Travel Bucket List: 12 epic trips of a lifetime
Now’s the time to plan that epic adventure you’ve been dreaming of.
After a year of being grounded, the pent-up demand for overseas travel is enormous. But instead of fleeing on the first available flight, why not consider the epic trip of a lifetime, the one that ticks all the platinum wishlist boxes and fulfils those long-held fantasies of a true escape from reality. Ultimate luxury now means freedom and exclusivity, small groups or private charters, privileged entree to cultural sites and insider experiences, and first-on-the-block access to emerging destinations and untouched wilderness. It entails expert leadership, top guides, and an unerring regard for safety, security and comfort. Let’s be runway ready when the world is back on track. Bucket list travel awaits.
DAZZLING CULTURE
Abercrombie & Kent really pulls out the stops for culture lovers on an amazing 23-day journey that takes in some of the world’s most fascinating cultural destinations via private jet, exclusively chartered for just 48 guests. Hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest monastery overlooking Bhutan’s sacred Paro Valley, take a helicopter flight over Mount Everest, enjoy a torchlight dinner at Little Petra in Jordan, self-drive an Alfa Romeo in Sicily and saddle up for a polo match in Dubai followed by dinner in the desert. The Cultural Treasures: Around the World By Private Jet 2022 experience includes many more exclusive adventures, from $200,000 a person twin-share. Single supplement, add $24,265.
AMAN HEAVEN
Hop between ultra-luxurious Aman properties in far-flung destinations with the exceptional convenience of the Aman Private Jet, which takes up to 12 passengers on personally tailored journeys, arranged by a Private Aviation Concierge. Prices on application: privateaviation@aman.com. Or join one of Aman’s super-luxe Jet Expeditions in 2022, such as The Grandest Tour (21 nights; March 20-April 10), which takes guests between Aman Tokyo, Amansara in Cambodia, Amanoi in Vietnam, Amanpuri in Phuket, Amankora in Bhutan, Amanbagh in India, Amanzoe in Greece, Aman Sveti in Montenegro, and Aman Venice. $US147,888 ($191,343) a person twin-share; $US295,776 a couple; single supplement, $US38,888.
GOLDEN LUSTRE
Has there been a better time to rediscover the so-called Golden Age of travel? With three additional suites, new departure points and extra routes, 2022 is the perfect moment for a first experience aboard Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, or a wonderful opportunity to return to the legendary train for fresh adventures. New journeys include Venice-Rome-Florence-Venice; Venice-Verona-Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam; and London-Paris-Prague. The Luxury Grand Suites – Vienna, Budapest and Prague – are named for the cities that inspired their design and come with butler service, double or twin bed configuration, plush sitting rooms and the luxury of marble ensuites. All journeys, commencing April 22 next year, are from $7170 a person twin cabin. Grand Suites from $20,607.
INDIAN ODYSSEY
For the ultimate travel bucket list travel journey, destination specialist Banyan Tours has designed a magnificent 14-day odyssey taking in the highlights of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur, ending with a private air journey to the Himalayas and a four-night stay at an exclusive four-bedroom lodge, Shakti 360 Leti, which has spectacular views of the fabled mountain range. Guests stay at a selection of India’s best hotels, with expert private guides ensuring care and safety. From $29,500 a person twin-share, excluding international airfares but covering all travel within India, accompanying guide and private return flights to Shakti 360 Leti. Single travellers, $50,347.
SOUTH SIDE STORY
Cruise fans have a lot of catching up to do. Silversea’s World Cruise 2023 should satisfy any yearnings for life at sea. Over 139 nights, Silver Shadow will cross five continents taking in 34 countries and 66 destinations. Forty of these inclusions are new to Silversea’s recent World Cruise itineraries, including Papua New Guinea, Mauritius and the Amazon River. As well, guests will enjoy 20 overnight breaks in 17 cities, and 10 bespoke events, five of which will be exclusive to world cruise passengers. Silversea offers door to door service and the South Side Story cruise departs Sydney on January 9, 2023, arriving in Fort Lauderdale on May 28. From $104,000 a person twin-share; single supplements available.
RIVER AND RAIL
Uniworld’s Cruise and Rail journeys offer the best of two modes of luxury transport with an 18-day Milan, Venice and Istanbul journey on the glorious new river ship SS Venezia and the all-ensuite Golden Eagle Danube Express rail service. The journey takes in northern Italy and the Balkan peninsula, starting in Milan. After seven days in Venice aboard SS Venezia, guests join the Golden Eagle Danube Express for the last week of the adventure, travelling in a private compartment through Alpine lake towns, fascinating Balkan cities, and along the Greek seafront, culminating in dazzling, culture-rich Istanbul. Inclusive of seven nights aboard SS Venezia, six nights in a luxury rail compartment, two nights’ accommodation in both Milan and Istanbul, all meals and unlimited beverages onboard, excursions, gratuities, transfers and butler service. Departs July 22, 2022; from $31,499 a person twin-share.
uniworld.com/au/cruise-and-rail
LODGING IT
We have our sights set on New Zealand as one of the first regional gateways to international travel. Captain’s Choice has teamed up with Luxury Lodges of New Zealand for a remarkable 10-day private jet excursion, limited to 35 guests, and departing Sydney on November 18, 2022. Guests will stay three nights at each of a trio of legendary lodges – Kauri Cliffs Lodge in the Bay of Islands, Huka Lodge at Lake Taupo and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown. The final day is spent on historic Norfolk Island before returning to Sydney. The journey includes hand-picked excursions and the highest standards of food, wine, and personalised service. Golfers will appreciate the opportunity to play three iconic courses. From $32,950 a person twin-share; $4400 single supplement.
EN PISTE
Ski around the world in 35 days with a bespoke journey designed for Australian ski aficionados by the new private membership arm of global tour operator Scott Dunn. Fly from Australia to some of the world’s most coveted ski destinations, sampling the famous powder of Niseko, Japan, and then on to Whistler in the Canadian Rockies. Heli-ski in the wilderness of British Columbia near the Alaskan border, then move on to the glamorous slopes of Aspen, Colorado, before a flight to Iceland’s dramatic Troll Peninsula and finally the iconic village of Zermatt in Switzerland. Price for two from $195,000, including return first-class flights from Sydney, accommodation at Aman Tokyo, The Little Nell in Aspen, Four Seasons Whistler and Deplar Farm in northern Iceland; private transfers, internal flights, and full-board basis at heli-skiing accommodation.
SAFARI SO GOOD
Departing Dubai on August 26, 2022, Roar Africa and Emirates will operate a 12-day private jet safari for 10 guests to four African destinations, escorted by Roar founder Deborah Calmeyer and top safari guides. The trip has been specially designed to preserve and support Africa’s wildlife, wild spaces and communities. The journey encompasses incredible Victoria Falls, Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the annual migration of two million wildebeest in Kenya and the lush mountainscapes of the Rwandan jungle, where guests will trek to see the world’s last mountain gorillas. A true bucket list travel destination. From $US125,000 a person, sharing on an all-inclusive basis, including regional flights.
ICE BREAKER
Ponant’s Le Commandant-Charcot, the world’s first LNG electric hybrid Polar Class 2 polar explorer, will launch this year with itineraries that stretch the globe, from the geographic North Pole to the Antarctic. In 2022, the 135-stateroom luxury expedition ship will be in the southern hemisphere, pushing deep into Antarctic pack ice and exploring the Ross Sea, the world’s largest protected marine area and the site of the biggest ice platform in Antarctica. A Ross Sea Voyage departs Ushuaia, Argentina, for a 24-night round-trip on February 15, 2022. From $44,160 a person in a Prestige Stateroom with private balcony on Deck 8 to $169,220 a person for the Owner’s Suite.
PURE ESCAPISM
Aqua Expeditions and Nihi Sumba have joined forces to create a new adventure exploring the remote and breathtaking islands and seas of east Indonesia. Over what’s certain to be a memorable week, a maximum of 30 passengers depart Benoa, Bali, aboard superyacht Aqua Blu on a tailor-made journey that combines a four-night exclusive charter navigating the famed Komodo National Park with three nights at Nihi Sumba, a remote eco-villa hideaway famous for its surf beaches and wild horses. Guests have the opportunity to be immersed in traditional culture and learn about wildlife and marine conservation, while discovering the astounding biodiversity of the region. The seven-night Aqua Blu x NIHI Sumba private charters start at $US280,552 for departures between February and September, 2022.
SCENTS AND SENSIBILITY
PRIOR has designed more than two dozen one-off journeys for 2022-23, all with dreamy concepts, such as a sailing adventure along Egypt’s River Nile on a private felucca sailboat, led by Australian stylist Sibella Court. Or explore the heady fragrance culture of France on a scent-themed trip led by perfumer Carlos Huber of Arquiste. Guests meet in the south of France, visiting the flourishing fields of lavender, rose and iris that form perfume’s raw materials. The small group then travels on to Paris, to learn about the history of the great perfume houses and visit fragrance labs and perfumers in their ateliers, culminating in the development of a bespoke scent based on the trip. PRIOR membership is $US250 and journeys start from $US15,000.
If not included in the package, most operators mentioned can organise return international airfares from Australia to tour departure ports.
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