Think about the stories you’ll tell in a decade. Will they be about queues in shops and next-day delivery, or about the strangers who became friends, the mountains you climbed, the oceans you crossed, and the sunsets that made you feel tiny and completely alive?

Or maybe even the moments that went sideways — the missed ferry, the sudden squall, the night you laughed through the discomfort because it was all part of the adventure.

Research keeps telling us something we already know deep down: happiness lives in experiences, not possessions.

The science of happiness 

Studies suggest the high from buying something shiny is short-lived.

The rush fades, the novelty wears off, and soon enough we’re scrolling for the next thing to upgrade.

Experiences work differently. They make us happy in stages: the anticipation that keeps us daydreaming, the intensity of being fully present while it’s happening, and the nostalgia of remembering it years later — sometimes with more warmth than we felt at the time!

And experiences tend to ripple outward. They nudge us into unfamiliar places, deepen our connection with the people we travel with, and sometimes introduce us to strangers who become anchors in our story long after returning home.

They shape identity, build confidence, and remind us that doing — not owning — is where the good stuff lives.

When we choose experiences over things, we often choose movement, nature, and moments that stir something in us. Many of the memories we hold closest come from being out in the world — hiking towards a summit as the air thins and the light shifts, taking a turn at the helm mid-ocean with nothing but horizon in every direction, or cycling through landscapes alive with birdsong and colour.

These moments reconnect us to our bodies and remind us of our capacity for curiosity, resilience and wonder.

There are quieter benefits too. Experiences gently rebuild confidence, help us trust ourselves, and offer a welcome pause from the constant noise of modern life. They create space — emotional, physical, mental — in a way that possessions simply don’t.

Because not everything goes to plan — thankfully

But what about when experiences go wrong? Let’s face it, not every adventure goes to plan.

Journeys come with missed ferries, big swells, sideways rain, uncomfortable nights, wrong turns, and moments when we wonder why on earth we ever left home. And yet, these are often the stories we tell first, and the ones that stay with us longest.

Even “bad” experiences give us texture. They teach us resilience, perspective, humour, patience, and problem-solving in ways that a flawless trip never could.

They show us our own resourcefulness — how we cope, who we become under pressure, how strangers step in to help, how we find our way back. They’re also the moments that bond us most deeply to the people we travel with.

In hindsight, the mishaps often become part of the magic: the storm you sailed through, the hike that was longer than promised, the bus that broke down in the middle of nowhere but led to the best meal of the trip. They become proof that we lived fully, not just comfortably.

You’re Not the Only One Craving More from Life

At AWA, we get our kicks keeping an eye on travel trends so we can help our adventure seekers on their own inspiring journeys. Increasingly, we see that a quiet shift is happening in how people choose to spend their time and money. 

Nearly half of baby boomers now say they’d rather take a once-in-a-lifetime journey than leave an inheritance, and multi-generational travel is on the rise as families decide that shared memories matter more than shared things. 

Younger travellers are embracing the same instinct: Reports describe Gen Z and Millennials as “experience-driven travellers,” often favouring adventure, cultural immersion, and travel over material consumption.

In plain English it means they’re choosing stories, connections, and experiences that shape who they are over possessions that quickly fade into the background. Sound familiar?

So what will you remember?

As you think about the year ahead, it’s worth asking yourself: which memories have stayed with you so far?

The objects you bought, or the moments that shifted something inside you — the places, the people, the challenges, the unexpected joys? 

There’s an old-favourite quote we love at AWA  – “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”.

Every adventure — the smooth ones, the messy ones, the ones you didn’t see coming — becomes part of the story you carry forward.

So the real question is: what kind of richness do you want more of this year?

The kind that gathers dust, or the kind that gathers meaning?

When you’re ready to choose the latter, we’re here to help you find the experiences that will stay with you long after the photos fade.

In the meantime, here are 6 unforgettable experiential adventures to get your inspiration flowing!

Explore the Galapagos islands by sail 

Take your pick from two incredible tall ship vessels which will be sailing around the Galapagos islands in 2026. This is a rare opportunity, which enables you to complete an open ocean crossing through wildlife rich Pacific waters and to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse areas. Few people ever get to visit the Galapagos by sail and you could be one of them!

Dates available: April to July 2026 

Sail across the Indian Ocean from Madagascar to Zanzibar

Hop aboard for a 600 nautical mile ocean passage from Madagascar to Zanzibar. You’ll be carried by the trade winds from the beautiful bays of one of Africa’s most spectacular islands to the Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar. Expect the most stunning sunsets you’ve ever seen, snorkelling coral reefs and a chance to swim with whale sharks. 

Dates available: April to June 2026 

Explore the Falkland Island and Antarctica aboard a classic tall ship

Explore one of the world’s last wildernesses as crew onboard a gorgeous wooden tall ship in the Southern Ocean. All experience levels are welcome and you’ll learn everything you need to know about sailing. Plus, visit remote Antarctic shores, see some of the world’s largest penguin colonies and experience a pristine landscape full of wildlife, snow and icebergs. 

Dates available: January to February 2026 

Island hop around Cape Verde by sail 

Escape the winter sun with a tropical tall ship adventure which includes 11 days of sailing and adventuring. You’ll learn how to hoist the sails, navigate and steer the boat on one of the world’s most precious traditional ships. Plus, experience Cape Verdean culture, pristine beaches and tropical sunshine whilst visiting remote islands. 

Dates available: December to March 2026 

Take part in one of the world’s most prestigious sailing races 

Take on one of the world’s most legendary sailing races from Sydney to Hobart. You’ll be an important part of the team, racing 628 miles over 5 days onboard a 70 foot sailing vessel. Guided by an expert skipper and first mate, this promises to be an exhilarating adventure which will test your sailing skills, endurance and teamwork. 

Dates available: December to January 2026 

Explore the world’s biggest national park with a Greenland sailing adventure 

Explore a magical landscape of fjords and icebergs with an 8 day adventure to northeast Greenland. You’ll also learn how to sail a traditionally rigged sailing ship and participate in a science project which collects vital data from this rarely visited region. Plus, the landscapes and wildlife promise to leave you speechless. 

Dates available: August to September 2026 

Book your next experience 

Ready for a trip of a lifetime? For more information and to discover what other adventures we offer, visit our website or get in touch.