7 incredible long-term trips to make up for lost time
After 15 months of isolation on our little island, we deserve much longer than a two-week holiday – at least, that’s what a third of Britons conclude, according to research by Skyscanner.
For our first post-lockdown trip, 33 per cent of us are planning to go away for longer than a fortnight – and in an effort to maximise annual leave, 35 per cent aim to work remotely while away. We’re pushing the boat out, and taking our laptops with us.
Unsurprisingly, searches for trips of three weeks and longer are on the rise – and with an estimated ￡200billion stashed away in lockdown savings and airline vouchers, Britons plan to spend big. Research by insurance provider Battleface reveals that 41 per cent of us intend to spend more on holidays as soon as we can travel – and only 6 per cent plan to reduce their usual holiday budget.
But while spending three weeks on a European beach is certainly appealing, there is so much more you could do with that extra time. Whether you plan to travel this year, or hold out until 2022 (or 2023), these holidays squeeze maximum adventure into three weeks or more – traversing countries and continents, with new discoveries every day.
And, this being 2021, all listed companies offer robust protection for refunds or postponement, in the event of travel bans and border closures. Do check each company’s website for details before booking.
1. Spain, Portugal, Morocco
Best for… a cultural reawakening
Throw yourself into the art, dance and architecture of Spain, Portugal and Morocco on Intrepid’s three-week itinerary – complete with gallery-hopping in Madrid, flamenco in Seville, and Coimbra’s magnificent Romanesque churches. In Morocco, the Fes medina promises sensory overload – the air thick with heat, spices, and the call to prayer – while a few days in Marrakech brings fortune tellers, henna artists and street storytellers. For contrast, the trip also includes a peaceful mountain homestay in a traditional Berber village, and a camel expedition into the Sahara, with a night spent under the stars.
Departing October 2021, and April/May/June/July 2022. 24 days, from ￡2,545pp, excl. flights (intrepidtravel.com). See our guide to the best hotels in Spain.
2. Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan
Best for… a Silk Road adventure
Uzbekistan Airways will resume its direct flights between London and Tashkent on August 18, in time for the first departure of Travel The Unknown’s 30-day ‘Silk Road’ odyssey. All of these five ‘Stans are currently on the amber list, and you’ll travel between them on private transport – discovering the magnificent Unesco-listed treasures of Bukhara and Samarkand, the ruins of the ancient city of Merv and the dramatic mountains and lakes of Kyrgyzstan. As well as the history of the Silk Road, this trip puts you in touch with the people, too – including Tajik shepherds, Kazak eagle breeders, and the Uzbek traders that keep the Silk Road legacy alive.
Departing August 2021, and April/August 2022. 30 days, from ￡5,925pp, excl. flights (traveltheunknown.com)
3. United States
Best for… the ultimate road trip
On both sides of the Atlantic, there is huge pressure for UK-US travel to resume – and when it does, this 21-day trip puts you right in the heart of America’s Deep South. Travelling in your own RV (like a campervan, but much bigger), you’ll drive a circular route from Nashville: stopping off in Memphis, Natchez, Clarksdale and more, while camping in the region’s wild state parks. By day, you’ll visit Kentucky’s quaint river-side towns, explore Nashville’s rich Blues heritage, and go fishing and hiking in unspoilt Tennessee parkland; by night, there are jazz clubs, bourbon bars, and starry skies to camp beneath.
Dates year-round. 21 days, from ￡1,595pp, incl. flights (americaasyoulikeit.com). See our guide to the best hotels in the United States.
4. Italy
Best for… wining, dining (and working if you need to)
Launching a travel company in a pandemic was never going to be easy, but Sojrn’s month-long ‘study abroad programmes’ for adults have already proved wildly popular. As well as accommodation, a group host and a shared workspace (if you need it), each trip includes activities and events along a certain theme – such as wine in Tuscany, philosophy in Athens, and mental wellness in Bali – and is designed to make you feel like a ‘local’. On the Tuscany trip you’ll visit vineyards, learn to read a wine list, have your taste profile analysed by a professional sommelier, and get truly under the skin of Siena.
Departing May 2022. 28 days, from ￡2,817pp, excl. flights (sojrn.travel). For more ideas on where to stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Italy.
5. Africa circumnavigation
(Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe)
Best for… a grown-up gap year
More of an expedition than a holiday, Oasis Overland’s epic 42-week ‘Trans Africa’ overlanding trip encompasses a remarkable 32 African countries. You’ll camp under the stars in Sudan’s Nubian Desert, drive through the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei, feel the spray of Victoria Falls on your face, explore Ethiopia’s rock-hewn churches – and much, much more. A sense of adventure is essential, as you’ll be sleeping under canvas every night and cooking dinner on a campfire, but that’s all part of the fun. From the desolate beauty of the Sahara desert and the wildlife-rich jungles at the continent's heart, to the amazing wildlife and beaches of its eastern coast, this trip has it all.
Departing March/November 2022 and 2023. 42 weeks, from ￡8,995pp plus $3,350/￡2,420 local payment, excl. flights (oasisoverland.co.uk). Discover our pick of the best hotels in Africa.
6. Europe by river
(Switzerland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania)
Best for… a relaxed return to Europe
This ‘Seven River Journey’ offers the best of both worlds: an immersive adventure through some of Europe’s best-loved cities and landscapes, while never straying far from the luxurious cabins and all-inclusive dining of an Ama Waterways ship. You’ll begin on the Rh?ne, feasting on its truffle-laced delicacies and Beaujolais wine – before travelling to Basel to pick up the Rhine, and thence to the Scheldt, Maas, Moselle, Main and Danube rivers. Over 45 days, the leisurely itinerary features grand cities, glorious vineyards, and charming riverside villages – with everything from cooking workshops to cycling tours included along the way.
Departing April 2023. 45 days, from ￡18,030pp, excl. flights (amawaterways.com). Read more: The best hotels in Europe.
7. Japan
Best for… mixing modern marvels with ancient treasures
Asia travel experts anticipate that Japan’s borders will reopen to tourism in 2022, giving you plenty of time to nail down a tailor-made itinerary with Inside Japan. Our tip? Spend a few days in energetic, futuristic Tokyo, before delving into the country’s quieter heritage treasures – such as the mountain temples of Nikko, the gardens of Kyoto, the samurai district of Kanazawa, and the thatched gassho-zukuri houses of Shirakawago (where you’ll stay in a traditional farmhouse). Then, explore a side of Japan that few visitors see, with a self-guided walking tour along the Kumano Kodo. Here, bamboo-shaded trails lead to shinto temples and onsen hot springs, with nights spent in traditional ryokan guesthouses.
Dates year-round. 23 days, from ￡4,230pp, excl. flights (insidejapantours.com). See our guide to the best hotels in Japan.