Travel News

21 Things to do Before the World Ends on 12.21.12

Locations in this article:  Austin, TX Dubai, United Arab Emirates Las Vegas, NV

9. Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, England – There probably isn’t anywhere safer to be in case of apocalypse than 125 feet underground in a nuclear bunker. Originally built during the Cold War to act as regional seat of government in case of nuclear attack, the bunker was decommissioned in 1992 and is now open to the public. Take a self-guided tour and even try on authentic military uniforms and gas masks. Admittance is just around $11 dollars. Talk about discount survival.

8. Maverick Business AdventuresMaverick is part networking group, part high-adrenaline experiences. In its Covert Ops course, you’ll actually get survivalist training with Green Berets and Delta Force instructors. We’re talking rappelling from a helicopter to the jungle, hunting for your food, and learning close-quarters combat.

7. South Pole Expedition with Abercrombie and Kent– Exploring the polar plateau opens up blue-white snow and ice as far as the eye can see, howling polar winds, and 24 hours of sunlight. Abercrombie and Kent introduces you to this unfamiliar environment with cross-country skiing, intense physical challenges as well as creature comforts.

6. Around the World on a Private Jet with Smithsonian – For the utmost in all things luxurious, start with a custom-fit Boeing 757 and then add in the experience of five continents, nine countries and 12 World Heritage sites including Machu Picchu, Easter Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Smithsonian Journeys makes this tour possible with rates starting at $67,950.

5. Wilderness Training with NOLS– If the apocalypse (Mayan, zombie or otherwise) is in our future, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Wilderness Training through NOLS has a learn-by-doing approach to mastering competent, responsible wilderness travel.

4. Custom Culinary tour of Napa with the Culinary Institute– If you celebrate with food and wine, it’s best to go out in style and get one last meal in before the Maya apocalypse. For the perfect pairing of food and wine, the Culinary Institute of America has the Sophisticated Palate program that CIA combines instruction at the California campus with behind-the-scenes wine and culinary tours of the Napa Valley. Rates start at $600 per day per person for a private group with a minimum of six participants and a maximum of 12.

3. Hot Air Balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey–Cappadocia has a one-of-a-kind landscape best experienced above ground. It’s not just the landscape but also the area’s weather conditions that lets balloon rider float above striking rock formation, vineyard, orchards and pigeon hewn houses. Ballooning Cappodocia lets you put together a private experience into this otherworldly escape.

2. Take the Orient Express Through Southeast Asia– One more bucket-list favorite is the Orient Express. Next year, you can ride the luxury rails through Malaysia and Thailand. After that,  you can board Orcaella, launching July 2013, and cruise down the Ayeyarwady River.

1. Fly to the Edge of Space with Virgin Galactic– You can’t actually do this before the end of the world, but you can hedge your bets and sign up. People are already spending $200,000 apiece for a spot on Virgin Galactic’s upcoming journey into space.If that price tag is too high, pay a mere $95,000 for a seat in the cockpit of the Space Expedition Corporation. They plan to launch flights in 2014 from the Mojave Desert, and from the island of Curacao. You’ll go through 3 days of training, shoot up at astonishing speeds on a 4-minute flight into space, and experience 5 minutes of weightlessness. But the real attraction is that view of Earth curving against a black sky as you glide back down for another 20 minutes.

For more end of the world adventures, check out:

By Steven Knight for PeterGreenberg.com

Feature image KSL Weather