The best trip you've never had

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bangkok vie to be your favourite city on this wide-ranging itinerary, with urban adventures blended with a cruise through Halong Bay, temple discoveries in Siem Reap, and downtime on the beach in Phuket.

Veer off the tourist trail and venture into lesser-known Japan on this 14-day small-group tour that combines the country’s big-hitters with remote, rarely visited spots. Witness the neon lights of Tokyo, see geishas in Kyoto and learn more about Hiroshima’s moving past, then top it off with off-the-beaten-track explorations in Shizuoka, Takayama, Kanazawa and beyond.

Visit the highlights of northern India taking a deep dive into some of the country’s most historic cities. Start in Amritsar where all roads lead to the spellbinding Golden Temple with a striking gold-leaf roof and a kitchen that feeds over 35,000 pilgrims a day. Head for the Himalayan foothills to Shimla, an old-world hill station where the British Raj holidayed among the pine. After a dose of invigorating mountain air, you’ll be ready to take on the Golden Triangle ticking off the iconic Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s surreal architecture and Delhi, India’s charismatic capital flooded by rickshaws, markets and monuments.

It’s all about big cats and the Big Five on this classic 7-day safari. Explore two of the Great Rift Valley lakes, a haven for colourful birdlife and endangered black rhino. Then fly across rolling plains to a luxury tented camp in the unparalleled Maasai Mara. Once reserved for Kenya’s colonial governors, now it’s the realm of the world’s most spectacular wildlife.

This fly-in safari is the perfect introduction to the wildlife and natural beauty of Botswana. There’s a distinct feel of exclusivity throughout, with intimate lodges, small planes and fantastic game-viewing experiences. Then visit the thundering Victoria Falls.

Discover the very best of Kenya on our most popular wildlife itinerary. Covering a wide area you’ll experience spectacular and diverse scenery, from bushy grasslands and shimmering lakes to acacia trees and endless savannahs. The wildlife itself is equally varied with the opportunity for rich birdlife sightings on Lake Nakuru, as well as Samburu’s lesser-known ‘Special Five’. You can end your adventure on a high, quite literally, viewing wildlife from a hot-air balloon at sunrise across the Maasai Mara – home to The Great Wildebeest Migration.

Peek into the glowworm caves and marvel at the geothermic activity on North Island before flying to South Island for mountainous escapades, glacier hikes, scenic drives, and an epic train journey through the magnificent landscape.

Drive south from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a coast-hugging trip that scores all the big sights. Take your time on the Slow Coast, then pause for a few nights in Monterey. Feel the sunshine on your face and the wind in your hair as you head south via the incredible Big Sur to stay in Santa Barbara before the final leg of your road trip brings you to the incomparable Los Angeles.

Take a road trip via South Africa’s irresistible Garden Route framed by seaside towns, thick emerald forest and a splendid stretch of coastline. Enjoy whale spotting in Hermanus and freshly-shucked oysters in Knysna while travelling at a pace that allows you to pause as you please. Round off with a Big-5 experience in the wild Eastern Cape.

Touch down in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, spending a night in Calgary. You’ll transfer to Banff, a sensationally beautiful wonderland, where you have two days to explore the delightful town and the wilderness beyond. From Banff, you’ll board the famous Rocky Mountaineer on a journey to Vancouver that’ll take two days through remarkable landscapes, disembarking overnight to stay at a hotel in Kamloops. A city break in Vancouver finishes your trip in style.

Sit back and relax as you make your way to the best of Canada’s glittering cities the old-fashioned way, travelling in daylight to see the best of the scenery and disembarking to stay in beautiful hotels. Take in Toronto’s cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Ottawa's charms, Montreal’s multitude of museums, and Quebec City’s World Heritage-listed old town. None of the railway journeys exceed five hours, giving you ample time to explore the cities. Upgrade to our Capitals of Canada by Rail Deluxe Itinerary, staying at Fairmont hotels and travelling business class service on VIA Rail.