From the mainstream to the obscure: 15 of the world’s great new holidays

If you’re keen to visit new places in 2027 – not so far away as it may seem – but you’d rather leave the planning and the logistics to the experts, you’ll find a whole world of escorted journeys to suit. Organised tours are becoming bigger, better and more adventurous, and tackle both the world’s most popular and remotest places.

Escorted journeys are travel made easy, but they’re no longer rigid and unimaginative. Many are fast-paced and exciting, and nearly all offer a measure of flexibility.

So what’s the latest buzz? Well, Bunnik Tours’ 2026 Baby Boomer Traveller Trend Report says the mature traveller is seeking more immersive and memorable travel experiences, with strong cultural components.

It lists Japan, Egypt, Italy, Spain and Sri Lanka as lead destinations, but travellers are also showing a desire to get off mainstream tourist tracks to places such as Uzbekistan and Armenia, and to travel in off-peak seasons.

The old town of the Uzbek city of Bukhara is renowned for its Kalyan Minaret and Miri Arab Madressa. iStock

Of course, there’s no age barrier when it comes to escorted journeys with other generations showing similar inclinations in various other reports.

While Australians are still visiting established destinations such as South-East Asia, Japan, South Korea and Europe, they’re exploring beyond standard places, such as getting beyond Bali to other Indonesian islands and to Scandinavia’s lesser-visited cities.

Visitors to Aarhus’s ARoS Art Museum enjoy views of the Danish city.iStock

Central Asia and West Africa are trending “new” destinations. Adventure holidays, remote places, train journeys, and cycling and hiking tours are also popular, and the interest in food and wellness shows no sign of abating.

Here are some of our top picks for escorted tours in 2027. If you want to make your travel dreams happen, without the stresses that can characterise an independent trip, what are you waiting for?

Leisurely France with Albatross Tours

The Chenonceau Castle in France’s Loire Valley.iStock

Best for Culture and history lovers, and anyone keen to explore France beyond Paris and Provence.

The lowdown This tour takes you to three outstanding regions of western France: the Loire Valley (superb chateaux and historic towns), Atlantic coast (trading town La Rochelle and wine city Bordeaux), and the pretty Dordogne Valley, dotted with quaint villages and hilltop castles.

Don’t miss History and culture are everywhere, but you’ll be equally wowed by the descent into Gouffre de Padirac, a huge Dordogne sinkhole that leads to a cave system where you’re punted past stalactites and stalagmites in a wooden boat.

Make it happen Fifteen days return from Bordeaux to Paris, departs May 27, September 2 and September 16, 2027. Pre-register your interest; prices not yet released. See albatrosstours.com.au

Best of Malaysia, Borneo and Singapore with My Holiday

Malaysia’s Dutch-built Christ Church, set on Melaka’s lively Dutch Square, was built in 1753.iStock

Best for I-want-it-all people looking for variety on a tour that combines culture, nature, relaxation and physical activity.

The lowdown You get a look at two great cities, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and two historic towns with outstanding food, George Town and Melaka. You also visit the Cameron Highlands, and national parks and rainforest in Borneo. Expect some trekking and cycling.

Don’t miss Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where injured and orphaned orangutans are rehabilitated. You can see these endearing creatures swing through the trees at feeding time before you take to the river to spot other Borneo wildlife such as elephants, gibbons and hornbills.

Make it happen Eighteen days from Penang to Singapore, monthly departures March-September 2027. From $6799 a person twin share, including flights. See myholidaycentre.com.au

Northern Territory Dreaming with AAT Kings

Nitmiluk Gorge (also known as Katherine Gorge) is one of the locations visited on the Northern Territory Dreaming tour.

Best for Any Australian embarrassed that they haven’t seen their own backyard and its iconic outback sights.

The lowdown The Top End and Red Centre are magnificent, and visited in comfort and organised ease: Kakadu, Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and more. You’ll get great insight into Indigenous culture and rock art.

Don’t miss Uluru seems familiar from photographs, but its presence can’t be captured. Hike around its rusting red rim, and you’ll feel the power of this giant rock and get a feel for its spiritual connection with the Anangu people.

Make it happen Eleven nights from Darwin to Alice Springs, departs June 8, July 9 and 30, and August 20, 2027. From $11,190 a person twin share. See aatkings.com

The Soundtrack of West Africa with World Expeditions

Cannons line the oceanfront below Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle, a fortification used in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Best for Been-there, done-that types looking to extend their boundaries and push their curiosity in unexpected directions.

The lowdown For something truly different, this tour through Ghana, Benin and Togo, escorted by a choir master, celebrates the region’s festivals and vibrant traditional and church music. It also showcases city and village life, and delves into the history of the slave trade.

Don’t miss The annual Vodun Festival in Ouidah in Benin, which is part colourful street party, part religious festival that celebrates voodoo which, far from a Hollywood cliche, is a living faith practised by millions.

Make it happen Sixteen days return from Accra in Ghana, departs December 29, 2026. From $8790 a person twin share. See worldexpeditions.com

Southern Scandinavia with Inspiring Vacations

Norway’s Sognefjord scenic ferry, also known as “King of the Fjords” sails the city of Bergen and famous towns like Flam.

Best for The financially cautious who want to see expensive destinations but would rather have a clear idea of upfront cost.

The lowdown The three capitals Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm share the same style and watery settings but have very different vibes. Smaller cities Aarhus and Bergen offer yet more culture and fine settings on this showcase tour of Nordic chic.

Don’t miss The train ride from Bergen to Flam, one of the world’s steepest and most scenic. You get dizzying views of fjords and waterfalls, and at Sognefjord transfer to a boat for another perspective on Norway’s incomparable coastline.

Make it happen Ten days from Copenhagen to Stockholm, numerous departures May-September 2027. From $6495 a person twin share. See inspiringvacations.com

Vietnam’s Northern Soul with Inside Asia

A Hmong woman in the Hmong King’s Palace in Bac Ha, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. iStock

Best for Anyone looking for cultural adventure and different angles on a perhaps familiar country.

The lowdown Less-visited Northern Vietnam has dramatic karst scenery where rice terraces, gorges and mountains meet. You’ll get a good feel for rural Vietnam and local minority life on a tour bracketed by Hanoi and Halong Bay, so you don’t miss big sights either.

Don’t miss The Dong Van Valley, a World Heritage Geopark for its splendidly improbable limestone landscapes. It has a thrilling Sky Path along the edge of a cliff, and villages of various ethnic groups such as the Hmong.

Make it happen Twelve days return from Hanoi, flexible departures in 2027. From $4630 a person twin share, but itineraries can be fully customised. See insideasiatours.com

Rockies in Depth and Alaska Cruise with APT

A hiker admires the view of Mount Robson Berg Lake in the Canadian Rockies of provincial British Columbia.iStock

Best for The admirer of giant landscapes who enjoys cruising but also wants to see what lies far inland.

The lowdown Your craving for mountains is satisfied on this tour into the Canadian Rockies past snowcapped peaks and glaciers and into national parks that shelter brown bears and moose. Lakes come in surreal colours, and waterfalls thunder. A seven-day cruise then takes you up Alaska’s Inside Passage for further scenic extravagance.

Don’t miss The one-off experiences you just don’t get as an individual traveller. Who’s up for an ice hockey lesson in Banff, dressed in full gear, with a professional coach?

Make it happen Twenty days return from Calgary to Vancouver, several departures April-November 2027. Departs June 7, July 5 and August 2, 2027. From $23,395 a person twin share. See aptouring.com

Premium Hiking and Trekking in Morocco with Intrepid Travel

Essaouira, with its ancient ramparts protecting the city from the ocean, is a popular destination for visitors to Morocco. iStock

Best for The active keen to prove themselves – and to prove that the coach-sitting tour stereotype doesn’t always apply.

The lowdown You’ll see cultural centre Marrakesh and seaside resort Essaouira, but in between visit the Atlas Mountains for hikes amid red cliffs, dry riverbeds and pine forest that highlight not just scenery but village life. Scrumptious home-cooked meals are served in local homes.

Don’t miss The trek through the Tiziane Valley challenges you and culminates at a 2279-metre pass, but the reward is a picnic lunch with views to satisfy angels towards distant, dusty horizons.

Make it happen Nine days return from Marrakesh, several departures May-September 2027. From $4795 a person twin share. See intrepidtravel.com

India In-Style with Bunnik Tours

A view over Jodhpur, India, also known as the Blue City, looking towards the massive 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort.iStock

Best for Travellers after a small-group tour that covers highlights with extra touches of indulgence.

The lowdown Kick luxury levels up in India and experience palace stays beyond the tumult. You’ll see key attractions such as the Taj Mahal, Ranthambore National Park notable for tigers, Jaipur, and Jodhpur, where cubic blue houses are topped by a whopping fortress.

Don’t miss Varanasi, religious site on the Ganges flanked by ghats and burning funeral fires. It challenges every sense but is intriguing and moving, especially at dusk, when you’ll float downriver to the accompaniment of sitar music and flickering candlelight.

Make it happen Twenty days From Delhi to Mumbai, monthly departures October 2026-March 2027. From $14,895 a person twin share including flights. See bunniktours.com.au

Northwest Uncovered with Collette

Buffalos graze in the serene Hayden Valley of Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park.iStock

Best for Goldilocks travellers who want a balance between high thrills and relaxation, natural wonders and history.

The lowdown Yellowstone National Park with its grand vistas and erupting geysers is the keystone attraction, but you’re seldom short of astounding scenery in Wyoming, Idaho and Washington state. The relaxing part? An alpine retreat to Sun Valley, a vineyard visit, and a cookout under the stars.

Don’t miss A jetboat tour on the Snake River at Lewiston in Idaho through Hells Canyon, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon. You’ll learn about local geology, wildlife and frontier history, but nothing beats the high-speed thrill of zipping through splendid semi-desert scenery.

Make it happen Ten days return from Bozeman to Spokane, several departures May-October 2027. From $10,199 a person twin share. See gocollette.com

Cyprus Walking with UTracks

The stunning Akamas coastline of Cyprus is known for its dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters.

Best for Lovers of Europe who want to get off the beaten track – both literally and figuratively – and experience somewhere new.

The lowdown Cyprus is a top hiking destination and on its trails you’ll appreciate the glories of the sun-kissed Troodos Mountains and the Akamas coastline with its waterfalls, stone villages, cheerful tavernas and olive groves – plus occasional ancient Greek ruins.

Don’t miss The Myllomeris Trail is short and easy but takes you through bird-chirped pine and oak forest to a waterfall. Nearby Omodos, surrounded in vineyards and orchards, is one of Cyprus’s prettiest villages and has a long winemaking history.

Make it happen Eight days return from Paphos, daily departures September-December 2026. From $2290 a person twin share. See utracks.com

China: Winter Wonderland with Wendy Wu Tours

Anshun Bridge, illuminated at dusk, is a major landmark of the Sichuan city of Chengdu, China.iStock

Best for Alternative-minded travellers open to unusual seasons which offer less-crowded sights, and more festive experiences.

The lowdown New Year with champagne on the Great Wall – what’s not to like? You’ll also see Beijing’s historical highlights, Shanghai’s modern bustle, Xian’s Terracotta Warriors and slow-paced Chengdu on this tour, although the unusual detour to Harbin might be your highlight.

Don’t miss Harbin’s Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival is one of the world’s best, featuring huge, illuminated ice buildings and sculptures, a festival atmosphere, and the chance to try ice fishing on the Songhua River.

Make it happen Fifteen days from Shanghai to Beijing, departs December 24, 2026 and January 7 and December 24, 2027. From $8790 a person twin share, including flights. See wendywutours.com.au

Kangaroo Island Wildlife and Wilderness with Outback Spirit

An Australian fur seal spotted at Seal Bay Conservation Park on South Australia’s wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island.iStock

Best for Frazzled workers who want a quick, restorative getaway without long-haul flights and jet lag.

The lowdown This is a four-wheel drive visit to one of our continent’s top attractions. Kangaroo Island has beautiful landscapes, odd rock formations and abundant wildlife, and you’ll visit Flinders Chase National Park, Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

Don’t miss Seal Bay Conservation Park, where you can hit the beach and boardwalks through dunes with an expert and get a look at Australia’s largest sea-lion colony. You’ll be so close you can see their whiskers twitch – and inhale their stinky aroma.

Make it happen Five days return from Adelaide, several departures in January, February and December 2027. From $4290 a person twin share. See outbackspirittours.com.au

The Maldives with Luxury Escapes

Along with a necklace of overwater villas, the Pullman Maldives Resort features two exclusive below-water boudoirs.

Best for Anyone wanting to chill out in a balmy tropical climate and do nothing but swim, snorkel and snooze.

The lowdown New charter flights from Melbourne shave 20 hours off travel time and have you wriggling your toes in the sand for longer. You can choose your resort – why not indulge in an overwater bungalow – and spend your time kayaking, rejuvenating in the spa, and enjoying sunset cocktails.

Don’t miss Ducking your head under the Maldives’ turquoise waters, which are abundant in coral and where you’ll spot turtles, manta rays and an astonishment of multi-hued fish.

Make it happen Five nights return from Melbourne, flexible departures in 2027. From $4798 for two depending on the resort and room category, including flights. See luxuryescapes.com

Ultimate Africa Expedition with Collette

The spectacularly situated South African city of Cape Town is a major stop on Collette’s Ultimate Africa Expedition.

Best for Travellers who know they’ll visit the continent only once, and want to see the big highlights in one hit.

The lowdown Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Kenya’s Masai Mara and the wonders of ancient Egyptian civilisation along the Nile River are on this bucket-list African tour. Safaris are among travel’s biggest thrills, but you’ll also get a taste for local life in townships and markets.

Don’t miss The newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo, which displays 100,000 astonishing antiquities, including the gold mask and other objects unearthed from the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Make it happen 24 days from Johannesburg to Cairo, two departures each in February, March and May 2027. From $20,549 a person twin share. See gocollette.com

Oldies but goodies: Five perennially popular classic journeys

British Royale with Insight Vacations

The icons of Britain and Ireland in one go? Brilliant. You’ll see everything from Oxford to Edinburgh, Shakespeare’s hometown Stratford-on-Avon to Wordsworth’s Lake District, medieval Lincoln to York, and golf town St Andrews too. Skye in Scotland and Ireland’s west coast add wild scenery. And yes, Stonehenge is on the list. 18 days return from London, several departures April-September 2027. From $10,238 a person twin share. See insightvacations.com

Legends of the American West with Tauck

Can’t beat the cowboy country and monumental landscapes of South Dakota and Wyoming, including Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. You’ll also visit Mount Rushmore, learn to be a cowboy on a ranch, find out more about Buffalo Bill, and spot bison and elk. Nine days from Rapid City to Jackson Hole, several departures May-September 2027. From $10,590 a person twin share. See tauck.com.au

The Overland Track with Australian Walking Holidays

We have our own legendary places, and one of them is this alpine walking track from the base of Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in Tasmania, passing through old, glaciated landscapes and across alpine plateaus. Professional guides facilitate the trek and share their knowledge of this outstanding wilderness area. Six days return from Launceston, several departures October 2026-March 2027. From $3495 a person twin share. See australianwalkingholidays.com.au

Classic Japan with Abercrombie & Kent

Have yet to visit one of our hottest overseas destinations? Indulge yourself on this upmarket tour with stays in luxe ryokans, exclusive cultural experiences, and bullet-train rides. All the chief sights for first timers are covered: throbbing Tokyo and Osaka, culture-dense former capital Kyoto, temple-dotted Nara, and Mount Fuji. Nine days from Tokyo to Kyoto, several departures March-November 2027. From $32,135 a person twin share. See abercrombiekent.com

Highlights of Peru with Trafalgar

Machu Picchu is rightly on everyone’s dream list, and this tour gives you an in-depth look, then rounds it out with other Incan sites in the Sacred Valley, a visit to handsome colonia-era town Cusco, and a stay in Lima. You’ll get insight into Peruvian cuisine, textiles and pre-Columbian art too. Eight days return from Lima, several departures August 2026-December 2027. From $5550 a person twin share. See trafalgar.com