10 awesome Grand Tours to do before you turn 100

Even in our modern age, the romance of an immersive journey still holds an irresistible allure.

So, where will you go? These 10 grand tours are a must…

1. Alaska: the RV adventure

A summertime RV adventure is perhaps the ultimate way to see some of the best of this geographically and culturally detached state, originally bought from Russia in 1867 for a bargain $7.2 million. Australian visitors love to check out what the USA got for its money, often starting in the city of Anchorage and hitting the road for too-cute-for-words Talkeetna township and big-ticket, accessible gems like the jaw-dropping Denali National Park and the massive 7800-square-kilometre Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Our tip? Pick up a copy of The Milepost guidebook; you won’t have web access everywhere.

tours Denali national park Alaska RV — A summertime RV adventure is the best way to see Denali national park in Alaska.

2. USA: the road trip

While we’d probably recommend going more Jack Kerouac than Hunter S. Thompson, the idea is the same: the USA is famously made to road trip. hop on a bus from LA to Vegas, or cruise the big island of Hawai’i in a shining red Mustang. Eat your way through the roadhouses of the Mid West, put the top down and gawp unashamedly at Monument Valley, or tour the wineries and wide avenues of the Carolinas.

3. India: on the railways

With beginnings harking back to the years of the British Raj, the Indian railways have grown to encompass 120,000 kilometres of track criss-crossing the Subcontinent. It’s the natural choice, then, to tour by train here – whether you’d like to barter for jewels in Jaipur or dance beneath the full moon in Goa. Travel the desert state of Rajasthan, then across to the cool climes of the northern hill stations and end up in the culinary paradise of the Punjab; strike north into the Himalayan foothills and up into quirky Sikkim; head south to the palm-fringed canals of Kerala; or east to French-flavoured Puducherry. There is almost nowhere in India you can’t reach by rail.

Switzerland mountain landscape tours — Everywhere you look: Switzerland’s stunning bucolic landscape.

4. Switzerland: the great outdoors

You might have heard about Switzerland’s al fresco hotel room-cum-art installation Null Stern (Zero Stars in German) that has been open for guests the past two summers. It shows off the country’s bucolic landscape at its best, but if you enjoy being close – but not that close – to the great outdoors, consider booking yourself into an authentic Alpine hut. Online platform is like the Airbnb of the Swiss Alps, and with over 250 to choose from, you can make it a hut hop.

5. Canada: the natural wonders

Encompassing an area only slightly smaller than Europe, it’s wise to pick a province to explore to avoid road trip overload. Having said that, Canada’s famous natural wonders and friendly cities mean you can’t go too wrong – a fact not lost on its 16 million visitors every year. Dawdle through the Yukon on the achingly scenic Alaska Highway to see the world’s biggest non-polar icefield by day and the Northern Lights by night, or traverse the Rockies in Alberta, from Calgary to Jasper, to catch glaciers, cowboy ranches and those aqua lakes, including dreamy Lake Louise. For something different, drive Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail and play your way through Cape Breton Island’s six amazing golf courses. Now that’s a week well spent.

6. The Mediterranean: a languid cruise

Few places in the world can rival the Med for rugged, clear-watered splendour. Considering that the coast – from Spain, through France and Italy, and on to Croatia and beyond – is filled with almost crazily charming towns, jostling for space on the rocky shores and begging to be explored, a languid cruise makes the most sense, be it big boat or bare. Bring fabulous heels for stops such as Cannes and Monaco; a swimsuit and snorkel for oceanside Italian grottoes; and a decent camera to capture the colour and texture of Dubrovnik’s architectural wonders.

Dubrovnik crystal clear cruise — Dubrovnik’s alluringly crystal clear waters.

7. Scandinavia: the complete package

There are plenty of sights to get excited about in Scandinavia, from the fjords of Norway (there are over 1000) to the chalk cliffs – Møns Klint – of Denmark and cute fishing villages like Smögen in Sweden. But it’s the somewhat less tangible side of this northern Europe region that really captivates: from the Northern Lights and midnight sun to viking legend and Copenhagen cool. And most of all the wonderful approach to life encapsulated by hygge, the concept of Scandinavian cosiness that compels us not only to visit these Nordic countries, but live the life too.

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8. The Camino de Santiago: the pilgrimage

This global phenomenon, (which translates to st. James’S Way), has been walked since the eighth century, and evidence of its medieval history is encountered in towns and villages along the way. Taking in plenty of gorgeous verdant countryside, The various routes of the pilgrimage (which can be undertaken in groups or self-guided) conclude in the historic (but surprisingly HIP) city of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain’s north-West.

9. Trans-Siberian: the greatest rail journey?

There are few train journeys in the world that conjure up feelings of such awe and intrigue as one along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Its longest length runs from Moscow to the Russian Far East (taking in seven nights and vast amounts of Russian landscape), and further lines connect into Mongolia and China. Small fortunes can be spent on a luxury train journey, but take the regular option for a fascinating glimpse into the world of those for whom the Trans-Siberian is a necessity rather than an indulgence.

10. Silk Route: take your time

The ancient trade route that connected the treasures of the East with the commerce of the West, from China through to Europe, has achieved mythical status as a modern travel must-do. Perhaps it is because the Silk Road attracted cultural exchange at least as much as commerce – a feature that remains today. Taking your time to travel this epic route allows for a taste of everything it offers: trekking the mountains of China, staying in a yurt in the steppes, crossing the Uzbek desert, marvelling at magnificent Samarkand and bartering your way through the bazaars in the ‘Stans’. Whether you join a tour or chart your own course, millennia of history preceding you is sure to get you into the spirit.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

10 awesome grand tours to do before you turn 100