There are trips you dream about for years — maybe without even realizing it. The ones that live in the back of your mind, waiting for the right time. The right season. The right version of you.
This is The List: my ongoing luxury travel bucket list of once-in-a-lifetime experiences I haven’t done yet, but fully plan to. It’s more than a collection of places — it’s a collection of feelings I want to live. Some are grand and cinematic. Others are intimate and still. But all of them are steeped in something I can’t explain — a kind of beauty that’s layered, intentional, and slow.
I grew up moving around the world. And each time we settled into a new country, our home would grow — filled with pieces of the places we’d left behind. Italian fabrics. Hungarian ceramics. Rugs from Persia. Antique tables that lived through the American Revolution. Silver trays from Istanbul. These objects did more than decorate a space — they told stories. They carried time and identity. That’s what I’ve always been drawn to: places and experiences that hold weight. That feel like they belong to a larger narrative.
If you crave luxury slow travel and are always searching for unforgettable places to travel beautifully and intentionally, welcome to The List. Here, you’ll find inspiration for your own luxury travel bucket list — not just dream destinations but bucket list travel ideas rooted in design, food, nature, and meaning.
But I’m not giving them all away just yet — I’m sharing them as I go. And as I start crossing them off, I’ll be bringing you with me. So if you’re building your own version of The List, stick around. It’s only just beginning.
1. Gliding through Italy aboard the La Dolce Vita Orient Express
📍 Italy: from the Dolomites to Sicily, depending on the itinerary
There’s something about trains. The rhythm. The windows. The slow unfolding of a country as it passes by your seat — like a film playing just for you. But this one isn’t just any train. It’s a love letter to Italian elegance, to the golden age of travel, to the idea that how you arrive matters just as much as where you’re going.
The La Dolce Vita Orient Express isn’t trying to be modern. It’s trying to be timeless. And that’s exactly why I love it.
Inspired by the design icons of the 1960s — Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti — its interiors are drenched in jewel tones, brass details, and lacquered wood. There are only 30 cabins in total: 18 suites and 12 deluxe cabins that transform from sitting rooms into bedrooms when the sun sets. It’s giving transformation scene. It’s giving cinematic quiet. You eat, you sip wine, you stare out the window while Italy just happens around you.
There are eight itineraries to choose from — each one gliding through a different region of Italy, from the Tuscan countryside to Sicily’s sun-drenched coasts. Some routes last two days, others stretch to three. All of them are designed to evoke the spirit of la dolce vita, with curated off-train excursions, Heinz Beck-designed menus, and service that doesn’t feel like service — it just feels right.
I imagine boarding in a silk scarf and sunglasses. Sitting down to breakfast as the train slips past the vineyards. Listening to the piano play in the lounge carriage while sipping something gold-toned and sparkling. The train itself becomes the destination. The movement becomes the experience.
And that’s why it’s on The List — because it doesn’t just take you to Italy. It takes you into a feeling. It slows you down and wraps you in it.
What it is: A luxury train experience in Italy by Orient Express
Launch: Inaugurated in spring 2025
Cabins: 18 Suites + 12 Deluxe Cabins
Itineraries: 8 routes across Italy, from Venice to Palermo
Duration: 2 – 3 days
Food: Curated by Heinz Beck (3 Michelin stars)
Style: Inspired by 1960s Italian design — lacquered wood, brass, velvet, terrazzo
Included: Full board (meals and drinks), onboard entertainment, transfers to/from station
Optional: Off-train excursions (e.g. wine tastings, private visits)
Why it’s special: The train is the destination — slow, stylish, and unforgettable
2. Sailing the Nile on the traditional Nour El Nil dahabiya
📍Egypt: Set between Luxor and Aswan in southern Egypt
When I was in elementary school in Houston, Texas — during the four years my family lived there — I remember the Ancient Egypt unit in our curriculum being a big deal. We learned about Tutankhamun, Cleopatra, the tombs, the pyramids, the gods, and of course, the Nile. I remember my sister playing Cleopatra in a school recital — we all wore white tunics, painted cartouches, and wrapped ourselves in gold costume jewelry like it was the Met Gala for third graders.
But what stayed with me most wasn’t the costumes or the projects. It was the image of the Nile. A river that gave life. A river that defined an entire world. And this idea that the aristocrats of the past would glide down it slowly, elegantly, almost silently — as if time didn’t apply to them.
That image? It’s never left me. And it’s exactly why this is on The List.
Most people cruise the Nile on massive floating hotels, ticking off temples like a checklist. But I want something slower. Quieter. More cinematic. More Egypt.
That’s what Nour El Nil offers. It’s a dahabiya — a traditional sailing boat with a shallow hull and billowing white sails. Just 12–20 guests onboard. Soft-spoken staff. Local guides. No rush. No PA announcements. No crowds.
You sleep in rooms full of charm and character — not over-the-top opulence, just thoughtful design and a sense of place. You dine on regional cuisine prepared fresh on board, sip hibiscus tea as the breeze drifts through linen curtains, and read a book on the deck as the landscape unfolds in slow motion. The experience isn’t just luxurious — it’s meditative.
Because of the boat’s size, you can dock in places the big ships can’t: small villages, quiet ruins, peaceful corners of the Nile that most people never see. You’re led by private Egyptologists, welcomed by locals, and guided by the river’s rhythm — not a strict timetable.
I can picture it already: a sunset glowing across the water, the sound of of the boat gliding through the water, a glass in hand, nothing to do but feel present. That, to me, is the essence of luxury.
And that’s why this is one of the most important experiences on my luxury travel bucket list. Because it isn’t just about visiting Egypt. It’s about being invited into it — slowly, deeply, beautifully.
What it is: A boutique sailing cruise down the Nile on a traditional dahabiya
Guests: Between 12 and 20 passengers
Experience: Slow travel through lesser-known temples, villages, and landscapes
Rooms: Charming cabins with handcrafted details and traditional design
Food: Regional cuisine freshly prepared onboard
Included: Private Egyptologist guides, local excursions, full board
Style: Minimalist elegance with strong cultural roots
Duration: 5–6 nights depending on itinerary
Why it’s special: Intimate and cinematic, it feels like stepping into a historical reverie
3. Waking up in the heart of Langkawi’s rainforest at The Datai
📍 Malaysia: on the northwestern tip of Langkawi Island
This one is special — not just because of the hotel, but because of everything around it.
Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to explore Malaysia deeply. My parents have been living there, which means I’ve seen more than just the postcards: I’ve walked through the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, stood in awe beneath the ancient trees of Mulu National Park, snorkeled off the coast of Sabah, and wandered Kuala Lumpur’s streets at sunset. But what always stays with me — what always lingers — is the nature.
Malaysia’s nature is otherworldly. It’s wild and layered and symphonic. The rainforests feel alive — you can hear them breathing, singing, whispering ancient things. And nowhere captures that feeling better than The Datai Langkawi.
Langkawi isn’t known for having the clearest seas in Malaysia — if that’s what you’re looking for, you’d go to the Perhentians or Redang. But Langkawi has something rarer: a mood. A jungle-draped island where sea and forest meet. And in the middle of it all sits The Datai, like a secret you only tell people who get it.
This isn’t a hotel. It’s a whole ecosystem. A luxury resort woven directly into the rainforest, with villas and suites that feel like they grew there. You wake up to the call of hornbills, you fall asleep to the sounds of cicadas and wind in the canopy. And even though it’s luxurious — incredibly so — it never feels out of place. Everything is built with purpose, from the traditional Malaysian architecture to the handcrafted details that line each room.
You get access to Datai Bay, one of Langkawi’s most pristine beaches — backed by jungle, facing the Andaman Sea. But what I love most is the way The Datai invites you to experience the land. There are guided nature walks with resident naturalists, visits to a nearby permaculture garden, ocean experiences, and even sustainability initiatives like wildlife monitoring and reef conservation. It’s not luxury for luxury’s sake — it’s a celebration of place.
To me, this is the perfect List experience. A place that blends nature, design, and culture. That makes you feel small in the best way — like an explorer, walking through a world that existed long before you, and will exist long after.
What it is: A luxury resort hidden in Langkawi’s ancient rainforest
Location: Northwest Langkawi, overlooking Datai Bay
Rooms: Rainforest and beach villas, seamlessly integrated into nature
Beach: Private access to Datai Bay, one of Langkawi’s finest
Experiences: Nature walks, permaculture garden, wildlife monitoring, reef conservation
Design: Traditional Malaysian with eco-conscious luxury
Food: Multiple restaurants, including Malaysian, Thai, and fine dining
Why it’s special: It connects you deeply with the land, offering high-end immersion in nature
4. Explore the Scottish Highlands while staying in two historic castles
📍Scotland: spanning two distinct regions in the Scottish Highlands: the west near Fort William and the east in Speyside, whisky country.
I don’t understand people who say they don’t like autumn. If you’ve ever experienced the right place in the right season, you know how everything changes. Context is everything. And for me, autumn in the Scottish Highlands is pure magic.
The sky shifts color. The air gets a little mistier. The light softens. It’s the season of fire crackles and wool coats, of sipping whiskey as the wind howls outside your window. And in Scotland — where the landscapes are as raw as they are poetic — autumn feels like it was made to be lived slowly.
It’s not just the Highlands themselves that call to me, though. It’s how I imagine experiencing them.
Castles, for one. There’s something deeply romantic about sleeping in a historic estate — the kind of place that still holds onto its past. Where you can run your fingers across stone walls and sit beneath chandeliers that have lit countless stories before yours. Add in fine dining that blends Scottish tradition with impeccable presentation, and I’m sold.
I dream of first staying a few days in the Western Highlands, in Fort William — sleeping at Inverlochy Castle, nestled among lochs and mountains. The vibe is cinematic but grounding: think nature walks, horseback rides, loch-side picnics, maybe a rowboat drifting through the mist. Then I’d take a scenic drive east to Speyside, where I’d check into The Rothes Glen — a private castle estate with only eight suites. Heritage, privacy, immersion.
Here, I’d explore legendary whisky distilleries like The Macallan (yes, the one Charles Widmore drinks in Lost), tour historic castles, and just… slow down. Maybe read by the fire. Maybe do absolutely nothing at all. The kind of nothing that feels like everything.
This is the kind of bucket list moment that isn’t about ticking things off. It’s about living a feeling. And Scotland — mysterious, moody, and full of heart — has all the right ingredients.
What it is: A dual castle experience across the Western and Eastern Highlands
Stays: Inverlochy Castle (Fort William) & Rothes Glen (Speyside)
Style: Grand heritage estates with fine dining and luxurious suites
Activities: Nature walks, rowing, wild picnics, distillery visits, castle tours
Best time to go: Early autumn for misty landscapes, cozy fires, and whisky season
Cuisine: Elevated Scottish fare with seasonal ingredients
Why it’s special: A cinematic immersion into Scotland’s moodiest, most magical corners
5. Ski mornings and spa afternoons at Hotel Tyrol in the Dolomites
📍 Italy: Selva di Val Gardena in the Dolomites
I still remember it like a movie scene — lying in bed as a kid, staring up at the skylight, waiting to see if snowflakes would start falling. When they did, the whole mountain outside would slowly vanish into white. It was magical. We were in Corvara, spending our Settimana Bianca, Italy’s sacred ski week, and I’d wake up early just to rush down to breakfast — cured meats, Alpine cheeses, the warm scent of bread pulling you in from the cold.
After skiing all day, my brothers and I had a ritual: cappuccino and toast at the hotel bar. It wasn’t very Italian of us, but we were living abroad. It was comfort. It was ours. I can still picture us — red-cheeked, exhausted, happy.
I wouldn’t go back to that same hotel. That stays in my childhood memories. But now, I find myself craving that feeling again — in a different way. A version of winter that’s a little more grown-up, but still full of warmth. And Hotel Tyrol in Selva di Val Gardena feels like the perfect place to find it.
The Dolomites are something else. Raw, majestic, and soft all at once. They’re a whole atmosphere — jagged peaks, pine forests, and snow-dusted valleys that feel like something from a fairy tale. But what makes this region even more special is how deeply it understands hospitality. The woodwork. The food. The way you’re welcomed in.
Hotel Tyrol is family-run, and the family actually lives there — which changes everything. It’s not some polished resort detached from the landscape. It’s a place that breathes it. The design is timeless: light woods, soft textures, big windows that let you soak in the peaks. They have a proper spa. Two restaurants, one of which with a Michelin star. And a kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay in, get cozy and cancel every other plan.
I’m dreaming of returning to the Dolomites now as an adult — skiing during the day, coming back to a plate of canederli, unwinding in the spa, and later curling up with a drink in hand. No longer a kid with toast and cappuccino, but still after the same feeling: warmth, wonder, and a front-row seat to something spectacular.
That’s why this is on The List.
What it is: A family-run luxury alpine retreat in the Dolomites
Location: Selva di Val Gardena
Style: Alpine elegance with light wood, cozy textures, and tradition
Spa: Full wellness center with indoor pool and panoramic views
Dining: Two restaurants — one with a Michelin star, both deeply rooted in local cuisine
Winter activities: World-class skiing, snowshoeing, après-ski rituals
Best time to go: Winter for snow magic or summer for hikes and alpine lakes
Why it’s special: It feels personal, nostalgic, and indulgent in all the right ways
FAQ:
What is luxury slow travel?
Luxury slow travel is about experiencing a destination intentionally and meaningfully. Instead of rushing from one sight to the next, it focuses on depth, quality, and immersion — from staying in heritage hotels and boutique resorts to savoring local cuisine and connecting with culture, nature, and design.
What are examples of once-in-a-lifetime luxury trips?
Once-in-a-lifetime trips might include gliding through Italy on the La Dolce Vita Orient Express, sailing the Nile on a traditional dahabiya, staying in rainforest resorts like The Datai in Malaysia, or sleeping in castles in the Scottish Highlands. It’s about rare, emotionally rich experiences that stay with you.
How do I plan a luxury bucket list trip?
Start by choosing destinations that move you emotionally — not just trend-based ones. Think about the season, the setting, and the way you want to feel. From there, look for hotels, trains, or boats that reflect that mood. Prioritize quality over quantity. Book early and don’t overpack your itinerary — leave room to be surprised.
What are the best countries for luxury slow travel?
Italy, Japan, Egypt, Scotland, and Malaysia are just a few countries known for slow, immersive travel experiences that combine heritage, nature, and design. But it’s less about the country and more about how you choose to experience it.
Why do people choose slow travel over traditional travel?
People are increasingly seeking connection over consumption. Slow travel lets you go deeper, feel more, and return home changed — not just rested. For many, that’s the true definition of luxury.
