5 Things You Gotta Do at Least Once in Your Life

By Professor Steve Solosky, Founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor

I've been organizing and leading small group tours around the world since 2009. Over those years, I've been fortunate enough to enjoy some truly extraordinary travel experiences.

But there are five that stand out above the rest.

And here's what makes my list different from most of the travel bucket lists you'll find online.

I've personally done every one of these five things. Not just once, but multiple times.

I've watched the Northern Lights dance across the Icelandic sky, ridden one of the world's most spectacular railways in Norway, swum in secluded coves along Croatia's Adriatic coast, walked the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, and played golf on legendary Scottish courses.

I've loved every one of these experiences. And I'd happily do them all again.

But here's the best part.

These days, my "job" is to help other people experience these extraordinary moments for themselves.

And I have to tell you, that's a pretty great job to have.

I've watched our travelers react with amazement, excitement, laughter, and sometimes tears. Some experiences, particularly our visits to Normandy, have had such a profound impact that travelers have told me they changed their lives.

After all these years, I've learned something important about travel.

The best travel memories aren't necessarily made at famous tourist attractions. They're made during those moments when you stop, look around, and think, "I can't believe I'm actually doing this."

Here are five once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences I think everyone should consider adding to their bucket list.

1. Ride the Flåmsbana Railway Through Norway's Spectacular Flåm Valley

Norway has some of the most spectacular scenery I've encountered anywhere in the world. Towering mountains, deep fjords, waterfalls cascading down enormous cliffs, and picturesque villages surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.

And one of the best ways to experience it is aboard the Flåmsbana Railway, one of Europe's most remarkable scenic train journeys.

The railway connects Myrdal, high in the Norwegian mountains, with the little village of Flåm, nestled along the Aurlandsfjord.

The trip covers approximately 12 miles, descending nearly 2,900 feet through the dramatic Flåm Valley.

Along the way, the train passes through tunnels carved into mountainsides, offers views of spectacular waterfalls, and winds through scenery that seems to become more beautiful with every turn.

One of the highlights is the stop at Kjosfossen, where passengers can step outside to admire a magnificent waterfall.

I've ridden the Flåmsbana multiple times. And despite knowing what's coming, I still find myself looking out the window in amazement.

But these days, what I enjoy even more is watching our travelers experience it for the first time.

This isn't simply a train ride. The train ride itself is the attraction.

On our Norway and the Fjords by Scenic Rail small group tour, we don't just pass through Flåm. We spend three nights at the historic Fretheim Hotel, giving our travelers time to enjoy the extraordinary surroundings.

There are opportunities for fjord cruises, kayaking, biking, sightseeing, and even ziplining across the Flåm Valley.

My advice: Don't visit Norway without experiencing the Flåmsbana. And don't make the mistake of rushing through Flåm in just a few hours.

2. Watch Mother Nature Put on a Show with the Northern Lights in Iceland

There are spectacular things to see all over the world. But very few compare to standing beneath a dark Icelandic sky and watching the Northern Lights suddenly appear overhead.

Picture this.

You're standing outside on a cold Icelandic evening. The stars are shining. Someone points toward the horizon, where a faint green glow has begun to appear.

Then something extraordinary happens.

That faint glow stretches across the sky. Green curtains of light begin to shimmer, twist, and dance. Sometimes they brighten dramatically, then disappear, only to reappear somewhere else.

It's Mother Nature putting on a performance that no theater, movie, or special-effects department could ever duplicate.

I've experienced the Northern Lights in Iceland multiple times.

And here's something interesting: As spectacular as the lights are, I sometimes find myself watching the reactions of our travelers as much as the lights themselves.

People who were talking just moments earlier suddenly become silent. Cameras come out. Everyone looks skyward.

Then someone inevitably exclaims, "Would you look at THAT!"

It's a wonderful feeling to know that you've helped make that moment possible.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.

But seeing them requires favorable conditions, including dark skies and relatively clear weather.

Nobody can guarantee a Northern Lights display. That's part of what makes seeing one so special.

Our Iceland and the Northern Lights small group tour is scheduled during the darker months, with opportunities to search for the aurora when conditions cooperate.

And Iceland has much more to offer: thundering waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches, and the famous Blue Lagoon.

My advice: See the Northern Lights in Iceland at least once. But plan a trip that will be unforgettable even if Mother Nature decides not to cooperate.

3. Swim Off the Back of a Small Ship in a Secluded Croatian Cove

Imagine cruising along Croatia's magnificent Adriatic coastline aboard a small ship. The sun is shining, the water is crystal clear, and beautiful islands rise from the sea.

Then the captain finds a secluded cove, drops anchor, and announces it's time for a swim.

Within minutes, you're stepping off the swimming platform at the back of the ship and into some of the most beautiful water you've ever seen.

No crowded beaches. No fighting for lounge chairs. No enormous cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers.

Just you, your fellow travelers, a beautiful little ship, and the brilliant blue Adriatic Sea.

I've enjoyed these swimming stops many times, and they're among my favorite experiences in Croatia.

There's something wonderfully liberating about floating in the clear water, looking back at your ship, and realizing you're enjoying a place that most visitors to Croatia will never experience this way.

But what I really enjoy is seeing our travelers discover how much fun this can be.

Some jump right in. Others take their time. And some are perfectly happy sitting on deck with a cool drink, enjoying the scenery and watching everyone else.

There's no pressure to do anything. That's part of the beauty of small ship cruising.

These simple swimming stops are often among the most talked-about experiences on the entire cruise.

Our Croatia small ship cruises explore spectacular Adriatic islands and historic destinations, including Hvar, Korčula, Mljet, and Dubrovnik.

But some of the best memories aren't made in the ports.

They're made when the captain drops anchor in a beautiful little cove and says, "Time for a swim!"

My advice: If you're going to cruise Croatia's Adriatic coast, do it aboard a small ship that can visit secluded coves and beautiful little harbors that larger vessels simply cannot reach.

4. Walk in the Footsteps of Heroes on Normandy's D-Day Beaches

Some travel experiences are exciting. Others are beautiful.

And then there are experiences that can change the way you look at life.

For me, visiting the Normandy Invasion Beaches belongs in that last category.

I've visited Normandy many times, spent years studying its history, and written The Traveling Professor's Guide to the Normandy Invasion Beaches.

Yet no matter how often I return, the experience never becomes routine.

One of the most powerful moments is walking onto Omaha Beach, particularly the Easy Red sector, where American soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, the famous Big Red One, came ashore under devastating enemy fire on June 6, 1944.

Stand on that beach.

Look up toward the bluffs where German defensive positions once overlooked the shoreline. Imagine the obstacles, the machine-gun fire, the confusion, and the extraordinary challenge facing those young American soldiers.

Many never made it off the beach.

But those who survived helped secure a foothold that would ultimately contribute to the liberation of Western Europe.

Then comes what I consider one of the most moving experiences anyone can have in Normandy.

Visit the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach.

Here, 9,389 American service members rest beneath rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David.

Walk quietly among the markers.

Read the names. Look at the ranks, home states, and dates of death.

Consider how young many of these men were when their lives ended.

These aren't simply names in a history book or statistics from World War II.

They were real people. They had parents, wives, sweethearts, brothers, sisters, and dreams of lives they would never get to live.

I've brought many travelers to Normandy, and I've witnessed the emotional impact these visits can have.

Some have family connections to World War II. Others have no personal connection to the war but come away with a completely different understanding of sacrifice, freedom, and gratitude.

I've seen travelers moved to tears. I've watched them stand silently at gravesites. I've listened as they've reflected on their own lives and families.

And I've had travelers tell me that visiting Normandy changed their lives.

That's not something you hear about an ordinary sightseeing excursion.

And to me, this is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I can explain the history, arrange for outstanding local guides, and bring our travelers to the places where these events actually happened.

But what they take away from the experience is often something deeply personal.

Our Paris and Normandy Invasion Beaches small group tour is designed to go far beyond a quick visit to the famous D-Day sites.

We spend five nights in Bayeux, exploring Omaha and Utah beaches, Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église, Pegasus Bridge, and other important locations with knowledgeable local guides.

Our small group size allows us to explore places and understand stories that are often missed on larger bus tours.

My advice: If you're interested in American history, don't just read about D-Day. Go to Normandy. Stand where these heroes stood. Then visit the cemetery where so many now rest.

You may arrive as a tourist, but you could leave with an entirely different perspective on life.

5. Play Golf on a Scottish Course Laid Out by Old Tom Morris

If you're a golfer, there are plenty of beautiful courses around the world.

But there's something genuinely special about playing golf in Scotland, where the game has been played for centuries.

And there's something even more extraordinary about teeing off on a course laid out by Old Tom Morris, one of the most important figures in golf history.

Old Tom Morris was a four-time winner of The Open Championship and one of the pioneering golf course designers whose influence continues to shape the modern game.

In the Scottish Highlands, two remarkable courses carry his legacy.

At Royal Dornoch, Morris laid out an 18-hole course in 1886. At Tain Golf Club, he designed the original course in 1889.

These aren't ordinary golf courses.

Instead of manufactured landscapes, you'll find natural contours, firm fairways, challenging bunkers, coastal winds, and magnificent Highland scenery.

I've played Royal Dornoch myself.

In fact, I even managed to par the first two holes. Let's just say the rest of my round was a little less impressive!

But the score isn't what I remember most.

I remember the magnificent scenery, the challenge of traditional Scottish links golf, and the feeling of walking on a course that has played such an important role in the history of the game.

As someone who's been fortunate enough to play golf in Scotland multiple times, I know what an extraordinary experience it can be.

And now I have the opportunity to help other golfers enjoy it, too.

Our Scottish Highlands Golf Tour features five rounds of golf on some of the region's most memorable courses: Royal Dornoch Championship, Royal Dornoch Struie, Tain, Golspie, and Brora.

And for those who dream of playing the Old Course at St Andrews, we can help travelers understand the ballot process and assist with additional arrangements if they secure a tee time.

My advice: You don't have to be a scratch golfer to appreciate playing a historic Scottish course. Forget about your score for a moment. Enjoy the scenery, the history, and the privilege of playing golf where the game has such deep roots.

I've Experienced These Adventures. Now I Want Others to Experience Them, Too.

I've been fortunate enough to enjoy all five of these extraordinary travel experiences multiple times.

And I'd happily do every one of them again.

But here's what I've come to appreciate most after years of organizing and leading tours.

It's no longer just about the places I get to visit. It's about helping other people experience the same remarkable things I've been fortunate enough to enjoy.

There's something incredibly satisfying about watching someone see the Northern Lights for the first time, hearing a traveler describe the beauty of Norway's Flåm Valley, or seeing the joy on someone's face as they swim in the Adriatic Sea.

And there are moments, like our visits to the Normandy American Cemetery, when I know we've helped create an experience that may stay with someone for the rest of their life.

That's why I love what I do.

Since 2009, we've been creating these kinds of experiences at Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor.

We specialize in thoughtfully planned trips, knowledgeable local guides, comfortable accommodations, and small groups that make travel more personal.

No big buses. No hit-and-run sightseeing. And no racing through destinations just to check another attraction off a list.

Our philosophy is simple: Bigger and Better Tour Experiences Because We're Smaller.

I've had my turn experiencing these five extraordinary adventures, many times over.

Now I'd love to help you experience them, too.

Explore our upcoming small group tours and see which unforgettable adventure might be waiting for you.

So here's my question: Which of these five experiences would be at the top of your bucket list?