Top 10 Best Trips Before Turning 30

Whether you’re a city girl or a country bumpkin from the sticks, the cityscapes of NYC will leave you breathless while expanding your curious mind. Seriously, there’s nothing quite like ringin’ in the New Year with millions in Times Square, and you just may find a new home after visiting the more hipster areas of Brooklyn. However, the best plan when visiting The Big Apple is to immerse yourself in the cultural vibe and discover what makes the city tick. You’ll have plenty of time for a few drinks, but be sure to allow yourself to be surprised and take each moment as it comes.

You’ve heard the saying “I’m on a boat”, but how about “I’m a boss on a yacht”? Well, that’s going to be you once you round up a team of 6 to 12 peeps for a seven-day Adriatic adventure. The visuals alone will make you sob tears of joy, and of course you’ll be partaking in a collective Euro experience that will strengthen existing friendships while introducing you to fellow thrill seekers from across the world. Organize your squad, set the date and let everybody know that you’re the party pirate of Croatian Yacht Week.

So, here’s a location that you don’t just stumble upon on during a Peruvian getaway. In fact, if you’re not up for the trek itself, well then you’re probably better off enjoying a cold drink from the comfort of a hotel pool. However, if you love some Incan culture and a natural high, well then get your butt up to Machu Picchu and see how the locals got down in the 15th century. When you visit this place, don’t worry about how you’re going to hashtag the journey - just savor every second and take it all in. Just you and Machu Picchu… existing together for one moment in time.

Here’s a fun fact: Greece is absolutely gorgeous. Socrates knew it, and you better believe Aphrodite wasn’t looking to “find herself” anywhere else. All joking aside, the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Ios, Santorini and Crete WILL give you permanent mindgasm for the entirety of your trip. You’ll be organizing your own personal photoshoot in Mykonos, and that Santorini sunset in Oia… oh, girl. You’ll be staring out at nearby Ios and Crete while contemplating how the world could be so beautiful. These Greek islands aren’t guaranteed to change your life, but don’t be surprised if they do.

The Great Barrier Reef: a natural wonder made even more resplendent by the nearby 74 islands that are calling your name. Whether you’re on a solo adventure or rollin’ with a crew, you’ll have plenty of territory to roam on the mainland or perhaps out in the great blue sea around Queensland. You’ll be lost, but not in that “Cast Away” kind of way; you’ll be lost in sweet emotion and wondering how much daily fun is too much. Island hopping. Motorboating. Diving into the Coral Sea….all day, every day.

While some of you ladies may appreciate the flavors of a fine wine, don’t write off a dark German beer just yet. Alright, so whatever your preferences in alcohol, this is still a can’t-miss event. At Munich’s 16-day Oktoberfest or “Wiesn,” you can embrace a Bavarian tradition that revolves around gettin’ schnockered and essentially livin’ the beer lover’s dream. You don’t just consume a few tall ones at Oktoberfest and dance around a bit – no, Oktoberfest consumes you, and what happens next…. will shock you. Or maybe not, because you’ll be all buzzed up and ready for a big ol’ plate of Weisswurst.

By now, we’re all familiar with the phrase “Girls Gone Wild,” and there’s a good reason for that… sprang break, baby. As one of the more popular locations for college girls to unwind, Cancun holds all the essentials for a classic vacation. But who wants to lie all day in the sun before getting your drink on and hitting the club? You do? Ok, that’s fair, but just be sure to keep it classy, get your snorkel on, kick it Cancun style… and show respect for the Mexican spring break that’s been awaiting you all your life.

Are you a girl that says “I can do that”? If so, this trip is for you, Miss Thang. First of all, any woman will enjoy the atmosphere and scenery of the Central American setting. But once you finally give in to the idea of a little physical exertion and witness the beauty of the Costa Rican rainforests, there’s no way that a little zip lining won’t be in order. Rest and relaxation help maintain a healthy mind, but you know what they say…. when in Costa Rica….

Depending on where you’re from, the idea of this trip alone will inspire all kinds of feelings. Our Australian and far east MsMojoholics are surely familiar with the joys of a southeast Asian excursion, and certainly Thailand’s Full Moon Party, but for Westerners, the locale represents the unknown… well, at least until you decide to educate yourself. Let’s say this – if you’re looking for more of a transcendental trip rather than a getaway filled with hangovers, then you’ll want to grab the appropriate gear and see where the experience through countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia takes you. Shake off all the stress in your life, secure the appropriate funds and embark on a journey that will thoroughly open your mind in ways you never thought possible.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

• Hike the Pacific Crest Trail

• Carnival of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro

• Mardi Gras in New Orleans

• Camp Out at Burning Man in Black Rock Desert, Nevada

• Sailing Through the Caribbean

Here’s the deal, MsMojoholics – it’s never too late to travel, but if you haven’t yet reached the big 3-0, well, the Euro Trip is simply a must. Everyone’s got his or her own reasons for traveling, but the Euro Trip presents an opportunity to grow as a person while sharing the experience with new friends. The hostels provide instant connections, and the nightlife from country to country will surely lead to plenty of fun, but the day to day grind will reveal the real you. And though the experience WILL be your own, we here at MsMojo recommend a few days in Prague to either kick off the trip or close it out.

Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the best trip to take before turning 30? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.