Some trips only come around once in a lifetime, so it’s worth making sure they deliver exactly the experience you traveled for—and a tour is an ideal way to do that. Standing face to face with orangutans in one of the oldest rainforests on Earth or staying in a historic property perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast doesn’t happen by accident.
Transformative experiences like these depend on logistics arranged by an expert. The four itineraries featured here are all by tour operator members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) who already know the terrain and the people who can open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
Traveling with one of these operators means freedom from hours of research and planning, along with freedom from the crowds and long lines that can get between a traveler and the experience they’re seeking. Local guides and experts provide access that independent travelers rarely find on their own, and tour directors are on hand around the clock to ensure everything runs smoothly. Each of these epic journeys differs in focus and theme, but all benefit from having an expert in your corner.
See wild orangutans and pygmy elephants in Borneo
Sun bear in Borneo
Courtesy of Alexander+Roberts
For many travelers, seeing live orangutans in the wild remains a distant aspiration, but the Wild + Wonderful Borneo + Kuala Lumpur itinerary by Alexander+Roberts makes it a reality. This luxury tour operator specializes in small-group experiences with never more than 16 guests, and its 15-day journey takes travelers through some of the world’s most ancient rainforests, with stops at two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In Sepilok, travelers visit an orangutan rehabilitation center and a sun bear conservation center, where the founder leads a private tour and discussion. It’s the type of exclusive experience that only comes from an operator with deep local relationships and a commitment to responsible and sustainable travel that supports local communities and heritage preservation.
Some of the flora in Borneo
Courtesy of Alexander+Roberts
From there, the trip continues along the Kinabatangan River, where wildlife cruises often spot proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants along the riverbanks. In Mulu National Park, the itinerary includes one of the largest cave chambers in the world and a walk along one of the longest canopy walkways on the planet, both of which require an operator already familiar with the permits and timing. And throughout the journey, Alexander+Roberts pairs distinctive accommodations with a high level of personalized service.
Tour the Nordic capitals by scenic rail, road, and overnight cruise
The Globus motorcoach
Courtesy of Globus
Travelers flock to the Nordic countries year-round to see the stunning fjords and the grand, historic capitals. Still, the logistics of moving between these cities independently mean juggling ferry schedules and an overnight Baltic crossing, on top of unpredictable weather across four countries. The Northern Capitals itinerary by Globus handles all of that, guiding travelers through Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki by scenic rail and road over 10 days, with two-night stays in each capital city.
Guided sightseeing includes the Little Mermaid statue and the royal reception rooms of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen; a stop at Gothenburg’s indoor food market, Saluhallen, to sample local specialties; and a tour of the Old Town of Stockholm and the Vasa Museum. There’s also a walk through Oslo’s Frogner Park and a visit to City Hall, site of the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
A castle hike
Courtesy of Globus
An overnight cruise connects Stockholm to Helsinki, where the guided sightseeing continues with the Lutheran Cathedral, the Sibelius Monument, and the open-air market. Then, travelers choose between a visit to a local spa or a guided ferry excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress.
Stay in a 12th-century cliffside convent on the Amalfi Coast and visit Rome
View of Amalfi, Italy
Courtesy of Perillo Tours
Southern Italy has a way of delivering on all of its promises, especially when starting with the iconic sites of Rome and ending with the sun-drenched clifftops of the Amalfi Coast. The nine-day Rome and Amalfi Coast Experience by Perillo Tours, a family-run company that has been leading tours of Italy since 1945, covers this slice of the country with a balance of guided sightseeing and free time that never feels rushed.
In Rome, the itinerary features visits to the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel. On another day, guests visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides bringing each site to life.
Heading south, travelers see the remarkably well-preserved ruins of Pompeii before continuing to the Amalfi Coast with visits to Positano and Ravello. The highlight is staying in a beautifully restored 12th-century convent (with its original cloisters and ancient architecture intact), perched high on the cliffs with panoramic sea views. These accommodations are highly sought after, making them another part of the trip that would be nearly impossible to arrange independently.
Visit the Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin
Couple crossing Carrick-a-Rede in County Antrim, Ireland
Courtesy of Tourism Ireland
For an epic vacation that involves admiring Ireland’s wild coastlines and wandering the streets of its storied cities, look to Celtic Tours Vacations’ Irish Rose itinerary. This journey spans nine nights between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with accommodations in first-class and superior first-class hotels throughout. Most stops are two-night stays, so there’s less unpacking and repacking.
The trip includes 15 meals—a full Irish breakfast each morning and six dinners, one of which features live entertainment in Dublin. Travelers also explore the Giant’s Causeway’s remarkable geology and go on a walking tour of Derry’s walled city in the north.
Cashel in County Tipperary, Ireland
Courtesy of Tipperary Tourism
From there, the route continues south to the Slieve League cliffs in Donegal and Achill Island in Mayo, before reaching the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry near Killarney. Stops in Blarney and Waterford lead into Dublin for visits to the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and the Guinness Storehouse.
The difference between an average experience in Ireland and a journey that stands out often comes down to who’s behind the wheel, and Celtic Tours Vacations has been perfecting that drive for decades.
For these tours and many more, visit USTOA.com/tournow to find expertly planned itineraries, with local access and around-the-clock support, that turn a good trip into an exceptional one.
