Our 5 Favorite Travel Experiences (and What They Cost!)
Whenever we catch up with friends or chat with others online, the conversation almost always turns to the "best of" moments from our trips. People want to know what lived up to the hype and what was a total waste of money, and rightfully so! We have always believed that travel is an investment, but that doesn't mean we want to throw money away on tourist traps.
We’ve found that the best experiences usually happen when you stop worrying about being a "perfect tourist" and start looking for a genuine connection to the place you’re visiting. Sometimes it costs $100; sometimes it costs the price of a sandwich. Here are five of some of our favorite memories from our travels, along with the honest price tags and why we would pay them again tomorrow.
1. Sunset Boat Tour in Cinque Terre, Italy
We know you’ve heard of the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but it’s time to add a visit to Cinque Terre, five seaside villages on Italy’s northwest coast, to your must-visit list! Cinque Terre (meaning five lands) is made up of the villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. One of the easiest ways to get from town to town is by taking the local train that runs between them. It is efficient, but the trains are often packed, and you spend a lot of your time in dark tunnels. You can also hike the trails, which is gorgeous, but it’s a lot of work in the Italian summer heat.
In addition to popping around by train, we knew we had to see the villages from the water, as they were originally meant to be seen. We booked a group tour through Airbnb with about ten other people. Even though the boat was full, it felt like a private party rather than a crowded tour. Our captain, Yuri, was the real star! He is a lifelong local whose family has been in the area for generations. We love that he shared personal stories about life on the coast as well as pointed out notable landmarks throughout the cruise.
We set sail from Riomaggiore and headed past each of the five villages. The crew kept the prosecco flowing and shared locally made focaccia and small appetizers. The vibe was perfect with Coldplay and other Euro hits playing over the speakers. As the sun started to set, the music shifted to Andrea Bocelli. Watching the light hit those colorful buildings while listening to that powerful Italian voice is a memory we will never forget.
Total Cost Per Person: $105
Looking for more Italy travel tips?
Find more activities, tips, and itineraries here!
2. Lucha Libre and Taco Tour in Mexico City
Lucha Libre is a massive part of Mexican culture, and there are several ways to experience it for yourself in Mexico City! It is more than just wrestling; it is a historic tradition of "good vs. evil" storytelling that dates back to the early 1900s. The wrestlers, or luchadores, are local heroes, and their masks are symbols of their honor and identity. You can buy tickets and go on your own, but having someone explain the "rudos" (the rule-breakers) and the "técnicos" (the good guys) makes the experience so much richer.
We met our guides and about 20 other travelers in the Roma Norte neighborhood — one of our favorites areas! Our hosts spent the first bit of time sharing the sport's history over drinks. After we felt like we had at least a slight grasp on what we were about to experience, we walked to a small, hole-in-the-wall taco joint that offered relatively high-end, creative tacos that were among the best we had in the city!
From there, the guides led us through the ticketing process and the security at the arena. They even gave each of us a Lucha mask to wear for the match! The energy inside the arena was absolutely electric. Even though we were clearly tourists, the locals around us were so welcoming. They were slapping our backs and teaching us things to yell at the wrestlers. We were all swept up in the spirit of the night! For $100, we got a history lesson, mezcal, fantastic tacos, and a night of pure entertainment!
Total Cost Per Person: $100
3. One-Week Motorbike Rental in Hoi An, Vietnam
In many parts of Southeast Asia, a motorbike is the best and quickest mode of transport to get around easily and truly see the area. In Hoi An, Vietnam, the historic center is beautiful and walkable, but there is so much more to see in the surrounding countryside and along the beaches. Having your own set of wheels changes the entire dynamic of the trip!
When we stayed in Hoi An, we rented a motorbike directly from our hotel. If you have never driven one, the traffic in Vietnam can look terrifying. We spent our first day just practicing on a very quiet, sleepy street near our beachside hotel. Once we got our confidence up, we ventured down the road to a neighboring beach. By the third day, we were driving straight into the busy city center!
We found that the bike is much easier to handle when driving alone, but it’s still totally doable with a passenger as long as they stay very still. We loved using the bike to explore lesser-visited cafes and quiet stretches of sand. Fuel was easy to find and incredibly cheap! Thankfully, we had no mechanical issues, and that little bike became one of our favorite parts of our stay in Vietnam. The freedom of having your own transportation for only a few dollars a day is hard to beat, and the experience of riding past rivers, rice fields, and enormous amounts of history and culture as we breezily zipped by on our motorbike are memories that live rent free in our heads all the time.
Total Cost For the Week: $70
4. Feeding Highland Cows in Scotland
Highland Cows, or "Heilan' Coos," are basically the unofficial mascots of Scotland. They are famous for their long horns and the shaggy hair that hangs over their eyes. While you will see them in fields as you drive through the Highlands, you (sadly) really shouldn't just pull over and jump a fence to pet them.
But as Kait has a genuine, lifelong obsession with cows, getting up close and personal with a precious coo was essentially a non-negotiable for our trip. We found Drumbuie Farm B&B and Quila Cridhe Tearoom after seeing it on a YouTube channel we follow called Kinging It. We had just picked up Kait’s parents from the airport in Inverness, and made this our very first stop on our way toward the Isle of Skye.
The $12 covers the feed, but the experience is far more personal than at a typical petting zoo. We talked with the farmer for a while, and he introduced us to the cows by name, told us their ages, and explained how they were all related. There were no huge crowds while we visited! Only one other family arrived at the same time as we were there on our visit in late September.
This was the most heartwarming start to the second half of our month in Scotland. Seeing Kait’s face light up and tears well up (only a little!) while feeding these massive, gentle animals was worth way more than twelve bucks. It was a simple, quiet, and authentic Scottish moment that didn't feel like a tourist trap.
Total Cost Per Person: $12
What to Eat in Scotland
Whether you’re bold enough to try classic haggis or if you’d like to keep your culinary adventures a little closer to the more familiar elements, there are so many wonderful drinks and dishes to try while exploring this beautiful country.
Read the Scottish Food Guide here!
5. Summit One Vanderbilt in New York City
NYC has some of the most famous observation decks in the world, including the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock. However, there is a logic problem with those: if you are standing on the Empire State Building, you can't actually see it. Summit One Vanderbilt solved that problem when it opened right next to Grand Central Station.
The experience is so much more than just an elevator ride to a view. It is a full-blown immersive art installation. There are rooms with mirrors on the floors and ceilings that make the city look infinite, and rooms filled with silver balloons that float around you. It is a very sensory-heavy experience. It is so high up that our ears actually popped during the ride to the top.
The view of the Chrysler Building from here is the best in the city, hands down. You are high enough to see the entire grid of New York, but the art installations make it feel modern and unique. For $64, you get a perspective of the city that feels completely different from the historic decks!
Total Cost Per Person: $64