The Best Bucket List Tours For 2017

14 December 2016
Read Time: 5.7 mins

2017 is on the horizon – a new opportunity to fill your days, weeks or even months with travel experiences. And why not make those travel experiences exceptional?

Make 2017 the year you book a night or two at one of the best luxury hotels in the world and embark on an unforgettable luxury cruise. Or, make 2017 the year you tick off a few of places you've always wanted to see, starting with these bucket-list worthy journeys ...      

Spirit Island in Jasper National Park Spirit Island in Jasper National Park

Traverse the Canadian Rockies

Join Trafalgar on a journey that spans the ruggedly beautiful, untouched and remote reaches of the Canadian Rockies. With multiple tours available that traverse this incredible North American landscape, you'll be treated to a visual feast complete with snow-capped peaks, ice-blue glaciers and cascading waterfalls amidst thick evergreen forests. When you're not taking in Mother Nature's abundance and wildlife spotting, plush accommodations provide all the creature comforts you would expect of a luxury experience.

The limestone hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon National Park The limestone hoodoo formations in Bryce Canyon National Park

Tour National Parks & Canyon Country

Taking in even more incredible natural landscapes, Trafalgar also offers up multiple journeys that will take you through the USA's diverse and beautiful National Parks. From the heights of Bryce Canyon National Park's limestone hoodoos to the depths of the majestic Grand Canyon, your tour will be filled with unique and wonderful sights and experiences. You will also be treated to Trafalgar's unique Be My Guest dining experience in which you will have the opportunity to dine with a local family in their home, gaining authentic insight into local life.

The Machu Picchu ruins in Lima The Machu Picchu ruins in Lima

Explore The History Of Peru

Rio may have been big in 2016, but Peru is calling in 2017. This vibrant South American country calls with a mix of strikingly beautiful landscapes and exuberant cities, but it's the famous archaeological ruins of Machu Picchu that make this destination truly bucket list-worthy. Join Trafalgar for a journey in the footsteps of the Incas as you explore the treasures of Lima, fly over the Nazca Lines and sail to the Ballestas Islands, a home to unique and elusive wildlife.

   
Casablanca Mosque lit up at night Casablanca Mosque lit up at night

Uncover Morocco

Morocco has long called to travellers with a beguiling mix of imperial cities, bustling markets and tempting cuisine. Make 2017 the year you discover it all with Insight. Offering tours that travel from Meknes, Fes and Marrakesh (along with Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira and more), you could be learning to make pottery and bread one day and strolling through royal palaces the next.  

The Taj Mahal Taj Mahal is the monument of love

Marvel At India's Palaces

India is a diverse land of opulent palaces, captivating natural landscapes and vibrant cities that buzz with activity. New sights and sounds lie around every corner,  each one more amazing than the last. From strolling the fantastic grounds of the Taj Mahal to feeling the delicate embroidery of fine silks at the markets, this destination is a feast for the senses and Insight will take you there. Not only will you travel in luxury, you'll be treated to unique experiences that only Insight can provide. Experiences such as star light dinners in the desert and a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk Bazaar.

The Northern Lights sparkle over Hamnoy in the Lofoten Islands, Norway The Northern Lights sparkle over Hamnoy in the Lofoten Islands, Norway

See The Northern Lights

Imagine skirting along the Norwegian coast, taking in the incredible beauty of the fjords by day and turning to the skies at night for one of Mother Nature's best lightshows. Hurtigruten not only offers multiple tours that highlight the stunning beauty of the Aurora Borealis, but they also do it onboard modern and comfortable ships featuring all the facilities you might expect of a luxury provider. In addition to seeing firsthand these once-in-a-lifetime landscapes, onboard enrichment allows passengers to learn even more about these amazing destinations. This includes expert demonstrations and tastings of local specialties.

 

Dawn at the Temples of Bagan Dawn at the Temples of Bagan

Make Your Way Through Myanmar

Also known as the Golden Land, Myanmar is like a trip back in time in all the right ways. Rich traditions live on, opulent pagodas shimmer with gilded gold in the sunlight and mountainous trails remain relatively tourist free. Join Peregrine in an exploration of the best that this incredible destination has to offer, taking in such amazing sights as the precariously positioned Kyaiktiyo Pagoda and Bagan's 4,000 temples and monasteries while meeting a swathe of diverse and exceedingly friendly peoples.

 

Gdansk's Old Town from the riverside in Poland Gdansk's Old Town from the riverside in Poland

Take A Trip To The Baltics

Get off the beaten path through Europe in 2017 with an APT tour through the Baltics. Encompassing Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, this is your chance to explore unique natural beauty, incredible cultures and fascinating history. From the World Heritage-listed Kronborg Castle to the Martynas Mazvydas Sculpture Park and cooking lessons in an Estonian farmhouse, this itinerary is full of once-in-a-lifetime memories that highlight your time in these fascinating countries.    

 
An opening amid the unique Bungle Bungle formations An opening amid the unique Bungle Bungle formations

Cross The Kimberley

Proving that you don't have to go to the other side of the globe to see world wonders, APT's tours through the Kimberley showcase the outstanding beauty found right here in Oz. Marvel at the striking natural beauty of these deep red landscapes, cascading waterfalls and unique formations as you learn about the incredible indigenous heritage that still beats strong with a close connection to this amazing destination.

Impala grazing in front of the setting sun Kruger National Park is home to a number of beautiful animals

Set Out On An African Safari

Witnessing the wild beauty of Africa on a safari is a favourite bucket list experience for many travellers. Why not make 2017 the year you actually tick it off? APT provides a number of tour options that take in the incredible beauty and culture of Africa. From the thunder and mists of Victoria Falls to the 'Big 5' of Kruger National Park, there are once-in-a-lifetime experiences aplenty. While your journey will feature the expert guidance of a local host, you will not be without the free time to explore on your own. With APT's Freedom of Choice program, you can choose which experiences will best suit your time and interests to create a holiday that truly meets your expectations. 

Carlie Tucker

Travelling is for discovering the unexpected. From fantastic meals in ramshackle joints to stumbling upon a best kept secret, I love those fortuitous travel moments that couldn't be planned if I tried.