Trips to write home about

Every traveler has an “ultimate” trip, the journey they look forward to their whole life. Here are four once-in-a-lifetime escapes that could be more than just a dream.

1. Cruise the Arctic Circle

If you haven’t heard of the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, you’re likely not alone. While many Norwegians consider it their Holy Grail, a spot they must all visit someday, it’s not on the radar for much of the rest of the world. Although the main isle of Spitsbergen does house a few thousand residents, its true claim to fame is its bevy of furry inhabitants: the polar bears. “The king of the Arctic” roams Spitsbergen freely, and you may be lucky enough to spot him as you circumnavigate the island via the Hurtigruten expedition boat.

The operative theory of the Hurtigruten is that Mother Nature occupies center stage; don’t expect to find an array of night clubs and kitschy tourist shops on board. This trip is for the true nature lover, so leave the black silk shirt at home and don’t forget your binoculars.

Spitsbergen’s landscape, an arctic tundra, is barren and desolate; the coastline is rocky, with many a glacier-cut fjord perfect for docking and heading onto land. You’ll spy a host of wildlife as you navigate floating ice and islets, from seals and minke whales to Arctic skua and puffins. Reindeer roam the terrain, while Arctic foxes playfully frolic in the distance. And even though “expedition” is the concept, you’ll certainly still be comfortable: The rooms are as nice as you’ll find on any cruise ship.

Along the way, you’ll make Zodiac landings at several glaciers; explore a near-ghost town in the mining station of Barentsburg and visit the world’s northernmost settlement of Ny-Alesund. You can also earn your “Polar Bear” certificate by stripping off and taking a dip in the Arctic Ocean. Along with a week on the ship, you can spend a day or two in Longyearbyen, from where you’ll fly in and out, and ride aboard a real-live working dog sled.

2. Explore the Holy Land

Put aside your preconceptions and take a trip to where civilization was born, in Jerusalem, taking care to visit all of the major religious sites—from the 14 stations of the cross, along and around Via Dolorosa, to the Mount of Olives—as well as the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem and some excellent Middle Eastern restaurants. From there, drive an hour up the road to Tel Aviv, where you can surf Mediterranean waves during the day, and tear up the club at night (Tel Aviv has some serious nightlife action).

After you’ve had your city break, venture into the unknown—the Negev Desert—where you can camel-trek, ride ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) or rappel the majestic Ramon Crater. The Isrotel Negev Inn, organizes bike trips for those who prefer to cover the Israeli landscape under their own steam. Just be sure to stop at Ros Zuhr, a lookout with the best vantage point in the region, en route from Arat to the Dead Sea.

Following the Negev, visit another one of Israel’s great deserts, the Judean, where you’re guaranteed to have a Biblical experience if you venture off the beaten path. (We suggest a hike through the canyons and boulders of Ze Elem, about 15 minutes by car from the region’s main town.) To cap off your trip, the Dead Sea, while touristy, is one of those must-visits, if for nothing else to cross it off your life list. Check into the Daniel Hotel, between the water and the desert, and indulge in a slimy, yet rejuvenating, mud bath after you’ve had your sea soak.

3. Island Hop in the South Pacific

When polled about their dream vacations, so many travelers often tend to go for the top three in exotic locale vacations: Fiji, Bora Bora and Tahiti. Why not combine the three into one ultimate dream trip? It’s more manageable than you think.

Fly into Nadi, Fiji’s main island, on Air New Zealand, which operates affordable and regular flights from Los Angeles, Australia and, of course, New Zealand. Once there, sample some of the country’s many plush oases. This includes the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort, one of Fiji’s most environmentally-friendly entities and a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers; the all-inclusive Turtle Island with its snow white beaches and air of exclusivity; and Wakaya Club, for the ultimate in rock-star experiences (it’s put up some of the world’s most well-known figures from Keith Richards to Tom Cruise).

After a three-hour flight from Nadi to Papeete—French Polynesia’s capital, located on the island of Tahiti—you can board the Aruni, a mixed passenger/cargo vessel that sails among the volcanic isles of the Marquesas. Your journey comes to an exquisite end in an over-the-water bungalow in Bora Bora for some true R&R.

4. Indulge in an African Safari

Lions and tigers and thousands of other wild species, oh my! It’s no wonder why many travelers have South Africa on the mind: The possibilities for safaris and exotic animal sightings are many. While the options can be overwhelming, first-timers to South Africa’s plethora of game reserves will want to visit a safari lodge in the iconic Kruger National Park such as & Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge or Tented Camp—a region where elephant, buffalo, rhino and African wild dogs abound. Ngala’s“Expect the Unexpected” package offers a five-day experience where travelers can tailor their own itineraries with a private ranger and tracker.