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I have travelled to 58 countries, and my favourite travel experiences are rarely the hotel rooms. They are the things I did once I arrived. Standing in silence as the sun came up over Padar. Lunch on a beach where the sand really is pink. Cycling through rice paddies to a temple on the sea.
These are the five experiences that stood out most from my travels, what made each one special, and how I would do it again. I have saved all of my favourites on Holibob, so you can find and book them yourself.
My favourite travel experiences
These are the ones I tell friends about again and again. Save this list for your next trip.
1. Padar Island sunrise and a Komodo boat day, Indonesia
We set off in the dark to hike up to the Padar viewpoint. When the sun rose over Komodo National Park and lit up those three curved bays, I just stood there. Photos do not do it justice. It is one of the most breathtaking views I have seen anywhere in the world.
From Padar we sailed to Komodo Island and walked through Loh Liang with a local ranger to see Komodo dragons in the wild. They are huge, prehistoric and much faster than they look. Then came lunch and a swim at Pink Beach. It was the most epic day of the whole trip.
My recommendation: leave as early as you can. The Padar trail is mostly steps and gets busy, so wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water. My full Labuan Bajo itinerary has the timings.
Find a Komodo boat day on Holibob
2. Sunset catamaran on the Bay of Palma, Spain
Seeing Palma from the water is something I would add to any trip to Mallorca. Sunset catamaran cruises leave from the marina, and as the light drops the cathedral and Bellver Castle glow gold across the bay.
My recommendation: go at sunset rather than midday. The heat has eased, the water is calm and it is the best view of the city you will get. More ideas in my Palma de Mallorca travel guide.
Find a Palma catamaran cruise on Holibob
3. Murano and Burano, Venice, Italy
If you have an extra half day in Venice, spend it on the islands. Murano has been making Venetian glass for centuries and you can watch it being blown in the workshops. Burano, with its brightly painted houses and lace making heritage, feels a world away from the crowds around San Marco.
My recommendation: do not buy glass from the first shop you walk into. Take your time and compare pieces. My Venice travel guide covers where to stay.
Find a Murano and Burano tour on Holibob
4. Alpine lakes in the Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites were exactly what I had imagined. While staying at Lefay Dolomiti, we drove about 45 minutes into Val Nambrone and hiked roughly 30 minutes up to Lago Nero, a high alpine lake at around 2,233 metres. The view from the top was worth every step.
Rowing a wooden boat across Lake Braies was another moment I will never forget. The water is so clear and green it barely looks real, with the peaks rising straight up behind it.
My recommendation: the distances are bigger and the mountain roads slower than they look on a map. A guided day trip is the easiest way to see the famous lakes and viewpoints without the driving and parking stress.
Find a Dolomites day trip on Holibob
5. Cycling to Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia
The highlight of my stay at Nirjhara was a morning guided cycle to Tanah Lot, the sea temple perched on a rock just off the coast. Riding through the villages and rice paddies of Tabanan showed me a side of Bali you would miss from a car, and arriving by bike made the temple feel even more special.
My recommendation: go early, before the heat and the tour buses. If you are staying in this part of Bali, the Jatiluwih rice terraces and the Munduk waterfalls are both worth a day too.
Find Bali experiences on Holibob
Where to book these experiences
I have saved all of these, plus more from my travels, on my Holibob profile. Holibob is a platform for booking things to do around the world, with more than 470,000 experiences run by vetted local operators, and most of them come with free cancellation if your plans change.
See all my favourite experiences on Holibob
My tips for booking experiences abroad
- Book sunrise and boat trips first. They sell out quickest, especially in peak season.
- Look for free cancellation so you can lock in plans and still stay flexible.
- Check whether hotel pickup is included. It saves a lot of time on day trips.
- Read what is included before you book, as stops and meals can vary between tours.
- Leave a free half day after a big excursion. Early starts catch up with you.
FAQs
What is the best thing to do in Labuan Bajo?
For me, the Padar sunrise hike followed by a Komodo boat day. It covers the viewpoint, the dragons and Pink Beach in one unforgettable day.
Is a guided Dolomites day trip worth it?
Yes, especially if you would rather not drive the mountain roads yourself. A local guide gets you to the lakes and viewpoints at the right time of day.
Where can I book the experiences in this post?
I have saved them all on my Holibob profile, where you can check prices, availability and cancellation terms before you book.
Save this post for your next trip, and if you book one of these, let me know how it goes.
