My Travel Experiences are more than just fun; they can be a powerful form of self-discovery. Traveling provides you with many skills that can serve you for the rest of your life, whether it be building relationships or developing yourself as a person.
Even experiences that aren’t great fun can be very memorable, for example a visit to Auschwitz or driving the Icefields Parkway and staring at its flinty vistas under a cobalt sky.
Space Travel
Space travel is a dream many of us have, but only the very rich can afford it at the moment. The first self-funded space tourist was American businessman Dennis Tito, who spent a week at the International Space Station in 2001 for $20m (£15m). More recently, American billionaire Elon Musk’s private rocket company SpaceX has offered orbital flights aboard its Dragon capsule, but tickets cost tens of millions of dollars. And Virgin Galactic, whose clients include Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber, is offering suborbital trips for $250k (£190k).
Orbital and suborbital spaceflights take passengers to the edge of space, where they experience rocket propulsion and several minutes of weightlessness before gliding down to Earth. Companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX offer these, while the Russian company Kosmokurs offers shorter suborbital excursions with more time in microgravity.
Eventually, companies will offer lunar excursions and trips to Mars and beyond, but that won’t happen for years. In the meantime, you can take part in less exotic but still exciting space-related activities. Zero G, for example, recreates the feeling of zero gravity on modified Boeing 727s, while other companies such as Virgin’s SpaceShipTwo are planning to launch commercial flights later this year. They’ll take you to the edge of space, where you can witness the iconic thin blue line of our planet’s atmosphere.
Shark Cage Diving
One of the top things on many people’s bucket lists is shark cage diving. This is because there is nothing like the thrill of facing nature’s most powerful predator face to face. However, it is not for the faint of heart. In addition to the dangers of a potential shark attack, there is the risk of injury from climbing in and out of the cage, swallowing water, or drowning. Luckily, these risks can be avoided by participating in an experienced tour.
There are several shark cage diving tours that offer this unique experience. For example, This Is My Shark Life is an award-winning company that hosts diving trips throughout the world. They have a number of multi-day packages to Guadalupe Island where you can take up to 10 total one-hour cage dives, providing you with near endless opportunities to see a wide variety of shark species.
In addition to their shark cage diving tours, This Is My Shark Life offers surface cages where you can watch sharks from a platform. This is ideal for people who are not comfortable with deep underwater diving or those who have a fear of sharks. The only requirements for this tour are a full-face mask and a willingness to be face to face with these bewildering creatures. This is a great way to get over your fears while contributing to shark conservation and education.

Camel Ride
While many people think of camels as docile desert demons, they’re actually pretty sweet and funny. Camels have long provided nomadic peoples across the Middle East with milk, meat, and leather, as well as a means of transporting themselves and their belongings over desert terrain. A camel ride can give you a taste of Bedouin culture, and help you understand how these ancient travelers lived in the region’s remote desert landscapes.
Riding a camel can be exhilarating, but it’s important to remember that the animal is not built to support you on its back, and the distance between your feet is quite long. It’s also best to avoid riding a camel if you have back or hip injuries, are pregnant, or have never ridden before.
When booking your experience, consider choosing a reputable tour operator with an emphasis on animal welfare. This way, you can be sure that the animals are being looked after properly and that your money is helping to contribute to their healthy upkeep. Rather than opting for a 5-minute experience haggled down from 100DH outside Menara Gardens and Menara mall, book your ride ahead of time to ensure that you’re paying a fair price. Some providers can arrange hotel transfers, limited liability insurance to protect from possible accidents, and even mint tea or breakfast on your camel journey.
Trekking
Trekking is one of the most rewarding travel experiences for adventurous souls. This outdoor activity combines breathtaking landscapes, cultural immersion, and fitness challenges into an experience that can truly change your life.
The Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal is one of the most famous trekking routes in the world, giving trekkers the chance to come face to face with the tallest mountain on Earth. The Kungsleden trail in Sweden is also a popular trek, offering an immersive experience of Sami culture and stunning mountain scenery. The Milford Track in New Zealand offers a similarly awe-inspiring alpine landscape, with glacial valleys and rainforests.
For many people, the challenge of completing a trek is an important motivating factor. The physical demands of the activity help build strength and endurance, while also improving cardiovascular health. In addition, the remoteness of trekking destinations often provides an opportunity to learn about local cultures and traditions.
Trekking can be a social experience as well, with the camaraderie and teamwork that develops among trekkers helping them through challenging sections of the route. For some, the shared experience of a trek can result in lasting friendships and lifelong memories.