Top 20 Travel Experiences of 2015

This unprecedented second year of non-stop travel has brought us roaming around six different continents and 27 different countries for a total of over 65,000 miles while completely circumnavigating the globe.

We’re often asked about our favorite places, which is difficult to pin down because each country we visit has its own unique charms.

Instead, we’ve attempted to cull together our top 20 favorite travel experiences from the past year. We had a tough time narrowing them down to 20 experiences and have even gotten into some fierce debates between the two of us about which to include and what should be omitted.

This is a follow-up post to our “Top 20 Travel Experiences of 2014” and also acts to balance out our more recent post that recounts our “Top 20 Worst Travel Experiences” from this past year.

Without further ado, here are our top experiences from 2015, presented in chronological order.

Drum roll please!

1) Trekking Across Patagonia

Where: Patagonia, Chile & Argentina

Why: Experiencing some of the rawest natural beauty we’ve ever seen.

The Experience: It’s been a dream to hike the snow-capped Andes way down in the Southern tip of South America. The overnight trekking through this vast mountain range surpassed any expectations we had of Patagonia. We hiked from volcanoes to glaciers, from lush forests to barren alpine, and from iceberg-filled lakes to rushing waterfalls. This rugged wilderness was awe-inspiring.

Lesser-known treks such as the “Rio Comacho Valley” and “Al Cajon de Rio Azul” rivaled the big guns like Argentina’s Cerro Fitz Roy and Chile’s Torres del Paine. Yet it was probably the famed 4-day “W” trek in Torres del Paine that became the most memorable.

We never anticipated spending so much time in Patagonia or doing so much backcountry camping in the rugged wilderness. But we became absolutely addicted. We’re not hardcore trekkers and weren’t sure that we were up for some of these very physically demanding ascents but we managed to conquer every one without too much pain. With such spectacular natural vistas around every corner it became difficult to refuse embarking on that next trail!

If You Go: Fly into Santiago and transfer to Puerto Natales, where you’ll find numerous companies to provide you with all the gear needed to accomplish the 4-day W trek in Torres del Paine. The Erratic Rock hosts a free information-filled 3:00 talk every day to help prepare you for the trek, although we found their gear to be slightly overpriced compared to other vendors.

2) Exploring the Grandeur of Iguazu Falls

Where: Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Why: It captivated two people who aren’t typically wowed by waterfalls.

The Experience: Getting to Iguazu Falls would add three full days of bus rides (and costs) to our already aggressive journey through Southern South America. We almost decided to skip it for practical reasons. We’ve seen many waterfalls during the past two years of travel, eh, what’s the big deal about this one?

Well, it was a big deal and the payoff was worth every sleepless bit of those long bus rides we endured to get there. We simply couldn’t get over how enormous it all was. There are literally hundreds of waterfalls spread across several miles! It’s one of those places that pictures don’t quite do justice to and you’ve just got to experience it for yourself.

 

And there is no shortage of ways to get up and close to the Falls! From boat rides slamming you into the thundering waterfall to walkways that hover over the top to provide for a vertigo-inducing look down.

To add to all this magic was the abundance of wildlife throughout the park which is set in a tropical rainforest. Don’t be surprised to stumble across monkeys and toucans, among other exotic fauna!

If You Go: Fly into Buenos Aires and transfer to the town of Iguazu Falls where there is an abundance of accommodation for all budgets and easy transport to the Falls themselves. Entrance is 130 argentine pesos (~$10) and we highly recommend splurging on the 12-minute boat ride “Aventura Nautica” to go into the Falls (180 Pesos). Note: Iguazu Falls can also be accessed from Brazil.

3) A Hike That Becomes a Swim: Abel Tasman

Where: South Island, New Zealand

Why: One of the most unique hikes we’ve ever been on.

The Experience: New Zealand has nine officially designated “Great Walks” throughout its beautiful country. We had our sites set on mountainous treks and hence enjoyed both the rigorous Routeburn Track & the demanding Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Then there was the Abel Tasman Track, which we found to be an entirely different beast. This is a coastal trek that winds its way along the beach, up steep cliff sides, across swing bridges, and the trail even brings you wading across bays. Due to the sandy trails and these numerous water crossings, it’s often hiked barefoot or in sandals. Now that’s our type of hiking! We lifted our packs above our heads as we waded for nearly two kilometers across one of the bays!

Meanwhile the trail weaves inland in what is nearly a tropical forest environment complete with lush waterfalls and fresh water swimming holes. It was one of the most unique “hikes” we’d ever been on and it had spectacular beauty to match its distinctiveness.

It’s no wonder this is the most popular Great Walk in New Zealand.

If You Go: Make your way to the town of Nelson, New Zealand where you’ll find a network of busses and water taxis to take you to various starting points. The entire track takes 3-5 days yet you can also hike any single segment in single day. We would recommend the segment from Torrent Bay to Marahau. Visit the official site for the Abel Tasman Coast Track for full information and to book overnight huts well in advance. See Abel Tasman Travel for more information about bus and water taxi transfers.

4) Rappelling Through Subterranean Waterfalls & Dropping Into a 300-Foot Hole

Where: Waitomo, New Zealand

Why: One of our favorite adventures!

The Experience: This day trip through New Zealand’s underground was absolutely insane! Waitomo is often known for all the glowworms that crawl throughout its many caves but we were looking for something a little more extreme than the underground boat tour that many tourists board here.

That’s when we heard about strangely-named places like the Haggis Honking Holes in which the experience is described as “feeling like Indiana Jones in a Washing Machine.” We suited-up with wetsuits and climbing harnesses not knowing exactly what was in store for us. But ultimately we found that description to be dead-on as we rappelled down freezing cold subterranean waterfalls, squeezed our way through tight holes, and used what little remaining energy we had to scale several meters of underground rock faces in order to get out. Absolutely awesome!

Yet perhaps the climax of our day underground was at the neighboring cave known as the Lost World where you drop 100 meters (300+ feet) down into a deep abyss! It took about 10-15 minutes to complete this entire rappel and was an amazing ride that we didn’t want to end.

If you go: Waitomo is about a 2 ½ hour drive from Auckland, NZ and can also be accessed by bus to Otorohanga and a subsequent shuttle. For more information visit Waitomo Adventures, who is the only operator that conducts either of these incredible tours. Early-bird bookings receive generous discounts.

5) Rafting Over the Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall in the World!

Where: Okere River (Kaituna), near Rotorua, New Zealand

Why: It was among the biggest thrills of this trip.

The Experience: Looming at nearly seven meters tall (over 20 feet), Tutea Falls is the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. This seemed like an insane feat that we just had to try.

Holy sh*t! You plunge straight down from the height of a two-story building! What was unexpected was when the raft fully dove underneath the water below the falls and then popped back out. It is a miracle we all somehow managed to stay in the raft! What a rush!

 

To make things even more interesting, we eventually ditched our rafts on the Kaituna River in exchange for a small board to float down the river on as we experienced what is known as “sledging” down the narrow river rapids.

 

If You Go: The Okere River (Kaituna) is best accessed from Rotorua, which is a nearly three-hour drive from Auckland. We went on the whitewater rafting trip with Kaituna Cascades, who provided a great experience and we’d highly recommend. Check bookme.co.nz to see if they’re offering a discount, which you can find as low as $51 NZ ($38) per person. For sledging (AKA hydrospeed), we recommend our outfitter, Kaitiaka Adventures $109 NZ ($73).

6) Rolling Down the Great Ocean Road

Where: Victoria, Australia

Why: The best road trip of our journey.

The Experience: Snag a rental car in Melbourne and hit the pavement for what is said to be one of the best coastal drives in the world. Along the way you’ll stumble across epic surf spots like Bell’s Beach that hosts the annual Rip Curl tournament.

Twist and turn around the bends as you cruise past picturesque lighthouses on the edge of a seaside cliff.

Watch out for those kangaroos jumping around on the side of the road. And don’t forget to look up in the trees to spot wild koalas. If that’s not enough wildlife for you, then go spot some penguins along the rocky coast!

Make it to the famed 12 Apostles before sunset for a special treat as the light dances around these iconic limestone stacks.

If You Go: Affordable rental cars can be found throughout Melbourne where you can drive to the starting point of Torquay to begin your journey. The 151 mile drive can easily be done in a full day but you should allow yourself 2-3 days to give yourself plenty of time for the many sites, treks, and quaint cities you’ll pass along the way.

7) Getting Soaked for Thai New Years at the Songkran Festival

Where: Bangkok, Thailand

Why: One of the most unique and fun cultural events of our trip.

The Experience: We arrived to Bangkok just in time for the annual New Year’s celebration, known as Songkran which takes place in every year in mid-April. The festival represents purification and the washing away all of the sins and bad luck.

This is done by participating in one gigantic city-wide water fight! Super soakers, buckets, and simple water bottles all are transformed into weapons as you wage battle on the fellow festivalgoers.

Many use ice-cold water as a naughty way to stun you in Thailand’s otherwise steamy climate. Meanwhile children come by rubbing white chalk on your face as they laugh to themselves while performing this ritual.

But the event is really just one big party! Music blasts from every direction and crowds of people break into dance among the chaos of water being sprayed everywhere. Grab a Chang beer and jump right into the party!

If You Go: The Songkran Festival occurs all over Thailand each year from April 13-15. Fly into Bangkok where you’ll find many epicenters to experience this crazy party. We recommend Khao San Road.

8) Bushwhacking through the Remote Borneo Jungle

Where: Kelabit Highlands and Mulu Caves, Serawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Why: Our favorite completely off-the-grid adventure.

We really wanted to experience the road less traveled in Borneo which lead us to some of our most remote adventures. We first got our feet wet in the Borneo jungle by trekking with a guide to a remote cave. We fought through treacherous river crossings, snakes, and way to many leeches, as our guide chopped through the dense jungle with his machete.

That was just a precursor for our next adventure. We hopped on a 16-seater, twin engine otter to transport us to the secluded highlands town of Bario (pop 800). We discovered that we were the only visitors the town had seen for several days. But this small agricultural town was only a jumping off point to reach Pa’ Lungan (pop <100) several miles away and only accessible by foot. We navigated our way through the maze-like jungle on our own with nothing more than some crude verbal directions.

We stopped at rice fields to ask for directions and spoke to old women who had stretched out their earlobes down to their shoulders. It was a real National Geographic type of moment. We finally reached the pristine paradise of Pa’ Lungan where a kind local provided us with a room and some of the most delicious home cooking we’ve eaten during our trip.

 

If You Go: Maswings has daily flights from Miri to Bario for $116.55 ringett (~$29) per person, each way. From Bario find a friendly local to offer you a room and provide directions or guide service to Pa’ Lungan. Good luck!

9) Plunging into the Best Dive Site in the World

Where: Sipadan, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Why: Sipadan was, without question, the best scuba diving we’ve ever done in our lives.

The Experience: Sipadan is often claimed as the best Scuba Diving site in the world and we won’t argue with that for a second. We’ve never seen so much marine life in any underwater location. It was like scuba diving through a well-stocked aquarium. Large fish like grouper and snapper hunted for prey along the huge coral walls. Gaze into a cavern to spot a napping turtle only to turn your head back in the other direction and find a magnificent shark swimming right along side you.

It all felt surreal. We were waiting for Sebastian the Crab to come out and start singing “Under the Sea” any minute. We can now completely understand Jacques Cousteau’s fascination with what he called an “untouched piece of art.”

Perhaps remarkable among our eight dives was getting caught up in the middle of a “barracuda tornado” in which these huge schooling fish formed a vortex all around us!

(Much more video and a full post to eventually come about this awesome place in the world.)

If You Go: Access Sipadan from the town of Semporna. We dove with Sipadan Scuba who offered the best value package that we could find at time of travel. $919 Malaysian (~$225) per person, includes two days of diving with 3 dives at Sipadan and 3 at other nearby sites, lunches each day, and three nights accommodation.

10) Searching for Wildlife on the Kinabatangan River Expedition

Where: Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Why: This has been our best wildlife encounter of the trip.

The Experience: One of our biggest motivators for venturing to Borneo was to see wildlife in the unspoiled environments of these ancient jungles. Wow, the expedition up the Kinabatangan River did not disappoint!

We were surrounded by wildlife from the moment we arrived to our rustic riverside lodge when a huge saltwater crocodile jumped into the water. Upon seeing that “dinosaur,” our guide told us we would not be permitted to kayak today.

We instead went on an expedition on little riverboats where we were enchanted by three types of primates: long-tailed macaques, silverback monkeys, and proboscis monkeys! Other reptiles such as snakes and giant moniter lizards complimented our croc sightings. Meanwhile twitchers were delighted by the many birds soaring overhead, to the likes of storm storks, hornbills, egrets, and even eagles.

Yet it was the rare pygmy elephants that we wanted to get a glimpse of. They hadn’t been seen in these parts for months so it was a long shot. But as we turned around the river bend, there they were. Watching the mother and baby pygmy elephant feeding by the riverbank provided for one of the most jaw-dropping moments of our trip.

If You Go: For more information refer to our full post detailing Top 3 Wildlife Adventures You Can Do in Borneo On a Budget. We highly recommend Nature Lodge Kinabataangan who offers 3-day, 2-night all inclusive packages (accommodation, meals, boat trips, activities) ranging from $50-$90 per person, per night and vary pending level of accommodation.

11) Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

Where: Oslob, Cebu, Philippines

Why: Swimming with the largest fish is a bucket-list experience worth seeking out!

The Experience: We have been searching for these elusive gentle giants over the course of our two-year odyssey. Failed attempts include Mexico, Belize, Thailand and Malaysia. It was finally here in the Philippines where we got up close and personal with the largest fish in the world!

There were probably a half dozen of them swimming around the warm waters just a short distance from the coast. We could hardly contain our excitement as we swam with arm’s reach of these magnificent creatures!

If You Go: Fly into Cebu where you can transfer to Oslob by bus. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds. The 30-minute experience runs 1,000 pesos (~$22 USD) per person. See our detailed post about Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob Philippines for all the details about this experience including recommendations on how to reach Oslob on your own and where to stay.

12) Swimming Through a Turtle Wonderland on a Remote Island

Where: Apo Island, Philippines

Why: Because swimming with dozens of wild turtles is pretty awesome!

The Experience: Someone is hosting a turtle convention in the Philippines and center stage is the remote island Apo Island. I’ve never seen so many turtles in my life before. You can practically pick any spot on the beach, jump in the water, and within seconds you’ll be surrounded by these splendid half-shelled reptiles. Not one, not two, but dozens of them! Don’t believe us? Here’s proof!

I’ve never seen anything like it. We saw so many hawkbills and green sea turtles. It never got old. They’re very docile and didn’t seemed to be threatened by our presence allowing us to get nice and close.

After your close encounters, kick back on this far-flung tropical paradise with a San Miguel beer in hand!

If You Go: The nearest airport is Dumaguete, on the island of Negros Oriental. From Dumaguete take a bus to Malatapay where you can take a ferry to Apo Island. We highly recommend a stay at Liberty Lodge where prices start at 1,950 pesos ($22) per night, per person, for three meals a day and a beachside room. Incredible value!

13) Discovering Hidden Beaches in Bacuit Bay

Where: El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Why: The best island hopping tour we’ve ever been on.

The Experience: Throughout our journey we’ve embarked on some incredible island hopping tours in the Caribbean, Thailand, and even Turkey. But the crystal clear water and the pristine islands of the Bacuit Bay reign supreme in our book!

A combo tour brings you to six islands total. The only problem is that when you think you’ve arrived at the most scenic beach in the world, the next one surpasses it. We gushed over the visits to these untouched coves and hidden beaches.

 

Put on your mask to have a look below and you’ll be greeted by Nemo (clownfish). Climb atop the rocky cliffs to get a birds-eye view of the dozens of island that sprout up from the ocean floor. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine what was more beautiful: the view below at the surface, at the surface, or high above the surface. There isn’t a bad choice of the bunch.

As the sun begins the sink, so do the ice-cold beers. It’s no wonder Alex Garland was inspired to write his novel The Beach after being seduced by this paradise!

If You Go: Fly to Puerto Princesa where you can arrange bus or shuttle transfer to El Nido. There are four tours offered here visiting a combination of various islands and are referred simply as the A, B, C, and D tours. The A and C tours are said to be the best and there is a A & C Combo Tour that offers both tours in the same day. We booked our A & C Combo Tour with El Nido DJ Explorer who offered the best price and were extremely nice and accommodating.

14) Scuba Diving WWII Wrecks

Where: Coron, Philippines

Why: The spookiest adventure!

The Experience: Although we’ve done our fair share of dives, we’ve never been inside a wreck before. Thanks to Coron, that all changed.

During WWII the Philippines were occupied by Japanese forces and on September 24, 1944 a surprise air strike by the US sunk 11 Japanese vessels that were taking refuge near the island of Coron.

Now 70 years later, we visited two of those ships and hence conquered our first ever wreck dives.

If You Go: Arrive to Coron by plane or ferry. We dove with and recommend Rocksteady Dive Center. The cost is 2,700 php ($57) for two dives including equipment, lunch, the opportunity to snorkel at a third site, and even a post-dive beer!

15) Cruising Through History

Where: Luxor to Aswan, Egypt

Why: This most pleasant surprise proved to be our favorite historical experience of the year.

The Experience: There was lots to love about our Nile River trip. The ancient sites we visited over the course of four days were nothing short of astonishing. The ship itself, our cabin, the food, and the service had all far exceeded any expectations we had.

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Yet perhaps best of all, we simply enjoyed lounging around the ship and watching the local life pass by along the banks of the Nile. Scenes would change from children splashing around on the riverbanks to farmers sewing their fields. Every once in while, a random camel or donkey would make a cameo appearance.

Whether watching the world go by from the oversized windows of our room or while cooling off in the pool, it all made for a memorable experience that we’ll cherish forever.

If You Go: The four and five-day cruises depart weekly between Luxor and Aswan. We went on and would highly recommend the M/S Amarco II which you can book the five day Nile Cruise for as little as $307 per person during the summer months, which we found to be a fantastic value. For more information, see our compete review of the M/S Amarco II and our huge 2-Week Itinerary and Guide to Luxury Egypt on a Budget.

16) Discovering Montenegro

Where: Montengro

Why: A destination that was a complete afterthought quickly turned into one of our favorite countries and perhaps our most unexpected surprises.

The Experience: It all began as we slowly chugged into Montengro on the most scenic train ride we’ve ever been on. Things were off to a good start.

Then we explored deep jagged canyons, beautiful blue lakes, thick forests, soaring mountains, and pebble-lined beaches with clear water. Yet it also has some of the most charming old towns we’ve been to in Europe.

Add to that good & hearty cuisine, extremely friendly people, and some of the most perfect weather (late Summer / early Fall) we experienced during our trip. Adventures abound such as hiking, whitewater rafting, and even what is claimed to be the longest zipline in Europe.

 

Roll that all together into one small country and you’ll understand why Montenegro will end up firmly planted somewhere in our list of favorite countries.

If You Go: It may be a small country but there’s lots to do. We’d recommend at least a week. Don’t miss the beauty of Durmitor National Park or the charm of Kotor.

17) Falling in Love with the Julian Alps

Where: Northern Slovenia

Why: The most romantic destination of our journey.

The Experience: The Julian Alps was another destination that wasn’t initially on our radar, yet we completely fell for. Lake Bled was an impossibly romantic place to roam around. Swans drift by in a picturesque lake that is overshadowed by a church on the cliffside, as couples canoodle in row boats.

Just when we thought it could’t get any more beautiful, a neighboring lake, Bohinj, appears in arguably even more glory to wow us all over again. Further West, the mountain town of Bovec not only captivates you with its quaint charm but doubles as an adventure hub to spice things up a bit.

If You Go: Fly into Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, where you can connect to Lake Bled, Bohinj, and Bovec.

18) Having Way Too Much Fun at Oktoberfest

Where: Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Why: Our biggest party of the year was also the best!

The Experience: We weren’t sure what to expect with Oktoberfest. We love to have a good time and we have a great fondness for beer. Yet we hate crowds and the high-prices, so we weren’t really sure if we would enjoy ourselves here.

And we didn’t enjoy ourselves. We over-enjoyed ourselves and it was so much fun! The delicious German ales and the crazy party atmosphere made the masses of people not only bearable but actually part of the fun! It was an international crowd of millions of people who all had the same goal in mind: getting drunk and having a great time.

Mission accomplished! Prosting to random strangers who became new friends while downing liter after liter of beer made for the most entertaining experiences of this trip!

If You Go: Oktoberfest in Munich runs for three weeks and begins in mid-September. For a budget-friendly experience we recommend Stoke Travel who offers an all-inclusive camping package with meals for $69 US per person, per night and use code: ROAMING to get free unlimited beer. (Yes, really.) For lots more info, check out our travel guide: Oktoberfest on a Budget.

19) Rediscovering Adventure in My Backyard

Where: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Why: Because it was a nice reminder of how you can find adventures around any corner.

After spending two very full years roaming around the world, we returned to my hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It was here we decided to parlay our love for adventure by rediscovering what activities lied right in our own backyard.

It made us realize that sometimes you don’t have to travel halfway across the world to find fun adventures. We had such a blast (literally) airboating around the Everglades at night, kayaking down Whisky Creek, using the new flowrider on Hollywood Beach, horseback riding through the scrub forests, and taking a spin on a stand-up paddleboard in one of the many waterways that wind through the “Venice of America.”

Yet it was the relatively new extreme sport of “flyboarding” that really got us excited as we were propelled into the air across iconic Hillsboro Inlet.

 

If You Go: Flyboard South Florida offers sessions starting at $139. An upcoming post will be detailing these other adventures and all of our recommendations for this great city that I’m proud to have as an occasional home base.

20) Horsing Around in Cuba

Where: Viñales, Cuba

Why: Incredible mountain views are intertwined with Cuban tobacco farms while on a gallop into another world.

The Experience: We traveled to Cuba to experience its unique culture and way of life. So it was Cuba’s natural beauty that threw us a pleasant surprise. The pinnacle of this was on the western end of this island nation as we explore the Valle de Viñales.

The limestone cliffs which pop out of the tropical surroundings are known as magotes. It reminded us of Thailand and it was almost hard to believe that our home of Florida was only about 100 miles away from this otherworldly place.

We debated the merits of how best to tour this area, whether by classic car, bike, or on foot. Ultimately we decided horseback riding was the way to go. A Cuban cowboy led us deep into the valley. This wasn’t your ordinary trot but we were galloping nearly the entire time on very steep terrain, bouncing up and down, on our own private tour arranged by a friend of a friend.

Our guide then introduced us to a coffee farmer and a tobacco planter. He even led us to a remote cave that we explored deep into the limestone cliffs. This was rural Cuba at its best!

If You Go: Regular busses make the 4-hour journey from Havana to Viñales. Once there, bunk up at a casa particular who can recommend a guide to tour you around the valley on horseback.

On To 2016!

Well that was really fun for us to relive all our favorite moments over again. We hope you also enjoyed it and maybe it even gave you a few travel ideas for your next trip.

We’re still figuring out what may be in store for us in 2016 but we’ll be spending these first few months deeply exploring our neighbor to the South, Mexico. We tend to update our social media pages more frequently than the blog itself, so if you’d like to see where we’re roaming around next, be sure you’re connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Despite this list of highlights, do know that bad things still happen. In this counter-post, we also reveal our Top 20 WORST Moments of 2015. Yet hopefully we have learned a lot during the year to minimize those awful experiences moving forward so that we can have more great ones.

So cheers to more awesome experiences in 2016 and less of the bad moments!