Zicasso’s Trips of a Lifetime Series - Part 3

Ancient wonder, modern majesty, cultural complexity, and culinary mastery capture the essence of Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. A trip of a lifetime in Southeast Asia immerses you in ancient heritage and staggering natural beauty that only enhances regionally connected culinary traditions. And yet recipes and ingredients can be hyper-local resulting in specific changes shaped by generations of gastronomic custom and the evolution of mouthwatering dishes.

“This foodie itinerary not only offers experiences in authentic local cuisine but also unique variations that are not widely known,” says Irene, a Southeast Asia travel specialist. “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.” The spectacular scenery of soaring karsts, winding mountains, historic kingdoms, and raw jungle only accentuate the fusion of dramatic flavors.

Irene’s Culinary Journey of a Lifetime to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, is the ultimate exploration of Southeast Asia as you truly experience the dynamic combination of culture, history, and enchanting scenery in a new way as it relates to the exceptional cuisine. Crystal-clear waters around the islands of Thailand shimmer beneath rugged karsts. Charming antique merchant homes in Vietnam’s Hoi An glow against colorful lanterns. The vibrant jungle glints with greenery as it surrounds the intricate Angkor complex. Beyond the cuisine, each country offers a significant immersion into preserved customs and classic heritage as it meets the modern world. Irene says, “More than an eating experience, you will form meaningful and fun cultural bonds with different people over a common interest in food.”

Food plays an important role in our daily lives but we often forget how it connects to our own traditions, the memories we recall from a specific aroma, the comfort we get from a particular dish. It is through food that we share our lives with family, old relationships, and even strangers as they become friends. Food fills more than our stomachs and feeds our souls with different experiences.

“Zen Buddhist vegetarian cuisine can create mindfulness practices, local experts can demonstrate the benefits of various tea and herbal infusions…” giving rise to the different ways we can enjoy the greater adventure of a culinary journey, even giving way to personal time with a relaxing massage. “A real destination expert can help you navigate countless options in Asia and recommend the most appropriate ones based on your preferences...so you can have access to meaningful experiences knowing the necessary safety measures are being taken.”

Related: Vietnam Tours & Vacations | Thailand Tours & Vacations | Cambodia Tours & Vacations

A thrilling puzzle of enticing landscapes, mesmerizing wildlife spectacles, and the classic thrill of searching the remote untamed wilderness while indulging in contemporary luxuries embodies the welcomed drama of a Southern Africa safari. Designed by Simon, an African safari travel specialist, Southern Africa Trip of a Lifetime: Evocative Safari Experiences celebrates intimate experiences with expert guides for an unequaled excursion into the deep roots of the distinctive region.

“Botswana and Zimbabwe combine to offer some of the best overall wildlife in the most pristine environments in Africa,” says Simon. “The itinerary visits three very unique ecosystems each offering a wide range of activities from day and night games, mokoring, boating, canoeing, Tiger fishing, walking, and cultural interactions.”

A safari in Southern Africa embraces the essence of a classic adventure while steeped in accommodations known for opulence in remote corners of the untouched wilderness. You can discover the diverse ecosystems as you travel along branches of floodplains in the Okavango Delta to the snow-white flatlands of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and settle into the banks of the Zambezi River and the extreme wilderness of the Mana Pools. In this new travel environment, a safari in Southern Africa is one of the few experiences that can accommodate luxury and seclusion while experiencing the very beauty you came to see.

“You will stay in remote wildernesses utilizing camps that have eight or fewer tents. Only one border crossing is required for this trip,” says Simon. The heart of any safari experience focuses on our ability not just to view the wildlife but to interact with the wilderness, to remove ourselves from the endless hurried pace of home and to remember the need to slow down, look around, and enjoy our surroundings before they pass us by. When considering the joys, thrills, and splendors of a Southern African safari, you can plan ahead with a Zicasso travel specialist who can help build your trip of a lifetime with comfort, luxury, safety, and the new possibilities of travel in mind.

Related: African Safari | African Safari Guide

We know that the world is a large and diverse place but as we travel, the distance across the globe feels shorter, the gaps in history feel smaller, and the differences in our cultures feel less profound. The world holds tremendous splendor accentuated by exciting excursions into hollow volcanic craters in Iceland and isolated natural wonder at the Khongor Sand Dunes in Mongolia, the exhilarating peak of Mount Everest to the sculpted white-sands of the Maldivian coastline.

Around the World Trip of a Lifetime by Private Jet fulfills dreams. “Even from a young age we are transported to other lands in our favorite books and movies, we long to see the most incredible mountains, majestic animals, untouched deserts, private beaches; this trip includes all of that,” says Suzie, the global travel specialist who designed this spectacular trip.

When we travel the world, it is not in the differences in which we see ourselves but through the similarities in which we find ourselves. This sample itinerary moves you around the globe from Iceland to Petra, Mongolia to Nepal, the Maldives to Southern Africa, Patagonia to Belize. Step down into isolated corners of the earth in the hopes of watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky or listen to braying penguins dive into frigid water. Bask in the breathtaking view of the Himalayas from a helicopter and compare the immense pleasures of walking through the carved cliffs of Petra versus the Mayan pyramids of Belize made grander when traveling by private jet.

“By traveling via private jet, we can take advantage of the most direct routes available,” Suzie says. “By staying in some of the most exclusive resorts, you can spend your time within your own group.” As you travel the world and find the joys of 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. Suzie says, “No matter your preferences, you will be treated like royalty every step of the way.”

Related: Luxury Tours & Vacations

Part 1 of our Trips of a Lifetime series brought the personal touch of a travel experience to the forefront by demonstrating how every trip can affect us differently whether exploring the elusive majesty of Patagonia and Antarctica, finally immersing ourselves into the indelible culture of Europe, or witnessing the grand plains and captivating wildlife on the ultimate East Africa safari.

Part 2 of our Trips of a Lifetime series focused on the authenticity of making everlasting connections to the wonders of the world by understanding what travel means personally. Whether experiencing nature’s opulence in Australia and New Zealand, the visions of ancient wilderness and heritage in the Galapagos and Peru, or embracing the enchanting traditions of Japan, we can shift our perspectives to enjoy the timelessness of cultural and natural wonder.

We travel the world, not as a luxury but as a necessity. Travel gives us a taste of fearlessness, when instead of worrying about language barriers or cultural differences, we embrace them. Instead of looking solely outward at how the world differs from life back home, it is about embracing the connection between how we experience the outside world with how we experience ourselves. We travel to see old traditions in new ways, to find untrodden paths for new discoveries, to participate in new cultures with new friends.

For each time we travel, our experience is different because we are different as we once more breathe life into our dreams and dreams into our life. By planning our next trip, we give in to the everlasting allure of the time we make for our particular Trip of a Lifetime. For more ideas as you consider your plans, find inspiration with our 12 Amazing Trips of a Lifetime. Speak with a travel specialist by filling out a Trip Request or by calling our team at 1-888-265-9707 to start planning your trip of a lifetime now.