WANDERLUST: These are some of the most extreme travel experiences on Earth (Pic: GETTY)
Whether you call it wanderlust or the travel bug, some people seem to have an innate NEED to travel.
And now scientists are claiming this hunger to explore may be embedded in your DNA.
The gene is DRD4-7R, and its been dubbed the “wanderlust gene,” because of its correlation with increased levels of curiosity and restlessness.
People who have this specific gene have an insatiable need for travel. They cant stay in one place, love exploring and want to venture to every corner of the Earth. Sound familiar?
If this sounds like you, youll be constantly Googling the best travel destinations and greatest adventures on Earth.
Here we reveal 30 of the most awe-inspiring experiences the world has to offer:
The Ultimate Travel Bucket List
Take a look at our Ultimate Travel Bucket List, it's sure to leave you inspired
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The Ultimate Travel Bucket List
1. See dawn break over Bagan, Myanmar
Myanmar is home to a number of spectacular experiences, but few are as awe-inspiring as watching dawn break over Bagans 4,000 pagodas and temples.
Youve probably seen the photos of hot air balloons rising over the mystic landscape, but nothing beats seeing it in real life.
2. Stay in a houseboat in India
Floating through the backwaters in a converted rice barge in Kerala is a Bucket-List must.
From the boat you can look out over the misty water as local women swaddled in brightly coloured saris stroll along the banks and men bathe in the river.
At dusk the sky glows a deep pink as the last rays of daylight burst across the horizon of plan trees and paddy fields.
ADVENTURE: Machu Picchu is one of the top Bucket List must-dos for Brits (Pic: GETTY)
3. Visit Machu Picchu, Peru
Theres nothing quite like seeing Perus most famous attraction in the flesh. Perched in the saddle of two lofty forest-clad Andean Peaks, the Inca ruins are some of the most well-preserved in the world.
Add in grazing llamas, misty swirling clouds and a lush green backdrop and its easy to see why it holds such a special place in peoples hearts.
And visiting the attraction doesnt have to cost the Earth. In fact, you can visit Machu Picchu for just £25.
4. Watch the sun rise over the Grand Canyon, USA
The Grand Canyon may not be the deepest gorge on Earth, but its probably the most famous.
But standing at the edge of the beautiful red expanse makes you feel tiny (in a good way).
5. Get up close with a mountain gorilla in Rwanda
A trip to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is a mind-blowing experience.
BUCKET LIST: The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long (Pic: GETTY)
6. Hot air balloon safari in Kenya
If youre into animals, a safari in Kenya is one of the best ways to get up-close-and-personal with lions, zebras, chetahs and other African wildlife.
If youre looking for something extra special take a hot air balloon ride at over the plains at sunrise.
7. Party at Rio Carnival in Brazil
Its not dubbed the greatest party on Earth for nothing. Rio is a vibrant and exciting place as it is, but during carnival it truly comes alive.
8. Swim with whale sharks in Mexico
Isla Hotbox in Mexico is one of the best spots in the world to swim with whale sharks. The beautiful spotted creatures can grow up to 40ft in length and weight up to 19,000kg.
They are the biggest fish in the world, but theres not need to be scared because, unlike sharks, they are filter feeders like whales (they dont have any teeth).
9. Visit ice palaces in Russia
As they lakes freeze over in Russia, beautiful ice places pop up all over the country. The blocks are usually harvested from nearby rivers or lakes.
The buildings are beautiful and some are even turned into childrens playhouses with ice slides.
BREATHTAKING: Isla Hotbox is one of the best spots in the world to swim with wha (Pic: GETTTY)
10. See the Taj Mahal at sunset, India
Youve seen it a thousand times in travel magazines and on TV, but theres nothing like seeing the Taj Mahal in real life.
The giant white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river glows different colours at different times of day.
If youve got time spend the whole day there so you can see it glowing pink at sunrise and orange at dusk – breathtaking.
11. Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Although sadly the Great Barrier Reef is dying off, it is still a spectacle to be seen.
If youre too scared to dive, snorkelling on the reef is still pretty great. Just be careful not to stand on the coral, as this is one of the reasons it is demising.
12. Explore the temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and a must for anyone with wanderlust.
Covering more than 1.6 million square meters, youll need at least a full day to view the temples properly.
MAGICAL: This underwater sculpture park is a must-see (Pic: GETTY)
13. Eat dinner on the beach in the Maldives
The Maldives really is like nowhere else on Earth. With white sands and turquoise water, the popular honeymoon destination is a real-life paradise.
If youre ever lucky enough to go make sure you opt for a private dining experience on the beach.
14. Visit the underwater sculpture park in Grenada
With more than 45 sandy beaches, Grenada is a dream-like holiday destination all year round.
Known as the Spice Island, it's the ultimate relaxation destination and the calm crystal-clear Caribbean sea means its a haven for water-sports enthusiasts.
But theres an unexpected attraction on the sea bed – an underwater sculpture park.
Artist Jason deCaires Taylor brought the stunning designs to life to help create a breeding ground for fish and other creatures – as the sea floor is often swept away.
The best beaches in the world
TripAdvisor has named the most stunning stretches of sand in the world – and it's Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean and Brazil that take the top two spots in the review site's Travellers' Choice Awards 2016
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Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean
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15. See the northern lights in Iceland
Iceland is already a popular destination for people hoping to tick the Northern Lights off their Bucket List, as its one of the best places in the world to see the magical display.
But there is much more to do than people might realise. The thermal, lunar-like landscape offers up plenty of natural wonders for you to explore, including bursting geysers, tumbling waterfalls and huge mountainous national parks.
And for the more adventurous there are numerous activities from snowmobiling on glaciers to snorkelling between tectonic plates and spotting humpback whales.
16. Go whale watching in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Whale watching is one of the most majestic experiences in the world and Kaikoura in New Zealand is one of the best places to see the beautiful mammals.
17. Wine and dine in Venice
With winding canals and beautiful gothic buildings, the Italian city has been dubbed one of the most romantic spots in the world and for good reason.
One of the best things to do in Venice is to simply grab an Aperol Spritz and some cicchetti (tapas-like dishes) and just watch the world go by.
BEAUTIFUL: Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most famous landmarks in Yellows (Pic: GETTY)
18. Discover the ancient city of Petra, Jordan
Petra is a beautiful historic city in southern Jordan. Dubbed the “Rose City”, the architectural feat is carved into the rock face.
Its world's most treasured Unesco World Heritage Sites and was recently voted one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World".
Travellers can also take part in the Petra by Night tour, in which the temples are lit up by thousands of candles.
19. Sail the San Blas islands, Panama
This little-known trip is absolutely stunning. The San Blas consists of 365 sand islands, of which only 49 are inhabited.
While sailing you can catch your own lobster dinner and cook it over an open fire on a deserted beach – bliss.
20. Drive across America on Route 66
America is full of wide open spaces and breathtaking landscapes. Taking a road trip across part of the country is a must on most peoples Bucket Lists.
It doesnt have to be Route 66, but its a good place to start.
SERENE: The Maldives is like nowhere else on Earth (Pic: GETTY)
21. Admire Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Yellowstone was the worlds first national park and it is visited by more than four million people a year.
The vast reserve is so big – 3,472 square miles – that is actually covers three states of America.
The majority of the Park (96%) is in Wyoming, a small section (3%) is in northwest Montana and 1% lies in Idaho.
Bustling with craggy peaks, explosive geysers, alpine lakes and deep forests, the park is a sight to behold.
22. Go bear tracking in Algonquin Park, Canada
Canada is the perfect destination and great for anyone wanting to switch off and get away from it all.
There is trip run by Wild Women Expeditions, which perfect for Bear Grylls wannabes although, as the name implies, it's exclusively for women (or anyone who identifies as a woman).
The trekking and camping trip takes you out into the wild of Algonquin Park to learn survival skills, canoe and track bears.
ROMANCE: Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (Pic: GETTY)
23. Stargaze in the Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is one of the best places in the world to see the stars, thanks to its high and dry climate.
It also has one of the most diverse landscapes – dusty, orange desert surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes.
Its also worth trying out the sand boarding while youre there.
24. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt
Forget the pyramids for a second, the Valley of the Kings in Luxor will take your breath away.
Inside youll see ancient tombs, art and even perfectly preserved mummies.
25. Climb Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
This is no mean feat, but for the active traveller climbing Kilimanjaro is a must.
The dormant volcano in Tanzania is the highest mountain in Africa and rises approximately 4,900 m from its base to 5,895 metres above sea level.
Many tourists who brave the trek, then go on to do a safari in Lake Manyara National Park or Tarangire National Park.
CHALLENGE: Climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Pic: GETTY) Related Articles
26. Spot grizzly bears onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada
The breathtaking trip on Canadas Rocky Mountaineer train is one of the world's great rail journeys.
You can spot grizzly bears, bald eagles, elks, bighorn sheep and ospreys onboard the trip from Vancouver to Banff.
The luxury train, which journeys through Western Canada and the Rockies, is a perfect example of why rail is still the most romantic way to travel.
27. Swim with humpback whales in Tonga
Tonga is made up of a collection of 76 stunning islands scattered across the South Pacific.
Its one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.
ADVENTURE: Travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer train is a bucket list must (Pic: GETTY)
28. Stay in a castle in Tuscany, Italy
With rolling green hills, plush with vines and olive groves, Tuscany is one of the most romantic places in the world.
To get the full experience stay at Castello Gabiano – a beautiful castle transformed into a boutique hotel with an infinity pool.
29. Escape to Little Corn Island in Nicaragua
This largely untouched island is a little slice of Caribbean paradise.
With deserted sandy beaches, £1 lobster dinners and reggae rum shacks, whats not to love?
ADVENTURE: You can go husky sledding by day or under the Northern Lights (Pic: GETTY)
30. Go husky sledding in Tromso, Norway
The Norwegian city of Tromso is located 217 miles north of the Artic Circle.
Known as the “Paris of the north” thanks to its vibrant centre, its is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.
The city is centred round a pretty harbour and snowy mountains and in like a magical winter paradise.
The Northern Lights Dog Sledding with Tromso Villmarkssenter is a must for anyone visiting the city.
If youre lucky youll glimpse the Northern Lights as you shot through the countryside.
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