Everyone has their own set of bucket list destinations. Paris is one of the most common bucket list cities but it’s also one of the easiest to visit. The Great Wall of China also makes it onto the destination lists of some people, as does Mount Kilamanjaro, and other famous sites. Take a look at the bucket lists of folks starting out with travel or having visited dozens of countries, and you will probably see the Galapagos Islands written there.

This archipelago is famous for many reasons and not just for its history. Visit the Galapagos and you cruise through a series of scenic volcanic islands set in what seems like the middle of the ocean. While the spectacular views are enough to warrant a cruise, visitors to the Galapagos also experience a host of unique and amazing wildlife.

The sea cliffs are alive with calling seabirds flying to and from their nests. In the ocean, pods of dolphins might swim past and eagle rays make occasional leaps out of the water. The rocks at the shore host brightly colored Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Marine Iguanas, and sunning Sea Lions. On land, we can visit a breeding center for Galapagos Giant Tortoises and watch unique mockingbirds and Darwin’s Finches hop around. All of these animals are also tame and make fantastic photography subjects. Add wonderful food and drink on a comfortable ship, and a trip to this bucket list destination also becomes a memorable trip of a lifetime.