30 Bucket list trips to do in a lifetime

This 6-night journey across Andalusia starts in Seville and visits Cordoba, Baeza, Granada, Ronda, Jerez and Cadiz. It threads the deep and palpably arid valleys of Andalusia, where there can be olives from one horizon to the other.

Among its highlights are excursions to historic Seville, the riding school and sherry bodegas of Jerez, the salt marshes of the Donana National Park, Ronda’s breathtaking gorge, the Alhambra in Granada and the stunning Mezquita in Cordoba.

The lounge, bar and restaurant carriages, dating from 1928–30, have been beautifully restored, giving a feeling of timeless elegance as well as spacious comfort thanks to the wider Iberian track gauge. The sleeping cars are more recent, with generous-sized en suite cabins. The restaurants are of a high standard.

Evoking the era of the British Raj, this ‘hotel’ train is a fabulously luxurious way to discover some of the highlights of Rajasthan. There are currently four different itineraries namely ‘Heritage of India’, ‘Treasures of India’, ‘The Indian Panorama’ and ‘The Indian Splendour’.

Among the places visited for excursions are the palace cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Gwalior and Jaipur, Agra for the Taj Mahal, and the reserve at Ranthambore for tiger safaris. One tour strays into Uttar Pradesh for Varanasi and Lucknow. Musicians and dancers are often laid on at stops.

It’s a journey for those who want to see the best of India’s ‘Golden Triangle’ in cocooned comfort, and to experience it in true British Raj style.

Every year since 814 AD, millions of pilgrims have tramped the Camino de Santiago or ‘Way of St. James’ to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St. James, the Apostle of Spain. According to legend, his relics arrived here in a stone boat covered with scallops – now the symbol of the route.

UNESCO declared the 760km 33-stage Camino Frances, lined with Northern Spain’s most spectacular medieval churches and sites, ‘The Foremost Cultural Route in Europe.’ It’s the most famous and popular of the many possible routes.

The route officially starts in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, crosses the Pyrenees at Roncesvalles into Spain, then passes through the main cities and towns of Pamplona, Logrono, Burgos, Leon, and Sarria, before ending at the magnificent cathedral in Santiago de Compostela (though some go slightly further to finish at Cape Fisterre).

See our ‘Recommendations’ section below for key highlights along the way, and the ‘Where to stay’ section for great hotels along the route.

La Loire a Velo is a waymarked cycle route that meanders for 900km along the River Loire – France’s longest river – with a prime central section amid the famous chateaux of the Loire Valley.

Much of the route is on car-free ‘green ways’, other sections are on quiet low-traffic roads. Supported by a network of cycle-friendly hotels and facilities, it’s a rewarding, family-friendly way to discover the Loire, drawing three-quarters of a million cyclists a year.

The best – and most popular – stretch is the central, 300km-long UNESCO-listed Val de Loire section, from Beaugency to Nantes. If you have only a few days, concentrate on the 50km-long Val de Loire section between St-Dye-sur-Loire near Chambord and Amboise.

Tuscany is full of natural hot springs or terme, many of which date from Roman or even Etruscan times and whose waters, originating from deep within the earth’s crust and emerging at around 35°C-37°C, have long been known to have therapeutic properties.

Each spring has a different combination of minerals and gases, so different terme are said to be beneficial for different conditions. Carbon dioxide boosts the immune system, for example, and sulfur-rich water is believed to benefit muscular and arthritic pain.

Hotels, some with day spas, have been developed around many of these springs, and while some are fairly modest, others have turned into luxury spa resorts offering first-class accommodation and a myriad of treatments (both medicinal and cosmetic) to compliment the thermal waters.

The Dalmatian Islands feel like the Mediterranean before it was overrun by tourist masses – an unspoilt paradise of pine-scented breezes, crystal-clear waters, wild nature and centuries-old Venetian-era harbour towns.

The archipelago stretches along the Adriatic coast and includes a thousand-plus islands. Most are uninhabited and protected as national park, and the few populated ones are remarkably well preserved, with picturesque architecture and historical traces of Eastern Europe. It’s a historical region – once an important province within the Roman Empire.

For travellers who love the sea and mountains, adventure sports and medieval buildings, the Dalmatian archipelago is a great find – and still, thankfully, unspoilt.

The 500-mile loop skirting the north coast of Scotland is not new – but its name is; since 2015 it’s been known as the North Coast 500, dubbed Scotland’s Route 66, tempting those who had previously screeched to a halt at the Great Glen to explore the country’s empty, far-flung north.

A spectacular coastal route, clockwise or anti-clockwise north from Inverness, it careers along snaking mountain passes, across vast swathes of wild, windswept moorland and beside craggy cliffs and endless white-sand beaches. Travel by sports car, motorbike, campervan or bike and tick off ancient castles, whisky – and gin – distilleries and sites such as John O’Groats.

Also see our 5-day itinerary from destination expert Lucy Gillmore.

Movie stars do it, footballers do it, mums and dads do it, even old ladies do it. Bridge Climb is the top attraction in Sydney – and must surely rank as one of the world’s greatest bucket list experiences.

Apart from a few short ladders at the start, it’s a surprisingly gentle ‘climb’ and not nearly as scary as it looks. Views of Sydney Harbour are (literally) breathtaking, and you’ll also learn the fascinating history of the bridge and the Sydney Opera House as you go. So be brave; this unique experience is a must.

The Orient Express is the most iconic, romantic and historic of tourist trains – and a sumptuous way to combine visits to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Verona and Venice.

The original began its service between Paris and Istanbul in 1883 and ran that route for nearly a century before changing its final destination to Vienna. The last service ran in 2007. Today the name has become synonymous with the luxury private operator, whose services and routes hark back to the original line.

The superbly restored period carriages offer an authentic experience of inter-war rail travel at its best. Indeed, it’s the quality of the decor that distinguishes the Orient Express from the competition: exquisite art deco marquetry and glass panels, and generous armchair seats in the three dining cars.

Known for its exceptional onboard cuisine, the food is to Michelin-star standard. The supremely elegant dining experience with silverware, crystal glass and starched napery is the highlight of the train for many guests.

Since its inauguration in 1990, there has been no better way to enjoy the fabulous mountain landscapes of the Rockies in British Columbia and Alberta than from the three Rocky Mountaineer trains.

The sheer scale of the Rockies never fails to impress. Mountains are never out of view, and often the train hugs a water course which the railway builders chose to follow. On sighting wildlife, the engineer obligingly slows and radios the train crew to tell them to look out for a bear on the right, an elk on the left.

The modern, casual train has been designed to maximise window area and provide space enough for people to move round and chat with others. The whole experience is greatly enhanced by the convivial atmosphere, but also the knowledge and passion of the train crew in relaying stories and information.

Until the late 19th century, travelling in Egypt meant taking a boat on the Nile, as the roads were bad and there were no hotels. A trip on the Nile is still a defining experience, revealing a tapestry of astonishing ancient monuments, beautiful papyrus-dotted river banks, and a landscape that has remained largely unchanged in 4,000 years.

Cruises usually include visits to the magnificent temples at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. All cruises end in Aswan, with a visit to Temple of Isis at Philae and an optional excursion to the Temples of Abu Simbel (strongly recommended).

There is, of course, the luxury riverboat option. The Sanctuary MS Nile Adventurer, formerly owned by Abercrombie and Kent, is a 5-star ship with 32 luxurious cabins and excellent food on board.

You could alternatively opt for a cruise on a charismatic dahabiya (a local sailing ship with 4-10 cabins). They can moor in more places than the large cruise ships, visit smaller sights on the way and get you closer to the Nile.

For the most authentic (and cheapest) cruise, feluccas sail between Aswan and Edfu or Esna, just south of Luxor. These single-mast boats have no cabins, so passengers sleep on benches or on the shore.

A voyage around the Baltic is a cultural odyssey, with long, light-filled summer days to explore elegant capital cities including chic Copenhagen, famed for its galleries, palaces and cutting-edge culinary scene, and enchanting Stockholm, its old town, Gamla Stan, all gabled buildings and skinny alleyways.

Medieval Tallinn is like something out of a fairytale, its walled Old Town a jumble of cobbled squares and church spires, while Helsinki, gazing out over forested islands scattered across the Gulf of Finland, is known for its eclectic architecture and Scandi-chic Design District.

Most cruises spend two or three days in St Petersburg as there’s so much to see, from the Hermitage Museum to Peterhof, St Isaac’s Cathedral and the riotously colourful Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood.

You’d need an interest in city life and culture to join a Baltic cruise – but there’s plenty in each port of call for families, too.

It’s the endlessly fascinating South African scenery that sets the train apart, with exciting excursions into Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to see some of Africa’s top sights, like the Cape Winelands, Victoria Falls, Etosha National Park and the massive ochre dunes of Sossusvlei.

The carriages have a period feel with wood panelling throughout and no TVs or radios, which maintains the time-warp atmosphere and encourages sociability – a hallmark of Rovos Rail. The atmosphere is enhanced by formality (jacket and tie required for dinner).

Admirable attention to detail and an emphasis on top-notch food and wines are key elements of the Rovos Rail experience. Fresh local ingredients are used to produce meals to a very high standard, with an emphasis on traditional dishes such as game (springbok carpaccio salad) and excellent South African wines.

Belmond has become a byword for luxury train travel, and South America’s first luxury sleeping-car train has become the way to explore the austere beauty of the altiplano south of Cusco.

The two-night tour between Cusco and Arequipa takes in the journey takes in the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca, cave art thousands of years old, and the World Heritage Site of Arequipa. Wild grasses cover the hillsides rising up to snowy summits until the train descends to more fertile country dotted with adobe villages.

As a new train, it’s beautifully designed and has every amenity, but it inevitably lacks that sense of authenticity from times gone by.

This classic journey offers an unrivalled insight into Russia’s vastness, and this particular train the best way to travel it in style.

The 15-day journey begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok, stopping en route at Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Ulan Ude and Ulaan Baatar in Mongolia.

Highlights along the way include St Basil’s Cathedral, the fortress in Kazan – the spot in Ekaterinburg where the Romanovs were murdered – the classic wood buildings of Irkutsk, the ‘Paris of Siberia’, and ancient Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. A BBQ is held by the lake followed by a visit to a typical lake settlement.

Another good option is through an untouched part of Siberia on the Baikal-Amur Magistral (BAM) route north of the classic route, leaving it at Novosibirsk. The train winds through the Abakan and Sayan mountains to join the BAM at Taishet. Off-train excursions are made to a monumental hydro-electric dam, museums, incongruous sand dunes and an enclave of Soviet architecture.

Facilities onboard are plentiful (including showers with underfloor heating), while the wider Russian track gauge creates space for generous sofas in the lounge car. Meals are served in the two elegantly appointed dining cars; the food is of a high standard, based on Russian cuisine, and infused where possible with local ingredients such as fish unique to Lake Baikal, caviar and Borsch.

To many, Antarctica is the ultimate cruise prize, for the wildlife, the incredible scenery and the sheer remoteness. You’ll be surrounded by mountains, some of them 8,000 feet high, their peaks and ridges softened by snow.

On fine days, the sky is an unfiltered cobalt blue. Vast, blue-white icebergs in dramatic shapes are strewn across the freezing sea. Penguins bustle about their business, seals bask on the rocks and whales feed in plankton-rich waters.

Stepping ashore is an incredible feeling, as is kayaking slowly through the ice. Some companies allow camping on the ice and even skiing, while others offer underwater drones and even tethered hot air balloons.

More immersive itineraries also visit South Georgia to see the enormous colonies of king penguins and follow in the footsteps of Shackleton, while others visit the Falklands, for its concentration of wildlife and military history.

Endless skies, snow-capped mountains, sheer-sided fjords, ribbon-like waterfalls and emerald green meadows ablaze with wildflowers – all combine to make Norway’s Fjordland one of the world’s most beautiful and serene cruising routes. And the water is one of the best vantage points from which to admire the view from.

Dozens of ships sail here in summer, visiting a selection of fjords, each one different. On a typical cruise, you might visit the Sognefjord, which twists and turns deep into the mountains, dotted with tiny villages, while the narrow Geirangerfjord is one of the most dramatic. At each stop, there’s an enticing menu of bucket list adventures on offer (see recommendations below) – like the long hike from Stavanger to the high granite block of Pulpit Rock, soaring nearly 2,000 feet over Lysefjord. In the autumn and spring, you may get to see the Northern Lights.

Any lover of the outdoors would appreciate the beauty and serenity of a Norwegian fjords voyage. The joy is that you can be as active as you like – or simply enjoy the scenery from the ship.

The Amazon Basin covers an area half as big again as India and with as great a variety. And like the Himalayas or the Sahara, it is the landscapes which overwhelm – huge waterfalls tumbling off table-top mountains, black, coffee-with-milk and blue rivers so wide you cannot see the far bank, fragrant cloud forests covered in wispy moss. While the Amazon is fabulous for bird life, it is not a safari destination. Larger animals are almost impossible to see in the dense forests.

Visits vary enormously – from stays in jungle lodges as easy and comfortable as a Southeast Asian beach hotel, to full-on expeditions – depending on the hub location you choose. The Amazon is suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness, though in general, any visit will involve some adventurous activity – short hikes, swimming in rivers or lakes and sitting in launches – often on hard seats.

Deserted, aquamarine bays, steep cliffs dense with bottle-green pines and the constant hum of cicadas creates a blissful backdrop to a typical week cruising Turkey’s southwestern ‘Turquoise’ coast. This absorbing stretch of coastline runs from Cesme to Anamur, including the towns of Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Antalya.

These small-boat sailing holidays are the perfect detox from everyday life, with days falling into a routine of swimming before breakfast, lazing on deck, more swimming, forays ashore and dinner under the stars, at anchor.

Book either as a single, a couple or a family and meet like-minded people, or charter your own gulet and choose our route. Boats come fully crewed and you don’t have to lift a finger.

A cruise through Cambodia and Vietnam on the Mekong and its tributary, the Tonle Sap, is a voyage that appeals to all the senses.

The bustle of floating markets, dazzling Buddhist temple festivals, the sizzle and aroma of street food and mist hanging over the water at dawn, are all part of the experience. Mekong cruise ships provide a cool, soothing antidote to the humidity and bustle of excursions.

Mekong cruises are bookended by hotel stays in hipster Siem Reap, gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor, and Vietnam’s dynamic Ho Chi Minh City.

Excursions along the river include visits to temples, craft workshops and rural villages, with most boats overnighting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s riverside capital. Here, the sights are poignant as you learn about Cambodia’s tragic history and visit the chilling scenes of the Killing Fields.

This epic 2,450-mile route crosses eight states and takes three weeks to drive. Why do it? It provides a fascinating insight into America’s forgotten past, days of the Great Depressions, displacement of native Americans, and ghost towns. Expect the usual fare of colourful diners, quirky roadside attractions and even quirkier personalities.

The drive down Highway 1 between San Francisco and LA is around 6 hours non-stop, but this region of unsurpassed coastal beauty will have you stopping and staying over. Expect dramatic craggy coastlines, dreamy ocean views, giant redwood trees, exceptional hiking, condors and whales. The stand-out stretch is the 90-mile mountainous section of the California State Route 1, between Carmel and Heart Castle – arguably the US’s most scenic drive.

A visit to the Galapagos is a life-changing experience. You’ll see wildlife that exists nowhere else on earth, from prehistoric-looking iguanas to Galapagos penguins, as well as sea lions, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and sharks.

What’s incredible is that because the animals have no predators, they have no fear of man. Marine life abounds in the clear, deep water and graceful sea turtles will glide right past you. Penguins may pop up as you’re snorkelling.

These extraordinary wildlife encounters take place against a backdrop of ancient volcanoes, jagged lava rocks, cacti and beaches ranging from powdery white to glittering olive. Visit by ship and you’ll see a real contrast of settings, as a week-long voyage typically stops at around 12 different spots.

Cruises depart from Baltra, Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and follow set ‘loops’, each one taking in different anchorages and all including incredible wildlife encounters.

You’ll spend the whole week out in the wild, usually with just one day in port. Days are spent hiking, kayaking, exploring by skiff and snorkelling, led by highly qualified Ecuadorian guides.

Note from Matt: Please do still consider travelling to Marrakech and the Atlas mountains, despite the devastation caused by the earthquake. The local people are heavily dependent on tourism and will suffer further if tourists stop visiting. Marrakech sustained some damage, but the souks and Jamaa el-Fnaa are still open and buzzing and the spirit of the people is unbowed. Indeed, according to people I know who have been recently, it’s quite inspiring to see how they are fighting back in the face of adversity…

Morocco’s former capital blends buzzing street life with atmospheric architecture and vibrant Arab culture, suffused with a liberal sprinkling of French influence – which adds up to an exotic,  intoxicating and entirely unique holiday destination.

Known as the Red Rose city, thanks to the dusky pink hue of its buildings, Marrakech is best known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina (Old City), which is packed with souks and completely encircled by five-metre thick walls, built a thousand years ago.

Visitors can expect beautiful boutique hotels set in old riads, a flourishing food scene and a vibrant shopping experience.

Remote, windswept and thinly populated, New Zealand’s South Island isn’t the obvious candidate for international tourism celebrity.

But for many people who live in the post-industrial cities of Western Europe and North America, this place is a primordial playground where you can ski, snowboard, hike, kayak and bungee jump to your heart’s content. The only factories here are wineries, breweries and Queenstown – a place devoted entirely to carefree fun.

The fact that most Kiwis are terribly nice makes travelling here even more pleasant. Strip away the backpacker veneer, however, and you’ll find a much more complex and intriguing destination coloured by compelling Maori culture.

And for nature and outdoor adventure, there are few places, if any, that can match it.

Africa’s most famous road trip starts from the ever-beautiful Cape Town and heads up the eastern coastline to the typical first stop at pretty Hermanus, a Mecca for whale watching. From there, the route takes you on through the charming towns of Mossel Bay, Knysna, George and Plettenberg.

It’s a route of spectacular coastal cliffs, lush forests, serene lagoons and golden beaches – a dream for wildlife and outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Highlights include the Tsitsikamma National Park, famous for its suspension bridge and ancient trees; whale-watching at Hermanus; bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge, the picturesque town of Knysna, stunning limestone formations at the Cango Caves, and outdoor adventures at the Addo Elephant Park.

If you have the time, it’s a fantastic addition to any Cape Town itinerary – and one of the world’s great road trips. Plan on at least 6 nights, though you could easily spend two weeks here and not see it all.

Note – the name of the route has nothing to do with gardens; it takes its name from the Garden Route National Park that it passes through.

This idyllic path following the banks of the Danube will take you from Passau in Germany to Budapest, taking in Linz, Vienna, Bratislava and numerous enchanting small medieval villages along the way. Highlights include history-laden castles, baroque churches, the acclaimed vineyards of the Wachau Valley, Viennese coffee houses, ending at Budapest’s therapeutic spa baths. It’s 16 days in all, but easily broken into shorter sections depending on which parts you want to visit.