Tripsmiths | Bucket list holidays for 2024 (2024)

Whether your dream getaway entails an adventurous cruise, aniconic railway expedition or exploring enchanting cities, we havesomething tailor-made for you.

What's on your bucket list of dream holidays? We always have alist in mind of trips that will transport us to the awe-inspiringlocations we've seen in magazines and on social media, so we cansee these mesmerising places for ourselves.

These trips take us to far-flung corners of the globe, to placeswe've never been to before with cultures we've never experienced.This can sometimes make planning bucket list holidays a littleintimidating.

Luckily, we have a selection of trips with carefully curatedactivities, meticulously planned itineraries and expert guides tohelp make your adventures as stress-free as possible.

These holidays are perfect for checking off extraordinarydestinations from your bucket list, allowing you to encounterexotic wildlife, traverse spectacular landscapes and enjoy newcultures around the world.

So, to help you plan your next dream holiday, here's some of themost amazing ideas for this year and next, from seeing the cherryblossom in full bloom in Japan, to witnessing wildlife in therainforests of Costa Rica.

Japan is on many people's bucket lists, and for good reason. Itoffers a unique blend of ancient and modern and is home tocountless natural wonders and cultural highlights. Visitors lovediscovering tranquil temples and picturesque old towns alongsidethe bright lights and technical innovations of ultra-modern citieslike Tokyo and Kyoto.

We have a fantastic 17-day cruise of Japan at the height ofits cherry blossom season. Each spring, millions of Japaneseresidents and visitors wait with anticipation for the first buds ofthe pink cherry blossom - known as Sakura. This two-week cruisewill show you the best of Tokyo, Osaka, Kagoshima and even Busan inSouth Korea, all while the papery pink blossoms are at theirbest.

Alternatively, see a side of Japan that tourists often miss onour 13-day tour of the Japanese Alps between Tokyo andOsaka. This tour will take you to lesser-visited spots likeShirakawago, Takayama, and Kanazawa, immersing you in the localculture.

India has so many elegant cities with rich cultural and historictreasures to see. The cities of the Golden Triangle, Delhi, Jaipur, andAgra, are particularly blessed with architecture and historicalmonuments, from the spectacular Red Fort to the Jantar Mantarobservatory.

Join us for a cruise along India's most sacred river, theGanges, and you'll start with a tour of India's Golden Trianglebefore setting sail on the Ganges Voyager II, a beautiful shipdecorated with hand-painted murals throughout. Joining you for partof this cruise will be the British-based Indian chef Atul Kochhar,who'll share his passion for Indian cooking with you during a livecooking demonstration.

Of course, as well as its magnificent cities, India also boastsmesmerising nature. Another bucket list experience in India comeson our 15-day trip which takes you to the Golden Triangle and tothe jungles of Ranthambore, where you'll get the chance to spottigers in the wild, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A visit to the so-called 'White Continent' is an almostotherworldly experience. This is a land of jaw-dropping scenery ofglaciers, icebergs, and towering mountains, home to a fascinatingrange of wildlife. It's only possible to travel to Antarctica on an expedition cruise with anexpert team, who'll curate your itinerary to help you navigate theextreme conditions and get the most out of a truly specialtrip.

This is where our 15-day Antarctic adventure comes in. Join afully-equipped expedition ship, MS Fridtjof Nansen or MS Amundsen,specially designed for navigating these polar waters. Yourexpedition team will tailor your activities based on theconditions, but you can look forward to ice cruises, kayaking amongthe icebergs, and of course, wildlife spotting. Bucket list tripshardly get more unique than this.

Flowing through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia andVietnam, the Mekong River is one of the longest rivers in the worldand is home to over 1,000 wildlife species. Embarking ona Mekong River cruise is a fantastic way to exploreCambodia and Vietnam, two countries with fascinating religioussites, turbulent histories, and fantastic food.

On our incredible 17-day river cruise you can see the highlightsof the two countries, immersing yourself in diverse cultures,savouring delectable cuisine, and witnessing remarkable wildlife,including endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, giant freshwaterstingrays, and massive catfish. You'll be sailing on board theluxurious Mekong Jewel in a suite with high ceilings, opulentdecor, and a private balcony overlooking the river.

If you're looking for a bucket list trip the whole family canenjoy, try Costa Rica. This sunny Central American country isperfect for seamlessly blending sun-soaked relaxation withthrilling forest adventures. This vast natural playground isperfect for adventurous families, who can try activities likekayaking, ziplining, and hiking through the jungle spotting amazingwildlife.

And when you need a rest, you can spend long relaxing dayslounging on the soft sands of beaches as crystal clear waters lapthe shore. Tripsmiths have a wonderful Costa Rican family adventure available,where you'll fill your days with exhilarating jungle escapades,including an unforgettable trip into the Monteverde Cloud forest atnight with an expert naturalist to encounter its nocturnalwildlife.

Another way to experience Costa Rica and more of Central Americais on our wonderful nine-day cruise on board a masted clipper withonly 166 guests. This boutique cruise will take you down the west coastof Central America, venturing through the mangroves and lagoons ofCosta Rica before heading south to Panama and docking on twoparadisiacal islands, Coiba Island and Parida Island, known fortheir pristine beaches, lapped with jade water.