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30 Things to Do in 30 Countries Before You’re 30

30 Things to Do in 30 Countries Before You’re 30

I let my 30th birthday slip by pretty quietly. It’s been one hell of a journey thus far, and turning 30 seemed like the last thing I needed to be celebrating. After all, milestones aren’t measured in years—they’re measured by the journey.

Coincidentally, my 30th year (which just passed on the 30th of last month!) took place in my 30th country. Now, I’m not one to count countries, but when the numbers line up like that, it’s just too good to ignore. So in the spirit of 30, here are the 30 best things I’ve done in my 30 years on this planet.

  • Scuba Dive on the Great Barrier Reef

    Scuba Diving
    Little Nemo. Photo credit:Faizan Ashraf

    The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most beautiful network of coral in the world. If there’s any place on earth go to diving, it’s here.

    I’ve been a scuba diver since I was 13 years old, and it was always a dream of mine to dive the Great Barrier Reef. I finally fulfilled my dream on a live-aboard boat, where I spent eight days diving four times every day. In exchange for washing dishes and making beds, my week was entirely free!

  • Jump Out of an Airplane

    Skydiving
    Skydiving!

    Because if we can jump out of planes, why shouldn’t we?

    I’ve always been one to push the boundaries, and once I arrived in Australia, one of the first things I did was jump out of a plane. I was on the Sunshine Coast, in the small coastal town of Caloundra, and I jumped from 14,000 feet! It was just as exhilarating as it sounds, and I believe it’s an experience everyone should have at least once in their life–it’s about pushing your personal limits.

     

  • Become a Bartender

    Bartending is a great way to fund your travels abroad.
    Bartending is a great way to fund your travels abroad.

    Bartending is a) tons of fun, and b) a very productive way to fund your travels.

    After two months backpacking up the east coast of Australia, I found myself completely and utterly broke. With barely enough money to pay for a place to sleep for the night, I landed a job at a nightclub, and the rest, as they say, is history. I’ve used bartending as a means to travel the world, everywhere from New York to Melbourne to Beijing.

     

  • Hike a Glacier in New Zealand

    Hiking the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand
    Hiking the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand.

    There aren’t a lot of places in the world where you can hike a glacier. New Zealand has two of them!

    I spent 15 months living, working, and traveling in New Zealand. The landscapes are like something out of a movie (actually, they are in movies), and spending a beautiful day hiking the Franz Josef Glacier was one of the big-time highlights. Look at this place!

     

  • Bungee Jump Completely Naked

    Naked Bungee Jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand!
    Naked bungee jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand!

    It doesn’t have to be bungee jumping–do something naked. It will break your comfort zone and you’ll find freedom in doing so.

    For me, it was early in the morning, and the cute girls at the counter knew just how to push my buttons. It only took about three minutes to convince me to get naked, and ten minutes later I was jumping off a bridge.

     

  • Celebrate an Orphan’s Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving
    What a real Thanksgiving dinner looks like!

    Holidays are so often skipped when we travel. But sometimes, when everybody is seeking a little comfort from home, it’s possible to create new traditions and lasting memories.

    During my stint in New Zealand I spent six-months living in a hostel. There was a whole group of us actually, from all over the world. When Thanksgiving rolled around the Americans among us decided to share the holiday with everyone. We basted a turkey in the hostel kitchen, cooked mashed potatoes and stuffing, and stocked up on $6 wine. The Americans each shared a unique family tradition, and everyone, including the Swedes, Brits, Canadians, and more, shared what they were thankful for that year.

  • Hitch-Hike Your Way Through a Country

    Waves crash on the northern coast of New Zealand.
    Waves crash on the northern coast of New Zealand.

    Hitch-hiking is a lot safer that most people think, especially in places like New Zealand. You’re guaranteed to meet some interesting people along the way.

    In fact, I used it as a reliable form of daily transportation when I lived in Queenstown! When New Year’s rolled around, my friend Gabe and I hitch-hiked from Wellington to Gisborne, the first city in the world to welcome the sun. We were among the first people in the world to say hello to the year 2012, and our weekend-long adventure was nothing short of incredibly epic.

  • Teach English to Kids in China

    Teaching English in China
    Teaching English in Xi'an, China. This was my favorite class!

    English teaching jobs are available all over the world, and they are one of the best ways to travel on a limited budget. They often include flights, accommodation, and a competitive pay package.

    When I saw an offer to teach English in China scroll across my Facebook page, I quickly inquired and quickly accepted. The next thing I knew I was making my foray into Asia, a place that now feels like my second home. I spent six months teaching in Xi’an before moving to Beijing for a few months to work in the city’s best cocktail bar.

  • Go Somewhere Really, Truly Remote

    Hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in the Yunnan Province of China.
    Hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in the Yunnan Province of China.

    Somewhere that makes you feel like you’re exploring new frontiers.

    During the Chinese New Year, a period of two weeks when almost everyone in China goes on holiday, I traveled to the Yunnan province and spent ten days traveling into the far reaches of China and to the border of Tibet. Towns like Dali and Lijiang were uniquely charming, and the mountains of Tiger Leaping Gorge were the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen. Traveling north to Shangri-La, an occupied Tibetan region, I biked way out of town–closer to the border–to one of the most remote places on earth that I’ve ever been.

    The remote plains on the border of Tibet, aka Shangri-La.
    The remote plains on the border of Tibet, aka Shangri-La. A small mountain village can be seen in the background.
  • Party All Night at the Full Moon Party

    Full Moon Party
    Full Moon Party shenanigans with the boys!

    The Full Moon Party is the party that every backpacker talks about.

    After 10 months in China, I headed to Southeast Asia for three months, and just in time for the Full Moon Party. It’s a monthly beach party that is known to get, well, beyond crazy. I’ll let this photo do the talking.

  • Play with Elephants

    Playing with elephants in Northern Thailand.
    Playing with elephants in Northern Thailand.

    Elephants are an icon in Southeast Asia and you’ll find them just about everywhere. Though riding an elephant is high on many people’s bucket list, there are some very good reasons not to. Try your hand at volunteering with them, instead!

    In 2013, I spearheaded a grassroots charity organization that raised $7,500 to buy extra land for protected elephants in Northern Thailand. A few months later I found myself in Thailand and I spent a full day at the park, up close and personal with the elephants that we were helping to rescue.

  • Explore the Temples of Angkor

    The famous sunrise at Angkor Wat.
    The famous sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Perhaps one of the most famous sites in all of the world, the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia are magical at sunrise.

    I spent 13 straight hours with a local tuk-tuk driver, riding around to all of the temples, taking photos, learning about their history, and sweating my ass off!

    Sweating so much I can barely smile.
    Sweating so much I can barely open my eyes.
  • Find Paradise on an Island

    Koh Rong, Cambodia.
    The paradisiacal island of Koh Rong off the coast of southern Cambodia.

    Southeast Asia is full of islands, but something about Koh Rong is just…special.

    A very precarious boat ride from Sihanoukville in southern Cambodia took me to this tiny island, a small backpacker utopia with the most incredible beaches and a laid-back vibe that could suck you in for months (in fact, for some people, it does!). I spoke to a few people who hadn’t worn shoes in so long they actually didn’t know where they were.

  • Do a Sunrise Mountain Trek in Northern Vietnam

    Sunrise in Sapa, Vietnam
    Sunrise in Sapa, Vietnam

    For a real look at rural Vietnam, Sapa is the place. The trek takes you through the mountainous, terraced rice fields which are inhabited by local H’mong tribes.

    One morning during my trek, I woke up very early (at about 4:30am) and took a solo hike up the mountain and out of the village. I don’t know where I went or how far I hiked, but the sunrise that morning over the mountains was glorious.

    Shortly after sunrise, looking out over the mountains and rice fields.
  • Experience Reverse Culture Shock

    A lonely bench.
    A lonely bench.

    Definitely the least enjoyable thing on this list, reverse culture shock is the most honest way to see your own culture from a different perspective.

    I had spent 3.5 years overseas, more than one of them in Asia, and returning to the States was a devastating experience. I’ll never forget the unbearably isolating feeling that reverse culture shock brought with it, but I saw my beloved America in a whole new light.

  • Fly an Airplane Over the Mountains

    The cockpit of a Cessna 152.
    The cockpit of a Cessna 172.

    When you’ve had enough of economy, the cockpit is calling your name.

    Though I had plenty of flights under my belt, I had never been the one driving. I flew a Cessna 172 over the mountains of North Carolina and didn’t realize, until I was thousands of feet in the air, that I accidentally left the door open.

    Flying over North Carolina
    I should have been paying attention to the door instead of taking photos.
  • Live in New York City

    On the Brooklyn Bridge.
    On the Brooklyn Bridge.

    They say that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere in the world.

    I had already made it “anywhere in the world” and I was ready to put myself to the ultimate test. I lived and worked there for six months, and still use it as a home base. While there, I was offered my dream job but ultimately turned it down to continue my travels!

    Freezing cold in Times Square with The Legendary Adventures of Anna and friends.
  • Discover Pristine Beaches

    Beaches in Puerto Rico
    Beaches in Puerto Rico.

    Puerto Rico is an easy escape from the United States. Whether you’re an American or you’re just traveling in the States, flights from NYC only cost about $300 round trip.

    New York got hit with one of it’s worst winter’s to date, and the numbing cold literally sent me packing. I took a week off and lazed around the beaches of Puerto Rico, drinking more Medalla Light than was healthy, replenishing my Vitamin D, and making all of my friends jealous.

    Medalla Light, the Puerto Rican drink of choice.
    Medalla Light, the Puerto Rican drink of choice.
  • Spend a Weekend Offline

    Tayrona National Park, Colombia.
    Photo: Jeremy Scott Foster

    These days, we are never too far from technology–a weekend offline would serve anybody well.

    Prior to arriving in Tayrona National Park, Colombia, I didn’t realize there wouldn’t be any cell service; my first day was spent frantically looking for WiFi. I worried that my family would assume me to be dead after not hearing from me for 24 hours, which, of course, is ridiculous. Three days later I emerged feeling refreshed, and found that absolutely nothing important had happened while I was gone. Imagine that!

  • Go Crazy at Carnival!

    Carnival de Barranquilla
    Carnival de Barranquilla is insane!

    It’s one of the most notorious festivals for a reason–Carnival is CRAZY.

    Carnival de Barranquilla is the second largest Carnival celebration in the world, falling only behind the grand celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We arrived in town a few days early to prepare ourselves. The party usually started in the middle of the day and it would end in the wee hours of the night. There were huge parades, there were foam fights, there was dancing in the streets…and trust me when I say that there was plenty of Aguardiente.

  • Almost Die Hiking a Volcano

    Hiking the Pichincha Volcano in Quito.
    The slippery hike to the top.

    Everybody hikes mountains, but we are adventurers, and should thus be hiking volcanoes.

    My first taxi driver in Quito, Ecuador pointed to the tallest, cloud-covered summit in view. From that moment, I knew I had to climb it (though I didn’t know it was a volcano at the time). I ended up in the middle of an insane hail-storm and seriously thought I would die there.

    Panoramic view from the summit of the Pichincha Volcano in Quito, Ecuador
    Panorama view from the top of Pichincha.
  • Visit the Birthplace of Jesus Christ

    Inside a holy church.
    Inside a holy church.

    We grow up learning about these places but most of us never put Jerusalem, Nazareth, or Bethlehem into a real-world context.

    Religion has always been more conceptual to me, but seeing these places with my own eyes made it much more real. While traveling in Israel, I explored Bethlehem (which is actually Palestinian territory), where Jesus was born, Nazareth, where he lived, and the Holy City of Jerusalem, where he was crucified.

    Looking out over Bethlehem.
    Looking out over the city of Bethlehem.
  • See the Conflict in Palestine First Hand

    The contentious city of Hebron in the West Bank.
    The contentious city of Hebron in the West Bank.

    To truly understand what’s going on in Palestine would take years of study. To see it up close and personal is another experience altogether.

    I spent a few days in Palestine, exploring first with a Palestinian guide, and then with an Israeli guide. They each told us their side of the conflict, speaking to locals and visiting them in their houses. I learned, first hand, what a complicated situation the Middle East is really in. Most people would never visit the West Bank, but it was one of my most memorable experiences to date.

  • Climb to the Top of the Monastery in Petra, Jordan

    Actually, you shouldn’t do this. But you should break some rules once in a while 😉

    After visiting Israel and Palestine, I made my way into Jordan for a few days to explore the Wadi Rum desert and the ancient city of Petra. I befriended a local bedouin and he decided to show me something incredibly special: he brought me to the top of the Monastery—a restricted area in the protected park—and I saw some remarkable views that most people never get to see.

  • Crawl Inside the Ancient Pyramids of Egypt

    The Ancient Pyramids of Giza
    The Ancient Pyramids of Giza.

    The ancient Pyramids are one of mankind’s greatest mysteries.

    There was no way I would leave the Middle East without first visiting the pyramids. I detoured to Cairo, met a local bedouin named Rami (who I now call my brother) and we stood in awe before one of the most remarkable pieces of architecture on earth.

    Sphinx selfie!
    Sphinx selfie!

     

  • Traverse Europe by Train

    Effortless travel on the island of Ios, Greece.
    Enjoying the view on the Greek Islands.

    It’s like the European sister of a US road-trip. Traveling in Europe by train is the only way to go. The network is vast and incredibly easy to navigate.

    My entry to Greece this past summer was actually my first visit to Europe. I spent the following three months traveling from Greece to Germany. There’s no way I can describe the whole trip in a short paragraph, but despite the crazy ups and downs, it was a summer I will never forget.

    Prague, Czech Republic.
    Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Learn the Plight of the Refugees

    Syrian girl
    Syrian girl.

    We can’t ever understand a problem until we’ve come face to face with it.

    This was perhaps one of my most impactful travel experiences of all time. Riding the train from Greece to Macedonia, we came face to face with Syrian refugees who were fleeing their home country. I never wrote about the experience, but my traveling partner in crime, Leah, penned an emotive piece about how it went down and how it affected us. It’s well worth a read.

  • Discover the Balkans

    Skopje, Macedonia
    The main square in Skopje, Macedonia.

    The Balkans are rife with corruption, war, and poverty, but they are, indeed, a beautiful and astonishing place.

    I’m not sure what attracted me to the Balkans in the first place—it was a place I hadn’t read much about, and it wasn’t on the radar of most travelers I know. I spent about two months traveling in Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Montenegro, and I learned that the Balkans could very well be the most bizarre place on earth (excepting China, maybe). It’s rife with war, poverty, and corruption, but it’s contentious history and beautiful coastline make it a uniquely interesting destination.

    Sarande, Albania
    Looking out over the Albanian coast in Sarande.
  • Party Until Sunrise on a Beach in Montenegro

    Sea Dance Festival 2015
    One of the DJ stages in the late afternoon at Sea Dance on Jaz Beach

    It’s basically what our twenties are for.

    Being a huge fan of music festivals, I made my way to Montenegro with my good buddy Adventurous Kate for Sea Dance. It’s the little sister of the more famous Exit Festival, and on two of the four nights, we partied on the beach until sunrise, dancing to world-renowned DJ’s, watching the sky flicker and change colors for hours.

  • Buy a One-Way Ticket to Anywhere

    The journey is always more exciting when you don’t know where or when it’s going to resolve.

    I’ve never been one to plan my travels, and I’ve never regretted doing it that way. I usually don’t know what’s going to happen, and though my lack of planning may end up costing me a few extra dollars, it’s always worth it. I came to Belgium a month ago with a one-way ticket, and I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen next.

    Any ideas?

About the Author

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Previously nomadic, he’s been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. You can usually find him on the trail, on the road, jumping from bridges or hustling on his laptop working to produce the best travel and outdoors content today.
54 comments
  1. This is an awesome article, Jeremy!! One of my favorites of yours.

    Don’t think I’ll be able to fit all this into the next 5 months before I myself turn 30, but it’s got me thinking about the next few years, for sure.

    xx Amy

    1. Thanks, Amy! I know you have a couple big adventures planned, and I’m sure they’re going to be incredible, beyond your wildest expectations!

  2. I joined the Fourth Decade Club a few months ago, and after getting married just before, I didn’t have the chance to think about what an awesome journey my 20s were while living abroad! Here’s to exploring more!

  3. Dude, you’re in Europe?? Come to Paris (or Venice for Carnevale!) and let’s hang out! Also, belated happy birthday 🙂

  4. Love this post! I’m currently bartending in Melbourne and it is definitely the best way to fund travel. How did you break into cocktail bartending? Did you find it difficult? I was thinking about heading home and basing myself back in NYC towards the end of the year but this list has showed me there’s still so much I want to do!

    1. I ended up working with some really great people who trained me well. It was a hell of a journey getting into it!

  5. A late happy birthday to you, Jeremy. I think it’s fair to say that you’ve experienced quite a bit. Lovely photos – as always.

    1. Cheers, Zascha! Thanks for following along on my journey and for being an engaged part of this community!

  6. Amazing list here! I’ve done quite a few of these already, but got tons of new ideas as well. I got 3 more years. I’m thinking the Balkans are at the top of this list. Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to explore that region of the world. I’ve never heard a bad thing.

  7. I’m really impressed with all that you have fitted in! Seeing the temples at Angkor would be very high on my list. Looking forward to reading what crazy adventures you get up to next ;-). Of mine this year, my faves were dog sledding in Scotland and a hot air balloon ride – not naked I hasten to add 😉

  8. Interesting that I’ve done some of that as well – good for you, though nothing in SEA. First trip to Italy (Florence as starting point) in two days time. Though I’m past 30 – just a little bit. If you get bored in Belgium, come on down, will be there for a few months, then -???

    1. I hope you’re having a great time in Italy, Ted! I’ll be sure to let you know if I make it down that way 🙂 Happy travels!

      1. Hi Jeremy, found Florence is too expensive for me and heading south to Salerno (warmer there). Hope to get room for 3 moths down there

        Found a few interesting things here in Florence, though.

  9. I turned thirty in my thirtieth country in January too! Your adventures are all so interesting. I’m leaving on a one-way ticket to Ukraine tonight so I’m looking forward to having some similar ones soon. 🙂

  10. Jeremy,
    I just found your site probably at the best possible time. I left to Asia on a one way ticket from the states a few months ago and all my free hours are consumed dreaming up ways to never stop traveling. Super stoked to go through the rest of your articles 🙂

  11. You need to add to this list “go to some sort of major sporting event,” like the Olympics or World Cup. Now granted, it isn’t the most “affordable” trip you can go on. But, when you are young with some cash and few responsibilities, then it is certainly a life changing experience to have before you are 30 (or 35 in my case)! They are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a reason.

  12. Which means I still have two years ahead of me. Not bad, only 9 months into our travels, so let’s see how well I do!!
    Can’t believe you did bungee jumping NAKED! I mean, is that even legal? hahahah

  13. Phew, luckily managed to tick a few boxes on this list, otherwise feel like haven’t been LIVING in comparison lol

    I feel like there’s still so so much to see, explore and do though and that’s what looking forward to 40s is about =D

    Enjoy your travels~!

  14. I am planning a backpacking the world trip now and am leaving in February and I literally wanna do everything on this list. I’m really excited about bartending across the globe and just seeing where it takes me. I am buying a one way ticket and although I thought about starting in Europe I am considering starting in Australia after reading this. I think it would be cool to just make my way across the continents and end up in Europe. Any thoughts on which is better? Regardless you are my new travel icon! Maybe our paths will cross sometime and I’ll buy you a beer! Cheers!

    1. Cheers, Tyler! If you’re American, work visas are a lot easier in Australia, which will make your life infinitely more manageable 🙂

  15. Hey Jeremy, was your BD Nov 30? Sorry I missed it, what a great article! Fabulous photos and wishing you many many more wonderful years traveling and sharing your experiencing with us!
    Xox
    Your CDN Mom

  16. Great list. The world would be a better place if everyone had to do this stuff. I’d up the ante on your ‘weekend offline’ and make it a 10 Day Silent Meditation Retreat (ideally in Mazunte, Oaxaca). That thing wakes people up.

    1. I’ve been wanting to do one of those for a long time actually. Soon enough…

      What was yours like?

  17. Love this post! Inspiring! As my 30s are coming closer I feel like I need to do more crazy unplanned travels and music festivals.
    Keep up the good work!

  18. Great article, all the trips are so awesome and i want to do all of these but the favorite one is the last point. Really enjoyed it.

  19. Thank you, for sharing your 30 things to do journey diary. You really a True traveller, who wants to be happy and make happy.

  20. You have definitely been busy! I have ticked a few of these off and have 7 years of adventure until I turn 30 so better get cracking!

    Jenny | Local Leo

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