Published 28th Jun. 2021
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The holiday bucket list. Everyone's got one. And making sure you get every last destination and experience ticked off before kicking said bucket is undoubtedly (understatement alert) a challenge. But that's what your travel guardian angels are here for (hint: that's us) and we're going to let you in on a little secret... fail to prepare, prepare to fail. That Benjamin Franklin had a point, you know - organisation is the key to success. So at the risk of sounding like a nagging parent - get those diaries out and start planning, we won't tell you twice.
After much debate, a little argy bargy and very nearly fisticuffs at dawn, we've compiled five of our favourite do before you die experiences, so consider this your official guide to lifetime success: completing your holiday bucket list.
1
Seeing the Northern Lights is universally accepted as the bucket list experience to end all bucket list experiences. The best time to go is between December and March but should be booked at least six months in advance so if seeing the Northern Lights is on your holiday bucket list (it's right at the top of mine) then now is the perfect time to be booking for this winter. As nature's very own light show, if you aren't rendered utterly awe-struck by the rays of green, blue, yellow and even pink as they dance across the sky then, well, there's no hope for you. And whether you fancy staying in a luxury igloo in Finland, a treehouse in Swedish Lapland or a snow hotel in Northern Norway, we'll help you find the perfect hotel to be the cherry on top of your bucket list adventure.
2
Japan's landscape is beautiful as it is but during the Spring when pink and white cherry blossom abounds, shrouding fields, mountains and parks across the country, it is truly like stepping into another world. It gets better (surely not?), the brand spanking new Aman Tokyo is already an Original Travel favourite. To see the cherry blossom you need to book at least a year in advance so while you may have missed the boat for 2016, it's never too early to start planning where the holiday bucket list is concerned! While the cherry blossom steals the headlines, I would argue Japan in its entirety is bucket list-worthy, from the food to the scenery to the seamless ability to blend ultra-advanced technology with traditional heritage.
3
Coming face to face with a band of gorillas in the forests of Rwanda is one of life's most memorable experiences; it is a huge privilege to see these majestic (and sadly endangered) beasties in the wild. Rwanda's Parc National des Volcans is home to 480 gorillas and visitors must trek through the jungle to spend just a precious hour amongst them, observing their behaviour and learning about the efforts that go into ensuring their survival. A truly magical experience and worth every bead of sweat you will doubtless lose during the trek. Permits to access the parks and reserves get snapped up quickly and take some time to process so you'll need to book at least six months in advance.
4
Culture vultures, step this way and put a reminder in the diary to book this August (or right now!) because coming in at number one on the culture charts is the Festival of Timkat in Ethiopia. Taking place in January, It is a wonderfully vibrant, joyous festival typified by religious processions, music and dancing. Join an expert-led tour in January 2016 with our own Amelia of Simoon Travel fame to get under the skin of this magnificent event.
5
From blue footed boobies to giant tortoises, encountering the wildlife on the Galapagos Archipelago is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Historic isolation means the animals have no fear of man so, unlike pretty much anywhere else on the planet, you can get up close and personal. The Galapagos is a year-round destination but the best luxury boats can book up quickly so to avoid disappointment it's worth booking a year in advance.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
The sun is shining, the summer vibes are in full swing and the travel bug is biting harder than ever. In July, the world is practically begging you to pack your bags – and with so many destinations to choose from, we’ve picked out a few of our favourites. From sipping wine in Tuscany and surfing the east coast of Sri Lanka to cowboying across Wyoming, city slicking in Kuala Lumpur and working on your tan in Brazil, there’s something for every kind of summer adventure.
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Whether you’re heading off-grid, diving beneath the waves or spending a few days spotting wildlife in the savannah, the right kit can make all the difference. To help you get inspired, we’ve asked our specialists to share the gear they never go on a trip without, from practical essentials road-tested around the world to little comforts that simply make life on the go more enjoyable. Are you planning your next adventure and wondering what to pack?
30th March 2026 - Travel Inspiration
Train travel has come a long way in the last two centuries and remains one of the more positive expressions of humankind’s restless ingenuity. In Japan, developments are currently underway to cut journey times in half, thanks to the frictionless flair of Maglev (Magnetic Levitation). We’ll have to wait and see how that pans out. In the meantime, why not revel in the splendour of times gone by? Since it would be almost impossible (and ridiculously lengthy) to list all the rail innovations that have taken place over the years, we’ve decided to focus on some of the defining moments.
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