The Big Bucket List: 10 Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips Worth Saving For

There are holidays, and then there are the kind of adventures that stay with you forever. The Big Bucket List is all about those dream journeys—epic trips that reward every cent saved and every mile travelled.

Here’s our round-up of ten once-in-a-lifetime trips that deserve a place on your ultimate travel wish list.

1. A Safari in the Serengeti, Tanzania

There’s nothing quite like witnessing the Great Migration—thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and antelope thundering across the plains under a golden African sky. Stay in luxury tented camps, go on sunrise game drives, and catch sight of the Big Five in their natural habitat. For something extra special, try a hot air balloon ride at dawn.

2. Exploring the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and encounter wildlife you won’t find anywhere else. From swimming with sea lions and turtles to spotting blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, the Galápagos is a living, breathing nature documentary. Eco-cruises make for the most immersive experience.

3. Trekking to Machu Picchu, Peru

Hidden high in the Andes, the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu awaits! Hike the Inca Trail or opt for the train ride from Cusco. Either way, the first view of those misty ruins is nothing short of breathtaking.

4. Overwater Luxury in Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Imagine waking up in your private villa located right over a lagoon. Bora Bora offers the kind of seclusion and luxury that many only dream about. Paddleboard at sunset, snorkel with rays, and enjoy world-class spa treatments with a view.

5. Chasing the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland

Nature’s most stunning light show awaits in the Arctic Circle! Stay in a glass igloo or remote cabin in Finnish Lapland and watch the aurora borealis dance across the night sky. Combine this with snowshoeing, husky sledding, and a visit to a Sámi reindeer farm.

6. Luxury Rail Journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Step back in time on one of the world’s most iconic train journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express whisks you from London to Venice in 1920s-style, complete with fine dining, vintage cabins, and views of the European countryside.

7. Sailing through the Norwegian Fjords

Cruise past cliffs, glacial waterfalls, and quaint Nordic villages. The fjords of Norway are a beautiful landscape best experienced from the water. Summer is ideal for long, light-filled days and midnight sun magic.

8. Walking the Great Wall of China

One of the most iconic structures on Earth, the Great Wall stretches over 20,000 kilometres. Hike the less crowded sections near Jinshanling or Simatai for a more intimate encounter with this wonder. Finish your trip with time in Beijing’s Forbidden City or a traditional tea ceremony.

9. Road Tripping the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Closer to home but no less extraordinary, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the world’s best coastal drives. Stretching from Donegal to Cork, it has everything from dramatic cliffs to surfing beaches and ancient castles. It's no wonder that thousands of people travel to Ireland every year just to experience it!

10. Discovering the Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

Rising out of the Cambodian jungle, the Angkor temple complex is a hauntingly beautiful testament to a once-great civilisation. Catch sunrise at Angkor Wat, explore the overgrown ruins of Ta Prohm, and take a boat ride across Tonlé Sap for a deeper dive into local life.

Ready to Start Saving?

These trips are the stuff of dreams—but with a bit of planning they can absolutely become reality. Many of them can also be booked as part of tailored tours, making for a smooth, well-organised adventure.

Check in with TravelTimes.ie regularly for travel offers and exclusive deals that could help you tick one—or all—of these bucket list trips off sooner than you think. Because life’s too short for “maybe someday.”