Top 5 Dream Vacations to Plan Years Ahead

These once-in-a-lifetime trips give you something to look forward to for years to come.

As much as we’d all love to take a getaway at the drop of a hat, most of us simply cannot ignore our daily responsibilities. Be it work, school, family, or otherwise, life tends to get in the way. However, that makes it all the more important to think long-term so you can still make travel a part of your life. Here are five incredible once-in-a-lifetime trips you can research, plan, and even enjoy years in advance.

1. Total Solar Eclipse Experience

Did you witness one of nature’s greatest shows during the “Great American Eclipse” in 2017? Although the entire country saw the moon take at least a chunk out of the sun, only about 10 million people got to observe the “path of totality” stretching from Oregon to South Carolina. Don’t worry if you missed it, as you’ll get another shot on April 20, 2023. You’ll just need to jet off to Australia to the whale shark-watching paradise of Exmouth Peninsula and Ningaloo Reef, both in this year’s path. Additionally, North America gets another turn to watch this celestial event on April 8, 2024, making its way through Mexico before coming through the U.S., traveling from Texas to Maine, passing right over Niagara Falls, and onward to Canada through Ontario to Newfoundland.

2. Road Trip on Historic Route 66

This is your sign to plan a trip to motor west—specifically, to make the drive down the infamous Route 66. The 2,448-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles, also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the Mother Road, and America’s Main Street, is one of the nation’s most iconic drives. The original Route 66, designated in 1926, began at a sign on Adams Street in Chicago, along the shores of Lake Michigan. It cut through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, ultimately ending at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California.

Although the highway was officially decommissioned in 1986, travelers can still make their way down its original path, albeit with some required detours. Moreover, this trip is primarily about the American towns, cities, and attractions along the way, making driving a few extra miles worth it. Notable stops include the Route 66 Drive-in in Springfield, Illinois, offering 1950s-style movies, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and the bizarre Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas.

3. A Galápagos Islands Cruise

For animal lovers, Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands—visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, which inspired his theory of evolution—are home to some of the most unique species in the world, including sea lions, blue-footed boobies, flamingos, penguins, and giant tortoises. Officials at the Galápagos National Park work diligently to protect the landscape and its inhabitants, limiting both the number of islands accessible to visitors and the total quantity of visitors each year. Therefore, this makes it an excellent destination for a pre-planned trip. For the ultimate experience, consider a small boat cruise through the islands with a reputable company, which also provides a naturalist who guides guests on hikes and snorkeling trips to safely view all the magnificent creatures in their natural habitats.

4. Cruise Around Antarctica

Antarctica is the coldest, most hostile continent on the planet; however, it is a must on any travel wish list. Although it’s expensive, exploring the “Great White Open” has become accessible due to a cruising industry that has made one- and two-week itineraries routine. Generally booked at least a year in advance, cruises typically commence in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. Passengers commonly stop at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. At each stop, travelers venture out in a Zodiac to observe wildlife, reach land for snowshoeing, visit research stations, and even engage in polar diving.

The price for such adventures varies based on the luxuries offered on board and the size of accommodations. This is not your average luxury cruise; anticipate scientific lectures and learning opportunities instead of buffets and live bands. To minimize environmental impact, select an expedition vessel with a capacity of fewer than 250 passengers.

5. East African Safari

An East African safari is as dreamy a vacation as they come. If you aim to see the Big Five, a visit to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve is essential, but don’t overlook the plains of Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; together, they encompass the 11,500-square-mile Serengeti ecosystem.

It’s through this vast corridor that the Great Wildebeest Migration of 1.5 million creatures occurs every July and August. Nevertheless, if those months are not possible, consider a trip between January and March when the wildebeest calves are born in the southern Serengeti.

Various game reserves, scenic stop-offs, luxurious lodges, and unique experiences are typically included in safari itineraries, which often involve a driver taking you on a round-trip journey from Nairobi (Kenya) or Arusha (Tanzania). Visitors can also enhance their experience with special moments like a hot-air balloon ride, or even extend their adventures with a trip to Rwanda or Uganda to trek and see mountain gorillas. Moreover, there are numerous other African countries where you can embark on your safaris, allowing you to start planning multiple visits to this magnificent continent.