The Big Bucket List.

As part of our new Get a Better Bucket List competition, we asked for your top travel dreams. You gave us heaps of adventurous, offbeat & downright dreamy ideas. Here’s a taste of the top rated experiences.

Explore Santorini while Cruising the Greek Islands.

We asked KELLY CHARLTON HOUSE OF TRAVEL WESTPORT

“With so many incredible Greek islands to explore, I always suggest cruising: It’s easy to unpack once and leave the rest to the ship’s captain! Many of Greece’s most famous islands, like Santorini, are perfect for a short visit: You can take in those iconic hilltop views and still have plenty of time for the beach and the unbelievably fresh seafood in sunny, whitewashed tavernas. The next morning, a new port awaits. I think it’s the perfect way to experience Greece! My favourite itineraries include Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and Kusadasi in Turkey, where you’ll see the legendary ruins at Ephesus. One-way cruises from Greece to Italy are great options too. There’s a huge range of all-inclusive 3, 4, 7-night and longer cruises with local and international cruise lines. Small ships tend to visit more off-the-beaten-track islands, but larger ships offer more onboard. We’ll find the perfect fit for you: History buffs love Delos, for example, while Corfu offers great shopping and amazing beaches. Let’s chat about where you want to go — and find the ship to take you!”

Hop in a convertible and Drive Route 66 in the USA.

We asked LISA AYRES HOUSE OF TRAVEL TAKAPUNA

“Route 66 is the stuff of legend — the ultimate American drive! It runs from Chicago to Los Angeles and passes major sights like the Grand Canyon and the Mississippi River (plus some of my favourite gems like historic Blue Swallow Motel in New Mexico and the Old West town of Seligman — where you can grab lunch at Roadkill Café)!

Though it really depends on your itinerary — where you want to stop, how long you’re prepared to drive in a day — I suggest at least 16 days to go the whole way. We can also arrange portions of the drive (like the Grand Canyon to Los Angeles in five days).

As far as which car to take, that depends on how much of a romantic you are! Some say there’s only one car that captures the spirit of Route 66: A convertible Ford Mustang! For the practical, compact cars and SUVs make for easy and economical driving. I always tell my customers not to miss the Cadillac Ranch in Texas and classic burger spots like Carl’s Drive-In in Missouri.”

Take my family and Spend the days exploring Disneyland.

We asked LEAH HERBERT HOUSE OF TRAVEL BARRINGTON

“Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, you’re in for a magical holiday — I’ve sent couples, families with tweens, toddlers, grandparents, everyone. Disney is always adding cutting-edge rides alongside famous kids classics like Peter Pan’s Flight, Alice in Wonderland and Mad Tea Party. Expect unforgettable moments, whether it’s a greeting from Donald Duck or a dance with Goofy on Main Street. Ask about personalised reservations for an unforgettable meal with favourite characters. I really recommend following the locals and heading to the park early to get ahead of the crowds, which leaves afternoons for pool breaks. The free FASTPass lets you skip ride queues to pack in more fun. Don’t forget to download the Disneyland app to pre-order meals, check wait times and find your favourite characters in the park. And don’t miss Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a whole new part of the park, where you can fly the Millennium Falcon in a crazily realistic simulator. Toast your bravery — or your patience in Toontown — with outta this galaxy cocktails at nearby Oga’s Cantina.”

Wake up in An overwater bungalow.

We asked SAMANTHA JOHNSTON HOUSE OF TRAVEL TAUPO

“Being able to sit on your overwater deck and watch the sun go down is a truly unforgettable experience. There are overwater bungalows around the world, from the Maldives to Malaysia, but our most popular sit in the islands of Tahiti and Fiji. If staying the entire time in an overwater bungalow blows the budget, I love organising room swapping: Enjoy a few nights in a beach bungalow and one or two overwater. Be sure to ask your consultant for a bungalow with direct access to the lagoon — not all offer this. The further into the lagoon you are, the deeper the water and the better the view. Also, you’ll hear about the ‘sunset’ side: Let us know if seeing sunsets from your bungalow is a priority so we can make it happen!”

Walk the Inca Trail and See the sun rise over Machu Picchu.

We asked SARAH CROWE HOUSE OF TRAVEL HIGH STREET LANES

“The Inca Trail follows ancient paths high into the Andes. The 4-day, 3-night hike is about 40 kilometres, much of it steep. But anyone who’s done it will tell you the views are worth every step: Incan ruins, cloud forest and majestic valleys are laid out like breadcrumbs en route to Machu Picchu. Local law requires trekkers have a permit and guide, so talk to us about our favourite tours, which sell out up to a year in advance. If you’re keen for the sights but not the trek, take a scenic train ride from nearby Ollantaytambo. You’ll also love Cusco, the beautiful colonial city where your experience begins. It’s worth staying a few days to acclimatise to the altitude before your trek — or just to try Chica, a traditional Andean tipple made from yellow maize!”

Rug up and Cruise Antarctica.

We asked FERNANDO DE RITO HOUSE OF TRAVEL NEWMARKET

“This is hands down one of the world’s most stunning destinations — a truly untouched frontier. It’s so hard to describe the unspoiled wild of it or how truly far you’ll feel from the world when you get there. Antarctica is so remote that cruising is the only way to see it. Expeditions run from November to March, when temperatures are highest and the sun barely sets. There are heaps of choices, so talk to a consultant about what you’re looking for. Larger ships keep pricing slightly lower — at least by Antarctic standards — but they don’t always put you on shore, as there are strict rules for tourism here. Smaller boutique and expedition ships come with slightly higher price tags, but you can expect to land for adventures like snow-shoeing, trekking and kayaking, plus get onboard extras like lectures on the region.

The most incredible thing about cruising has to be the 3600 views from the deck — peaks rising from the sea, bobbing icebergs, cresting whales. Take it all in while staying cosy inside with a glass of Malbec!”

Soak up the magic of Christmas in New York.

We asked SUSAN BERNARD HOUSE OF TRAVEL LAKERS GORE

“New York City is an unbelievable place. I’ve heard people say it’s everyplace in the world at once, and I think they’re right. But at Christmastime it’s downright magical. Think snow-dusted streets lit up with decorations, festive restaurants and hotels covered in balsam, carols everywhere.

There are unforgettable sights, like the iconic Christmas tree lighting up Rockefeller Center, the ice skaters zipping around Bryant Park and the store windows along Fifth Avenue. I love to recommend the famous Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular at historic Radio City Music Hall or New York City Ballet’s iconic The Nutcracker, complete with falling snow and a Christmas tree that grows on-stage.

Explore outdoor Christmas markets throughout the city, then warm up with a pure hot chocolate at Sant Ambroeus or a steaming hot toddy at Rolf’s, where you’ll find hands down the best decor in the city. And if you’re travelling with wee ones, don’t miss Macy’s Santaland — the Macy’s from the movie Miracle on 34th Street.”

Wander beneath the famous Cherry blossoms blooming in Japan.

We asked NATHAN BARTLETT HOUSE OF TRAVEL ASHBURTON

“The cherry blossom, or sakura, is an integral part of Japanese culture. In Japan, you’ll not only find thousands of cherry trees across the country, but sakura even in ice cream and soda! Blossom festivals are held throughout the country with parties called hanami — “flower viewing.” They’re beautiful at night, with lanterns lighting the trees. On Japan’s southern islands, blossoms can open as early as January; on the northern island of Hokkaido, they bloom as late as May. When we plan your trip, we’ll look at which areas will be in full bloom during your stay. For example, blossoms typically open in Tokyo about a week before they do in Kyoto.”

See the sky painted by The Northern Lights.

We asked ANNA BELL HOUSE OF TRAVEL KERIKERI

For the best chance of seeing the aurora borealis, you’re after clear, dark skies from the end of September to early March. We can even arrange a truly Bucket List-worthy glass igloo stay, where you can stare up at the Lights from the cosiest of beds.

“Seeing the Northern Lights means looking for places with a magnetic latitude above 55 and low light pollution…in other words, you’re getting well off the beaten track! I’ve sent customers to Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia, and even northern Scotland to chase the Lights.

My favourite suggestion for Lights spotting is probably Iceland. Even leaving aside the aurora, it’s an incredible place to visit, with stunning glaciers, massive geysers, huge waterfalls and fascinating Viking history. But in terms of where it sits on the globe, it’s an aurora viewing jackpot. You need the weather to cooperate, but Iceland’s famous coastal drive lets you chase clear skies. On a particularly good night, you can even spy Lights from the capital Reykjavík: Locals watch from the Grotta Lighthouse.”

Spot new friends On safari anywhere in Africa.

We asked BRENDON MAGUIRE HOUSE OF TRAVEL NELSON

“Safaris can suit all budgets! Many African countries offer private game reserves in addition to national parks, with plenty of ways to visit — even self-drives for complete independence. Small group tours offer bush camping, guesthouses and luxury hotels. With a larger budget, I love to recommend private game lodges, which offer exclusive wildlife viewing only to their guests. They’re incredible with amazing dining, and you can enjoy morning and late afternoon game drives — plus sundowners at sunset. I suggest staying at camps in different areas of a park to maximise the experience. A lesser known option is a rail journey. The Rovos Rail, for example, leaves Cape Town and travels through Botswana into Hwange Game Reserve in Zimbabwe, visiting Victoria Falls and finishing in Tanzania. With choices like these, we can plan a safari that’s just to your interests.” ■

No matter where you want to go, we can help. Come in-store, call us on 0800 713 715 or visit HOT.CO.NZ and let’s chat.