By Expedia Team, on August 17, 2015

Travel Experiences to Have Before You’re 30

Turning 30 always seems to inspire a million to-do lists and anxious (or hopeful) conversations amongst friends. It means maturity, it means success, it means….whatever you want it to mean! When it comes to travelling post-30, most things won’t change a bit. You may even have more cash in your wallet to travel in a grander way than you once did. Still, there are some aspects of travel you’ll be more than happy to give up. If that birthday clock is starting to tick, here are some travel things to do before you hit the big 3-0.

Stay at a Hostel

For now, Mr. Flatulent in the top bunk is mildly annoying but still amusing in a character-from-a-Kerouac-novel type way. After turning 30, however, that gross roommate is someone you simply don’t have patience for anymore. Once you’ve reached that golden sun of three decades, it’s time to say goodbye to the dingy charms of hostels and hello to decent hotels. You’ve earned it.

Go to a Weekend-Long Rave

Photo Attribution: Flickr/Creative Commons/Joanne and Matt/Via/https://flic.kr/p/8VaW5

There’s something strangely appealing about sleeping in the mud at your favourite festival when you’re in your twenties. After a certain point though, you’ll want a tent with air fresheners, clean water, and warm 800-thread count blankets, thank you very much. You can certainly still rock with the best of them, but you don’t need to wake up with gum wrappers and other suspicious substances in your hair.

Eat Something “Icky”

While your stomach can still handle taking 10 shots of cheap tequila in a row, try tasting some exotic flavours of the world. This is the perfect time to expand your palette and test out those “strange” dishes your 30-year-old self might baulk at. Go ahead and give that porcupine, kangaroo, and alligator a taste. Start exploratory habits now so it’s easier when you’re older.

Get Them Beads

Photo Attribution: By Infrogmation of New Orleans (photo by Infrogmation (talk)) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

Maybe you’re someone who’s going to get those beads at Mardi Gras or Carnival when you’re 50, 60, 70, or beyond, but while you’re still hyper confident, why not get them now? Just make sure there aren’t any cameras in the general area.

Know Your Hood

By the time you’re 30, people are going to start seeing you as an expert—especially in your home area. So get to know your hood now. Sign up for some tours around town or test out a few classes in your neighbourhood. Get to know all of the main tourist attractions so when people crash in your guest bedroom instead of your couch, you’ll know where to take them and where to avoid.

Life doesn’t end at 30, and you can do away with muddy tents, smelly roommates, and other distractions. Before you hit the big number, remember to test out a few travel adventures you’ll gladly surrender as you get older and wiser.

What are some travel experiences you think people should try before 30?

Feature Photo Attribution: Flickr/Creative Commons/MIXTRIBE/Via/https://flic.kr/p/nHnQXC