Regan Kirk

As someone who seeks out animal-related experiences in every corner of the globe, gorilla trekking has been on my bucket list for a long time. These gentle giants are difficult to reach, but the challenge is part of the adventure, and the hour (or four, on a habituation trek!) you spend with them is one you’ll never forget. There’s really nothing like staring into the soulful eyes of a massive silverback, or watching a proud young gorilla beat its chest and glare at you.

Safaris are my favorite kind of travel, and this week-long adventure at the end of 2025 was my fifth (my second in Tanzania). Tanzania is home to the Serengeti, which is what many people picture when imagining what it looks like to go on an African safari, with sweeping plains, the Great Migration, and a huge population of lions and other big cats (my favorite). It’s one of the best places for a first safari—or a hundredth!

I saw the Northern Lights for the first time in August 2025, unexpectedly, in Canada, and the experience whetted my desire to see them in all their glory. I had previously visited Norway in 2024 for a fantastic expedition cruise around Svalbard in search of polar bears (a different trip report) and was eager to return. Around Tromsø is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis, and see them we did!

A remote set of volcanic islands roughly one-third of the way from Portugal’s mainland to Boston, the Azores are isolated and spectacular, boasting dramatic landscapes, exciting hikes, and terrific whale watching opportunities. As an avid adventurer, the mountainous beauty and variety of these islands has called to me for a long time. The Azores certainly didn’t disappoint!

The White Continent is on many people’s bucket lists. It sounds so out of reach, but Viking and other expedition cruise lines have made it more accessible for the adventurous traveler. Visiting Antarctica is truly like traveling to another planet, with its stark beauty and charming wildlife. South Georgia, which isn’t on all Antarctica itineraries, is aptly known as the Galapágos of the Southern Ocean with its hundreds of thousands of king penguins.

The Himalayas are a hiker's paradise. I love scenic multi-day hikes that don't require camping, and the Annapurna Circuit delivered in spades. Breathtaking views abound, and getting to experience the local culture at each stop adds a whole other level to the adventure.

We've gone on safari to so many countries in Africa, but Sabi Sands stands out as the best concentration of exciting wildlife we've found. If you're lucky, you can see all of the Big Five on one game drive. This is a place where you're likely to find leopards mating, massive lion prides enjoying a hippo, and wild dog pups spilling out of their den.

Churchill is a remote and beautiful retreat from the world, accessible only by train or plane. Every summer, 50,000 beluga whales come here to frolic, feed, and give birth, while polar bears wander off of the ice to hang out until it's cold enough to go back to sea. If you're lucky, the Aurora Borealis might grace you with a visit as well!

The Svalbard archipelago, located above the Arctic Circle, is famous for its polar bears—there are more bears here, in fact, than people. The town of Longyearbyen, on the largest island, Spitsbergen, is the northernmost town in the world and serves as the launching point for many Arctic cruises. This is truly a magical place, a remote winter wonderland most people will never visit.