What makes for a dream trip? Is it the long-held desire to visit a place that’s shimmered on the horizon of your mind? Or does the “dream” come from some combination of factors that made it seem out of reach—yet you made it happen anyway?

We looked over the landscape of WendyPerrin.com travelers’ journeys planned for 2026, and 11 stood out for their participants’ exceptional curiosity and passion for a place, combined with a longing to experience it with particular people or purpose.

Do you have a travel experience that has lingered on your bucket list? Is there a good reason it’s still relegated to that mental bin—or is it ready to be lifted out, dusted off, and brought to life? The dream trips below were all planned with the expertise of our trusted WOW List experts. Tell us about your travel dreams via the black button below, and let’s make it the highlight of your year.

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Grandparents taking the whole family on safari for a milestone anniversary

For a long-awaited, twice-delayed trip to Africa, Robin and Warren Levy are expanding their trip to become a true extended-family affair. (Their first two attempts never went beyond the planning stages because family members fell ill.) Eight years later, they’ve decided to include all their children and grandchildren—and celebrate their 50th anniversary—during two weeks that miraculously fit everyone’s summer schedules.

“My husband and I always spend at least one week every summer with our grandkids alone, and we call it Camp Levy. We have been doing this for years, and the grandkids love the time with us. We told them this year Camp Levy is going to be in Africa! There are five adults and four kids, ranging from 73 to 11 years old. Katie worked with us planning four safari locations which include four different topographies. Since the group is so large, all our lodges are reserved just for us. We will share family tents and double tents, and we’ll have our own guides and open-air vehicles to take us around.

We are excited about watching everyone interact with the animals, seeing Victoria Falls, watching the grandkids go zip-lining with us, meeting the meerkats, meeting the Bushmen, celebrating our son and daughter-in-law’s 20th anniversary in the Okavango Delta, and seeing the Big Five along the way. Spending quality time with your family in one of the most unique places in the world—what more can you ask for in life? The sights, activities, and experiences are all icing on the cake!” —Robin and Warren Levy

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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An iconic Italian vacation with an eye to relocation

Delving into ancestry—and dual citizenship—inspired Joe Coco and his wife to explore Italy more extensively and consider moving abroad. Their upcoming vacation will take them to Umbria, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast.

“Our 24-year-old daughter and I recently had our Italian citizenship (by descent) recognized by the Italian government. Going through that lengthy process and learning more about my family history, coupled with the political turmoil in the U.S., has motivated my wife and me to more deeply explore Italy and consider whether moving there is something we’d want to do at some point.

Working with Maria, we devised a diverse itinerary that includes a nice mix of large cities with significant historical and cultural sites, smaller hilltop villages and countryside, and iconic Mediterranean luxury, and allows us to experience the people, culture, history, food, wine, and art.

We are particularly excited to: meet a local farmer in Umbria to learn about his way of life and go truffle hunting with him and his dogs; enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a small family-owned vineyard in Chianti; tour the Amalfi Coast on a private boat; visit a local mozzarella producer at his lemon grove in Amalfi; take a food tour through Roman neighborhoods; and of course experience the art and architecture of Florence.” —Joe Coco

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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An annual business-school reunion amid Patagonia’s breathtaking peaks and Chile’s wineries

In the 30-plus years since attending business school together, 11 friends have remained close and traveled together extensively. This year they set aside two weeks for Chile but separated the trip into three segments, so everyone can join for as little or as much as they’re able.

“We have frequently traveled together over the years, but since becoming empty nesters a few years ago, we stepped it up a notch and have been taking a big trip together yearly. This year our group voted on Chile—specifically, Patagonia. One member of our group has been there and said it was the most spectacular place she has ever visited.

Jordan and Renee were able to plan it so people can pick and choose which portions they would like to partake in. Some are arriving a couple days early and doing a short stay in Valparaiso. We wanted Torres del Paine and the Explora Lodge to be the focal point, which we are super-excited about. Afterwards, some people will return home, and a group of us will continue on to the Colchagua Valley for some winery touring and tasting.” —Stacey Witz

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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A South Pacific honeymoon with a relaxing pace, a mix of islands, and a grand finale

Mary Santiago and her new husband will start their French Polynesian honeymoon in Tahiti, spend time on Taha’a, sail to Raiatea and Bora Bora, and end with a few quiet days on Tetiaroa at The Brando. Their priority, as presented to planner Kleon: a mix of islands, each with their own vibe, and a yacht charter that’s different from a typical hotel stay.

“We chose these islands for a mix of things we both care about: peaceful beaches, great food, time on the water, and a slower pace. We also tried to avoid rushing from one thing to the next so we can actually enjoy being on our honeymoon. The sailing portion is ​​completely different from a typical hotel stay and gives us time on the lagoon in a more intimate way.

The itinerary gives us a blend of culture in Tahiti, a small private-island stay on Taha’a, a sailing experience, and a more luxurious finish, which felt like the right arc for a honeymoon—ending the trip with slow, restorative days, just having space to unwind.” —Mary Santiago

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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A high-school graduation celebration and first trip abroad to England, France, and Italy

An experienced traveler, Mary Lou Voytko was asked by her sister to help plan a trip to Paris celebrating her niece Mia’s high school graduation. For Mia and Mary Lou’s sister—who have been dreaming about Paris and beyond for a decade—it will be a first trip outside the U.S.

“We will be going to London, Paris, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Venice. My sister and her daughter decided what they wanted to see in each area, and I added some activities that I think they will enjoy and that will enhance their experience, based on my own experiences with Wendy’s WOW List planners.

I am excited about having them experience the Chunnel train to Paris in First Class, as that is how my husband surprised me for our tenth anniversary. In London, we are very excited about going on the VIP tour of the Harry Potter studios and to high tea, as we have done high tea when my sister and niece visit for Thanksgiving and I am certain that it won’t compare to the real thing! On the Amalfi Coast, I arranged to spend a day boating to see the towns from the water.

This will certainly be a whirlwind tour, but it will give my sister and niece a wonderful international travel experience planned in style by Jennifer. I made sure to consider only apartments for our lodging, so that we have a common area to gather as a family to share stories and experiences.” —Mary Lou Voytko

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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An 80th birthday in Japan, taking in both exciting cities and serene rural ryokans

For her mother’s 80th, Nicole Zussman planned a trip to Japan for five adults, all foodies who enjoy off-the-beaten-path experiences. As independent travelers, they wanted time on their own to explore, as well as exclusive tours using a mix of public transportation and private cars.

“This is our first time traveling to Japan, and we are going to Tokyo, Toyama, Kyoto, and Osaka. But we also wanted an authentic experience in the countryside and in a ryokan. Andrea suggested Rakudo-An in Toyama, and I am most excited to stay there. It is a restored 120-year-old farmhouse made of natural materials with only three rooms, and we are taking over all of them.

We are also participating in a suzugami experience [designing shapes with malleable tin], which looks really special, and we are visiting Shirakawa-gō, which is a mountain village renowned for traditional Gassho-style farmhouses.” —Nicole Zussman

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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An anniversary in Bali and nearby exotic islands, with kids and friends invited too!

For their 15th anniversary, Kim Segal and her husband wanted to celebrate with something big. Indonesia was high on Kim’s wish list, and she knew activities there would be compelling for their young boys. The trip will entail three nights in Yogyakarta, five in Bali, and nine on a chartered sail where they’ll be joined by friends.

“I chose Yogyakarta because Borobudur has been something I’ve wanted to see for a while. While there we will recover from jet lag in our stunning hotel room and private pool, and enjoy a cultural feast and dance performance put on in our suite for our actual anniversary night.

The star of our trip is the nine nights we have booked on the Samsara Samudra. I decided to charter a bigger boat than was needed for just our family, and we invited two other families to come along. Handling the needs and logistics for a group—that’s where a Trusted Travel Expert like Andrea comes in. I can’t wait to watch my kids as they swim with turtles, see giant clams, watch manta rays glide by, and get in the water with whale sharks. I’ve been fortunate enough to snorkel with all those creatures, and I enjoy experiences even more when I get to see my children experience the joy.

I know this might be a non-traditional anniversary trip—traveling with our kids and inviting a few families along—but I think it’s the perfect thing for us in this life stage.” —Kim Segal

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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A spring break in Morocco guided by history, language, landscapes, and food

Julie Heimark and her husband Peter are traveling to Morocco with their 18-year-old son before he graduates from high school. Their planner Hicham designed an itinerary to weave in and out of cities, mountains, and desert, and Julie decided to break up the long journey from Los Angeles with short stays in Paris on either end.

“Morocco has always been on our bucket list. Food and history are the biggest draws, and we will include cooking classes and market tours. We cook bastilla and tagines at home, but to make them in Morocco will be a dream come true.

Our son speaks French and is learning Arabic, so this is also a perfect celebration for our last spring break together. We knew we wanted to see the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, Fes, Skoura, and Marrakech. My son wanted to do Rabat. We are flying down to the Sahara and then driving back, so we get both experiences and can fit more in.” —Julie Heimark

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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A group of 15 friends marking a milestone amid the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of southern Spain

Patty Armacost has always been the travel planner for her friends. So celebrating her husband’s 70th birthday with a group of 15 on a trip to Spain—where they’ve previously loved hiking the Camino, attending a festival in Valencia, and taking cooking lessons in Vejer—felt like just the move.

“We find Spain to be so welcoming—we love the food and people—and thought southern Spain would be a perfect location for this celebration. Iván helped to develop an itinerary that highlights all the must-see sites along with our interests. We are excited to see the Alhambra, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seville, and the Great Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba.

Our tours will highlight the best the area has to offer: a plantation growing tropical fruits, a rum distillery, an Iberian pig farm, olive oil production, and a few meals with local chefs. The highlight of past trips has often been an activity like a cooking class, and we are very excited to attend a flamenco dance workshop!” —Patty Armacost

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Island relaxation in the Maldives caps a month-long adventure in India and Dubai

When Suzy Crabb and her husband initially planned their trip to India, it was anchored by a month-long Southeast Asia cruise. A month later, the cruise was canceled. And with that, the afterthought became the main event: They decided to extend their time in India with a vivid itinerary built out by Victoria, and they’ll bookend India with time before and after in Dubai and the Maldives, designed by Justin.

“We are not cruisers, but I found a 40-day Southeast Asia cruise that spent two nights in each location and covered a lot of cool places. My husband usually ignores the travel emails I send him (I don’t blame him—I send a lot) but the day after I sent him the link to the cruise, I heard him on the phone making a reservation! I couldn’t believe it. He felt the cruise would give us a taste of several hard-to-get-to places in a very easy way.

When it was canceled, we said, well, I guess we can now spend a month in India. We decided to break up the long flight there by starting in Dubai. And the Maldives are not far, so let’s end there for a week to relax from our busy month.

When I was looking through the India hotels Victoria chose, I could not believe how gorgeous they were. One is floating in a lake! I just read The Henna Artist, which is set in India in the 1950s. The main character goes to the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur to see the Maharaja and mentions that the palace is going to become a hotel. I was so excited because that is one of the hotels where we are staying.

It turns out we will be in Jaipur for Holi, and Victoria will arrange for us to get white outfits and participate. We’ll see the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset. We are going to stay at a tea plantation and on a houseboat.

In Dubai I am excited to see the Burj Khalifa, and the Mosque and the Louvre in Abu Dhabi. We will end in the Maldives, relaxing in a beautiful setting with great snorkeling and some time on boats. I am looking forward to so many things on this trip!!” —Suzy Crabb

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black buttons below.

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Ancient wonders of Egypt: Such a successful trip last year, they had to go back for more

After a “phenomenal” trip to Egypt in 2025, Craig Smith and his wife wanted to return as soon as possible. So they reached out to their planner Jim once again to revisit several favorite locations and check out some new ones they hadn’t been able to fit in last time. They like to travel privately with their own guides and drivers—in part because Craig has multiple sclerosis, and it provides for more flexibility, but also because they love being able to ask questions galore.

“We want to spend more time at the pyramids in Giza. We are looking forward to returning to the Grand Egyptian Museum, now that it is fully open. We want to see the historic sites of Alexandria, the Temple of Hathor in Dendera, the Temple of Seti I in Abydos, and the Temple of Bastet at Bubastis. We are excited to see a whirling dervish show in Cairo, something that fellow travelers recommended to us on our previous trip.

We love the Egyptian people and will be enjoying a meal with a local family in Cairo. We want to visit Nefertari’s tomb in Luxor’s Valley of the Queens, as it was closed the last time we visited. We look forward to spending time [including a candlelight Valentine’s Day dinner] at the Lazib Inn in Fayoum.

Our WOW List expert also suggested ending with some relaxation at the Fayoum Oasis, which sounds perfect to us.” —Craig Smith

To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Dream Trip Planning: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I plan a complex travel itinerary without getting overwhelmed by many tiny details?

Complex trips become overwhelming when you try to manage too many moving parts on your own in locations you’re not familiar with. Start by defining a few non-negotiables, such as key destinations and must-do experiences. Let the savviest local travel fixers manage logistics and solve challenges so your trip feels exciting rather than exhausting.

When contemplating a dream trip, when is the best time to enlist the help of a planner?

Enlist an experienced local expert as soon as you know where you want to go and when. (If you haven’t figured that out, we can help: Get a Personalized Trip Recommendation.) Once you’ve locked in flights and hotels, your options narrow and costs often rise, so before you book anything, talk to the trip planner about ideal timing and the optimal itinerary flow.

Can you combine luxury and adventure on the same trip?

Yes—and that combination is often what makes a trip exceptional, pairing state-of-the-art creature comforts with adventure activities such as hiking, cycling, water sports, or wildlife encounters. WOW List travelers have successfully paired luxury and adventure all over the globe. Read their trip reviews to learn how. For instance, here’s a sampling of their travels to Antarctica, Norway, and Australia.

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Be a smarter traveler: Sign up for Wendy’s weekly newsletter to stay in the know. Read real travelers’ reviews, then use the black CONTACT buttons on Wendy’s WOW List to reach out to the right local fixer for your trip.

Everyone has their own ingredients for a dream trip. It might be an irresistible opportunity to see someone, or something. A chance to accompany a friend on a work or personal commitment that you realize is practically a puddle jump from fantasy island. Or a longstanding bucket-list item that won’t be delayed or denied any longer.

Whatever the motivation, a dream trip involves a unique combination of alchemy and carpe diem—clear-eyed planning with a bit of tossing pragmatism to the wind. Every traveler we spoke to for this article said, in some fashion, I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.

These ten dream trips were all planned the WOW way. What have you been wanting to do for a long time? And what are you waiting for? Tell us about your dreams via the black button below and we can help you make them come true.

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The Philippines and Indonesia: Letting school curriculum be the compass

Andrea Mathis’ family travels are often inspired by her children’s global studies programs. With the Philippines on the curriculum in 2025, she set her sights on visiting over spring break, part of an itinerary that also includes Indonesia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

“When we found out our first-grade daughter would be studying the Philippines this year, our nine-year-old son immediately noted the relative proximity to Sumatra, where you can see wild orangutans. We have become enamored with wildlife after spectacular safaris. And we have never truly camped before, so why not start in a jungle among wild orangutans?

No parent ever said traveling with children is easy! But it’s the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done as a family. Like anything else in life, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. We realize it’s all worthwhile when they ask intelligent questions and demonstrate a genuine appreciation for how others live. And our three-year-old daughter is convinced the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines are actually made of chocolate, so she’s pretty excited about that.” —Andrea Mathis

This trip was arranged by WOW List Philippines expert Andrea Oschetti. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Italy: Tuscan villas as the home base for a family celebration

As their 50th wedding anniversary approached, Richard and Marci Abt toyed with the idea of a big party with their large, close-knit family. Instead, they decided to create a moveable feast in Tuscany with their four children and spouses and 10 grandchildren, ages 3 to 18—in all, a traveling entourage of 20.

“Plans snowballed into an extravagant, wonderful trip to Italy with two Tuscan villas, each with its own swimming pool and car, and a private chef. We are thinking of the villas as a home base to relax and explore the wine country. Some can go into Rome and Venice. I really want to see La Scala in Milan, the motherland of opera houses, and visit Pompeii again. The kids will enjoy golf cart tours in Rome and the swimming pool with their cousins. I like everything, and I like being with everyone.” —Richard Abt

This trip was arranged by WOW List Italy expert Jennifer Virgilio. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Colombia: Three couples let their tastebuds lead the way

Each year, Stacey Rozen and her husband travel with two other couples, their destination determined by curiosity and mutual enjoyment of eating, drinking, laughing, and experiencing new things.

“This year we were looking for something on the exotic side, with different climates and cultures, but not crazy far away. South America is always appealing and typically a little less expensive, and we hadn’t been to Colombia. So we’ll be splitting 10 days between a few hotels—first in Bogota, then in the coffee region of Pereira at a coffee hacienda, then to Cartagena, then relaxing at the beach in Barú. We are big coffee drinkers and foodies and we love to do it all, from roadside stands to fine dining. We pretty much have traveling together down pat, respecting each other’s likes and dislikes. Once we get on the same page with a trip, it all works.” —Stacey Rozen

This trip was arranged by WOW List Colombia expert Boris Seckovic. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Kenya and Zanzibar: Introducing children to Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems

Wanderlust is baked into Kim Segal’s DNA, and that hasn’t changed since having children. When she and her husband learned they’d be attending an August 2025 wedding in London, they knew it was a perfect departure point to share one of their favorite experiences with their 6- and 8-year-old boys: going on safari.

“We will fly from London to Nairobi, then head out to Lewa Conservancy in Central Kenya. There are villages nearby where we can visit schools (something I definitely want my kids to experience—seeing how kids study in other parts of the world, and interacting with kids even if they can’t speak the same language, as the language of play is universal). They have an anti-poaching unit that you can visit to learn more about the reasons people poach, and the steps they’re taking to protect the wildlife.

From Lewa, we fly to Zanzibar, where we will spend several nights at a beautiful hotel on the beach. We then route back through Nairobi to finish up at Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Manor—the boys are going to get such a kick out of having breakfast with the giraffes! (We had to build the entire trip around when a family room was available there, 18+ months in advance.) I’m excited for my children to see and experience a culture that may be distinctly different from what they know, but to realize we’re all so much more similar than different; and for them to start thinking about how we help others, how we protect our planet, how we make the world a better place.” —Kim Segal

This trip was arranged by WOW List East Africa expert Dan Saperstein. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia: Revisiting favorite places through a partner’s eyes

The last time Mary Santiago visited Thailand, her husband was unable to come along. Now he gets to join her in some of the experiences she’s raved about, while creating memories in new places together.

“I LOVED my time in Thailand so much that I’m even looking into a second home there. In Thailand, we’ll be focused on food, culture, and the arts in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai. Plus elephants. The elephant experience in Chiang Rai is one of my fondest memories ever for any vacation, and years later I can’t stop talking about it, so I needed to show Scott.

I know very little about Laos, but I hear the culture and nature is just beautiful, so we added a quick stop. In Cambodia we’ll explore Angkor Wat/Siem Riep, and Shinta Mani Wild. How cool is it to zipline into your hotel to check in, and then just relax for three days near waterfalls and be pampered after our epic trip? We booked a waterfall room (which is tented), and the pictures are unreal!” —Mary Santiago

This trip was arranged by WOW List Southeast Asia expert Daniel Fraser. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Egypt: Seeing iconic sights in the most personalized and authentic ways

Twice before, Craig and Stephanie Smith have booked trips to Egypt, but life got in the way (thank goodness for travel insurance, they hasten to add). Stephanie has been fascinated by Egypt since seeing the Ramses II exhibit in Boston as a child. She and Craig particularly value small boutique hotels and stellar guides who can share local culture as well as history, as if experiencing a place through a knowledgeable friend.

“We are looking forward to seeing all of the iconic pyramids, temples, and tombs in person. We are eager to get a glimpse of the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. We love having private access to experienced guides. Having a guide who takes care of all of the logistics ensures that we don’t have to worry about anything other than soaking up the history and culture, and makes the trip so much more enjoyable.

We decided that now that we were finally going to make our Egypt dream come true, we wanted to do a private trip rather than a group tour. It allows more flexibility, because Craig has multiple sclerosis, and if he is not feeling great, we can adjust the day’s activities without impacting other travelers. Many of the sites are in common with our previous itineraries, but this time around we chose a dahabiya rather than a standard Nile cruise. We like the idea of a smaller cruise with a more personalized touch, so classic and romantic!” —Stephanie & Craig Smith

This trip was arranged by WOW List Egypt expert Jim Berkeley. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Australia: Two sisters blend luxury and adventure across the entire continent

Lynne Harrison and her sister Maureen are fulfilling a long-held dream to travel throughout Australia. Lynne prefers adventurous travel and road trips; Maureen is accustomed to more upscale arrangements with her husband, who passed away five years ago. Together they’ve planned an elaborate, seven-week itinerary weaving between luxury and simplicity, and finishing with a 29-day cruise back to the U.S.

“We got a big map of Australia and chunked out routes around the places we wanted to go. We were a little shocked to see how far apart things were, and realized it was going to take seven weeks. We’re doing a transcontinental train from Sydney to Perth, then driving back along the south coast, through Margaret River and the Great Australian Bight, staying in roadhouses. We’re also going to Tasmania and Uluru, and there’ll be plenty of opportunity for adventure as well as luxury.

And then Maureen found this cruise deal that was the equivalent of a business-class ticket back to the States. So we thought, Well, why not? After two months of driving like mad right across Australia, we’ll just park ourselves on a cruise for 29 days. Because this is a major bucket-list trip, we’re willing to spend more than we would ever normally spend on a vacation. You hit retirement, and you’re suddenly aware of the things you want to do, and if you don’t hurry up and go, your friends and family are not going to be able to do it with you. I think that underscores the ‘let’s get on with it.’” —Lynne Harrison

This trip was arranged by WOW List Australia expert Stuart Rigg. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Chile: Smart pacing for exploring the country from top to bottom

Now retired, Matthew Wilson and his wife Lyle York can prioritize the time and planning it takes for the style of travel that they’ve found suits them best.

“We want to see places with natural beauty and wildlife, and we want hikes/excursions. We also want to visit the occasional big city. Chile and the Andes have been on our radar for years. Most of the places we’re staying are small, all-inclusive lodges in lovely places: Patagonia, Valparaiso, Atacama.

We’ve learned that pacing is important. Trying to do too much in too little time becomes unenjoyable. Our three-night-minimum rule gives us at least two full days in a specific place. Pacing also applies to guides. Guides can be extremely helpful and add to an experience. But being guided every minute gets to be exhausting. No matter how good the guide, you need downtime. Our rule of thumb is that guides are great when they get you access to something special or help you avoid crowds or save you time by solving logistical problems. But if you want to wander around a city, or check out a museum, you don’t really need a guide. Out in nature, guides become essential. They know where to go—hiking, kayaking—and where to find scenery and wildlife.” —Matt Wilson

This trip was arranged by WOW List Chile expert Jordan Harvey. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Norway and Denmark: The Aurora Borealis lights the way, via dogsled and snowshoe

Marianne Hane and her husband enjoy building trips around opportunities to glimpse the aurora borealis. Lightseeing in Alta, Norway shimmers with the possibility of ice-bars and reindeer herds, plus a stop in Copenhagen to sample Danish museums and restaurants.

“We wanted to try to catch the aurora borealis again while the sun is most active in its 11-year cycle. We decided to go to Alta, Norway, because it seems that it is a good location to see it, along with creature comforts that look attractive. We’ll be taking three private nightly tours to see the northern lights, a dog-sled tour of the forests around Alta, a snowshoeing trip to ice fish in a lake, and visiting the Sami tribe to see their way of life tending their reindeer herd. We’ll also be touring the Sorrisniva ice hotel and having a drink in the bar. We have never been to Copenhagen before, and are looking forward to seeing the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Glyptoteket.” —Marianne Hane

This trip was arranged by WOW List Norway expert Jan Sortland. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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Dubai and the Maldives: Family dune-bashing and island-basking

Mary Ko and her husband are all too aware that the clock is ticking on their window to travel with their three kids (the oldest is 12) before school and college-prep commitments take over the calendar. Their latest trip includes an excursion to the observation deck of the world’s tallest building, a dune-bashing jeep adventure and desert BBQ, and a five-night stay at a secluded tropical island resort in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

“We were in India and realized it was our best vacation, so we’ve decided to go big and far and jump on the short window before our kids have college applications and jobs. Vakkaru Maldives looks ridiculous and amazing—might be our fanciest stay ever. The girls will want to see sea life, and my husband wants to relax. With young kids we like a little adventure, and a little chill time—kids need it, and we do too. Go while the kids are young! Do a morning outing and a mellow afternoon. Teach them to take polite bites of new food. My kids still remember the spider as big as my daughter’s head landing on her in Costa Rica, and being completely carsick on a serpentine road in Montenegro. Laugh about the chaos! Let it go.” —Mary Ko

This trip was arranged by WOW List U.A.E. and Maldives expert Justin Parkinson. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.

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