We've all got a bucket list. Those must-see sights and experiences we want to have around the world. Ours seems to be getting longer by the day, and if yours could do with some extra inspiration, you're in the right place. From ancient wonders and epic journeys to mountains that are begging to be climbed, the planet boasts some wonderful adventures.

Read on for the world's most unmissable travel experiences you have to do in your lifetime...

Mystery cloaks the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Get up close to the giant stones with a special access ticket, or join tens of thousands to see in the summer solstice. Either way you’ll be scratching your head about the monument's possible purpose – is it a solar calendar, burial place or even a UFO touchdown site?

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Get out on deck to marvel at Norway’s rearing, rugged coastline. Cruise ships ply the network of fjords, travelling past spectacular waterfalls, sheer mountainsides and – with a bit of luck – schools of dolphins, porpoises and whales. The gushing cascades of UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord (pictured), one of the western fjords, should be top of your list.

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Never mind who you see, they’re going to sound fantastic at Red Rocks. With a backdrop of lofty red rock and sandstone formations, this is the world’s only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre. No wonder it’s attracted the best acts in the music business, from The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix, plus countless memorable live recordings.

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The thrill of swimming alongside the biggest fish on the planet can’t be beaten. From mid-March to mid-August, whale sharks head to Ningaloo on the Western Australian coast for the coral spawning season. That’s your chance to take a dip with these gentle giants, which can grow close to 60 feet (18m) long. They pose no threat to humans, so dive in and share the staggering sights of Australia’s largest fringing reef. Be sure not to touch these majestic creatures and read up on how to see them responsibly before you go. 

Pausing for afternoon tea is an English ritual. These days the definition of tea has stretched to include handbag-shaped macarons and palate-cleansing sorbets. A traditional spread should be dainty and delicious, and sustain you until the dinner gong sounds. Claridge’s, in Mayfair, puts on a classy show, with finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and delicate pastries to enjoy in supremely elegant Art Deco surroundings.

Easter Island, the Galápagos, Zanzibar – island escapes have a magic all of their own. Paradise can be found further from the equator though. The Isles of Scilly lie 28 miles (45km) off the tip of the Cornish coast but seem a world away. Venture there by helicopter and discover a subtropical climate, empty beaches, glorious botanical gardens and freshly caught seafood.

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You don’t have to be religious to take the ‘Pilgrim Route’, the long-established trail following in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims. These days, pilgrims don’t tend to trek all the way from their homes to Santiago de Compostela either, instead joining the set routes in France or Spain. More and more people are walking the camino and it’s easy to see why: the satisfaction of a challenge met, the joy of shared experience and (on the final leg) the glory of Galicia’s lush scenery.

In the summer months (and just a few other selected dates), Buckingham Palace's doors are thrown open, giving you a chance to see inside the royal residence. Around 20 State Rooms are accessible – you’ll glimpse the monarch’s impressive art collection, featuring Vermeer and Rembrandt, and the monogrammed pink-upholstered chairs of the Throne Room.

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Get some perspective on celebrity culture with a 6.5-mile (10km) hike to see the famous Hollywood sign up close. The huge aluminium letters stand proud just below the 1,708-foot (520m) summit of Mount Lee, part of the Santa Monica Mountains. Passing through Griffith Park, you’ll see familiar scenes from movies such as Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land and then gaze down on the chaotic sprawl of the City of Angels.

Stand up close, and even inside the Pyramids at Giza and you'll feel the force of five millennia of human history. As familiar as these awe-inspiring triangular silhouettes may be, there’s nothing like seeing them with your own eyes, ideally at dawn or sunset. Astride a camel or horse is even better – cross the sands and admire the pyramids from endless different angles.

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Take your time to absorb Milan’s giant, gleaming marble Duomo (cathedral), which was centuries in the making. A clamber across the rooftop is a rare treat and commands grand views of the city beneath, and the Alps in the far distance. While you’re in town, make it a double whammy by heading for the bellissima church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and paying homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s famed mural, The Last Supper.

While it might mean tussling with the crowds, you simply can’t miss a walk along Dubrovnik’s famous city walls – they were pretty popular even before Game of Thrones. Circled by the stone walls, the Old Town is something of a time capsule, rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1667. The walls themselves date back in parts to the 10th century and are punctuated by remarkably well-preserved forts and towers.

Jamaica is an island doused in intoxicating rhythms, sounds, flavours, scents and sights. After days spent on the beach or snorkelling up to colourful coral, enjoy delicious jerk dishes, mouthwatering tropical fruit and rum on the side. Jamaica takes pride in its rum so make sure you do it justice – the strong stuff is served up in shots or elaborate cocktails in roadside joints and fancy cocktail bars all over the island.

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Grand in every sense, the Blue Mosque in the heart of Istanbul (officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque) is one of the city’s most famed and most popular monuments. The curvaceous exterior – an undulating series of domes and half domes – is offset by six slender minarets. Its more common name, the Blue Mosque, stems from the breathtaking blue Iznik-tiled interior. Visitors should follow the signs to the south door, and remember that the mosque is closed to non-worshippers during the six daily prayer times.

The curves of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are synonymous with the city, and with Australia itself. There’s a lot more of the harbour to explore, though – bays and headlands, parks and bush, as well as a handful of islands. Wend your way by ferry and make the most of the views. Or if it’s a wide-angle panorama you’re after, pluck up your courage and climb Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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No first-time visit to Paris is complete without going up the Eiffel Tower. But there are many other viewing points to enjoy the vistas of the city too. Try the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur or the Pompidou Centre, and head to the Arc de Triomphe for spectacular views of Paris at night.

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The number-one day trip from Paris, and a sensational destination in its own right, the Château de Versailles is simply 'magnifique'. Opulent throughout, the extravagance of Louis XIV reaches its zenith in the Hall of Mirrors, a huge ballroom lined with 17 enormous mirrors reflecting the garden view through the 17 windows opposite. Access to the exquisite formal gardens is free, aside from on days (and some nights) when the entertaining musical fountain shows are held.

Nearly 3,000 years old, the Italian capital is a living, breathing museum. From the ancient Roman Forum and Colosseum to the 18th-century Trevi Fountain and Piazza di Spagna, each century has left its mark on Rome. Perhaps the most spectacular of all is the Vatican, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, that holds such treasures including the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. 

This famous Mexican festival celebrates the ones we love who have passed on. Thousands of people attend the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City, faces painted with sugar skull designs and dressed as La Calavera Catrina – the embodiment of Death. 

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The 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle, perched on a hill high above the Bavarian countryside, is one of the most famous in the world. Put your best hiking boots on and trek up the rugged hill to explore the idyllic castle and its astonishing interior.

A reputation for incomparable luxury, flawless talcum-powder beaches and superlative marine life make the Maldives a popular honeymoon destination. But you don’t need to walk down the aisle to enjoy this slice of paradise. Maldives tourism is opening up beyond the exclusive Indian Ocean resorts to include welcoming guesthouses. With 1,200 islands, and bucket-list worthy beaches throughout, island-hopping by ferry, flight or speedboat is an exciting option too.

Most guides recommend enjoying the sublime scenery of Lake Garda from the water. Ferries ply up and down between the main towns, but there’s another, more dramatic way to do it, and it’s not for the faint-hearted. Remember the opening scenes of Quantum of Solace? That breathtaking car chase in and out of tunnels along a lakeside road? Make like 007 (at a responsible speed, of course) and admire the lake from the winding route that carves through the mountainside and discover Garda’s quieter waterside villages.

Sleek skyscrapers, sparkling shopping malls, super-duper transport – all present and correct. Now a welcome push to make Singapore more eco-friendly has resulted in some wonderful green spaces, which must be seen to be believed. Gardens by the Bay encompasses three waterfront gardens, with conservatories, promenades and the astonishing Supertrees, which stretch skywards like a futuristic, as yet unidentified species.

Stray away from the big hits of the Golden Triangle – connecting Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, the most visited cities in India’s northwest – and strike real gold. Ranthambore National Park comprises vast swathes of jungle scrub, centred on the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort. It’s known as one of the best places to spot wild tigers in Rajasthan – long may that continue.

Whether it’s ziplining above a cloud forest or spotting birds from a suspension bridge, the best way to explore Costa Rica is from a height. Just remember to pack some binoculars.

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A visit to the US capital and government HQ is a must – if only to admire the imposing architecture. Take a free tour of the White House and imagine holding down the most powerful job in the world. DC has a lot to offer besides political symbols, though. Tick off some more bucket list items with a scoot round a few of the 25 Michelin-starred restaurants in the city and its suburbs. 

Have the unique experience of seeing a volcano from the inside, by descending 390 feet (120m) into Thrihnukagigur. This dormant Icelandic volcano, around 17 miles (27km) from Reykjavík, is the only place on Earth where you can enter a magma chamber.

On the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by rugged mountains, there’s no mistaking that Queenstown is an outdoorsy sort of place. Come in the Kiwi winter to ski or for watersports galore in the summer, but don’t get cold feet about bungee jumping. This is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, after all. Pick from three of the world’s most stunning sites and savour the moment. 

Make dreams come true for little and big kids alike with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the acme of theme parks, Walt Disney World. Never mind the thrilling rides and live shows, it’s all about the chance to shake hands with an oversized mouse! Mickey tends to hang out in Magic Kingdom – one of the four theme parks which make up Disney World’s 40 square miles (103sq km). Find him at the Town Square Theater on Main Street USA, but also check the character greeting time handouts.

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Feel the power! Never mind the arcades and amusements (dinosaur mini golf, anyone?), the draw of the Falls is near-magnetic. Made up of a trio of cascades, Niagara Falls has the world’s highest flow rate and you’ll be captivated by the sight of the gushing water, and almost deafened by their thundering roar. After dark, the Falls make a different impression, with multicoloured illuminations and (from May to October) a nightly firework display.

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Every year in autumn, New England's foliage puts on a spectacular show of colour as the trees transition from green to shades of red, yellow and orange. Ride a cable car over the hills and valleys in Vermont or rent a car and drive along the scenic byways.

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This UNESCO-protected Chilean island is best known for its moai, hundreds of stone statues scattered around the landscape. Dating from between AD 1100 and 1680, some are almost whole figures, and some are just giant heads. But how they were moved around the island remains a mystery.

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A vast mountain range sprawling across India, Bhutan, Pakistan and Nepal, the Himalayas are home to some of the world’s highest peaks. The most famous is Mount Everest, which soars 29,000 feet (8,839m) above sea level. Comfortable lodges and tours are continually making the region more accessible, though make sure you're prepared for all conditions and choose a reputable operator. 

Spot colourful marine life and bright corals as you dive or snorkel around the world's largest coral reef system, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The reef has suffered huge environmental damage though, so read up on responsible diving before you go.

Leave Reykjavík far behind and head northeast, striking out on a hike through Jökulsárgljúfur National Park to see Europe’s most powerful waterfall, the jaw-dropping Dettifoss. Iceland isn’t short of stunning waterfalls but this caps them all. The surrounding landscape is surprisingly lush in summer, with wildflowers dotted against the green. Quite a contrast, then, with the drama of the roaring falls plunging into the canyon below.

The huge physical and emotional effort of climbing Africa's highest mountain is all worth it once you reach the summit, where you'll find glistening glaciers, incredible views and a distinct feeling of self-satisfaction. And though you'll need a base level of fitness, you don't have to be at marathon-runner level – it's all about taking the pace 'pole pole' (slowly slowly), as the local guides say.

Salt flats above the surface are bizarre enough, but subterranean salt is something else. You’ll plunge deep underground at the Wieliczka salt mine, southeast of Kraków, which has been in operation since the 13th century. Prepare to be spellbound by the cavernous chambers, where statues, chapels and even chandeliers have been intricately carved from rock salt. A man-made feat, using Mother Nature’s ingredients – something else indeed.

Standing tall in the heart of Australia's Red Centre, this giant rock is at its most magical at daybreak, when it appears to change colour as the sun rises. If you can't make the early start, get here for sunset instead.

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Visit Jigokudani in winter and you might have some unusual company in the onsen (hot springs): Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys. If they don't join you for a dip, head to the Monkey Park, where the pools are reserved strictly for primates. Jump on a bullet train and make the most of your time in Japan with other weekend trips from Tokyo.

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From Route 66 to a meandering journey through the Deep South, the USA is ripe for road trips. Just remember, in the land of kitsch diners and roadside attractions, you'll need plenty of time for detours. 

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Whether it's pizza in Naples or pasta with pesto in Genoa, you won't ever go hungry in Italy. Just remember, when you're in Bologna, it's 'tagliatelle al ragu' and definitely not 'spaghetti bolognese;'.

Stretching thousands of miles across China, various iterations of the Great Wall have existed since the 7th century BC – though most of what you can see today dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). You can't walk the entire thing, but some sections are an easy day trip from Beijing.

Embrace your inner child on a night among the treetops, whether it's in one of the quirky constructions at Sweden's Treehotel, or one of the UK's many luxury options, such as the Woodman's Treehouse (pictured) in Dorset.

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Choose to rough it or ride the rails in style on this route, which takes you all the way from Moscow to Siberia (and beyond, if you wish), passing some spectacular scenery along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic Ural mountains and enormous Lake Baikal.

Cappadocia's surreal landscapes, decorated by unique rock formations, make for a spectacular hot air balloon ride. Fly over the impressive valleys, see local orchards and vineyards and experience breathtaking sunsets. 

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From the treasures at the British Museum to the wonders of the Natural History Museum, London boasts some truly world-class exhibits. And the best thing? Many of the Big Smoke’s top institutions are free to enter. Museum hop in South Kensington, or take in modern art at the Tate, before exploring smaller venues such as the curious Hunterian Museum, which focuses on anatomy.

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Granted, there are quite a few contenders for this accolade – enough to build a whole new bucket list. But this beach certainly ticks all the boxes. Grace Bay on Providenciales, one of the idyllic Turks and Caicos islands, boasts powder-white sand and clear turquoise water. 

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