Zicasso's Trip of a Lifetime - Staff Collection

“Two of my biggest passions are food and wildlife, and any trip that I take incorporates both. My trip of a lifetime would begin in Italy, with the goal of eating our way through their various regions, especially Emilia-Romagna. From there, it’s relatively convenient to go to Tanzania and Kenya for a Great Migration safari. A perfect ending would be to stay on a pristine, private island, like Thanda off the coast of East Africa.”

“Brian and I took a trip of a lifetime in 2018 in Southern Africa. We were at the best safari camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe, located in areas with the highest concentration of wildlife, with the best guides. The wildlife experiences kept getting better and better. We also enjoyed Cape Town, where we particularly focused on the beautiful art and design, as well as great food. Together, we have traveled to over 50 countries and we never tire of exploring. Brian and I are ready to set out again, and to help our travelers do the same.”

"To me, a trip of a lifetime can be to any country that presents a challenge and will expose me to completely different norms that in no way remotely resemble my daily life. It’s thrilling to feel a little (or a lot) nervous on arriving in a new country, unsure of what to expect. When I travel, I am deeply curious and want to experience everything that’s unique to a place. The more unique, the more I want to visit. For those looking to step away from the usual, I recommend beginning with a trip to Egypt."

"Ever since I began working in the hospitality industry, I knew my trip of a lifetime would be to Japan. I would focus on the Japanese countryside, immersing myself in the culture and exploring all of the amazing art and history. Breathtaking views of the fall foliage in Osaka, as well as visiting the island of Naoshima or exploring Lake Akan would be some of my highlights. I was inspired by our Beauty of Fall Foliage itinerary and I can’t wait to make this a reality."

"One of my trips of a lifetime connected me with my family's roots in Germany. My great-great-grandfather was born in Ulm, Germany, and in 2016 my family visited this delightful small city on the Danube River. We stayed in the old town near the city archive, where we found relatives in an address book from 1849. I was a little surprised at how deeply this connected me to this place in my family's history. Of the eight cities we visited in Germany, we loved Ulm the most.”

"I’ve been fortunate to have taken a few trips of a lifetime, each equally eye-opening in different ways. My focus has shifted over the years from how many places I can visit to how much I can immerse myself in a region, with plenty I’d love to endlessly discover or rediscover. I’m currently aching to explore the food, culture, and wildlife of Sri Lanka. In terms of unique experiences, Sri Lanka is one of those places that can balance adventure and luxury, something new with something traditional."

“Ever since I can remember, my trip of a lifetime has been to Argentina. It has been my dream to experience everything it has to offer, from visiting Iguazú Falls to (attempting) to learn how to tango in Buenos Aires. The wildlife particularly fascinates me. I hope to one day spend time at Tierra del Fuego National Park watching the various species of penguins in their natural habitat and enjoying the beautiful views.”

El Calafate, Patagonia; this was definitely one of the trips that I’ve always dreamed of having, but never thought would be possible. When it did, it was a life-enhancing experience. Patagonia is as beautiful as it is raw. Walking across the Perito Moreno Glacier under the summer’s midnight sun dressed in ski gear was only a part of it. A sense of serenity is ever-present, thanks to the glacier’s color. At the same time, its gigantic size made me feel vulnerable. It almost felt unearthly, yet so vast and real.

In 2018, I fulfilled my childhood dream to visit Peru, which incorporated all of the things I sought in my perfect trip of a lifetime — adventure, history, and incredible food. Next up on my list would be Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. It would include that mix of adventure (a 4x4 tour in Wadi Rum and a scuba dive in the Red Sea), ancient history (Luxor, the Great Pyramids, Petra, and other off-the-beaten-path sites), and delicious culinary options (whether a bedouin fire-cooked meal or a Michelin experience in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv). This would be my next trip of a lifetime.”

From wandering through the Sri Lankan jungle to visiting the Japanese countryside, pushing the limits of your comfort zone to learning to tango in Buenos Aires, we all have our own ideas of a trip that speaks to us. No matter where you have traveled or where you wish to visit, we have learned that a trip of a lifetime is not the same as “once” in a lifetime.

For more ideas on how we can help plan your personalized vacation, find inspiration in our customizable Trips of a Lifetime itineraries and more information in our Trips of a Lifetime travel guide.