BUCKET-LIST HOLIDAYS

The inspiration list

Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday to mark your retirement? We’ve got wanderlust for these amazing bucket-list trips:

Ha Long Bay cruise

You don’t always have to spend thousands to have a special holiday. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is one of the most beautiful places on earth, featuring thousands of ragged little limestone islands in the vast ocean of turquoise. Virgin offers a three-day cruise for £525pp. ■ Call 0344 739 2820 or visit www.virginholidays.co.uk

San Francisco to Vegas

Make the ultimate American roadtrip, taking in whale and dolphin watching in the Big Sur region, wine tasting in Napa Valley, a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon and hiking around the wild Yosemite National Park. Best done in August. ■ Original Travel offers a 14-day itinerary from £4,600pp. Call 0207 978 7333 or visit www.originaltravel.co.uk

The Orient Express

It’s the setting for the famous Agatha Christie novel and now you can step back to the golden age of rail travel with a trip on the most famous train in the world. Enjoy the luxury of the plush green and gold carriages, as you journey from London to the romantic city of Venice. for £3,100pp.

■ From £3,100pp, call 0845 077 2222 or visit www.belmond.com