✈️ Trips to Book a Year in Advance
Here are some of the incredible trips and experiences that are worth securing early. 👇
🌸 Japan in Cherry Blossom Season When to go: Late March – early April Why book early: Japan’s sakura season is breathtaking but short and hotels in Kyoto and Tokyo book out up to a year ahead. Experience it: Wander through blossom-lined temples, enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, and travel by Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
🦓 The Great Migration – Kenya & Tanzania When to go: July – October Why book early: The migration spans vast areas of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, but there are key pinch points - particularly around the Mara and Grumeti. Lodges near the riverbanks are small, exclusive and in huge demand. Booking 12–18 months ahead is often essential. Experience it: Witness incredible herds on the move, enjoy 4x4 game drives, and sundowners overlooking the savannah.
🦍 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda When to go: June - September or December - February Why book early: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda issues just 96 trekking permits per day to protect these endangered animals. Permits and the best lodges can book out over a year in advance. Experience it: A life-changing encounter deep in the rainforest with your guide, and a family of mountain gorillas.
🐧 The Galápagos Islands When to go: Year-round (best weather December - May) Why book early: Visitor numbers are tightly controlled by Ecuador’s national park authorities, and only a limited number of ships can operate each route. Smaller expedition vessels fill a year ahead. Experience it: Swim with sea lions, walk alongside giant tortoises, and experience one of the most strictly protected ecosystems on Earth.
🏔️ The Lofoten Islands, Norway When to go: May - September Why book early: Accommodation is limited in this stunning Arctic Archipelago, and demand soars in summer. Experience it: Hike under the Midnight Sun, kayak between dramatic fjords, and photograph fishing villages framed by towering peaks - a dream for photographers and outdoor adventurers.
🚢 Expedition Cruises When to go: Seasonal, depending on destination Why book early: Expedition ships are small, often carrying fewer than 150 guests, and demand for Antarctica, the Arctic, and Alaska far exceeds supply. Booking a year or more ahead ensures the best cabins and routes. Experience it: Zodiac landings on ice fields, penguin colonies, polar bears, and remote islands most travellers will never see - with expert guides and world-class onboard teams.
🏰 European Christmas Markets When to go: the Christmas season! Why book early: River cruises and festive city breaks in December are incredibly popular, especially for markets in Vienna, Prague, and Strasbourg. Experience it: Sip mulled wine beneath twinkling lights, browse handmade decorations, and enjoy live music in historic squares - perfect for a pre-Christmas escape or a festive river cruise along the Danube or Rhine.
🐎 Ranch Holidays When to go: June - September (some operate year-round in the southern states) Why book early: Family-friendly ranches and authentic working cattle ranches are small and in very high demand for summer holidays. Experience it: Morning trail rides through open countryside, campfire cookouts, line dancing and lasso lessons - whether you’re looking for luxury glamping or an immersive cowboy adventure, these holidays combine outdoor fun with Western charm.
🎭 Events Some experiences are tied to specific dates, and the best accommodation and event tickets go long before you think to look. Think Rio Carnival, Palio di Siena, Día de los Muerto, Camino de Santiago, New Years Eve in Sydney.
🎫 Destinations with Visitor Caps Some of the world’s most famous sites have strict controls to preserve them for future generations. I’ve already mentioned the Galapagos and gorilla trekking, and just a few others are: • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: Only 500 permits per day are released, including guides and porters, and when they go on sale, they sell out fast. • Komodo National Park: Cap on visitor numbers from 2026.
🏨 Iconic Hotels Why book early: Many of the world’s most celebrated hotels have just a handful of rooms, or they’re in bucket-list locations where demand far exceeds supply. Early booking ensures you don’t miss out on something truly memorable. Experience it: • Longitude 131° (Australia): The ultimate base for exploring Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. With just sixteen tented pavilions overlooking Ayers Rock, this is luxury in the red heart of the Outback and it books a year in advance. • Le Sirenuse (Positano, Italy): The quintessential Amalfi Coast hotel, perched high above the sea with those famous views and white-washed terraces. Rooms here are often reserved 9–12 months ahead. • Giraffe Manor (Nairobi, Kenya): A bucket-list experience where endangered Rothschild giraffes wander up to your breakfast table. Limited rooms mean bookings can fill two years ahead. • Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Cap d’Antibes, France): Glamorous and iconic, its Riviera setting and A-list reputation mean it’s fully booked each summer season.
🚂 Iconic Rail Journeys When to go: Various, depending on route Why book early: The world’s most famous train journeys have limited departures and sell quickly. Experience it: 🚆 Rocky Mountaineer (Canada) – Watch the Rockies unfold in GoldLeaf glass-domed luxury. 🚆 The Ghan (Australia) – Traverse the heart of the continent from Adelaide to Darwin. 🚆 Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe) – Step back in time on this art-deco icon.
✨ In short… If an experience is: • Seasonal • Permit-based • Small-scale • Tied to a specific event or festival …it’s one to book early.
💡 Why it pays to plan ahead • Better availability • More choice • Flexible payment plans and early-bird savings • Time to get excited
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