25 of the best trips of a lifetime (2024)

Dream holidays are often thought of as big, life-changing trips that you only do once. But they could just as easily be a short trip to see or do something that’s special to you. It could be something in a far-flung destination, like walking the Great Wall of China or diving the Great Barrier Reef, or it could be an adventure slightly closer to home. Always dreamed of seeing the Netherlands during spring when the tulips are in full bloom or sailing and exploring the many islands of Croatia? If you need some inspiration, here is our selection of some of the best trips of a lifetime to tick off your to-do list — and how to make them happen.

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1. Take a small-ship cruise in Croatia

Croatia excels in sumptuous small ships: ones petite enough to nip into secluded bays, yet big enough to host kayaks, libraries and en suite staterooms. Most trips are sun-kissed cruises around islands — of which there are over 1,200 to choose from — seldom seen by larger ships. A case in point is the Kvarner Gulf, centred around the sand-trimmed island of Losinj; expect an azure array of islets, channels and snorkel spots. Try G Adventures’ Sailing Croatia — Dubrovnik to Split sailing, an eight-day small-group tour on a 52ft yacht.

• Best cruises in Croatia
• Best Croatia tours

2. Go and see Angkor Wat in Cambodia

The ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are often called the eighth wonder of the world, and you’ll never forget your first glimpse. Just a stone’s throw from Siem Reap, the ruins send a shiver down the spine. They’re best seen at dawn as the light touches the lotus-shaped towers, the carved reliefs of ancient apsara (heavenly dancing nymphs) strangely animated. Explore! has an eight-day Cambodia Highlights tour that takes you from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, with visits to several temples, including Angkor Wat.

• Best things to do in Cambodia and Vietnam
• Best times to visit Angkor Wat – and other tips
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3. Witness the awe-inspiring northern lights

Only a handful of destinations offer the chance to see the jaw-dropping aurora borealis, where fluorescent shades colour the skies like sweepings from heaven. Visitors to Iceland can partake in this ethereal light show for a full eight months of the year. Luck is also a factor, with some guests gaining their best view of the northern lights from the airport bus to Keflavik, which passes through an eerie midnight moonscape. Iceland also offers myriad other attractions by day, from geysers to glaciers and grand waterfalls. Exodus Adventure Travels offers a five-day Iceland Northern Lights tour that also includes a visit to Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir national park.

• Best places to see the northern lights
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• Best northern lights igloos and bubble domes for a spectacular show

4. Sip port in Porto

For centuries, the most famous port marques have shipped barrels via the Atlantic Ocean from the Porto dockside, which is now part of a Unesco world heritage site. Each warehouse now offers bespoke tastings of 10, 20 and 30-year-old vintages, with art shows, cheese tastings and even traditional fada concerts sometimes performed alongside. True port aficionados can ride a train or take a cruise up the Douro River past endless vineyards; both rail and river were used to haul barrels of port to Porto until the 1960s. Avalon Waterways has a Vida Portugal cruise that perfectly combines visits to vineyards and tiny villages with departures from Porto.

• Best hotels in Porto
• Porto v Lisbon: which is better?
• Best things to do in Porto

5. Take an Italian cookery course

It’s a pastoral dream to roll one’s own pasta or stir an unctuous passata di pomodoro on a sunny afternoon in Italy. Fortunately, English-speaking local chefs are on hand to teach hungry students how to make panna cotta or torta della nonna in every Italian province from Tuscany to Puglia. The best thing? Italian cooking courses are normally hosted in the most charming of inns and villas, with organic orchards and lashings of local wine thrown in. Consider booking Intrepid Travel’s eight-day Italy Real Food Adventure, a small group tour where you’ll explore Lazio, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and the Veneto, and enjoy hands-on cooking classes with local masters without missing any of the sights.

• Best foodie Italian cities
• Best places to visit in Italy

6. Explore the ruins of Pompeii

In AD79 a pyroclastic cloud from Mount Vesuvius inundated Pompeii, preserving the Roman city in volcanic ash. Fortunately for historians, Pompeii was a wealthy settlement. The in situ snapshot of ritzy Roman life includes forums, baths and centrally heated villas, plus erotic frescoes and witty graffiti. Cobbled streets around the Temple of Apollo and Stabian Baths have been peeled back to their original state, rendering any visit a ghostly stroll back to classical times. The eight-day Neapolitan Treasures: Caserta, Sorrento & Pompeii tour from Cox & Kings will take you on guided visited to both Pompeii and lesser-visited Herculaneum.

• Best places to see Italy’s incredible Roman sites
• Best luxury villas in Italy

7. Cruise the Danube

No river navigates more countries, or passes through a greater historical timeline, than the mighty Danube. Some claim river cruises come into their own at the four Danubian capitals of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade, where passengers can jump ship for art, wine, baths and culture. Others prefer the natural highlights of Austria’s forests, Croatia’s vineyards or the Iron Gates gorge in Romania. What’s clear is that a tranquil riparian sojourn, with wine on tap and bikes at the ready, will float anyone’s boat. Indus Travels offers a 15-day Magical Danube Discoverer Cruise that covers all those capitals and more.

• Best Danube cruises
• Best river cruises in Europe
• Best river cruises in the world

8. Walk along the Great Wall of China

China is home to Unesco world heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, the awe-inspiring Terracotta Army and — perhaps best of all — the majestic Great Wall. While it would take over six months to walk it in full, taking a section to trek is definitely worthwhile, and it can be family-friendly, too. Exodus Adventure Travels’ nine-day Walking the Great Wall tour is for over-16s and includes walks on several sections of the Great Wall just north of Beijing.

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• Best tours of China

9. Bathe in style in Budapest

The Hungarian capital is blessed with 125 thermal springs. Since Ottoman times these have been channelled into gloriously rococo bathing establishments. Rudas Baths dates from the Turkish occupation and still offers the hammam, body scrub and underwater massage services from times past — plus strictly segregated bathing on weekdays. Gellert Baths opened in 1918, making them a spring chicken in thermal terms. Here art nouveau touches meet with Thai massages, plus mixed-sex bathing daily from 6am. There’s also Szechenyi Thermal Bath, the largest of the lot, with a mix of indoor and outdoor pools. Hungaria Koncert Ltd offers a full-day experience that includes entry to Szechenyi Thermal Bath, plus an optional Palinka tour.

• Best ruin bars in Budapest
• Best hotels in Budapest

10. Munch on Michelin-starred cuisine in Copenhagen

As well as palaces and parks, the Danish capital is home to 16 Michelin-starred restaurants. The new Nordic culinary movement eschews olive oil in favour of local ingredients like sea buckthorn, rye vinegar and razor clams. Top-tier restaurants such as triple Michelin-starred Geranium serve off-the-scale tasting menus (think beeswax and pollen ice cream). Beyond fine dining, Copenhagen also has a stellar line up of affordable restaurants, plus street food markets such as Torvehallerne. Combine sightseeing with a taste of the city on the four-hour Copenhagen Culinary Experience Food Tour from Food Tours EU.

11. Take a tasting tour of a Champagne vineyard

Vineyard tours in the rolling hills of Champagne can be undertaken by ebike, luxury car, private coach or even a vintage 2CV. Each excursion couples a visit to one of 2,400 local producers, which may specialise in sparkling rosé, pairings with local fish or cheese or — increasingly frequently — fully organic production. Make sure you visit one of the grand Maisons de Champagne in Épernay or Reims. And at both Pommery and Moët & Chandon, subterranean cellars stretch for tens of miles, with bubbly tastings after every tour. Exodus Adventure Travels offers a six-day, self-guided Cycle the Wine Route of Champagne that takes you from Reims to Épernay, with accommodation in four-star hotels.

• The finest champagne houses in France

12. Swim with dolphins in the Azores

The jade-tinted waters of the Azores are brimming with pods of dolphins — and it’s one of the few places you can swim alongside them guilt-free. The best way to do this is to take a class with a local marine biologist. They’ll explain how you can encounter dolphins respectfully, before giving you the chance to clip on a snorkel and swim side by side with a pod.

13. Have a punt on the Palio

Palio in Siena was a suitable backdrop for James Bond in A Quantum of Solace. The extraordinary horse race is a riot of colour and chivalry contested by 17 of the city’s historic districts (contrade). There is no better way to experience it than with a trackside view, watching the Palio from an apartment balcony right on the Piazzo. The race is fast, furious and subject to somewhat elastic rules: don’t be afraid to ask a local what is going on. Consider combining your visit with the 11-day Classic Chianti Cycling tour from Exodus Adventure Travels. It’s self-guided, giving you lots of options to explore on your own.

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• Best things to do in Tuscany

14. Meet Malaysia’s orphaned orangutans

Coming face to face with Malaysia’s extraordinary wildlife is just one part of a visit to Borneo. The sem*nggoh Nature Reserve and Sepilok Orangutan Centre work to rehabilitate orphaned primates and trips here include meeting the keepers and some of their young charges. But that’s not all Borneo has to offer. Meet pygmy elephants, enjoy the beaches of Kota Kinabalu or pause for thought at the monuments to Allied prisoners of the Second World War. Do it all with Intrepid Travel on its epic 20-day Best of Borneo tour, which includes visits to both the sem*nggoh Nature Reserve and the Sepilok Orangutan Centre.

• Best islands in Malaysia

15. Go beyond the Golden Triangle

One cannot miss Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and Delhi: these are the corners of the Golden Triangle and the key to any classic tour of India. But there is much more to see in India. The sacred river Ganges is the lifeblood of Varanasi for example, just as the tigers of Ranthambore National Park are the symbol of the subcontinent. This is a country that will require many trips to explore fully but the India: Classic Rajasthan tour from Wild Frontiers is a good place to start. The 11-day small-group tour covers the Golden Triangle plus Bundi, Bijaipur, Chittorgarh, Khempur, and Udaipur.

• When is the best time to visit India?
• Planning a trip to India: everything you need to know
• Best luxury train journeys in India

16. Walk on the wild side in Costa Rica

From white sandy beaches to the towering Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica lives up to its name: the “Rich Coast” in English. For visitors, wildlife has long been the main attraction, with cougars, crocodiles, toucans and tree sloths among its 300 indigenous species. Nature lovers will be in their element in San Jose and the Tortuguero National Park, and adrenaline junkies are also catered for with the zip lines and high rope bridges of the Arenal Volcano National Park. Visits to farm and a cocoa plantation provide an opportunity to meet the locals, a cooking class will bring the flavour of Costa Rica back home, and soaking in the country’s hot springs will soothe any aches and pains. And then there are the surf-ready beaches. Exodus Adventure Travels has a 15-day Discover Costa Rica tour that will help you tick off the highlights, with plenty of opportunities to see wildlife.

• Best Costa Rica tours for a spectacular getaway
• Best places to visit in Costa Rica

17. Drink in the charms of Cuba

Daiquiris and mojitos are as much a part of Cuba as Cohiba cigars and vintage cars. Visitors can experience both the queen of co*cktails and the king of cigars in grand style. Explore Havana before embarking on a tour of the island, from laid-back Viñales to the cobbled streets of Trinidad and the Bay of Pigs. There is more to Cuba than revolution and resistance: dance the rumba, learn to mix co*cktails, visit a cigar factory, tour in a vintage open-top car and swim in clear waters. The eight-day Beautiful Cuba tour from Intrepid Travel takes you on a grand tour of the island, with highlights such as a visit to the Che Guevara mausoleum and salsa lessons.

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18. Visit two continents in a single day in Turkey

Istanbul played host to three empires: the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. For two millennia the city has been divided across two continents, allowing visitors to sip tea in Europe, lunch in the markets of Asia, then return to European shores for a seafood feast at sunset. The ferries that cross the Bosphorus Straits offer 15 minutes of sightseeing heaven, with the Topkapi Palace and Blue Mosque visible from the prow. A sub-sea Metro service also connects Europe and Asia via a deep tunnel under the Bosphorus. The four-day Classic Istanbul Mini Adventure from G Adventures is a great way to see the city. Highlights include a food tour and visits to landmarks including the Hagia Sophia.

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19. Cruise Norway’s fjords in summer

Nowhere on earth couples such towering topography, where Tolkien-esque cliffs dwarf even the grandest of cruise ships. Dramatic waterways such as Geirangerfjord inspire awe with their otherworldly grandeur — as well as offering opportunities to kayak, visit local farms, make a mountain bike descent, or a Rib “safari”. Furthermore, Norway’s mile-high mountains — and mile-deep seas — maintain an edge-of-the-world ecosystem replete with white-tailed eagles and Atlantic dolphins. A cruise is the natural way to do it. Fred Olsen offers a few no-fly Norwegian fjord cruises from the UK, with sailing in spring, summer and autumn.

• When is the best time to cruise the Norwegian fjords?
• Best Norwegian fjord cruises

20. Go back in time in Jordan

In Jordan, the ancient city of Petra awaits, with its blush-coloured rock formations and ancient tombs lit by candles come nightfall. Head to Wadi Rum if you want to stargaze from Martian-like pods, or swap floating in the Dead Sea for splashing about in the hot springs waterfall at Ma’in. Don’t dismiss the capital, Amman. You’ll find a huge a Roman amphitheatre constructed during the reign of Emperor Antonius and a magical hilltop citadel perfect for soaking up the echoes of prayer calls as you peer out across the city and its multiple mosques. Explore! has a nine-day Treasures of Jordan tour that takes you to all the highlights, and includes a night under the stars at Wadi Rum.

• Best time to visit Jordan: when to go and what to do
• Best things to do in Jordan

21. Dive in at the Great Barrier Reef

One of the world’s most incredible underwater scenes, the Great Barrier Reef is Australia’s pride and joy. While it’s impressive from above — it’s the only living structure that can be seen from outer space — sink below the surface and you’ll find everything from luminescent coral gardens, white-tipped reef sharks and marine turtles to butterflyfish and sea snakes. Large sections are open to snorkelers but diving gives you a whole new perspective. Contiki’s Great Barrier Reef Explorer Learn to Dive tour is your chance to get the Padi Open Water qualification for scuba diving and see the reef in all its glory.

• Best ways to see the Great Barrier Reef
• Best places in the world to go snorkelling

22. See tulips in bloom in the Netherlands

Spring in the Netherlands is more of a natural wonder than a trip of a lifetime, but it’s not one to be overlooked. Visit between March and May to find over 800 varieties of tulips in bloom, spreading a riot of colour across the landscape. The best place to see them is in the gardens at Keukenhof. See the country at its blossoming prime on a Tulip Time Cruise from Avalon Waterways. The eight-day holiday includes stops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Keukenhof, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere and Willemstad, as well as guided excursions.

• How to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands

23. Ride the Orient Express to Venice

Gone are the days when Balkan royalty, Bulgarian assassins and Agatha Christie rode the luxury train from Paris to Istanbul. However, the current incarnation of the Orient Express still encourages passengers to dress for dinner. Most journeys are between Paris and Venice, with passengers travelling in 1920s carriages salvaged from the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, but it’s also possible to extend your trip, for example with a few days in Lake Garda.

greatrail.com

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24. Take a rail trip in the Scottish Highlands

When travelling through the United Kingdom’s most majestic wilderness, one might pass white sand beaches, redundant railway tracks, lochs, peaks and more gothic castles than Bavaria. The particular appeal of the Highlands is the lonesome proximity to wildlife and the vivid canvas of vegetation, which colours from pastel moorland to deep forest. The best, and most memorable, way to see them is by locomotive, where you can start things off at the base of Ben Nevis and snake around freshwater lochs. Great Rail Journeys offers a range of rail holidays in the Scottish Highlands, including the nine-day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands tour, which includes rides on the West Highland and Kyle railway lines.

greatrail.com

• Coolest UK stays for train enthusiasts
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25. Go on a grown-up interrailing trip

Things have changed since the Interrail pass launched in 1972 for under-21s. Interrailing for grown-up gappers is in a class of its own, with both adult and discounted senior passes, as well as unlimited train travel through 30 European nations. Many first-timers go for broke with itineraries panning from Istanbul to northern Norway via Portugal’s Atlantic shores. A more sedate way to travel is via a single country pass for, say, Italy or Spain, offering anything from three to 30 days of track-side culture.

interrail.eu/en

• Interrailing in Europe: how it works and how to plan your trip

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