Why not make 2026 the year of one-in-a-lifetime experiences, where every journey feels personal, immersive, and extraordinary?
From rare wildlife encounters in remote corners of the world to private access at heritage sites steeped in history – these adventures go way beyond the usual. Walk in the shadow of iconic landmarks, sip world-class wines amid rolling vineyards, or learn regional culinary secrets straight from the locals.
Our travel experts have carefully selected each experience to elevate your bucket list – read on to discover ‘must-do’ adventures and start planning your next extraordinary escape.
- For beach lovers
- For families
- Extraordinary adventures
- Out-of-this-world wellness
- Cultural immersions
- Something special
- World-class gastronomy
- Spectacular sport
For beach lovers
1. Sleep under the stars in a Maldives Beach Bubble
Tucked away on Finolhu’s pristine sandbank in the Baa Atoll, the Beach Bubble offers a one-night-only experience designed for romance. A short sunset stroll brings you to this transparent, climate-controlled cocoon, where bespoke furnishings, an outdoor bathtub, and a separate living area let you experience the feeling of sleeping on the beach, without compromising on luxury.
Enjoy a Maldivian-style beach BBQ before retreating beneath the stars, framed by the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean and the island’s soft white sands. On waking, watch the sunrise spill across the horizon while you linger over breakfast at the water’s edge. Custom-designed, this unique, high-spec hideaway is the perfect place to pop the question or as a highlight to your 2026 honeymoon.
2. Watch turtles being released in Vietnam
Watching tiny turtles scuttle towards the sea at Six Senses Con Dao is a rare and profoundly moving experience. Take the 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Island, where a 2km beach sets the stage for this natural phenomenon and frames the ultra-exclusive Six Senses resort.
Here, the conservation team works with Con Dao National Park to protect one of Vietnam’s last nesting grounds for green sea turtles, supported by a secure incubation centre beside the dunes. Join daily ‘Turtle Talks’ to learn about their conservation and, between May and December, step onto the sand at dusk to watch hatchlings make their first journey to the ocean.
For families
3. Experience life on a ranch in the USA
Vast open skies, the scent of pine smoke from a campfire, and the gallop of hooves on dusty trails: a luxury ranch holiday offers families a chance to experience the USA at its most iconic. Across Arizona, Montana and Wyoming, you can saddle up together for daily horseback rides, try your hand at archery, fish the wild rivers, explore the Rocky Mountains on foot or by bike, and so much more.
At rustic dude ranches, enjoy authentic western experiences from cattle drives to cowboy cookouts, or choose a resort ranch for added luxury with pools, spas, and gourmet dining. Meals and guided activities are typically included, making ranch holidays one of the most exciting yet easy-going travel experiences for families in 2026.
4. Learn traditional Greek recipes with local hosts
Step into a traditional house near Pylos in Greece and be greeted with lallagia drenched in petimezi and sweet fruit preserves — a first taste of Messinian hospitality. At Costa Navarino resorts, families can take part in a hands-on cooking class that’s as much about culture as it is cuisine.
Roll filo pastry, prepare kokkoras krasatos (the Greek version of coq au vin), and galopita (milk pie), and learn recipes passed down through generations. Along the way, children can join in the singing and dancing, learning the steps of the Syrtaki or the Kalamatiano from the locals. The evening ends in the courtyard under the stars, with dessert and homemade liqueur for adults, connecting family, food and tradition.
Extraordinary adventures
5. Spend the night in a glass igloo in Lapland
There’s something truly out-of-this-world about falling asleep in your own glass igloo, high on a snowy fell in Finnish Lapland. By day, you’ll gaze out over a world of white, where frozen forests and rugged fells stretch infinitely towards the horizon. But it’s nighttime that’s the real showstopper, as you lie cosy in bed with uninterrupted views of the northern lights dancing above you.
The small, family-run hideaway at Levin Iglut – Golden Crown offers heartfelt service and a choice of igloos — some with outdoor Jacuzzis — plus hearty breakfasts in a fire-warmed restaurant. Expect husky rides, reindeer safaris and plenty of crisp winter magic.
6. Track wildlife on a bush walk with Maasai Naturalists in Kenya
A guided bush walk with the Maasai Naturalists lets you slow right down and discover the Great Rift Valley on foot. As you wander through patches of dappled forest and sunlit clearings, your guide shares stories of growing up as a warrior, explains the plants used for medicine, and helps you read the landscape in a completely new way.
From the escarpment, you’ll take in sweeping views of the Mara below, with the chance to spot everything from buffalo herds to a lone elephant slipping into the trees. It’s a gentle adventure that brings the wild wonders of Africa to life and can be arranged by luxury safari camps across Kenya, such as Angama Mara.
Out-of-this-world wellness
7. Follow your own integrated wellness path in Bali
At the ultra-exclusive COMO Shambhala Estate in Ubud, Bali, wellness is woven into every aspect of your stay. Nestled among lush jungle and cascading rice terraces, the setting alone invites calm and reflection. Begin with a personalised consultation to create a tailored plan, then follow your own path to optimal wellness with daily yoga, Pilates, Qi Gong, and hydrotherapy sessions.
Rejuvenating treatments range from traditional Balinese massages and body wraps to modern therapies such as infrared saunas and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Float in natural spring pools and sweat it out in saunas, steam rooms, or at the yoga pavilion. Holistic programmes like the Integrated Wellness Path provide the ultimate mind-and-body reset, boosting vitality and restoring balance.
8. Stretch out with a private HeliYoga session in Las Vegas
Leave the bustle and bright lights of the Strip behind and elevate your wellbeing with a private HeliYoga session in Nevada’s Valley of Fire. From your hotel, you’ll be whisked away to a private terminal to board an ECO-Star helicopter, soaring over ancient sandstone formations and untouched desert wilderness.
Land on a remote plateau accessible only by air for a 75-minute yoga session, tailored to your pace and set to a bespoke soundtrack. Surrounded by silence and panoramic views, stretch, breathe, and reconnect with nature. The return flight offers sweeping vistas of the Las Vegas Strip — a dazzling, sky-high finale.
Cultural immersions
9. Hike up to the world’s highest hilltop monastery in Bhutan
Begin a remarkable journey as you hike to Bhutan’s legendary Tiger’s Nest, the world’s highest hilltop monastery. The five-hour round-trip ascent leads you through fragrant pine forests, fluttering prayer flags and sweeping views over the Paro valley, gradually revealing the 8th-century monastery clinging dramatically to the cliffs 900 metres above the valley floor.
A revered pilgrimage site, it’s where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated on the back of a tigress, and its spiritual presence is unmistakable. After descending, spend your evening exploring Paro’s picturesque city centre, browsing handicrafts and sampling regional flavours at its lively market.
Explore the Tiger’s Nest monastery on Inspiring Travel’s tailor-made tour: Serenity and Spirituality in Bhutan.
10. Explore Casa Rocca Piccola with Malta’s Marquis De Piro
Step into over 400 years of Maltese history on a private tour of Casa Rocca Piccola with the noble Marquis De Piro. This 16th-century palace in Valletta was among the city’s first noble houses, and the de Piro family has opened much of it to the public as a museum.
Wander through more than 50 rooms filled with exquisite furniture, silver, paintings and quirky antiques, each holding stories passed down through generations. As you explore, the Marquis shares personal anecdotes and insights into Maltese aristocratic life, offering a rare glimpse into both the home and the history it preserves.
"Visiting Casa Rocca Piccola was such a treat. It’s a lived-in home of an ancient Maltese family, and we were lucky enough to meet the current Marquis and enjoy a private tour. The house itself is incredible, full of fascinating art, unique antiques, and stories connecting the family to royalty. Even the group tours are well worth it – there’s so much to see and learn. We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Valletta." — Jackie, Travel Specialist
Enjoy this experience on Inspiring Travel’s tailor-made tour: The Magical Maltese Islands.
Something special
11. Adopt a kiwi in New Zealand
At the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, you can play a small but meaningful part in protecting one of New Zealand’s most treasured birds. This private experience invites you behind the scenes to learn how conservationists care for kiwi from egg to release, with the chance to sponsor and even name a chick of your own.
You’ll explore areas normally off-limits, including the creche where young kiwis grow under expert care, and watch these shy, nocturnal birds foraging in a specially designed habitat. With regular updates on your chick’s progress, your connection to its journey continues long after your visit.
Find out more about kiwi adoption at the National Kiwi Hatchery.
12. Indulge in Veuve Clicquot desert dining in Dubai
Escape into the golden dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve for the Veuve Clicquot Desert Experience — a private evening of dining and discovery. A Mercedes-Benz G-Class transfer delivers you from your hotel, followed by a wildlife drive and a short camel trek to a secluded dining spot.
Begin with a sundowner in your private lounge as the sun dips behind the dunes, sipping Veuve Clicquot champagne with canapés. Then, savour a multi-course menu crafted by a private chef, paired with specialist wines. With a personal sommelier to guide each pairing, the evening unfolds in sublime silence, surrounded by the vast, shimmering desert.
Discover the Veuve Clicquot Desert Dining Experience on your next tailor-made holiday to Dubai.
World-class gastronomy
13. Get a taste of Burgundy at a private cheese tasting session
Delve into Burgundy’s rich cheese heritage in a guided tasting session at COMO Le Montrachet. Sample a curated selection of regional cheeses, from soft, creamy varieties to firmer, more robust flavours, as your host shares insights into the unique terroir and local production methods that make each cheese special, showcasing the expertise of local cheesemakers.
Each cheese is paired with a glass of wine carefully chosen to complement its flavours, turning every bite into a celebration of Burgundy’s rich gastronomic heritage. It’s a delicious way to immerse yourself in this historic corner of France and savour the simple pleasures of exceptional food and wine.
14. Sip top-tier wines on a sommelier-guided Napa Valley wine tour
Explore Napa Valley through a sommelier’s expert eye, sipping exceptional wines while deepening your knowledge in an advanced tasting session. Visit some of the valley’s most characterful estates, where rolling hills, sun-drenched vines, and historic cellars set the scene, as your guide introduces you to some of the region’s finest tipples.
Depending on your route, you can also visit Point Reyes for a behind-the-scenes farm tour, meeting local producers and sampling artisan cheeses along the way. In the evenings, savour Napa’s world-class dining scene, with Michelin-starred icons like The French Laundry adding the perfect finish to your gourmet getaway in sunny California.
Spectacular sport
15. Enjoy Paddock Club hospitality at the Singapore Grand Prix
Did you know that fewer than 1% of fans ever step foot in the Paddock Club? Experience the thrill of Formula One like never before at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix in October. As darkness falls over the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the iconic nighttime street race, you’ll enjoy the best seats in the house and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to pit lanes, garages, and VIP suites.
Walk the paddock, meet team personnel, and gain insider insights into the fast-paced world of Formula One. With exceptional hospitality, team suite upgrades, and unmatched exclusivity among celebrities and athletes, it’s a bucket-list way to soak up the grit, glitz and glamour of the Grand Prix.
Ready to walk the pit lane? Start planning your Paddock Club experience at the Singapore Grand Prix.
16. Stay at Edinburgh’s iconic Balmoral Hotel for the Calcutta Cup
This February, feel the spirit of sporting tradition come alive with a weekend at Edinburgh’s iconic Balmoral hotel for the Calcutta Cup. Take your place in the Centenary Suite at Murrayfield, where premium grandstand seating, refined hospitality and player appearances create a matchday filled with energy and anticipation.
After the action, retreat to The Balmoral, the city’s most prestigious address, and enjoy its welcoming rooms, soothing spa and classic whisky experiences. With time to wander the cobbled streets and savour Edinburgh’s vibrant dining scene, this is a richly curated and distinctly Scottish way to experience one of rugby’s greatest rivalries.
Found your bucket list experience for 2026?
Whether you love scenic landscapes, awe-inspiring natural wonders, or secluded island escapes, our Travel Specialists can help create a fully personalised itinerary that brings your bucket list ideas to life.
Explore our curated collection of one-in-a-lifetime adventures or speak to our team today to start planning your next tailor-made escape, and we’ll fill it with exclusive experiences you won’t find anywhere else!
