful creatures with plenty of better things to eat.

Austria

What to Do There: Ski or Snowboard the Alps
Find the biggest stretch of powder you can, and spend the day putting fresh tracks on the ground. Your only dilemma will be: so many great runs with so little time. Champagne powder awaits, so search out the untouched channels and runs. We can promise you'll be exhausted by the end of the day, but you'll have a smile ear to ear while enjoying a delicious beverage overlooking a pristine mountain landscape.

New Zealand

What to Do There: Snowball Fight on a Glacier

Hike up to the expansive glaciers of New Zealand. And finish the day off with an epic snowball fight. We all remember the endless beautiful landscape in Lord of the Rings, minus Mordor. Well this is a chance to hike amidst the greenery and lushness of temperate rainforest into alpine fields, while drinking from pristine glacial creeks. Travel to a six-mile-long glacier for a day you won't forget.

Brazil

What to Do There: Hang-glide over Rio De Janeiro
Travel to the highest point, count to three, and set sail for a bird's eye view of Rio. Considered one of most beautiful backdrops of any city in the world, you will have an opportunity to see it in no better way when flying over top of it. We hope you take a selfie while doing so, as it will be a moment you will never forget, and an experience that few can say they've done.

Scotland

What to Do There: Hunt for Nessi on Lake Loch Ness

Hike, swim, row, or fly. Find out once and for all whether Nessi exists. We believe he exists, as do many old-timers who live around the lake. With a trusty guide, you can hear the stories and gather the necessary intelligence to uncover the truth. Last sightings, Nessi's favorite food, forgotten clues, dawn or dusk. A nighttime full moon search is not out of the question.

Australia

What to Do There: Skinny Dip in the Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy the freedom of escaping reality, while exploring the wonders of the reef. Few things are as freeing, but combined with beautiful secluded warm waters, few things can be more enjoyable. Swim laps, cannon ball off the boat, dive with fish, and bask in the sun. Find your inner child as you embark on a day of endless laughs and adventure.

Cambodia

What to Do There: Watch the Sun Rise Over Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is one of the largest and most impressive architectural and religious monuments in Southeast Asia. Start the day early with your favorite travel partner by your side, and enjoy the sunrise while taking in the breathtaking views that surround the landscape of this majestic landmark with artifacts dating back to the 15th century.

Costa Rica

What to Do There: Swim With Sea Turtles

We love turtles, and as an endangered species, they could really use a helping hand. Looking for a place to visit so you can give back? Touch down in Tortuguergo, Costa Rica, which established its own National Park in 1975 to protect nesting turtles and allow for research and other conservation work with the sea creatures.

Egypt

What to Do There: See the Pyramids on Camel Back

The oldest pyramid in Egypt is believed to be more than 4,500 years old. It's tough to imagine how humans then could have accomplished such a feat. If you haven't seen the pyramids, they're a spectacle that everyone should experience once in their lives. Trust us, there's no better way to do it than with a new best friend who spits every few minutes.

Belgium

What to Do There: Score a VIP Pass to Tomorrowland

There's no better place to let loose than at Tomorrowland, the world's largest electronic music festival, held annually in Belgium. Beautiful people from all over the world come together at the end of July to celebrate a magical weekend of music at the most unique performance festival in the world. Boasting past performances from Avicci, Afrojack, and David Guetta, Tomorrowland is an experience concertgoers won't soon forget.

If any of these interest you, we have good news. These are 10 of a list of 20 items that we've chosen for The Most Epic Bucket List Contest (Ever). If you win, you and a friend will get the chance to cross these off your list. You can choose your list items here.

Whether you win the contest or not, make your own adventure list and go after it. The more items we cross off our list, the more we become convinced that anyone can do anything.

Your dreams are closer than they appear. There's nothing about us four guys that makes us more able than anyone else to accomplish our goals, other than the simple fact that we decided to go after them. Don't wait. Why not start now?

Source : www.mindbodygreen.com