AUTHOR: Maya Capasso

Traveling the world is one of the most fulfilling activities a person can engage in. While tourist attractions and guided trips have their charm, some say off-the-beaten-path experiences are the most exciting and memorable, leading to people have amazing and fulfilling travel stories from their trips.

1. Silent Sahara Trek

Imagine spending eight days walking through the sandy dunes of the Sahara desert with no path, trail, or other people around. That’s exactly what one user did, and it’s an experience they’ll never forget. They did have a guide with them, but other than that, they were utterly alone. The freedom to experience that much peace and silence was breathtaking.

2. Vibing in Portugal

One commenter traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, and had the best time simply sitting in a square and watching locals interact and have a good time. Live music and beautiful lighting drew them to the square. They spent hours simply looking around at everyone as they relaxed, danced, drank wine, and connected with one another.

3. Restaurant Opening Party in Vietnam

While one respondent backpacked through Vietnam, they stumbled upon a restaurant and watched an entire goat getting roasted on the spit. They soon learned the restaurant hosted a pre-opening party for family and close friends. Instead of turning the traveler away, the restaurant owners welcomed them inside to join the party. And it was delicious!

4. Group Scuba Bonding in Brazil

Scuba diving is a life-changing experience, but what makes it even better is having a community of like-minded divers to enjoy the ocean with. One forum member says they recently went on a trip to Brazil with twenty divers who lived together on a boat for four days. On the last night, they held a barbecue on the boat, shared stories and laughter, and sang songs together. It was the first time they had seen the Milky Way galaxy without any light pollution, and the sight brought them to tears.

5. Outdoor Wake in Jamaica

In the U.S., funerals and wakes tend to be somber and low-energy. But other cultures take a lighter spin on this grieving tradition. In Jamaica, one user wandered upon an outdoor wake at night. They were stunned to watch the attendants dance to loud music and had a fantastic time. “It made me want to seek out more off-the-beaten-path experiences in new places,” they write.

6. Motorbike Trip in Vietnam

Sometimes spur-of-the-moment choices make the most memorable travel experiences. That was the case for this user, who met two Dutch travelers and decided to embark on a five-day motorbike trip with them across Northern Vietnam. Despite having little experience driving a motorbike, they had a blast on the trip. “I’ve never felt more alive,” they add.

7. New Year’s Eve in Japan

Watching flurries of snow drift from the soft clouds as you sip hot sake in Japan on New Year’s Eve is the experience of a lifetime. One commenter did just that before heading to a Shinto temple to engage in a tradition of ringing a giant bell to celebrate the new year.

8. Swimming With Humpbacks in Tonga

If you ever get to swim with whales on your travels, take advantage of that opportunity. This forum member went to Tonga and had the time of their life swimming with humpbacks. “Listening to the male sing but out of my sight in the water, the sound was hauntingly beautiful and brought tears to my eyes there in the ocean,” they say.

9. Scootering Through the Vietnamese Countryside

Renting a bike, scooter, or motorcycle in a foreign country can be a fantastic way to explore on your own terms. One commenter rented a scooter in the Vietnamese countryside, where they spent hours examining the gorgeous scenery and watching the locals go about their daily lives. Their favorite memory of the scooter trip was when they drove by a school at the end of the day. They watched as the kids rode their bikes home in their uniforms, and each shouted hello as they passed by.

10. Solo Valentine’s Day in Monaco

One user fell in love with Monaco while exploring its streets alone on Valentine’s Day. “If I could create my dream place from scratch, it would be exactly like Monaco,” they claim. It turns out that you don’t need a Valentine when you find your favorite place on earth.

11. Squirrels in London

Sometimes, the simple things are the most amazing. One commenter visited London on their first trip abroad and took a stroll through St. James Park, where a man approached them and showed them how to get the squirrels to climb all over them. They had a blast enticing the squirrels with nuts and getting them to scurry across their shoulders.

12. Culture Shock in Morocco

Culture shock isn’t always bad. In fact, it’s why many people travel in the first place. One respondent says their first trip outside Europe was to Tangier, Morocco. “The total, overwhelming culture shock is a feeling I’ve been looking to replicate ever since but have never quite reached,” they say.

Source: Reddit.

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