lifetime ONCE IN A...
RT TRAVEL
Balmoral
UP TO £200pp FREE on-board spend *
Looking for a special holiday in 2026? RT’s travel editor Ed Grenby has some ideas for trips to remember
S ome holidays are merely… nice; others you remember for the rest of your life. And with a whole new year opening up before you like a fresh wide horizon, this is the perfect time to think about a proper trip.
Some of our picks are soft and soothing, others a tiny bit beefier – but all are unforgettable. So don’t just add to your bucket list; start working your way through it. And let 2026 be the year you make some ticks on it!
It’s time to think big – not necessarily in difficulty or distance, but in ambition. These are the trips you’ll talk about for years: the coastlines that make you gasp; the train rides that slow time; the deserts and fjords that feel like another planet.
Discover Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ extraordinary cruises around the British Isles, designed to showcase the region’s breathtaking landscapes and fascinating heritage. Cruises will take you to locations such as the mystical Isle of Skye, the legendary Giant’s Causeway and the Neolithic wonder of Skara Brae. Experience cosmopolitan Belfast, uncover Cornwall’s mythical Tintagel, and marvel at the lochs of the Scottish Highlands. Onboard, enjoy the comfort of our small ship fleet, including Balmoral and Borealis , offering spacious cabins, private balconies and exceptional dining. CRUISE THE BRITISH ISLES IN STYLE From £649pp
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE See leopards in the Kruger
but all offering that fuss-free “unpack once” simplicity. Go between May and September for long days; choose October to March sailings if you want a chance at the Northern Lights. Shore excursions include RIB safaris, glacier walks and scenic railways, but you can also just sit on deck with a hot chocolate and watch the show. SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA n WHY Because Kruger National Park and its neighbouring private reserves are the safari dream exactly as you imagined it: lions at dawn, elephants at waterholes, leopards in trees — all viewed from open 4x4 vehicles with expert trackers (and G&Ts at dusk!). n HOW Fly into Johannesburg and transfer to Kruger or nearby private reserves such as Sabi Sands or Timbavati. Private lodges offer twice-daily game drives, gorgeous suites and all-inclusive meals. A three- or four-night stay is perfect, perhaps combined with Cape Town or a laid-back road trip along the Garden Route afterwards. Winter (May to October) offers thinner vegetation and easier wildlife viewing; summer brings lush landscapes and baby animals. Malaria precautions apply in some areas, and you’ll want to book well ahead for peak months, as the top lodges fill quickly. NEW ENGLAND IN AUTUMN n WHY Because nothing beats the fall colour — scarlet maples, gold birch forests and white-steepled towns like you’ve seen on the screensavers. It’s autumn magic, and it’s right there roadside. n HOW Fly to Boston, hire a car and follow a loop through Vermont, New Hampshire and coastal Maine. Stays in inns and converted farmhouses add charm; routes like the Kancamagus Highway guarantee leaf-peeping glory. Book well ahead, but don’t fret over the timing: if you range north to south, you’ll catch the colours somewhere (plus pumpkin patches, lobster shacks, covered bridges and small-town museums). A week is fine, though ten days lets you breathe . And for a no-drive option, escorted tours are plentiful.
Amalfi coast
ITALY’S AMALFI COAST n WHY Because it’s Europe’s most glamorous, movie-star coastline, but entirely accessible if you pick the right base. Lemon groves, pastel towns and sparkly Tyrrhenian horizons never get old. n HOW Avoid peak-season Amalfi and Positano by staying in Ravello, Minori or Praiano — quieter, better value and with the same views. Hop on ferries instead of buses to dodge traffic and reach Capri, Sorrento or Salerno. A week works well: mix boat trips, cliff-side walks and long lunches with mozzarella that tastes like sunshine. May to June and September to October give the best balance of weather and space. (In summer, you’ll need to pre-book restaurants and beach-club spots.) CRUISING THE
CRUISE THROUGH ITALY’S HISTORY AND CULTURE From £1,599pp
Join Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for an unforgettable cruise, combining luxury travel with immersive cultural experiences. Voyages will feature stops at destinations such as Venice, Rome, and Sorrento. Enjoy guided excursions through charming towns like Positano and Capri and soak up the romance of Venice’s canals. Onboard, you’ll have access to premium amenities including fine dining, entertainment and accommodation designed for comfort and relaxation. The cruise operates on a full-service basis, ensuring every detail, from transfers to curated shore experiences, is taken care of. To book, please call 03300 295 115 quoting RPRT26 or visit fredolsencruises.com/rt * On-Board Spend benefit is valid for new bookings only, made from 15 December 2025 to 3 March 2026, cannot be applied retrospectively and is not combinable with any other discounts or offers, including Oceans Loyalty Club benefits or Freedom Fare. The Free On-Board Spend offer is applicable on selected sailings and the amount varies depending on the cruise duration (Cruises of five nights offers £50 per person, 6–10 nights offers £100 per person, 11–15 nights offers £150 per person, 16 nights or more offers £200 per person). FOCL reserves the right to exclude any other cruises from this scheme at any time without prior notice. Readers will need to present their Reader Promotion booking code and at the time
NORWEGIAN FJORDS n WHY This is “soft adventure” at its most spectacular, as you ogle glacier-cut waterways, chocolate-box harbours and cliffs that lean in so close you feel you could touch them. It’s nature made nice and easy — sail on in with no need to drive, fly or faff around with luggage. n HOW Most fjord cruises sail from Bergen or the UK, with itineraries dipping into Geirangerfjord, Stavanger or Alesund. Ships range from big, bells-and-whistles vessels to small, expedition-style cruisers,
KILLER VIEWS Main: autumn in Perkins Cove, Maine. Left: Geirangerfjord
of booking. The On-Board Spend is automatically applied to your on-board account and cannot be transferred, refunded or exchanged for cash. Visit fredolsencruises.com/legal/ terms-and-conditions for full T&Cs. E&OE.
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