Trip Planning
10 bucket list travel itineraries that will ignite your adventurous spirit

From watching the mesmerising display of Northern lights in Finland to swimming with the magnificent whale sharks in the Ningaloo Reef in Australia, these destinations give you a glimpse into some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, as well as opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture and traditions. Read on to know more:
1. Chasing lights in Finland
Witnessing the Northern Lights, or the ‘Aurora Borealis’, is the closest you can come to witnessing magic. These lights are nature’s silent firework display that light up the sky with colourful bands in greens, yellows, reds and violet. But you know what’s even better? Watching the dazzling show while you gallop on a husky sled, zipping across the forests on a snowmobile.
Best time to visit:December-March
Tip:Stay at Levin Iglut
2. Walk on the wild side in Galapagos
Walk alongside the footsteps of Charles Darwin as you navigate your way through the Galapagos Islands where you get up close and personal with playful sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises. When you’re not hiking over islands, the next best thing would be to snorkel through crystal-clear waters and discover the thriving underwater world.
Best time to visit:Dec-May
Tip:Take a trip on the Kontiki Wayra Cruise
3. Untamed in Botswana
With the roaring of the lions and the trumpets of the elephants as your background soundtrack, trust Botswana to know a thing or two about luxury safaris. Offering some of the best locations to experience safaris, Botswana is a paradise for wildlife lovers who are looking to get away from the humdrum of city life.
Best time to visit:May-October
Tip:Discover Okavango Delta
4. Swim with Whale Sharks in Ningaloo Reef, Australia
There are only a handful of places in the world that let you swim with whale sharks, and Ningaloo Reef tops our charts. Teeming with a plethora of corals and marine life, including several species only endemic to this small stretch, here you can swim next to some of the biggest fish in the sea – the Whale Shark.
Best time to visit:March-July
Tip:Stay at Sal Salis
5. Witness the drama unfold at Masai Mara
The Great wildebeest migration has often been described as the greatest (natural) show on earth. And with good reason. At Masai Mara, you can watch two million wildebeest and zebras move through the forests and the Serengeti National Park on their yearly migration. One can also spot predators, lions, cheetahs, circling vultures and crocodiles on the jungle safari.
Best time to visit:June-Sept
Tip:Watch the migration in Mara Plains
6. Traverse the southernmost tip of the world
An unforgettable journey through the icy waters of the Antarctic Peninsula awaits as you take a luxurious cruise from the world’s southernmost continent. Here you will witness the symphony of nature in the backdrop of breathtaking glaciers while also catching glimpses of penguins, seals, whales and more.
Best time to visit:Nov-March
Tip:Look up Quark Expeditions
7. A taste of Bhutanese heritage
For a little soul-searching, we suggest a trip to explore the thriving cultural gems of Bhutan. On this intimate expedition, you can join the monks for their prayers and meditation, halting at the monastery for the night. Who knows? You may also enjoy an audience with the Bhutanese royalty. But we highly recommend a visit to the Nobgang Heritage Village to uncover the secrets of the historic sites and learn to cook local delicacies!
Trip Planning
Audley Travel reintroduces Jamaica after three-year gap

Audley Travel has relaunched its programme to Jamaica three years after pulling out of the destination.
The tailor-made tour operator said it had reintroduced the country due to client demand for more Caribbean islands.
A sample itinerary to Jamaica includes a nine-day ‘Jamaica beach & rainforest escape’ with stays in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Other itineraries include a tour of Kingston and a visit to Dunn’s River Falls and The Blue Hole.
Audley has also expanded its programme in India, Japan and Tanzania.
New tours in India include a 15-night tailor-made itinerary, with stays in Delhi, Nimmu, Uleytopko, Nurla, Leh, Nubra Valley and two nights at the Drenmo Lodge. There’s also bear tracking in the valleys of Dras, where guests can stay in the Drenmo Lodge for the chance to see the Himalayan Brown Bear.
In Japan, Audley has added Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, which can be included in a traditional Japanese itinerary to expand the Golden Route. A sample itinerary includes a 17-day trip with two nights in Nagoya as well as time in Tokyo and Kyoto.
The expanded Tanzania programme includes a 10-day itinerary with one night in Arusha, four nights for the Great Rift Valley Trek and two nights in Karatu.
Trip Planning
2027-28 Itineraries From National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has revealed details of its first 2027-28 deployment, marking its return to the Oceania region.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ 2027–28 season features voyages across seven continents, designed to connect travelers with wildlife, wild places and local communities in ways that are authentic, enriching and respectful. The season will see its return to the Oceania region after two years with the relaunch of several immersive itineraries on board the National Geographic Resolution, including the 11-day Pearls of the Pacific: The Society and Tuamotu Islands, and a return to Easter Island after four years with the 18-day Easter Island To Tahiti: Tales of The Pacific itinerary.
“Our 2027-28 deployment reflects everything our guests value about traveling with us: extraordinary access, thoughtful pacing and a deep respect for the environments and cultures we visit,” said Trey Byus, Chief Expedition Officer, Lindblad Expeditions, in a press release statement. “Every itinerary has been crafted with care—whether it’s a guest favorite or a returning route—to offer experiences that are not only awe-inspiring, but also positively impactful. We believe travel can be a powerful force for good, and through these voyages, we invite our guests to deepen their connection to the planet, support conservation and communities, and return home with a renewed sense of wonder and purpose.”
The brand will also return to Alaska in 2027-28, inviting guests to explore its snow-capped mountains, fjords and wildlife with additional departures of its eight-day Alaska’s Inside Passage, 11-day Voyage to the Great Bear Rainforest, and 14- and 15-day Treasures of the Inside Passage itineraries aboard National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture.
Additional departures will also be available on its 16-day Coastal Japan: Imperial Dynasties and Modern Culture itinerary, exploring Japan’s history, culture, and landscapes—from the storied castle towns of the Edo period to the shrines and merchant districts of the Meiji era.
Whether kayaking alongside icebergs in Antarctica, observing sea lions while snorkeling in Baja California, wandering through rainforests in Central America, or journeying where few travelers have before by sailing through the Northwest Passage, each voyage is designed to offer transformative experiences that deepen guests’ understanding of the world—and their place within it.
For more information, visit expeditions.com.
Trip Planning
Take inspiration from Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa’s trip to Aotearoa New Zealand

New Zealand lives and breathes kaitiakitanga, which translates to guardianship of the land. For a sustainable holiday, check into The Hotel Britomart–New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel–or stroll through Brick Bay vineyard, known for its greening ethos and farm-to-table delicacies.
From donning a wizard’s hat to spinning on the water, laughing in a Hobbit™ Hole, or soaking in geothermal pools, the actors found joy in spontaneity. They even shared quiet villa breakfasts with a view of Lake Taupō. Beyond these experiences, the country offers a rare connection to verdant landscapes where trees have stood tall for hundreds of years. Up north, Sanctuary Mountain stands as one of the country’s largest ecological projects, while down south, Fiordland comes alive with the chatter of rare birds like the kea, weka, tūī, and bellbirds.
Rajkummar and Patralekhaa departed with stories, smiles, and soulful memories. Whether it was the warmth of Māori hospitality, the mist rising from hot springs, or the hush of a native forest, every memory felt earned and cherished.
The mini-series will be released in phases on newzealand.com/in and owned channels, with advertising campaigns going live across digital channels and social platforms. Watch the first episode of the mini-series here. Inspired to take a no-filter trip to Aotearoa New Zealand? Explore SOTC travel packages here and Thomas Cook packages here.
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