We want more from our summer plans than just a bit of sun and sea (although they’re nice to have in the mix). We crave holidays built not around a destination but around a premise: the ancient train journey that takes four days to cross a continent; a lake so still it looks painted; the off-grid cabin with no Wi-Fi and a wood-fired sauna. “People want more than just a fly-and-flop holiday,” agrees Tom Barber, co-founder of the luxury travel operator, Original Travel. “They want time to pursue a hobby, learn a new language, learn to cook, dive, or even explore regional dances - and there is real kudos in discovering somewhere new before everyone else does.”
To help you plan your summer break, we’ve rounded up the best trips that will fill you with wonder and reignite the joy of travelling, not just being on holiday.
