Top 20 lifetime travel experiences

Are you ready to start ticking off your bucket list? From watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal in India to seeing the iconic Fjords in Norway, you’ll find a host of wonderful far-flung destinations to discover in 2024. They say 'Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer', so we’ve selected some of the best travel experiences and places to visit for you to tick off your bucket list.  

1. Iceland - See the Northern Lights

Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, is full of natural wonders and it offers one of the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights. Visit Iceland and see volcanic landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls and relax in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.

2. Visit Lake Bled in Slovenia

Could there be a more postcard-perfect place than Lake Bled? Discover Slovenia and see its most iconic sight in the heart of the Julian Alps. 

3. Take a Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum

This is one of the many highlights on a trip to Jordan. The Wadi Rum desert, or ‘The Valley of the Moon’, in Jordan is full of incredible rock formations and sand dunes. It was also used as a filming location for the classic film ‘Lawrence of Arabia.’ 

4. Experience an African Safari 

One of best travel experiences in Africa is to search for the Big Five, which we can do so in Kariega Game Reserve on our South Africa holidays. There are also plenty of other activities and sights to discover in the Rainbow Nation, find out more in our top highlights of South Africa blog. 

5. Go with the flow on a river cruise

Sail along the Danube, Rhine or Seine on a river cruise holiday; it’s one of the best and most relaxing ways to discover some of the highlights of Europe. 

6. Visit La Alhambra

The UNESCO listed monument complex of La Alhambra, with its magnificent palaces, patios and gardens, is one of the best attractions in Spain to see. 

7. Explore Old Havana in a classic American car

The classic 1950's cars are famously associated with Cuba; from 1959 to 2013 there was an import ban on cars into the country. Havana's official nickname is ‘Ciudad de la Columnas' or the City of Columns, due to its Colonial architecture. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and we think on your Cuba holiday that the best way to explore this historic city is by vintage car!

8. See the mighty Iguazu Falls

There are a total of 275 waterfalls that make up the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site Iguazu Falls. Discover this incredible wonder of nature on our guided Brazil and Argentina tour.

9. Step back in time to Ancient Egypt

The best way to see all the top places in Egypt is to take a guided holiday. Visit the Pyramids of Giza before embarking on a cruise down the Nile and discover more historical treasure troves of Ancient Egypt, such Luxor and Aswan. 

10. See Mount Teide

One of the highlights of a Tenerife holiday is an excursion to Mount Teide, the third tallest volcanic structure in the world. The volcano is located in Teide National Park, which was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. 

11. Explore Valletta 

On our holidays to Malta, you can visit its capital Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage City due to its incredible historic buildings dating back to the 16th century. It’s one of Europe’s smallest capitals so it can easily be explored by foot.

12. Sail around Ha Long Bay 

Hạ Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stunning natural wonder, means "descending dragon" and is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places in the world. It’s just one of the many highlights of Vietnam.

13. See the Taj Mahal

A trip to India isn’t complete without visiting the mighty Taj Mahal. One of the new 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum in the Indian city of Agra. The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan commissioned this iconic building to house the tomb of his favourite wife.

14. Go to the smallest country in the world

On our guided Rome holidays you can visit Vatican City, see St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where you will be amazed by Michelangelo’s most famous masterpiece. 

15. Fjords of Norway

Explore the Fjords in Norway, the country’s stunning landscape has attracted tourists for many years, from the snow-capped mountains, glaciers to waterfalls. A cruise along the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nærøyfjord is an unforgettable experience.

16. Learn more about Ancient Greece

The land where civilisation began, a holiday in Greece can offer historical sites and archaeological wonders. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. 

17. Take a snow coach journey on Athabasca Glacier

One of the many highlights of our Western Canada & the Rockies tour is to take a snow coach ride on a real-life glacier! It's incredible way to explore this part of the Columbia icefield. If you want to see more of the Great White North, then check our our blog post on the top 10 places to visit in Canada.  

18. Enjoy a Pastel de nata in Lisbon

The Pastel de nata, a tasty pastry, was created in Lisbon! Portugal’s capital has a fascinating heritage, the city itself is extremely beautiful. With stunning pastel-coloured buildings, neoclassic architecture and mosaic-paved streets. It’s one of the best places in Portugal to visit.

19. Try your luck at Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo Casino opened in 1863, making it 156 years old. You can enjoy a day trip to Monaco, one of the smallest countries in the world, and get a taste of glitz and glamour as part of our Cannes & the Côte d’Azur holiday.

20. Explore Pompeii

A visit to Pompeii will provide an incredible insight into Roman life. This ancient Roman city was buried and largely preserved under ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Enjoy a half day excursion to this fascinating site on our Sorrento Coast, Pompeii & Capri tour. 

We hope some of these best travel experiences have inspired you for 2024, we offer escorted holidays to over 100 places worldwide and our team is always on hand to help you choose your dream destination.