Five amazing car journeys
There is no greater sight than the open road. It conjures up the possibility of discovering out-of-the-way places - following a sign down a dirt track to a tucked-away taverna for lunch, stopping for an impromptu swim, taking a wrong turn that leads to a tranquil riverside path - which are almost impossible to reach without a car. With no fixed agenda, you can plug in the satnav, pick a favourite music playlist and set off
Built by returning Australian soldiers after the First World War, this road connects coastal communities in Victoria between the surf town of Torquay and Allansford. It hugs the soaring bluffs and deserted beaches along the Southern Ocean for over 24:0 kilometres. Pull over for landmarks such as the Twelve Apostles, a series of off-shore limestone stacks, and to hike to waterfalls in the Great Otway National Park. australia.com
Following much the same route as the Old Natchez Trace - a Deep South corridor once used by everyone from the Native Americans to European settlers - the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway is a go-slow, forest-fringed road from Nashville to Natchez. From here, it is another three hours. via riverside city Baton Rouge, to buzzy New Orleans for live music and beignets. nps.gov
Launched nearly 10 years ago, this 500-mile North Highlands coastal loop officially starts and ends in Inverness. You could head to the white sand beaches of Wester Ross (Red Point and Opinan are particularly special), plot a course around the fishing villages and historic castles in Sutherland, or take a detour to spot dolphins off Chanonry Point on the Black Isle peninsula. northcoast500.com
Also known as the Southern Highway or Route 7, this partly unpaved, wildly remote 1240-kilometre stretch runs south from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, with Patagonia's natural phenomena, from fiords to the Andes Mountains, as a backdrop. Otherworldly spots to discover include the Hanging Glacier in Queulat National Park and the Marble Cathedral grotto, sculpted by the waters of Lake General Carrera into the cliffs on its western edge.
The easiest way to pinball between the pretty towns of Provence is by car - whether you fancy pottering round the medieval hilltop village of Èze, touring a perfume factory in Grasse or spending a day in charming Roussillon, which is renowned for its ochre-hued houses. Begin a circuit from one of the major cities - Avignon, say, or Arles - and explore at will.
Five amazing journeys by boat
Action-packed adventure with minimal fuss - that is the joy of travelling by boat. It is a brilliant way of covering huge swathes of a country (or several parts of a continent) at once, knowing that everything from on-the-ground logistics to lunch has been taken care of. Whether you are onboard an expedition vessel or an unhurried riverboat, a traditional dhow or a luxury ship, each day brings a different view and a new place - an interesting coastal town, a tiny island community, an unspoilt wilderness - to explore.
The latest ship to join the Silversea fleet is Silver Ray. In February, this embarks on a three-week South American odyssey taking passengers from Peru to Argentina, via the Chilean fiords and Ushuaia - the gateway to the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Foraging on Isla Negra, sand dune buggying near Pisco and a vineyard visit in Coquimbo are some of the outings on offer. silversea.com
A 21-night trip of two halves - split by a flight from Thailand to Vietnam - this Pandaw river cruise first meanders through Laos along the Mekong onboard RV Champa Pandar, then the tributaries of the Red River Delta on RV Anckor Pandar. Cities including Hanoi and Luang Prabang are interspersed with rural activities: cycling through villages; seeing caves filled with Buddha sculptures; relaxing at sandbank barbecues; and watching paper lantern ceremonies. pandaw.com
The traditional private charter dhow Naisabah has two routes: Lamu Island, which concentrates on the waterways and beaches around the eponymous town (the oldest in Kenya) and Kiwayu, known for its reefs and mangroves. There is accommodation for up to eight people, so you can sleep in one of the three cabins. or on the deck under the stars. naisabah.com
Ritz-Carlton's second yacht Ilma, which launched in 2024, has a series of upcoming voyages in northern Europe. Sail from Stockholm on this seven-night itinerary. It includes port calls at the Swedish island of Gotland: the Latvian capital Riga, known for its Unesco-listed Old Town; and the Danish capital Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Gothenburg - both ideal for Scandinavian-design shopping fixes. ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com
The snorkelling in the Coral Triangle is some of the best in the world, so it is sure to be a highlight of this atoll-hopping itinerary onboard Seabourn Pursuit. The 32-day cruise ticks off little-visited, culturally rich destinations such as French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The ship is kitted out with kayaks and has a dedicated expedition team. seabourn.com
Five amazing journeys by train
American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson's adage that 'it's not the destination, it's the journey' could not be truer than for travelling by rail. In recent years, trains have soared in popularity, with better connections and increased European sleeper services making it a more viable alternative to flying. Yet it is more than just a practical choice: there is something deeply nostalgic and decadent about plush carriages, piano bar cars and linen tablecloth dinners - not to mention the ever-shifting scenery outside.
Back after a four-year hiatus, Belmond's Eastern & Oriental Express offers a three-night Malaysian jungle adventure that starts and ends in Singapore. A visit to Taman Negara National Park - home to the endangered Malayan tiger - is a highlight. Another day is spent exploring Penang: choose between a George Town art tour, a cookery lesson and a trip in a trishaw. Be sure to book in for a treatment in the train's Dior spa before dinner. belmond.com
The much anticipated Dimorestudio-designed La Dolce Vita Orient Express train finally launches this spring with routes that include a two-night jaunt along the coast of Sicily. Hop off in Taormina to see the ancient Greek theatre, before crossing to mainland Italy on Europe's only passenger rail ferry. Suites have sumptuous jewel-box hues with smoked mirrors, brass finishes and glossy, lacquered ceilings. orient-express.com/la-dolce-vita
Bookended by hotel stays in Istanbul and Paris, this new itinerary on the Golden Eagle Danube Express stops in Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia and Austria on an eight-day trip. Excursions include a brewery tour in Belgrade, a private concert by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra and a visit to the Postoina Caves. The landscape is a big draw, too - especially the Unesco World Heritage Semmering Railway through the Alps. goldeneagleluxurytrains.com
Trains and safari might not seem like natural bedfellows. But this epic 11-night, cross-country trip from South Africa to Zimbabwe on Rovos Rail combines exactly that, with game drives along the way in national parks such as the Kruger and Hwange. It also includes a city tour of Maputo, the chance to meet traditional craftspeople in Swaziland and a sunset cruise along the mighty Zambezi River. rovos.com
Linking many of the blockbuster cities along America's West Coast, Amtrak's two-day Coast Starlight journey passes through Portland, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara. If you want to get off and sightsee, you will have to board another train later. But you might well prefer to sit back and soak up the panoramic vistas that flip from the Cascade mountain range to the Pacific coastline. amtrak.com
