10k Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn+ Let’s start with the old and faithful. One of the best trips to take in your 20s is now and forever will be, ‘the Eurotrip’. An idea once made famous by a certain film has long been a tradition of college graduates… so what are you waiting for!? Studying at college or university in your 20’s – dubbed the “best years of your life” – can sometimes feel like a drag. You’ve got your classes, lectures, essays, deadlines… and that’s just the weekdays. If you want to make the most of your studious years and try something new, look into your study abroad options. A semester in Rome? A year in Paris? The opportunities are endless when you start looking at your options… An increasingly popular trip to take in your 20s (and of course your 30’s, 40’s+++) is to dedicate your most precious asset – your time – to volunteer in an African nation. If you’re uncertain on where you’d like to go and feeling overwhelmed by the options available, Volunteer Africa is a good place to start.

Once the road less travelled, South America is becoming an increasingly popular choice for 20-something travellers. Hot spots such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires are a good place to start, but be sure to include more of the best places to go in South America in your travel plans – there’s a whole continent to be discovered! While a solo trip is a bold and noble move to make in your 20’s, if you have the chance to travel with friends, don’t take it for granted. Later in your life (and theirs) you may not be able to have the same chance twice, so take advantage of having a travel companion to make memories with. Costa Rica is to Americans what Bali is to the Aussies… backpacking central and an oasis for surfers, nature lovers and those just looking to take a legitimate break from reality. For proximity purposes, Southeast Asia is the first choice for young 20-something Australians looking for a quick or extended break on the road. Because of its’ cultural allure and ‘far far away’ factor for the Brits and Americans, Southeast Asia is considered by those in the Northern Hemisphere to be the ultimate backpacking destination to lose and find yourself.

Whether you’re bungy jumping off the highest jump in Macau or jumping out of planes over Las Vegas, there’s plenty of thrills to seek around the world. Traditionally thrill seekers would head to places like New Zealand for outdoor adventures, but over the years these thrills have spread out across the globe and you can expect to jump out of things almost anywhere in the world! Want to take a trip around the world but don’t have anyone to go with? Going solo can be one of the scariest and most challenging decisions of your life, but it can (and will) also be the most rewarding. backpack uhcIt won’t be easy but it certainly won’t be dull.wolf backpack hot topic Yacht Week off the coast of Croatia has quickly become the ‘in thing’ among 20 and 30-somethings the world over. backpack eberlestock

My friend Kristen (aka The Blonde Abroad) wrote a great introductory post for first timers. Of all the trips I’ve taken in my 20’s so far, bike riding death road in Bolivia has been the most nerve-racking. Indeed – this one would not be for the faint hearted. Holi (colour) festival in India is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ trips you will never (ever ever ever) forget in your lifetime. Be sure to take some friends along for the ride, India is a country best enjoyed with a few travel companions and an open mind in its’ purest form.nitrogen backpack servicing system If you find yourself in Germany during September/October, you simply cannot pass up the opportunity to head straight for Munich to enjoy the festivities that are Oktoberfest (aka beer fest…in October).laptop bags ryanair

Things are about to get wild….. If there’s one tried and tested piece of advice before going into the Full Moon Party in Thailand – it’s that there’s no piece of advice I could tell you that you haven’t already heard or know to be true. The stories aren’t fiction…. these are some of the craziest parties you can attend. So why not, right!? Travelling cross-country in the United States of ‘Merica is about as down right authentic as it gets. Grab some friends, load a vehicle, and get ready for an eye-opening adventure as you see ‘the other’ side(S) of the States you’ve only read or heard about. borderlands backpack fullNothing is to be unexpected.Peaceful and pristine Patagonia. Be sure to leave ample time for eye boggling and horseback riding, all the while keeping your eyes peeled for pumas roaming nearby. Whether it’s a one day hike, ten day hike, or climbing to the summit of Mt Everest – nothing will leave you feeling more like you’ve conquered the world than to climb something… anything!

Could there be anything more appealing than rowing a boat in the Norwegian fjords, an area still reminiscent of Viking times? If you want to get off the beaten path and try something a little different in your 20’s, consider heading to the Arabian desert for an adventure you’ll never forget. Last but certainly not least, have you considered the wildly exotic Australia? Marine wildlife, hot summer days, cold beers as a reward for your troubles… Australia may be geographically isolated, but we think there’s a good reason. It is one of the most naturally beautiful areas of landmass in the world. So, how many have you done? How many will you aim to do before 30?While there’s no perfect age to get up and go, there is something special about hitting the road and experiencing some of the world’s most incredible adventures in your twenties. Go while you’re young, single and without too much responsibility. There are so many epic parties, festivals and experiences around the world, so take advantage of your freedom and get out there!

Gather up your friends, choose a destination (British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Croatia, Greece or Italy), pick a yacht and get ready for – it’s nothing like the real world! Each day you sail to a new destination and each night you party under the stars with fellow Yacht Weekers from around the world. Arrive in Pamplona for the where you will spend the morning being doused with sangria, flour and eggs and the afternoon wandering the streets filled with music and dancing. The following morning, get up early (or perhaps you stayed out all night?) and get ready for the famous ‘Running of the Bulls.’ You can either participate in the run or watch from the streets or a balcony. Set off on one of the most breathtaking trails in the world. The ever-changing landscape of the Inca Trail will bring you over towering mountains and through the rain forest, only to end at the incredible Machu Picchu. The hike is challenging at times but is worth the reward at the end of the trail.

Take your time and enjoy this physical, visual and spiritual journey. Regardless of whether you’re a diehard soccer fan or not, watching the World Cup live is a must do! Aside from the unforgettable parties and the insane energy in the stadium, what better way to unite with people from all over the world at one of the biggest sporting events on earth? Who doesn’t like a good German beer? Oktoberfest is a great way to end the summer festival season by squeezing into one of the fourteen massive and beautifully decorated tents, each representing one of Germany’s finest beers. Before you know it, you’ll be standing on top of a picnic table “Prost-ing” with your new buddies from all over the world. Don’t be surprised when you’re singing “Hey Baby” (I wanna know if you’ll be my girl) for weeks to come! Experience a week unlike anything else in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert at . Thousands of people come together every year to create “Black Rock City”- a community that is based completely on art, self-expression and self-reliance.

Head down to New Orleans to celebrate Fat Tuesday and the days leading up to . Take in the full experience and order a (known as the World’s first-ever cocktail); stroll down busy Bourbon Street to experience visual entertainment like you’ve probably never seen before; and be sure to catch some of the parades (and maybe some beads)! The thought of venturing out into the world on a  can be daunting, but learning how to make decisions alone and get yourself from place to place is a tool you will value for the rest of your life. It isn’t always possible to find friends or relatives who are able to travel with you and this certainly shouldn’t stop you from going where you want and exploring the parts of the world that you’ve dreamt of. Give yourself the gift of independence, an opportunity to experience new cultures and the time to learn about yourself and what’s best for you. Carnival is the Godfather to Mardi Gras. While they are both the same celebration, Carnival in Rio de Janeiro takes it to a whole different level.

Carnival in Rio is often considered one of the biggest parties in the world and is the benchmark in which every other Carnival around the world is compared. The celebration is rich in Brazilian culture, art, music and celebration. Start in Saigon, take a boat ride and explore the the Mekong Delta, then hop on a motorbike and explore the highlands of . Stay overnight with the locals in their villages as you make your way up (or down) the beautiful country. You can choose to make this adventure solo or there are several motorbike tours that can guide you and allow you to enjoy the ride from the back of the bike. Start in the south of California or as north as Oregon and drive the famous for the road trip of a lifetime. Between the mountains, the desert, the forests and the ocean, this drive will leave you in awe of the West Coast of California. This adventure is not for the weak of heart but one that should certainly be experienced. Hop on a bike and head downhill for 40 miles .

While the road consists of a narrow road and steep cliffs, it also takes you through waterfalls and provides breathtaking panoramic views. This party follows the lunar calendar so, every time there is a full moon, rest assured there is a somewhere in Thailand. The most famous location is the beach at Koh Phangan. The nights leading up to the full moon are often the most fun. Every night, be ready to paint your body in glow paint, sip vodka and Red Bull out of buckets and dance with fire under the stars until the sun comes up. The Holi Festival, or the Festival of Colors, is an ancient Hindu religious festival that celebrates love and color. This carnival of colors is celebrated by dancing in the street, playing music and throwing colored powder at each other.Las Vegas is the city where you can find anything and everything and it has a little something for everyone. Sip on fancy cocktails at on of the pools or head out for some shopping during the day. In the evenings, dine with some of the finest restaurants the country has to offer and experience a nightlife that is unparalleled to anything else.

And, of course, practice your best poker face at one of the many casinos. This 7.5 mile race takes place on the third Sunday in May. Runners start in the northeast part of downtown San Francisco and make their way to Ocean Beach. Fun for both the runner and the spectator, plan to see people wearing anything between bizarre costumes and their birthday suits!  Southeaast Asia is one of the most populated travel circuits in the world- especially with people in their 20’s. Take a month or two to go tubing in Laos, hit the beaches in Thailand, visit in Cambodia and go on a , Vietnam. Make your way down the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica hitting up some of the best surf spots like and Playa Avellanas. Don’t worry if you’re not a great surfer. There are an abundance of surf schools along the way as well as plenty of yoga retreats and beautiful beaches. Backpacking through Europe is like a “coming of age” for most young travelers. With easy train accessibility, cheap flights and loads of budget hostels, it has become increasingly easier to move from county to country around Europe on a budget while experiencing different cultures, language and food.