10 trips of a lifetime for 2026

Words: Hannah Hopkins

Did someone say, ‘bucket list’? If 2026 is the year for a milestone celebration, a long-held dream or simply something extraordinary, consider this your guide to crafting a dream itinerary, from remote island retreats to legendary rail adventures filled with once-in-a-lifetime moments.

1. Chile & Argentina: the South American epic

Best for: adventure seekers and culture fans
Best time to go: November-March or June-August

These South American big hitters make a perfect double act, each serving up landscapes and experiences so varied you’d swear you were hopping between continents rather than crossing borders. Start in Chile’s Atacama Desert, where Valle de la Luna (the Moon Valley), salt lagoons and sherbet-hued sunsets make the whole experience feel otherworldly. Then swap sand for lakes and volcanoes in the country’s very own Lake District (Pucón and Puerto Varas are the classic bases), with hot springs, forest walks and picture-perfect peaks.

Cross the Andes into Argentina’s wine heartlands and settle into a boutique lodge near Mendoza, where vineyard lunches and leisurely bodega visits become the day’s main events. You could even continue the rural theme with a stay on a traditional estancia (a farm or country estate) outside Córdoba or San Antonio de Areco, complete with mate rituals that celebrate the country’s national drink, and wide pampas views. Finish in Buenos Aires, weaving between Palermo’s leafy streets, Recoleta’s Belle Époque elegance and lively tango salons that will tempt even the shyest traveller to sign up for a dance lesson.

Jet off to Chile or Argentina

2. The Indian Pacific Train, Australia: luxury rail across the Outback

Best for: slow-life lovers, scenery addicts and luxury travel fans
Best time to go: March-May or September-November

Picture this: four days of Australia unfolding outside your window in a mesmerising sweep, all from the comfort of your private cabin, with Champagne never too far from reach (don’t mind if we do). This epic train ride whisks travellers a whopping 4,350km, all the way from Perth to Sydney. As you roll out of the capital of Western Australia and glide into the vast Outback, the horizon seems to vanish and the region’s rich, iron-red earth dominates the landscape.

Meals become leisurely affairs, windows frame views that shift from vast plains to eucalyptus forest, and off-train stops reveal gold-rush towns and the longest straight rail track on earth across the Nullarbor Plain, a vast, striking limestone bedrock. Back on board, your cabin becomes a cosy, softly lit retreat, where chefs serve dishes that far exceed anything you’d expect from a train kitchen (think Pacific Ocean swordfish and beef fillet). By the time you reach Sydney, with its iconic Opera House, lively harbourfront and beaches pulling you into city life, you’ll be fully converted to the magic of slow travel on the rails.

Jet off to Australia

3. India’s Golden Triangle: palace opulence and imperial culture

Best for: culture vultures and design-and-history fans
Best time to go: October-March

India’s Golden Triangle is a heady blend of colour, culture and centuries-old splendour. Begin in Delhi, where a private tuk-tuk ride whisks you through Old Delhi’s spice-scented lanes, before visits to Mughal-era masterpieces such as Humayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort. Continue to Agra for that unforgettable sunrise moment at the Taj Mahal (cameras at the ready), where you can watch its marble shift from pale gold to ivory. If budget allows, enjoy a stay at one of the city’s restored palace heritage hotels, where history is visible in every archway and hand-painted ceiling. Foodies are in for a real treat in Agra, where a feast of regional flavours are served in grand dining halls. Royal recipes such as shahi paneer and Mughlai biryani are must-tries.

Then it’s on to Jaipur, where you can explore the pink-hued old city, visit artisans for block-print workshops and wander the ramparts of Amber Fort with its sweeping desert views. From exploring incredible Unesco sites to diving into lively bazaars, you’ll move seamlessly between old-school Mughal luxury and amazing local craftsmanship – totally immersing you in India’s vibrant culture.

Jet off to India

4. St Lucia: the Caribbean volcanic retreat

Best for: romance, nature lovers and wellness seekers
Best time to go: December-April

St Lucia feels made for romance: two volcanic Pitons soaring straight from the sea, emerald rainforest carpeting the hills and secluded bays wrapped in deep blue water. Open-air suites perch on the cliffs with private plunge pools and panoramic views that blur the line between indoors and out (Jade Mountain, we’re looking at you). It’s a Caribbean island packed full of things to do, so if you don’t simply want to flop on a sun-lounger for the entire trip, this is the destination for you.

Hike through the rainforest to viewpoints swirled in mist, bathe in the warm mineral-rich mud at the island’s drive-in volcano, Sulphur Springs park, or take a boat along the coast to snorkel in sheltered coves. You may even be lucky enough to spot turtles gliding through the clear waters. Evenings usher in candlelit dinners above Soufrière bay, botanical-infused spa therapies and slow, languid hours listening to the island’s gentle chorus of chirping tree frogs. St Lucia has the perfect unhurried Caribbean vibe that feels a world away from the everyday rush – perfect for couples and anyone craving a restorative, soul-soothing escape.

Jet off to St Lucia

5. Japan: Tokyo & Kyoto – future meets flawless tradition

Best for: culture seekers, food fans and design enthusiasts
Best time to go: March-May or September-November

Japan is a country where tradition and the future coexist beautifully – nowhere more so than in its capital, a city of soaring towers, quiet neighbourhood shrines and districts that shift mood as fast as the changing street signs. Explore areas such as chic Ginza or creative Daikanyama, dip into contemporary art museums such as the Mori Art Museum (where the architecture is part of the experience), and sample immaculate dishes of yakitori, sushi or ramen in tiny, softly lit restaurants.

Then glide to Kyoto on the Shinkansen (Japan’s iconic bullet train), where bamboo forests, wooden teahouses and tranquil Zen gardens set a very different pace. Stay in minimalist ryokans with private onsens for a soothing dip, wander through Gion’s historic lanes and visit temples where centuries-old rituals still shape daily life. Hike to hillside shrines, enjoy kaiseki tasting menus crafted with ceremonial precision and soak in a culture that values refinement in even the smallest of details.

Jet off to Japan

6. Canadian Rockies & Vancouver: a grand alpine and glacier escape

Best for: scenic road-trippers and outdoor adventurers
Best time to go: June-September or December-March

Begin in Vancouver, Canada’s Pacific-fronted cultural hub where glass towers reflect snow-dusted mountains and locals spend weekends cycling the seawall or sipping craft beer by the harbour. From here, the landscape shifts dramatically as you head inland along the legendary Icefields Parkway, a scenic highway between Banff and Jasper known for its jade lakes, ancient glaciers and viewpoints that beg for a pause every few kilometres. This is pure, untamed Canadian wilderness, a simply staggering landscape of rock and ice.

This is a great opportunity to ride the Rocky Mountaineer, a luxury, daylight-only train with glass-domed carriages for uninterrupted scenery. Or if you’d rather not ride the rails, you can settle into historic Fairmont lodges in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise – these grand château-style hotels have been welcoming travellers for more than a century with their lakefront settings, turrets and unmistakable Canadian grandeur. Active types will be tempted by a heap of outdoor activities, such as helicopter tours over the Columbia Icefield (a vast, 10,000-year-old glacier system), canoeing on mirror-still lakes or joining private hikes through cedar forests and alpine meadows.

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7. Kenya: Nairobi & Maasai Mara – the ultimate wildlife safari

Best for: wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers
Best time to go: July-October or January-February

A safari is the quintessential bucket-list trip, and Kenya delivers it with cinematic scale: think sweeping savannahs, abundant wildlife and a deep cultural heritage woven into every experience. Start in Nairobi, a lively metropolis with colourful markets, innovative restaurants and, uniquely, a national park on its fringe where lions and rhinos roam with the city skyline in the distance.

Then fly west to the Maasai Mara, where early mornings reveal elephants, big cats and grazing herds emerging from the morning haze. Many luxury camps overlook waterholes, offering spectacular animal sightings without even leaving your terrace. Guided drives take you across open plains in search of lions and cheetahs and, if you visit July-October, you may be blessed with a sighting of the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. Between game drives, you can visit local Maasai communities for insight into their traditional beadwork, music and daily life, or simply kick back at the camp pool before dinner around a crackling fire.

Jet off to Kenya

8. Grand Canyon & Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’, USA: desert wonders

Best for: epic road-trippers, adventure seekers and geology enthusiasts
Best time to go: April-May or September-October

The American Southwest feels like stepping into a film set – a landscape so vast and sculptural it borders on surreal. Begin at the Grand Canyon, where standing on the rim reveals geological layers carved over millions of years. You can walk a section of the South Rim Trail or join a ranger-led talk to understand how water, time and tectonic shifts shaped this extraordinary chasm.

Then continue to Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ national parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches – each a superior showcase of red-rock drama. Zion’s sandstone walls rise above leafy valleys; Bryce’s hoodoos (spire-like rock formations) glow warm and honey-toned; Canyonlands stretches into a maze of mesas; and Arches delivers exactly what its name promises, hundreds of natural stone arches curving across the desert. Stay in architect-designed glamping tents or boutique lodges, then explore by private 4x4, helicopter or guided canyon hike. And, if you fancy, it’s easy to add a cheeky Las Vegas stop at either end for a night or two of dazzling shows, celebrity chefs, and neon spectacles.

Jet off to Las Vegas

9. Tromsø, Norway: the Arctic capital

Best for: northern lights chasers and winter culture lovers
Best time to go: September-April

Tromsø, a city deep within the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, is one of the best places on earth to see the northern lights, thanks to its high latitude, accessible fjords and frequent pockets of clear sky. This makes chasing the aurora easy: you can head out by snowmobile, Super Jeep or even on a catamaran, with expert guides ensuring you find the clearest possible skies. You can hunt for the lights anytime between September and April, but the deep winter months of December to March offer the maximum hours of darkness for a spectacular sighting. On a good night, you may well witness green ribbons, shimmering arcs or even rare bursts of purple dancing across the darkness. A bucket-list moment if ever we saw one…

When you’re not peering at the sky, the city itself is an appealing Arctic base and surprisingly cosmopolitan, with colourful wooden houses, cosy cafés serving hearty fish soup and cinnamon buns, and museums that explore Sami heritage and polar exploration. Don’t miss a stop off at Tromsø’s oldest pub, Ølhallen, which has about 50 beers on tap, including some delightful local brews. Head into the fjords on small-boat cruises (you may be lucky enough to spot humpback or orca whales) or ride the Fjellheisen cable car for sweeping views over the mountains and sea.

Jet off to Norway

10. The Maldives: secluded island sanctuary

Best for: ultimate relaxation and a digital detox
Best time to go: November-April

Scattered across the Indian Ocean like turquoise jewels, the Maldives offers the quintessential castaway island fantasy: powder-soft sand, calm lagoons and a profound sense of serenity that encourages instant relaxation. Yes, you should set your Out of Office, but only to inform everyone that you’ve found paradise…

Villas perch above shimmering water with private decks, outdoor showers and, often, glass floors so that you can watch fish drift beneath your feet. Marine life thrives all around the islands, from colourful tropical fish to rays and the occasional turtle gliding through the lagoon, all best admired respectfully from above. If you want to explore deeper, a gentle drift dive lets the natural current carry you past underwater rock formations, guided safely by experts. You can while away the hours with spa rituals, long beachside lunches and sunset cruises aboard traditional dhoni boats. Forget real-world problems – the hardest decision you’ll face here is choosing between the pool, the lagoon, or which fresh smoothie to order that morning.

Jet off to the Maldives