25 Ways to Spend Your Year-End Bonus on Travel

This southernmost-region of South America is arguably the most spectacular. Patagonia stretches across both Argentina and Chile, and while it may be sparsely populated, it is packed to the gills with jagged mountains, placid lakes, glaciers and penguins.

Take in the gorgeous glaciers at Los Glaciares National Park before trekking in Torres del Paine National Park to see some of the most striking mountain scenery in the world.

Why limit a trip to the Caribbean to just one island? The entire region is loaded with sun-soaked locales ideal for laid-back exploring. Compare and contrast the luxurious beaches of the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Mexico's Riviera Maya before making your way to the Bahamas for a stay at Atlantis Paradise Island.

Getting up-close with mountain gorillas is an experience you won't soon forget.

These critically-endangered animals now number under 1,000 in total and live in the dense hills of central Africa. Gorilla treks are led by expert guides who show you these gentle beasts in their natural habitat. Watching them interact and play will leave you speechless.

Machu Picchu sits at the pinnacle of bucket lists for a reason. This Inca city in the clouds is like nothing else in the world and a surefire way to turn your year-end bonus into lifelong memories. Guided hikes are typically timed so you arrive at the stone city at sunrise, perhaps the most spectacular sight for sore eyes on the planet.

Once exclusively the realm of the most rugged explorers, Antarctica is now open for all of us.

Take a cruise to this cold & mysterious continent to get up close with a cold collage of whales, penguins and shelves of ice unlike any other. Yes, you'll want to pack plenty of extra memory cards for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

While this series of barriers were built to keep invaders out, the Great Wall now welcomes one and all. Stroll along the stone fortifications to revel in the rolling Chinese countryside with the crowds but then keep trekking to explore isolated and wild stretches of the wall: It's here where your trip will truly become "great".

While much of the world goes in for a seasonal snooze, Canada comes to life during winter. Take your year-end bonus to the Great White North in order to go skiing at a world-class resort like Banff or Whistler before heading further afield to scour the night sky for the Northern Lights and view polar wildlife.

Italian cuisine is arguably the world's most popular, and it always tastes better in the land of its birth. Visit Naples to see the birthplace of pizza, tour the wineries of Tuscany by bike and feast on rustic meals at a local trattoria. Or sign up for a cooking class to get let in on a few secrets of what makes this food so special.

Mount Kilimanjaro is known as the "Roof of Africa", and while conquering the continent's tallest mountain will certainly be a challenge, it's one you'll cherish forever.

Hire a guide to assist with your summit. Then, after you've conquered the peak, make for the Tanzanian coast, home to scores of secret soft beaches lapped by teal blue waters.

If you've ever wanted to see what it would be like to visit another planet; Come to Cappadocia. This swath of Central Turkey is home to otherworldly geological formations called "fairy chimneys", along with scores of hotels and B&Bs built right into the rocks.

The best way to take in the lunar landscape? By hot air balloon of course.

Whether you set sail on the Mighty Mississippi or ride the romantic waterways of Europe, a river cruise might just be the most romantic way to see the world. Embrace a new destination by day and spend your evenings dining and imbibing in style before waking up to do it all again.

Seeing the "Big Five"-leopard, rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo and lion-with your own eyes is about as exhilarating of a wildlife experience as you can get. The thrill is in the chase on a safari vacation, and once you spot an elephant in the wild for the first time, all the waiting will be worth it.

Your bonus will go further, and you'll have more magical experiences when you break from the beaten path in Europe. Book a trip to one of the continent's lesser-known areas or sign up for a small group tour that specializes in only showing travelers the beautiful back roads.

The birthplace of modern surfing, Hawaii is the perfect spot to learn the sport for yourself. Use a longboard to get the hang of riding the waves on Waikiki Beach before setting off on a tour of the islands to find secluded swells while learning about native Hawaiian culture.

During its heyday, the Orient Express traversed the tracks between Paris and Istanbul, symbolizing the luxury and intrigue of rail travel. While the original service ended years ago, an even more opulent modern-day version runs on a similar route, and it offers a glamorous glimpse of the golden age of rail travel.

This wondrous set of waterfalls located on the border of Brazil and Argentina is arguably the most spectacular on the planet. There are hundreds of cascades to be found here, but to be fully appreciated, they must be seen from each side of the border.

The Argentine side features immersive walking trails that get you up close to the falls while the Brazilian side offers stunning panoramic views of the falls.

Costa Rica is home to one of the world's widest ranges of biodiversity, and much of this fascinating flora and fauna resides in the rainforest. Spot sloths, exotic birds and colorful flowers before taking to the skies on an aerial tram or zipline.

Heaven on earth for wildlife-watchers, the Galapagos Islands are located hundreds of miles off the coast of Ecuador. They are well worth the effort required to reach them, as the uniqueness of the fauna here is so unique that it inspired Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Whether you go diving or stay on dry land, you're bound to be mesmerized.

This cave-lined cove in Northern Vietnam is home to hundreds of dramatic limestone karsts. The rock towers are draped in greenery, which helps make any tour of the bay a truly breathtaking experience. While Halong can be experienced in a day, the most memorable visits include an overnight boat stay.

Crossing items off your bucket list with your bonus money can get exhausting, so carve out some time to head down to Brazil and catch a tan in the sand. Nowhere does beaches like Rio de Janeiro, where its famous Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches are international poster children for glamorous stretches of sand.

Nowhere is as synonymous with fjords as Norway. These stirring natural features are located up-and-down the coast of this Scandinavian country, with a cruise being simply the best way to take in the splendor. Make sure to see Sognefjord-the longest and deepest in the country-located near the charming town of Bergen.

Japan is an enchanting destination any time of year, but when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it's downright bewitching. Use your year-end bonus to land in the Land of the Rising Sun during springtime to see the entire country come to life before your eyes.

The coastal Indian state of Kerala is crisscrossed by a network of lagoons and canals called the "backwaters". These palm-fringed waterways are captivating on their own, but ply their waters in a traditional thatched-roof wooden houseboat and you will fall absolutely positively in love.

Expect to be treated to stimulating scenes of both natural beauty and vibrant local culture.

Come to Cambodia to see the first rays of early morning light shine down upon the temples of Angkor Wat.

This ancient collection of temples-many of which are enchantingly overgrown with greenery-boggles the mind and inspires the soul. After watching the sunrise at the main temples, spend the rest of your times finding hidden sights throughout the complex.

The Sahara is the world's largest desert, and a sojourn to its windswept sands is the epitome of spellbinding. Trek through the Sahara on a camel before bedding down for the night under the stars.

Most tours will also include traditional food and entertainment that give you a true taste of life in the desert.