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Gorilla Trekking( Rwanda)
Hiking through a rainforest-coated mountainside could be bucket-list in and of itself, but hiking through a rainforest-coated mountainside to observe gorillas in their natural habitat at a startlingly close range all things considered? It’ s the sort of experience that stays with you for life, like a spacewalk or the birth of a child.
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African Safari( Kenya & Tanzania)
The African plains, gamelands and savannahs are a one-of-a-kind biome that has been built up in popular culture and collective consciousness since the days of Dr. Livingstone, I presume. A safari through any stretch of these wilds satiates an itch for adventure you might not even realize you had. Lions, giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles and elephants, oh my! Watching the circle of life play out in front of your jeep as a cheetah chases down prey or an elephant chases off a lioness pack will give you goosebumps.
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Petra( Jordan)
The once-thriving capital of the ancient Nabataean kingdom makes for an impressive sight— the intricate rock-carved architecture and sophisticated water conduit systems betray the heights of this bygone civilization. Just as impressive is the longevity. John William Burgon said it best:“ A rose-red city half as old as time.”
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Jeddah( Saudi)
There’ s a charm to Jeddah that’ s hard to pin down— until the realization strikes. This city has been the gateway for pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina for millennia, a can’ t-miss stop on the Incense Route for centuries; a side effect of all that history and prominence is culture begetting culture, like rings on a tree. Historic streets, cool cafes, trendy beach clubs and luxe marinas all play a part in the city’ s DNA, creating a unique metropolitan escape.
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Mumbai( India)
As India’ s largest city, core financial hub and the heart of the Bollywood film industry, there’ s a certain liveliness or bustle to the city that few counterparts can match. While it has plenty of marquee sites( The Elephanta Caves, the Gateway of India, Sanjay Gandhi National Park), a trip here is more about the experience than the checklist.
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