Last week, we looked at four fabulous, bucket-list trips to Costa Rica, Antarctica, the Great Lakes and Australia’s Kimberley region. Now, we’ve moved across the globe to tap into three more best trips!
- One is an expertly guided East African safari to explore the wilds of Kenya and Tanzania.
- Another is an 11-night Nile River itinerary with four nights on land in Cairo and seven nights on an upscale river cruise.
- And the third is a two-month-long Grand Asia ultra-luxury voyage from Tokyo, Japan, to Sydney, Australia.
Best Trips: East African Safari
Nothing beats a classic African safari adventure. Over the decades, those who’ve experienced such a wildlife journey will tell tales galore to friends, relatives and fellow explorers.
They’ll talk about their close-up views of wild critters and also how they joined in native dancing with the locals. And they’ll simply never forget being in a world where Mother Nature rules!
Speaking from firsthand experience, The Meandering Traveler took one of these grand, bucket-list safaris back in ancient times — 1989! Let’s just say that we still can’t stop talking about it decades later. It’s an experience that one never forgets.
Why not start planning your own adventure? One good option is Tauck‘s 13-day “Kenya & Tanzania: A Classic Safari.” It’s a good way to explore several of the top wildlife reserves in Africa — Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and Lake Manyara National Park.
This classic African safari mimics the safaris of yesteryear. What an adventure! “Travelers will get up close to the ‘Big Five’ in the wild as they explore within the magnificent national parks of Kenya and Tanzania,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
So, Tauck’s guests will gaze at zebras, lions, elephants, wildebeests, rhinos, monkeys, cheetahs and much more. And at Lake Manyara, they might even spot something quite unique — tree-climbing lions! Yes, it’s true. It’s a hoot to look up and see a lion relaxing atop a tree limb.
Of course, one “must do” experience for most travelers on safari is a hot-air balloon ride at dawn over the Masai Mara National Reserve, a wild, untamed eco-region; it’s named for the Masai people and the Mara River that meanders through this area. That’s followed by a champagne brunch in the bush.
Guests will have opportunities to explore East Africa “deeply,” thanks to multiple-night stays in the legendary Serengeti National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, and Amboseli National Park; they’ll head out on daily game drives in those wildlife preserves.
Best Trips: Game Drives
Safari groups are limited to just 30 Tauck guests. During game drives to spot lions, elephants and other wild critters, they’ll head out, accompanied by an expert guide, in six-passenger, open-top vehicles. All travelers will enjoy superb wildlife views from a window seat.
Other safari trip highlights? Guests will listen to a private lecture by an elephant researcher in Amboseli National Park. They’ll also visit Ol Pejeta Conservancy and the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Animal Orphanage. And they’ll see a weaving demonstration in Kenya.
One overnight stay is at a lodge built along the rim of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater. Guests will take a game drive down into the crater, home to much wildlife and known as Africa’s “Garden of Eden.” Along the way, guests often spot Masai herdsmen who are tending their flocks in the crater.
Another highlight is Tauck’s private barbecue dinner under the stars at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club. Guests will stay there for two nights.
In addition to many transfers and the included five air flights during the tour, fares also include: 36 meals; gratuities for local guides, boat staff and drivers; and service charges, admissions fees, taxes and porterage.
This bucket list trip is available on many 2026 or 2027 departures — from January to February and May through October. At press time, pricing started at $17,490 per person, double occupancy, which includes charter air for five different flights during the tour.
“Tauck also has many other African safari options, so give one of our personal travel planners a call to learn more and pick the perfect bucket-list trip for your 2026 or 2027 vacation,” says Pavlus Travel’s Steudle.
Best Trips: Egypt & the Nile
One of the most fascinating spots on Earth for lovers of ancient history is Egypt’s Nile River. It’s a bucket-list trip, one of the best trips ever, for many North American travelers.
If you’re thinking that this would be a great option for a 2026 or 2027 vacation, we’d suggest AmaWaterways’ 11-night cruise and land package, “Secrets of Egypt & the Nile.”
Guests will spend three nights in Cairo pre-cruise. Then, they’ll board the 72-passenger AmaDahlia or the 62-passenger AmaLilia for a seven-night river cruise roundtrip from Luxor, Egypt. Post-cruise, they’ll also spend one more night in Cairo.
Guided by expert Egyptologists, travelers will gaze at the iconic Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx.
Also on tap are tours of a Nubian village, myriad temples, and, if desired, the magnificent Abu Simbel at Aswan. Guests can also participate in many other experiences tied to Egyptian culture and heritage.
Papyrus Making, Felucca Sailing
“They’ll learn about the art of papyrus making and enjoy a festive evening attired in a traditional Egyptian galabeya,” explains Pavlus‘ Steudle.
“It’s also fun to board a felucca — a traditional wooden Egyptian boat — for a sailing trip around Elephantine Island in Upper Egypt at Aswan,” notes the Pavlus executive.
Exclusive experiences? Guests will be treated to a private lunch that AmaWaterways will set up at the regal Abdeen Presidential Palace.
Depending on departure date, starting prices at press time for “Secrets of Egypt & the Nile” ranged from $6,529-$8,129 per person, double occupancy. That said, one special “Anniversary Sale” offer on certain dates (June 1, June 8 and June 15, all in 2026, for instance) also provides either a savings of $500 per person or complimentary roundtrip economy airfare from the U.S.
Thus, those fares might then start at $6,029 per person, double occupancy. But specific terms, conditions and booking dates apply, so be sure to contact a skilled personal travel planner to learn about all the details and for booking.
Asia is a hot commodity as a vacation purchase this year. Japan is among the best trips for travelers polled in recent research studies. So, we like Regent Seven Seas Cruises‘ 60-night “Grand Asia Exploration: Tokyo to Sydney.”
Why? First, it delivers a robust lineup of Japanese destinations. Plus, it also will take guests to many other Asian countries. Up to 187 excursions are included in the cruise fare.
Setting sail from Tokyo on October 26, 2026, the 746-passenger Seven Seas Explorer will operate this bucket-list trip. So, let’s dive into the itinerary.
After their departure from Tokyo, guests will go ashore at multiple Japanese ports including Shimizu, Kyoto (Kobe – overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Kagoshima and Beppu. Then the ship will return to Tokyo for one day before continuing to Nagoya and Osaka (overnight).
In addition to learning more about Japanese samurai heritage and World War II history, guests can head out to sample local cuisine, taste the local sake, watch local craftspeople at work, and take in musical or dancing performances.
Or Beppu’s hot steaming springs are quite the sight to see, plus, in some locations, travelers can enjoy a safe, warm soaking and spa treatment.
Also, guests can explore Okinawa (Naha) and Ishigaki (the Sakishima Islands), Japan, as well as Busan, South Korea. Then Seven Seas Explorer will sail on to Taipei (Keelung) and Kaohsiung, both in Taiwan.
Next up is Hong Kong, China, for an overnight stay. Guests often enjoy riding the funicular up to Victoria Peak and exploring the fresh markets of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
But nothing beats just taking in the majesty of Hong Kong at night, particularly the destination’s sound-and-light show in the harbor area.
