'Once in a lifetime' trips?

[TubeLover]

Have any of you been on any trips you would consider 'once in a lifetime' trips?

I'd like to take my DH somewhere we will likely never be able to (afford to) go again for his 30th in 2025 and I'm looking for some ideas.

Places that we considered 'big' trips that we've already been (aware this is subjective, and these arent once in a lifetime for many people), are New York and Toronto/Niagara Falls

We did this in 2019 and would totally recommend it. We spent 4 days in South Korea, so as OP has 2 weeks available, I think it's feasible. Tokyo was great, but the highlights for me were walking the lower slopes of Sakurajima in Kagoshima, the peace park in Hiroshima, and the sheer beauty that is Hakodate.

I wouldn't say that was a waste at all. It's effectively your own Grand Tour, designed to meet every preference you have. My only caveat would be whether you might regret it at a later stage, when you could pack a number of short breaks into a year or two and see all those cities individually. With two weeks, I'd be more tempted to travel further afield (says the woman who has traveled a lot, but did a road trip in England for her honeymoon so we could visit all our childhood haunts). Choose what makes your hearts happy.

A European trip would be a lot more expensive than, Thailand/cambodia/south America.

I loved Cambodia, Thailand, enjoyed India and Borneo were absolutely amazing. I'd go long haul.

Europe is wonderful-but save that for later when you might not want to spend 12 hours in a metal tube!

How about Nepal? Incredible culture, stunning scenery. You could hike to Everest base camp or visit the Annapurna range. Many different options.

Thanks folks, yeah I take your point about being able to do Europe in smaller trips.

I am probably going to do New York or Boston / Washington DC / Iceland over 2 weeks. DH had always wanted to go to Washington DC, I know he loved Iceland and it will break up the homeward journey. We havent been to Boston but might swap it for NYC depending on flights. Its also looking budget friendly, and I can afford premium economy too!

@TubeLover Usa is not budget friendly when you are there. Meals have local tax applied and then 20% tip. I think if you can afford it, you could look at three cities in the USA. Fly to Boston. Stay for the time you need. Get the train to New York. If you take the slower train it’s around 4 hours. Stay in NY. Then you could either fly or get another train to Washington. I’ve done Philadelphia to Washington and that’s another option. Fly to Philadelphia and see all the sights there and then go south to Washington. There’s a huge amount to see there. The states isn’t cheap. Why would you tag on Iceland? Surely do that as 2 weeks on its or have I misunderstood?

I see loads of people have not read the spend limit. Not sure NZ or other far flung destinations are possible and I don’t believe Japan is either. You could probably go to Cairo and the Nile which has its attractions! Latin America is cheap enough when you are there but flights are way more than they used to be and travel within those countries must be factored in.

Forgot to say: Eastern Canada might be in budget if you stay at budget hotels. Flights to Halifax Nova Scotia aren’t too bad and then hire a car. Have a look at Discover the World for ideas. Their driving is too much but you can at least get an idea of what you can see.

Japan! It changed my life. We talk about it several times every single day haha.

£3000 each now for Japan is very difficult. Flights have gone up a lot.

I wonder if you would like a river trip in Europe?

@TubeLover if you are considering Europe, I would look at sightseeing and a bit more luxury! This is similar to what I will be doing in April.

Granted we organised it ourselves with focus on Aicent Greece.

And we want to spend a bit more time in certain places to relax.

On the other hand, I went to Peru with this company a few years back and would give them 5* from start to finish.

https://www.exodus.co.uk/trips/greece-holidays/culture/highlights-of-ancient-greece/agm#itinerary

We have done this and , particularly , staying in casa particulares (peoples homes ) was fascinating. However going to Cuba does make travelling to US after slightly more difficult as you have to apply for a full visa rather than an esta.
Also many of the younger people on the tour couldn't get to grips with travelling in a communist style poor economy , that often things aren't available, service can be iffy and infrastructure interesting.
However the music was fabulous , the people , on the whole great and it's a place unlike any other.
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/treasures-of-cuba/8107/itinerary/

Re eastern USA cities - I've lived near Philadelphia and used to go to Boston a lot for work, and while there are certainly things in them worth doing if you happen to be there, I wouldn't have said they're 'trip of a lifetime' calibre. Not versus most European cities.

Washington DC and NYC are a different calibre, I regret not visiting them more/for longer.

@TizerorFizz lots to think about, thanks! 6k doesn't include spending money, not too fussed about money when we are there, so this should be OK. I plan to do 3 days in NY, 4 days in DC, then 1 week in Iceland. We just like Iceland and its on the way home!

@ErrolTheDragon Well no. I would put NY and Washington above the other two but you can travel down the East Coast and visit them. I’m not sure you can do a trip of a lifetime on £3000 each as the op wants. I was trying to find a compromise.

@TubeLover If you have been to Iceland before, do you want to go again? Do you not fly direct to USA?

@TubeLover I'd fly direct to US, it would be on the way home that I'd go to Iceland. I hate flying so it cuts it down a bit on way home and hopefully the excitement will get me through on the way there 😅 yes, there's a lot we didn't get to do during our first visit.

Yes I'm realising now with the current prices that my budget won't be enough for safaris, Japan (flights alone nearly take up entire budget) and Australia.

I've priced USA flights at 1200 (based on Nov 2024, so not accurate I know, but hopefully an idea), then £300 to Iceland and £300 to UK. £1800 on flights still leaves me with plenty for accommodation, bookings, car hire.