As 2025 comes to a close in a few weeks, it’s time to ask yourself, “Did I do that bucket-list trip that I’ve always dreamed of? For adventurers, it many mean this: Did I go to the end of the Earth in Antarctica? Did I explore Kathmandu and the Himalayas in Nepal? Did I commune with lions in East Africa?
Other eco-passionate travel fans might be asking themselves: Did I head into the Peruvian Amazon or Australia’s Kimberley region.
Sometimes, a bucket-list trip, though, is all about family: Did I take my spouse to Italy for that culinary and wine journey we’ve always talked about? Did we celebrate our anniversary in the sparkle of Hong Kong or amid the ancient wonders of Egypt? Did my entire clan including the grandchildren and great-grandchildren go on a once-in-a-lifetime family tour?
Or the bucket-list vacation might be a solo trip. How about shopping with friends in London or Paris? Whatever your top vacation desire, 2026 is just weeks away.
So, why not move forward to plan a bucket-list vacation for 2026 or beyond? That way, you’ll be living the dream, as you anticipate that upcoming bucket-list “wow” experience!
(Shown in the photo above is Costa Rica’s Arenal National Park. Its famous volcano is viewable during a Tauck Bridges’ family vacation. Photo courtesy of Visit Costa Rica.)
1. Top Trips: Tauck Bridges’ Family Travel to Costa Rica
For those desiring a family bucket-list with plenty of eco-activities, Tauck’s Family Bridges journeys await. They offer detailed planning and care by Tauck to create the perfect family trip. An experienced tour director will travel with the group and handle all trip details during the journey.
So, it’s definitely a “no brainer” when families think about ease of travel. “All members of the family group — including the person who booked the trip — can just relax and enjoy this bucket-list trip to the max,” emphasizes Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
One appealing Tauck Family Bridges option is the eight-day “Costa Rica: Jungles & Rainforests” vacation.. This Tauck Bridges escorted family-focused tour will visit San Jose, Guanacaste, Tortuguero National Park and Arenal National Park.
Sloths and Tropical Fish
Among the fun activities, families will explore Tortuguero’s wilderness. Wildlife experts will help kids, teens and adults alike spot sloths, monkeys and other wild creatures. Best of all, this family adventure unfolds during a jungle river-rafting outing and canal boat cruise.
And in the Gulf of Papagayo, family members will enjoy snorkeling to gaze at colorful tropical fish and coral. If they’re lucky, they also might spot rays, sea urchins, pufferfish, turtles, trumpetfish and dolphins.
“This Tauck Family Bridges adventure in Central America is offered both during 2026 and 2027, giving a family plenty of time to prepare for this adventure,” says Pavlus’ Steudle. Families can head out on a departure in February, March, April, June, July, August or December.
At press time, pricing (varying by individual departure date) for 2026 family touring started at $4,890 per person, double occupancy, and in 2027 for $5,190 per person, double occupancy. But talk with Pavlus, the world’s largest seller of Tauck, to learn about getting the best deal, often with a special perk or amenity.
After the trip is over and for decades to follow, family members — particularly those who were young adults, teens, tweens and young children at the time of the trip — will savor the fabulous memories.
They might say: “Remember when grandma and grandpa took us to Costa Rica and we took a boat ride through the jungle to spot sloths and monkeys! I’ll never forget it!”
For families, that’s one priceless benefit of a bucket-list vacation!
2. Top Trips: Antarctica on Silver Endeavour
Gazing at 100,000 pairs of Adelie penguins on an icy landscape, while one is seated in a Zodiac just offshore, is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The Meandering Traveler did just that in winter 2023-2024, and let’s just say we will never forget it.
Those who desire can also venture ashore to walk alongside the cute black-and-white birds. Of course, in Antarctica, humans are the foreigners, while the penguins are “the locals.” So, guests will be instructed by expedition team members how to follow strict rules for “distance” from the birds and not touching or interfering with their daily lives.
That said, an Antarctica expedition cruise is a top bucket-list desire. It delivers many incredible eco-adventures. Travelers typically might also spot seals, whales and other wildlife.
If you’re eager to go right away, Silversea’s 220-passenger Silver Endeavour can provide an ultra-luxury Antarctic vacation this coming wintertime. Contact your personal travel planner today.
Silversea’s guests will enjoy fine dining aboard, anticipatory service by a crew of 200, and a superb expedition team to help guests explore and make the most of their polar adventure.
Time to Plan, Time to Dream
While many departures are available in 2026, some travelers may prefer to plan further in advance or have more time for payment. Thus, we’d suggest looking to 2027 or even beyond.
One such option is Silver Endeavour‘s 10-day roundtrip sailing from Puerto Williams, Chile, departing March 6, 2028. This voyage sails the notorious Drake Passage to and from the White Continent.
For some travelers, crossing “the Drake” is a must-do, bragging-rights part of any Antarctica trip. But if travelers instead prefer less transit time by sea, and wish to avoid the passage’s sometime rough waters, Silversea also offers Antarctica Fly Cruise itineraries.
For example, a six-day Silver Endeavour voyage is available roundtrip from King George Island in Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands. Guests fly directly to Antarctica via included charter flights from/to Puerto Williams.
A five-minute shuttle ride from the airfield will transport them to a local beach. Then, it’s just a short Zodiac ride to the ship.
And pre-cruise, Silversea’s luxurious new hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, will open this winter in Puerto Williams. It will provide a great opportunity for travelers to get into the exploratory spirit pre-cruise.
Top Trips: Antarctica or Bust!
At press time, fares for the 10-day voyage including the Drake Passage started at $17,900 per person, double occupancy. The six-day Antarctica Fly Cruise option started at $18,900, per person, double occupancy.
But any current sales offers could possibly take those lower. So, speak today with a skilled personal travel planner. Ask about any sales, offers and ensuring you get the best deal.
3. Top Trips: Closer to Home: Viking’s Great Lakes
Sometimes top trips aren’t that far across the globe. Sometimes, they’re much closer to home.
One superb exploratory, bucket-list trip is a Great Lakes cruise. And one of the best ways to explore is aboard Viking.
Each year, Viking sets sail on these North American lakes with the 378-passenger Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. “They’re wonderful, small-ship expedition vessels with a wealth of onboard creature comforts,” stresses Pavlus’ Steudle.
As a top trips experience, a small-ship Kimberley cruise rates highly. After returning home, guests can’t wait to tell friends and relatives about their incredible eco-adventures.
To help guests explore, Seabourn Pursuit is equipped with both Zodiacs and kayaks. Onboard expedition team members will also head out with guests to help them engage in up-close wildlife spotting.
Waterfalls & Wanjinas
So, in looking at top trips, let’s check out Seabourn’s 10-Day “Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wanjinas” itinerary. It’s offered on many dates throughout the next several years.
The luxurious Seabourn Pursuit will operate that itinerary from Darwin to Broome in Western Australia.
Most folks certainly know what waterfalls are. But you may have not ever seen a horizontal waterfall. That’s precisely what people taking this Seabourn expedition voyage will encounter at Talbot Bay.
The effect of the waterfalls is created by the rapid tidal fall on the ocean side of gaps in the sandstone cliffs. Waters on the inland side of the gaps cannot escape fast enough and so a “horizontal waterfall’’ is created by the cascades.
What are Wanjinas?
Also, in reference to the full title of this expedition voyage, we didn’t really know what Wanjinas are, to be honest. Do you?
Simply put, they’re cloud and rain spirits worshipped by a particular sector of Aboriginal Australians. So, these spirits have been prominently depicted in ancient rock art, some dating back 4,000 years.
Waterfalls and ancient rock art, though, are just a few of the top Kimberley region sights. Guests also enjoy heading out via Zodiacs in search of whales and other marine life.
At press time, Veranda Suite fares for Seabourn’s “Kimberley Expedition: Waterfalls & Wanjinas” itinerary began at $13,998 per person, double occupancy.
Parting Thoughts, More Top Trips to Come
Why not chat with a skilled personal travel planner to learn more about any of the top trips above. Just use the contact details below.
The planner will proactively advise you of any special sales, discounts or amenities that may be available. Before you know it, you’ll be off on a bucket-list adventure.
But stand by here too. In an upcoming blog, we’ll look into an amazing African wildlife safari, exotic river cruising in the Peruvian Amazon, a Northwest Passage voyage to view polar bears and more top trips!
