HomeZicasso Trips of a LifetimeTrips of a Lifetime Guide

12 Trips of a Lifetime to Inspire Your Next Vacation

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Couple heli hiking at Earnslaw Burn with hanging glacier and cascading waterfalls

Heli hiking Earnslaw Burn in New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Destination Queenstown

Dive deep into what makes Zicasso's experiences exceptional with our 12 trips of a lifetime.

As you anticipate your travel plans, explore how you can make strides in discovering the right trip for you, whether embracing the epic beauty of Patagonia and Antarctica, exploring the vast treasures of the Mediterranean, or uncovering the ineffable beauty of nature in Australia and New Zealand.

Your gateway to a dream vacation starts with exploring the vast array of options to find the trip that fits your interests and goals, that will help bring your dream trip to life.

Overview
  1. 1. Italy
  2. 2. Australia
  3. 3. Spain
  4. 4. Patagonia and Antarctica
  5. 5. Italy, France, and Greece
  6. 6. East Africa Safari
  7. 7. Australia and New Zealand
  8. 8. Galapagos and Peru
  9. 9. Japan
  10. 10. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia
  11. 11. Southern Africa Safari
  12. 12. Around the World
  13. Make Your Next Trip of a Lifetime Happen

1. Italy

Villa Rufolo’s gardens in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast

Ravello, Italy

Italy captures the best of Europe, offering a glimpse into a world where the past and present converge. One of our Italy travel specialists designed the Elegant Italy: Art, History, Food, and Wine tour as an immersive discovery of life’s essential pleasures as you travel from Venice to the Amalfi Coast.

When visiting Italy, you can also explore Rome in a vintage Fiat 500, learn the art of pizza-making from a Neapolitan chef, witness the traditions of the Venetian islands, and enjoy the art history of Florence on a tour that intertwines luxury and wonder. Our trip ideas for the Art Enthusiast can place you in front of some of the world’s most widely regarded masterpieces, but Italy stands out as a treasure trove of artistic development through the ages.

2. Australia

Barossa Valley Estate vineyards in South Australia

Barossa Valley Estate Vineyards. Photo courtesy of South Australia Tourism / Simon Griffiths

Australia is always full of surprises and Immersion into Australia: Outback to Wine Country, designed by a Zicasso Australia travel expert, demonstrates the endless possibilities for luxurious experiences and stunning natural beauty.

From indulging in the foodie culture to embracing the vines in the country’s oldest wine-growing region, enjoying a sumptuous spa, or finding wild kangaroos, this trip gives you an entirely different perspective of the Land Down Under.

Enjoy your introduction to the beauty of the winelands, from New South Wales to southern Australia, Victoria to Tasmania, as you balance the scenery’s beauty and raw power with the welcoming indulgences of an adventurous getaway.

3. Spain

Malaga, Spain

Malaga, Spain

With passion and sophistication, Spain can capture your imagination with a simple aroma or a spirited dance, a heartfelt song or a golden beach.

The epic landscape has shaped the heritage and the preserved culture remains part of daily life that you can experience on the 20-Day Traditions of Spain tour, designed by a Zicasso travel specialist specifically as a Trip of a Lifetime to Spain. The past and present collide in charming villages and along the streets, with each new destination revealing how the diversity of cultural history has informed the country’s charisma.

Spain is home to some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants and gastronomic history, inspiring new ways to explore trip ideas for the Culinary Traveler. When in the country, you can indulge in the majestic ambiance of the Mediterranean, sample the essential spices of paella, and stroll along preserved medieval walls, each day giving you new insight into local and national essence.

4. Patagonia and Antarctica

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Mesmerizing Patagonia and Antarctica is the perfect adventure for nature lovers and those looking for a unique experience far from crowded city streets. Patagonia's combination of forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and glaciers leads to visions of guanaco, choique, and condor resulting in the ultimate experience in South America.

Zodiac boats around towering glaciers in Antarctica reveal squawking penguins, breaching whales, or sweeping panoramas of the endless tundra. By working with boutique luxury lodges and small boats, you can have a very personalized experience, whether you prefer private excursions or traveling in small groups.

5. Italy, France, and Greece

Morning view of Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy

Europe fascinates travelers with promises of distinctive, yet connected cultures with millennia of history. Many visit countries like France or Italy to experience the different paces of life and the Ultimate European Explorer Tour: Italy, France, Greece was designed to celebrate simple pleasures.

From the taste of morning coffee to the sunlight glinting against the river, this carefully designed 28-day customizable itinerary leaves space to travel with intention.

The cultural heritage of France, Italy, and Greece is unique. With the contrast in culture, food, art, architecture, and the diverse stunning landscapes, this trip is rich in unforgettable experiences, with each day focused on a new perspective. You can also find new ways to enjoy these Mediterranean countries and more with our trip ideas for the Wine Lover.

6. East Africa Safari

A male lion is sitting on the top of the rock in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

An East African safari provides the soul-shifting experience of getting up close and personal with wildlife. Lifetime memories are made of specific moments; to be within arm’s reach of a mountain gorilla or hear a lion roar a mere few feet away.

Designed by Zicasso safari experts, the Unparalleled East Africa Safari Experience brings you the best of safari.

From walking through the wilderness with a specialist guide in search of resting lions to horseback riding alongside sprinting zebras, a private, outdoor bath overlooking the riverbanks to trekking for gorillas in dense jungle terrain, or even following rangers to learn more about conservation efforts to protect the likes of elephants and rhinos, the opportunities are endless.

Look for more ways to embrace nature and the natural world with our trip ideas for the Wildlife Enthusiast.

7. Australia and New Zealand

Aerial view of National Park River in Australia.  Photo © Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree

Photo courtesy of Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree

Oceania Trip of Lifetime: Best Australia and New Zealand Tour is the way to truly experience the mixture of culture, history, and immersive scenery. Australia encompasses the rich jungle terrain of Daintree National Park and offers a peaceful respite amongst the radiant sunshine of Uluru at the Red Centre, with the diversity of biospheres giving way to intimate connections to ancient local cultures.

90 percent of visitors to Australia never meet an Aboriginal person, but the focus of this trip of a lifetime allows travelers to connect with the landscape and local communities to discover a remarkable history of interconnectivity.

Beyond heritage, Oceania flows with incredible wine and food, as well as inspiring wildlife experiences, among them koalas nibbling on eucalyptus, kangaroos hopping across open plains, and sightings of New Zealand’s famous flightless kiwis or the masterful flying albatrosses, with their eight-foot wingspans.

8. Galapagos and Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Nature and the Incan Empire's unique history represent distinct perspectives that nearly equal their mythological intensity and drama.

Many visit countries like Ecuador and Peru for fascinating endemic wildlife and Incan culture woven into the fabric of the Andes. Designed by a Zicasso travel expert, the Exceptional Galapagos and Peru Tour of a Lifetime displays the complexities of the ecosystems and massive stone ruins.

Over the course of 18 days, the Galapagos Islands will capture your imagination as you snorkel in clear waters, while the majestic ambiance of Machu Picchu leads to floating islands and the high-altitude lakeshores of Lake Titicaca in Peru.

You can find more ways to enjoy an immersive experience among islands, mountains, and more with our trip ideas for the Nature Lover.

9. Japan

Kyoto, Chureito Pagoda with Mt Fuji in Fujiyoshida, Japan

Kyoto, Chureito Pagoda with Mt Fuji in Fujiyoshida, Japan

The Premier Enchantments of Japan Tour focuses on the nation’s incredible diversity, whether Tokyo’s ultra-modern ambiance or the customary inns hidden in the mountains. Late October and early November are filled with bright red, yellow, golden, and brown colors adding to the natural beauty Japan displays around every corner.

Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples dating back to before the construction of Europe’s intricate cathedrals unveil elaborate designs and a connection to surrounding nature. Tradition is preserved and celebrated in ceramics and textiles, while cedar groves and cherry trees lead to bubbling hot springs.

Culinary delights embody customs and push new boundaries, constantly changing with the seasons. Through the eyes of the traveler, Japan feels part myth, part treasure, where enchanting gardens highlight antique collaboration and modern boutiques reflect a global and historic perspective.

10. Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Woman selling peppers at market in Vietnam

Food market in Vietnam

Ancient wonder, modern majesty, cultural complexity, and culinary mastery capture the essence of what you can discover on the Culinary Journey of a Lifetime to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia tour. Whether a foodie at heart or eager to travel beyond the familiar, Southeast Asia offers experiences in authentic local cuisine and beyond.

Travelers can expect rare visits to places where some of the raw ingredients are grown, see Asian organic farming techniques, and learn from experts, chefs, or farmers about the different uses of fresh, local produce, herbs, spices, tea, and infusions. Spectacular soaring karsts, winding mountains, historic kingdoms, and raw jungle only accentuate the fusion of dramatic flavors.

11. Southern Africa Safari

Mokoro boat safari with elephant on riverbank at Sanctuary Baines Camp in Botswana

Okavango Delta, Botwana

A thrilling puzzle of enticing landscapes, mesmerizing wildlife, and the classic thrill of searching the remote wilderness while indulging in contemporary luxuries embodies the welcome drama of The Best Southern Africa Vacation: Evocative Safari Experiences.

Botswana and Zimbabwe combine some of the best overall wildlife in the most pristine environments in Africa. By visiting three unique ecosystems, each offering a wide range of activities, from day and night game drives, boating, canoeing, tiger fishing, walking, and cultural interactions, you can enjoy a much richer safari experience.

A specialist guide will offer you a wealth of knowledge as they showcase their skills during a game drive, guided walk, or canoe safari. You may learn the art of tracking while getting up close to animals like elephants, buffalo, wild dogs, and more.

12. Around the World

Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell in Iceland

Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Iceland

The Around the World Trip of a Lifetime fulfills dreams. A Zicasso global travel specialist designed a trip inspired by childhood, storybooks, and the promise of adventure.

From a young age, we are transported to other lands in our favorite books and movies. We long to see the most incredible mountains, witness majestic animals, traverse untouched deserts, and lounge on private beaches. This trip captures the spirit of childhood dreams with a journey around the globe taking you from Iceland to Petra, Mongolia to Nepal, the Maldives to Southern Africa, and Patagonia to Belize.

As we travel the world to find the clear waters in Belize and the pampas of Patagonia, the open plains of South Africa, and the mists of Victoria Falls, you can take comfort in the mixture of seclusion and luxury when guided by a world travel expert. No matter your preferences, you will be treated like royalty every step of the way.

Whether looking for wildlife in its natural habitat or finding new ideas in the trips of others, you can explore Zicasso's Staff Collection for inspiration about where in the world our travel team is interested in visiting.

Make Your Next Trip of a Lifetime Happen

Sand dunes in the Gobi desert, Mongolia

Sand dunes in the Gobi desert, Mongolia

Every Zicasso trip is customized for you. Whether seven days or seven weeks, your itinerary is built to your preferences. Being in the hands of a destination expert is essential, as they provide knowledge and access to experiences you may never have known existed without their localized expertise.

From indulging in the luxuries of the ultimate African safari to embracing the mixture of tropical beauty and ancient history in Southeast Asia, looking to experience trip ideas for a Milestone Celebration or interested in trip ideas for the Romantic Traveler, Zicasso can make your trip of a lifetime a reality. Find more ideas, information, or inspiration with our Trips of a Lifetime travel guide.

Your Dream Vacation

in 3 simple steps

  1. 1

    Describe your dream trip

  2. 2

    Get matched with top travel specialists

  3. 3

    Book the trip

Free service - no credit card required

Get Top Travel Specialists to Help Plan Your Trip