Once-in-a-lifetime holidays to put on your dream bucket list

A PRIVATE jet to paradise, luxury glamping in Africa and heli-skiing Alaska. Check out the latest jaw-dropping travel experiences - and start saving!

Six-star ultra-luxury mega yacht Scenic Eclipse is set to launch in 2018.

DREAMING of your next holiday? Why not dream big and imagine yourself on a private jet to paradise, or glamping on a luxury African safari or heli-skiing on the powder-covered mountains of Alaska.

Tom Walley, head of leisure travel at Flight Centre, says there is a dream experience for everyone when it comes to travel whether it be business class flights, luxury hotels or an expedition cruise.

“Big ticket travel and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like round-the-world cruises, African safaris and luxury resort stays are what come to mind when I think about dream holidays. For me, an African safari has been a dream holiday for some time and there are some incredible options out there like taking to the air in a deluxe light plane to track animals, hot air ballooning over the Serengeti and staying in luxury tents that redefine glamping,” he says.

David Lovelock, general manger of Travel Associates, a premium travel brand, says that many holidays they create for their clients fall into the dream trip category.

“Experiential holidays are considered dream trips for our clients, so immersive holidays, opportunities to give back to a community, expedition cruising, culinary experiences and attending world events are all elements that make up a dream trip,” he says.

Here are some once in a lifetime experiences for you to tick off or add to your dream bucket list.

SNOW

Heli-ski Alaska

Skiing the big-mountain lines and untouched powder of the remote mountains of Alaska is the pinnacle for passionate skiers.

Imagine being transported by helicopter over Alaska’s enormous peaks to some of the best snow in North America. You’ll be dropped off on peaks with elevations over 8000 feet and descents up to 5000 vertical feet while bald eagles soar overhead. The sheer size and scale of the terrain in Alaska and the massive annual snowfall make this the dream destination for skiers no matter what your level.

FLIGHT

Etihad’s The Residence

For the ultimate in air travel that’s better than first class, Etihad’s The Residence is the world’s most exclusive air travel option — second to having your own private jet.

Positioned in the upperdeck on A380s, The Residence offers passengers in single or double occupancy a three-room suite including living room, separate bedroom and private ensuite bathroom, as well as the services of a personal butler.

Guests in The Residence will also have a dedicated VIP Travel Concierge team who will ensure every detail of their travel experience, including ground transport, cuisine, and amenities, are tailored to their requirements.

Etihad’s The Residence has return flights from Sydney to London for around $95,000. For bookings see flightcentre.com.au or phone Flight Centre First & Business on 1300 038 785.

CRUISE

Scenic Eclipse

Sure to be a dream holiday for many is the new Scenic Cruise ship due in 2018, Scenic Eclipse. The six-star ultra-luxury mega yacht will be the world’s first discovery yacht and will sail on a maiden voyage from Istanbul to Venice before sailing to the Americas, Antarctica, the Arctic and Norwegian Fjords.

The mega yacht will hold 228 guests and feature 114 all-veranda suites, fine dining restaurants, a number of lounge and pool areas plus a well-equipped gym and wellness area.

Scenic Eclipse will take guests to places previously thought inaccessible with two on board helicopters and a seven-seat submarine, adding a whole new dimension of wonder. These twin engine helicopters will take guests beyond the horizon while the custom-built submarine provides optimal sightseeing to a world below the surface.

Scenic Eclipse will take its maiden voyage on August 31, 2018. To register your interest see scenic.com.au

PRIVATE JET

Captain’s Choice

Captain’s Choice is the top pick for luxury lovers planning a dream trip, with tours operated exclusively aboard a private jet.

The experience takes passengers on worldwide itineraries landing in each exotic location from the comfort of a private all-business class Boeing jet with dedicated crew and 100 spacious lie-flat VIP seats, with luxury hotel accommodation in each destination. Past passengers have included sports teams, Heads of State, ministers and celebrities.

From $56,500 a person, Captain’s Choice has an Equatorial Explorer tour that visits The Azores (Portugal), Cuba, Panama, Pero and the Galápagos Islands. See travelassociates.com.au or captainschoice.com.au.

NATURE

Nine Villages Valley

One of China’s, and maybe the world’s, most beautiful secrets, the Nine Villages Valley (or Jiuzhaigou) is a natural wonderland covering over 700 sq km of magnificent mountain valleys. The area is dotted with traditional Tibetan villages against a backdrop of striking alpine scenery and is home to a number of protected species.

The Valley remains one of China’s greatest natural assets; unseen by many western tourists due to its remoteness, limited accessibility and the government’s determination to conserve this pristine area which has contributed to its stunning preservation.

“It is a combination of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Swiss Alps and the Turkish pools, only more colourful and more stunning,” says Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

The company has a 23-day Dreams of Nature tour from $7680 a person. Highlights include the Nine Villages Valley and Zhangijajie — where parts of Avatar were filmed. See wendywutours.com.au

ISLAND

Mauritius

Adrift in the Indian Ocean, the island of Mauritius is famous for its sapphire waters, powder-white beaches and luxury resorts. It was writer Mark Twain who said: “You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

Set against volcanic mountain backdrops that look straight off the set of Jurassic Park, there’s more than just beautiful beaches, you can also go bird watching, hiking and enjoy world-class diving on its surrounding coral reefs.

A melting pot of cultures, Mauritius is a fascinating mix of Hindu temples and mosques with Mauritians a fusion of French, Indian, Creole and Chinese peoples.

For the ultimate in luxury, the recently refurbished LUX* Belle Mare resort tucked away on the island’s east coast has the best spa, private villas and largest pool on the island.

LUX* Belle Mare on Mauritius has rooms from $315 a night. Australians can take direct flights to Mauritius from Perth on Air Mauritus. See airmauritius.com and luxresorts.com

GOURMET

Peru

Lima is earning a reputation as the culinary centre of Latin America — and perhaps even the world. Lima’s top restaurants dominated in the 2015 San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants award, with Central, Astrid y Gaston and Maido all making the list. Last year Peru was named the World’s Leading Culinary Destination at the World Tourism Awards and chefs and tourists are travelling to Peru in search of new dishes and chic restaurants.

Peruvian chefs are known for celebrating local and native ingredients and their food is wildly diverse, reflecting Peru’s geography and using the traditions of the Amazon, the Andes and the Pacific coastal strip.

Its world-class restaurants offer amazing value for money, for example a 17-course degustation at Central is just $125 a person.