5 bucket list experiences

The world is truly remarkable. Waiting to be rediscovered is a range of incredible bucket list experiences. Here are our handpicked inspirational journeys:

Join an epic expedition and traverse the infamous Northwest Passage. For centuries, attempts were made to cross the passage in order to find a shorter route between Europe and Asia. None were successful and many lives were lost until Norwegian, Roald Amundsen, finally succeeded in 1906. Thus, the Northwest Passage came to be. Its iconic maritime history, magnificent wildlife and breathtaking landscapes has made the Northwest Passage a firm favourite with expedition cruisers.

From snow-capped mountains to samurai warriors, Japan is a land of contrasts. Its culture has been crafted for millennia and values that have been in place for centuries are still celebrated, somehow blending perfectly with the neon lights, skyscrapers and high-tech. For just a few weeks every year, Japan vibrantly blooms as the nation’s cherry blossom trees flower. It truly is a sight to behold – delight in the fleeting beauty of these delicate flowers as they frame the historic temples and towns perfectly.

Protected for their unique value and numerous endemic species, the volcanic Galápagos Islands are scattered across the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of South America. The islands comprise the Galápagos National Park and the Galápagos Marine Reserve which are home to an impressive 1,900 unique species. Spot giant tortoises in Isla Santa Cruz, marvel at colossal waved albatross in Española, look for tropical penguins on Isabela Island and discover South Plaza’s colony of prehistoric Galápagos land iguanas.

Discovering the mystical northern lights are at the top of many people’s bucket lists. Mother Nature’s most magical lightshow, the northern lights are more spectacular and breathtaking than you could ever imagine. Blazing their beauty across an empty canvas, the lights glow luminous purple, blue and green in an everchanging tapestry of textures. Whether you choose to view them from ship or shore, the vortex of colours shifting and dancing across the night sky in a peacock display of shades will wow you like never before.

estled high in the slopes of the Andes, the ruins of Machu Picchu reveal the mysteries of the Inca Empire. Here, you have the chance to delve into the sacred landmarks of this great ‘Lost City’ which includes a complex maze of palaces, plazas, temples and homes. Machu Picchu lies at the centre of a network of related sites and trails and many landmarks, both manmade and mountainous, align with astronomical events like the solstice sunset. A journey to this mystical landscape invites you to explore and visualise the lives of the priests, craftsmen and servants who inhabited it.