Travel bucket list for people having a big 'O' birthday

Here are some ideas to get you started...

Sleep under the Northern Lights, Finland

Witness the majesty of the Northern Lights and the twinkling of the bright starry sky from your very own glass igloo at Kakslauttanen in Lapland. There are two and four person igloos, log chalets for up to ten people, or for the adventurous you can stay in an actual snow igloo! Best viewing is from around August to October (European autumn).

Immerse yourself in Wild Bush Luxury on the Arkaba Walk, Flinders Ranges

Take nine of your best friends and give yourself a healthy challenge. Unplug and unwind - get away from connectivity of the rest of the world on the Arkaba Walk through the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Finish with a birthday celebration feast on your final night at the homestead!

Study yoga at a 100 year old Ashram

Finding your inner yogi is easy when you're in the yoga capital of the world at Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. Considered by Hindus as one of the holiest places on earth, there are plenty of Ashrams to choose from and accommodation choices range from modest ashram stays (usually requiring a minimum two-week commitment) to luxury hotels. The nightly riverside Aarti Ceremony at Parmarth Niketan on the banks of the Ganges is not to be missed.

Learn the secrets of evolution at the Galapagos Islands

Follow Darwin's footsteps to the unique and always raved about Galapagos Islands. See one of David Attenborough's favourite birds - the blue-footed booby, laze on the beach with a friendly fur-seal or SCUBA dive with marine iguana. There's a variety of cruises to choose from there is something to suit everybody's taste, budget and duration.

Set foot on Antarctica on an expedition cruise

For the well travelled, Antarctica is usually a top bucket list item and what can we say but get there sooner rather than later. Is climate change real? Who knows - but don't take the risk of putting it off til later in life lest those amazing icebergs and glaciers melt. Choose to go early in the Antarctic summer to see a pristine white continent, in the middle to see the fluffy baby penguins or the end of summer when they're all grown up and ready to leave the nest. One Ocean Expeditions offer great itineraries and importantly expert guides. You'll spend your days exploring by zodiac and on shore, enjoying walks and hikes to scenic locations and visiting busy wildlife colonies. Optional sea kayaking and overnight camping are also popular activities on offer.

Learn the art of Thai cooking in Chiang Mai

A fun addition to any trip to Thailand is learning the fragrant secrets to delectable Thai cuisine. The Four Season in Chiang Mai offers the Rim Thai Kitchen Cooking academy. You'll visit a vibrant local market, learn how to ask the guardian spirits for their blessing and discover the best-kept secrets of Thai kitchens, from how to extract maximum flavour from spices to when the prawns are done ‘just right'.

Find serenity at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu should be on everybody's bucket list. Full stop. No doubt about it. And luckily there's a range of ways to do it. Choose from the challenging 4-day tradition Inca trail trek with camping and some steep and long climbs, an alternative trek that includes down-hill mountain biking, more gentle trekking and hotel accommodation or simply do it in grand style arriving on the luxurious Belmond Hiram Bingham train. Whichever way you get there you won't be disappointed. It's one of the most magical places on earth!

Witness the great African migration

Satisfy those long-standing dreams of sipping a cold gin and tonic while watching the animals graze from your luxurious tented camp. It definitely doesn't get much better than opulent Singita Sabora Tented camp in the untouched wilderness of northern Tanzania. Time your stay with the great migration and marvel as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra make their way across the continent.

Test your skills at car racing on the ice in Lapland

Adrenaline junkies will love the thrill of driving up to 125mph on ice! Every winter a lake in Lapland gets transformed into 13 Formula 1 circuits including an exact 1-to-1 replica of the famous “Paul Ricard”. The super-keen can participate in an intense program to 'master drift' driving up to 160 miles per day.

Swim with whale sharks at Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef

A must-do for any ocean lover is the surreal experience of snorkelling with these giant friendly fish. Enhance your bucket list experience by staying at Sal Salis, a luxury tented camp on the coast of Western Australia with only a handful of other guests.

Visit the Taj Mahal (in luxury of course!)

There wouldn't be too many bucket lists that exclude this beautiful dedication of love. The Taj Mahal can get pretty busy with tourists which is why we recommend staying at the exquisite Oberoi Amarvila where you'll be able to lounge in serenity and enjoy views from afar.

Trek in Bhutan with the happiest people on earth

Trekking in Bhutan is different to anywhere in the Himalayas. Unlike Nepal, all treks use tented accommodation so as to leave no trace. You can explore the valleys of Thimphu, Punakha and Paro in luxury with a private guide through Amankora, taking in ancient monasteries, majestic mountains and more of this high-altitude Himalayan kingdom.

Enjoy the romance of train travel on the Blue Train in South Africa

This 27-hour journey of 1,600 kilometres (994 miles), travels through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent. Deluxe suites, elegant lounges and fine dining will sweep you back in time as you relax and watch the world go by.

Cruise down the Amazon in luxury

Don't just do the Amazon any old how...Experience it in luxury aboard the Aria Amazon, a 147 foot long striking black-hulled ship. Wake to the sounds of the jungle and watch the wildlife play from bed with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Amazon River in the ship's 16 Design Suites. Try catch and release fishing for the Amazon’s “vicious” red-bellied piranha, take daily expeditions into the jungle, learn about the indigenous tribes or just laze back in the jacuzzi and feast on divine fresh food.

Walk the Great Wall of China

Centuries after its construction, China's Great Wall remains one of humankind's engineering marvels. Walk along this world wonder visiting small villages that have stood for centuries in the shadow of this massive tribute to human will and determination. Be introduced to the cuisine, culture, and history that makes this one of China's most captivating attractions.

Visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia

If you've ever dreamed of being in an adventure like Indiana Jones then put Angkor Wat and surrounding temples on your bucket list. It's hard not to be impressed by this great complex that at one time had one of the biggest populations in the world. Out favourite temples include Ta Phrom with big overgrown tree roots, Bayon and Beng Mealea about two-hours drive away where you definitely feel like an explorer! No need to stay in a snake pit like Indie though - the magnificent Belmond La Résidence d'Angkor, an intimate retreat on the banks of a tree-lined river has is an ideal base to explore the wonders of the region and the hotel's peaceful gardens, an inviting swimming pool and luxury spa are the perfect place to relax at the end of an action-packed day.

Experience the wonders of the Kimberley on a luxury True North cruise

Stand on the bow of a boat as it artfully positions itself under a waterfall; be spirited away on a helicopter and dropped at the top of a waterfall for an inaccessible, one-of-a-kind picnic; and visit ancient indigenous rock artwork that pre-dates other examples of Aboriginal culture. These are just some of the experiences that await aboard a True North Kimberley Cruise. True North features enhanced levels of comfort and luxury throughout, allowing passengers the opportunity to experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world's most exclusive hotels.

Stay in luxury at your very own villa in Italy

Invite eight of your closest friends to La Matrella Maratea, a corner of paradise just south of the Campania region, down the coast below Amalfi and Cilento. Indulge in your own private chef while exploring the oasis of rich vegetation and sandy beaches. The attractive old town of Maratea lies on the summit of a hill, and is full of old traditions and customs and is a pleasant surprise for visitors. Inside, the villa has excellent quality furniture and finishings, and the recent renovation has maintained intact all of the original architectural features. Outside, there is a large patio furnished for dining after swimming in the private pool.