Destinations 100 Must-Have Experiences
New Zealand
Croatia
Glide through Milford Track
Sail the Dalmatian coast
Regarded ‘The best walk in the world’, the Milford Track route was pioneered in 1888. Traversing the heart of New Zealand’s wildcountry through the Fiordland National Park, hikers who take a five day/four night walk from Queenstown get up close to birdlife such as indigenous parakeets, bellbirds and kiwi. On fine days the deep lakes, luxuriant forest and sheer granite canyons define the landscape, but experienced hikers claim the sight of rain cascading off the mountains makes for the best views. Experts recommend tackling the hike in March – the weather is more settled, and fresh mornings, sunny days and cool nights are the norm.
There are around 1,000 Dalmatian islands off the Adriatic coast of Croatia: set sail from Split in a southwesterly direction to come across Krnknjasi Blue Lagoon on the east coast of Drvenik. Then, taste Croatian glamour by berthing alongside gleaming superyachts in the port of Skradin. From here, Kraka National Park’s magnificent waterfalls are just a short journey away. Sail on to Vis Island – the most mysterious in Dalmatia thanks to years of isolation, and famed for its thriving fishing traditions. For the party vibe, make a beeline for Hvar and Korcula, while Miljet offers lush greenery and inland lagoons. You won't want to leave.
USA
France
Never sleep in New York
Retrace the Tour de France
NYC is the ideal USA-intro for the first-timer – it’s on the east coast, some 4,800km closer to the Middle East than LA, making direct flights much more manageable. The iconic skyline greets visitors from both of its major airports (JFK in the southeast or LaGuardia to the north), and beyond the sightseeing must-dos like the Empire State Building, The High Line and the Statue of Liberty, there are countless other unforgettable experiences to be had in The Big Apple. Sip coffee in Brooklyn, shop the big brands on Fifth Avenue and unwind in sprawling Central Park; you'll feel you’re at the centre of the world.
There are a multitude of cycling vacations available around the globe, but why not test yourself against the most prestigious route of them all? Thomson Bike Tours allows just that, including a King of the Mountains Cycling challenge (with Extreme and Hardcore intensity options) or a trip option that takes riders through Ventoux the Alps and Paris itself. Come Tour-time, there are even be-spoke VIP packages for you to spectate and then partake (once the competition-primed riders have departed, of course). It won’t secure you the coveted yellow jersey, but it’s a trip that will leave your sport-loving friends green with envy.
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