People who love to travel share their most memorable experiences from around the world

If you love to travel, chances are at least one experience you’ve had stands out. Redditor u/Excellent_Collar_618 asked, “What are some unique travel experiences that have left a lasting impression on people?” Many travelers (including members of the BuzzFeed community) responded with their most memorable adventures, and here’s what they had to say.

1.“Watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu is like hiking in the early morning mist, reaching the summit as the sun peeks over the mountains. There is something incredibly humbling and awe-inspiring about seeing this ancient city slowly come to life with the first light of day.”

2.“I’m sitting in a cafe enjoying a late beer with my wife after dinner in Barrio Santa Cruz in Seville. A guy walks in with a guitar. He starts playing some flamenco – he doesn’t sing, he just leans back on the table, sings. A while later, a girl comes in, sits down next to him, and they both start singing. they also stomp their feet and clap their hands at a maddening pace. Beer and wine are cheap, so the intensity level rises Professional flamenco performers in the city go to relax after performing for tourists for $50 a head. I was able to enjoy the best flamenco I’ve ever heard – for free – in an outdoor café with jasmine-scented breezes. It was magical.”

3.“Riding the Nakasendo Trail through Japan’s Gifu and Nagano prefectures was a highlight. The whole area was incredible.”

4.“I have hiked the Great Wall of China, but NOT the part closest to Beijing. We hiked to the more remote parts a few hours outside of town where you’ll only see a few others all day. Amazingly beautiful.”

5.“Spent a month driving around Nevada and Utah. The national parks from Great Basin to Canyonlands are worth every mile. Also, the absolute silence and stars at night were a bonus.”

6.“I travel to Fairbanks, Alaska in the winter to see the Northern Lights for myself! Alaska is amazing and so magical in the winter!”

7.“Hunting truffles with dogs on a farm in Pettino, Italy during the summer.”

8.“I’m hiking through Petra in Jordan. This archeological site is crazy. Even the fact that it was built is amazing, not to mention that it survived thousands of years.”

9.“Snorkeling with manatees in Florida. You just drift, float on a pool noodle, and the manatees swim beneath you. The more relaxed you are, the more likely the manatees will spend time around you.”

10.“Nothing compares to the tranquility of kayaking through the Bioluminescent Bay of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Rowing under the stars, the water shimmers around you with every stroke thanks to microorganisms. It’s like shaking the Milky Way in your hands – a cosmic encounter. on Earth that embeds itself in your soul.”

11.“Spending a week with a Mongolian nomadic family was a game changer. Living in a yurt, helping to herd and immersing yourself in their daily life was unreal. The simplicity and hospitality was humbling.”

12.“I walked El Camino de Santiago a few years ago. It took 39 days to cover the 900 km and I mostly stayed in small hostels outside the city located in monasteries and churches. It was so beautiful, difficult, peaceful and life-changing all at the same time.”

13.“I went to the Channel Islands National Park to camp, rented a boat and booked a campsite. The ranger met us at the dock and told us he would be on another island for the next few days. We were the only campers (my wife and I) and wanted to make sure we were comfortable on the island for a few days before the boat left, so we had the whole place to ourselves for three days because we had that much so much whale and marine life activity that we sat almost idle for the entire ocean to greet us. It was incredible.

14.“I just hiked Acatenango in Guatemala and it was like nothing I’ve ever seen or done before. It was incredible to sit there watching the volcano erupt as it got dark was incredible.”

15.“Thailand. I rented a moped in Chang Mai and went to Pai. I’ve never been on a motorcycle or moped, but the ride through the mountains and curves was absolutely breathtaking. It was about a three hour drive because I was” All too familiar with how to turn corners at a decent speed, I also got my first ticket that day.

16.“While visiting the Isle of Skye, my wife and I took the first boat of the day from Elgol to Loch Coruisk. We were the only people on the boat and had the whole place to ourselves for about two hours. It was surreal.”

17.“Trekking in the Himalayas. Annapurna Basecamp is the most amazing place I’ve ever been, and the seven-day trek there makes it even more special.”

18.“Taking a cruise to the Galápagos Islands. We did a lot of interesting hikes and saw tons of wildlife, but the most memorable experience for me was snorkeling with penguins. Yes, penguins! A species of penguin (the Galapagos penguin) lives in the Galapagos Islands, even though we are not far from the equator and the water is warm enough to grow coral reefs. When I was there, the water temperature was in the 70s (warm enough to snorkel without a wetsuit) and the penguins were hissing. . It was surreal.”

19.“I participated in the Mongol Rally. I bought a decrepit car in England and drove to Mongolia in over six weeks with two of my friends.”

20.“Visiting Sequoia National Park. I wasn’t a “nature guy” before, but this trip completely changed that for me. Now, national parks are some of my favorite travel destinations.”

Have one to add? What is one of your most memorable travel experiences? Tell us in the comments or in this anonymous form.

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.