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6 once-in-a-lifetime trips across the world
Choose between scenic rail journeys, wildlife safaris and ancient temple tours with Which?-recommended holiday companies
Jo is an award-winning travel journalist and hiking holiday enthusiast. Her specialisms include sustainable travel and money-saving advice.
There are holidays we dream of taking our whole lives. If you finally have the time and money to make this adventure a reality, we've rounded up some of the most exciting world tours to choose from.
You can go temple-hopping in Japan, take an exhilarating train ride through the Canadian Rockies, explore the jungles of Sri Lanka and more on these journeys packed with culture and adventure.
For peace of mind, all are offered by Which? Recommended Providers (WRPs) – because it’s important to know you're in good hands when splurging on the trip of a lifetime.
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Victoria Falls, South Africa and Mozambique by rail
Imagine rattling through the African wilderness from the grandeur of your vintage train carriage.
On this 15-day trip, you’ll board the prestigious Rovos Rail in Pretoria, South Africa, before journeying all the way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – where you’ll stay in five-star luxury with views of the majestic Batoka Gorge. Stops along the way include Kruger National Park for a safari, providing an opportunity to see Africa’s Big Five, and a visit to ‘the Valley of Heaven’ in Eswatini with its winding river and flowering jacaranda trees.
You’ll sleep onboard in a luxury wood-panelled Pullman or deluxe suite for most of the trip.
How to book Jules Verne’s Rovos Rail to Victoria Falls: South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique & Zimbabwe starts from £9,265 per person based on two people sharing (excluding flights) with departures in March, April and September 2027.
Australia’s East Coast and Great Barrier Reef
If you’re going to travel to the other side of the world, you may as well take your time when you get there.
This huge 24-day itinerary veers away from the tourist hotspots to offer a more sustainable and authentic experience. This includes hiking in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, exploring boutique wineries by e-bike in Adelaide, and kayaking to see dolphins on the coast of Byron Bay.
You’ll also spend three nights in an eco resort on Lady Elliot Island, located within the dreamy Great Barrier Reef – where you can dive or snorkel with more than 1,200 marine species, including manta rays and turtles.
How to book Audley Travel’s 24-day Australia’s eastern coastline, outback & reef itinerary costs from £12,735 per person (based on two sharing) and includes flights, transfers, car hire and excursions.
Ride the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada
This is a five-star service as you chug past steep canyons, rushing rivers and jagged mountain peaks: no wonder the Rocky Mountaineer train ride is on many people’s bucket lists.
After a night in Calgary, the gateway to the Rockies, you will hike, canoe or raft in the snowy mountains and forests of Banff National Park. The shores of glacial-fed Lake Louise, with its jaw-dropping views, will be your base for two nights.
Then it’s time to board the Rocky Mountaineer westward to the Pacific Coast an epic two-day scenic journey. The trip ends with time to explore the beaches, rainforests and historic neighbourhoods of Vancouver.
How to book Kuoni’s seven-day First Passage to the West Rail Journey with Rocky Mountaineer is priced from £2,925 per person, including flights from London Heathrow.
The best travel companies for tailor-made holidays and cultural tours
Jungle and beaches in Sri Lanka and the Maldives
If you’re looking for a beach paradise with a bit of culture thrown in, this 14-night Indian Ocean getaway could tick all the boxes.
You’ll start in Sri Lanka, enjoying the panoramic jungle views from Sigiriya Rock and admiring the ancient cave art of Dambulla Rock Temple. The misty tea hills and wild national parks also await, with opportunities to spot herds of elephants, prowling leopards and sloths.
After that, it’s a short flight to the turquoise waters and white sand beaches of the Maldives, where you can kick back and relax in your all-inclusive accommodation.
How to book Travelbag’s Sri Lanka and Maldives trip starts at £2,399 per person (based on two sharing), including flights and transfers.
Temples, onsens and alpine hikes in Japan
A self-guided adventure is perfect for those who crave independence but don’t want the headache of planning a trip.
The 16-night itinerary begins in energetic Tokyo, where you'll find ancient neighbourhoods and neon-lit skyscrapers. You’ll take a day trip to see Kamakura’s giant bronze Buddha before heading to the Japanese Alps to stay in a traditional ryokan. Here, you can hike the hilltop trails and watch snow monkeys bathe in the outdoor onsen (traditional hot spring).
Other highlights include a visit to poignant Hiroshima and the sacred island of Miyajima – famed for its centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine built on the water. Then you’ll explore the cultural capital Kyoto and Nara – famous for its free-roaming deer – to round off what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
How to book Trailfinders The Perfect Fortnight Japan tour starts at £4,549 per person (based on two sharing), including flights, excursions, guides and some meals.
Ride the Bernina Express in the Alps
A trip of a lifetime doesn’t have to involve long flights. This five-night escape kicks off with two nights in Milan, where you’ll take part in a pizza and gelato-making class.
Then, you’ll board the Unesco-listed Bernina Express, one of the world’s most scenic train rides. The four-hour journey to Alpine Switzerland takes in shimmering lakes, wildflower-filled valleys and snow-capped peaks. Highlights include the striking stone Landwasser Viaduct and the Bernina Pass, 2,253m above sea level.
Afterwards, you’ll spend a night in historic Chur exploring its cobbled old town. Finally, it’s on to Zurich to enjoy its stained-glass churches and fragrant chocolate shops before heading home.
How to book Travel Counsellors five-night The Bernina Express: An Italian & Swiss Railway Journey trip starts at £2,099 per person including flights.
Paul Davies, Which? pensions expert
Stopping work and taking that long-anticipated trip often go hand in hand. But should you use your retirement savings to fund your excursion?
You can withdraw up to 25% of your pension savings tax-free from age 55, or 57 from 2028 onwards, and you don’t need to have retired to do so. You can take it all in one go, or in multiple smaller withdrawals.
Recent research from investment platform AJ Bell indicated that of those who had taken a tax-free lump sum from a pension, 21% then spent it on a holiday. However, keep in mind that pension cash could be used for other purposes, such as paying off debts or your mortgage, which could save you a significant amount of money in the long term.
An alternative is to use an interest-free purchase credit card to spread the cost of the trip over as many as 26 months. These cards are best used for flight and tour bookings, rather than for spending while you’re away, as they tend to charge fees for foreign-currency purchases.
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