If the thought of booking another standard hotel-and-flight combo feels uninspiring, you’re not alone. Sometimes, the most memorable trips happen when you try something totally different—something that shakes up your routine and invites a new perspective. From floating villages to sleeper trains, these travel styles might not be the first to come to mind, but they just might end up being your favorites.
River cruises
Not to be confused with large ocean liners, river cruises offer a more intimate and immersive experience. You’ll glide through the heart of a region, docking in charming towns and smaller cities that are often missed by traditional tours. Whether you’re drifting along the Danube, the Nile, or the Mekong, river cruises slow things down in the best way—letting you connect deeply with the landscape and culture. Meals are often locally inspired, and the onboard atmosphere is relaxed and social.
Camper vans and RVs
There’s something deeply freeing about carrying your whole world with you. Road-tripping in a camper van or RV lets you chase sunsets, change plans on a whim, and wake up wherever the view feels right. It’s ideal for travelers who value independence and don’t mind a little unpredictability. Popular routes include the American Southwest, New Zealand’s South Island, or the coast of Portugal. You’ll trade fancy lobbies for mountain air and star-filled skies—and that’s a beautiful swap.
Houseboats
Why just stay near the water when you could sleep on it? Houseboat rentals let you live right on lakes, rivers, or coastal inlets, offering a peaceful, floating home base. It’s a great option for travelers who want to slow down and embrace the rhythm of the water. In places like Kerala, Amsterdam, or British Columbia, houseboats are not only functional—they’re part of the local culture. You’ll fall asleep to the sound of lapping waves and wake to misty mornings with coffee on the deck.
Expedition cruises
If you think cruises are all about buffets and beach towns, think again. Expedition cruises take you to some of the most remote and wild places on the planet—think Antarctica, the Arctic, or the Galápagos Islands. These trips are about learning and discovery, with naturalists and scientists often onboard to guide the experience. You’ll ride Zodiacs through icy fjords, hike across volcanic islands, and witness wildlife up close. It’s rugged, raw, and completely unforgettable.
Sleeper trains
There’s a nostalgic romance to traveling by overnight train. You settle into your cabin, watch the landscape blur by, and drift off to sleep to the gentle rhythm of the rails. In the morning, you wake in a new place—no airport lines or jet lag required. Classic routes include the Orient Express (for a splurge), Japan’s Sunrise Izumo, or the Caledonian Sleeper in Scotland. It’s travel that turns transit into a meaningful part of the adventure.
Road cycling trips
For active travelers, cycling is one of the most immersive ways to explore a destination. You feel every hill, coast every valley, and notice details you’d miss from a car. Guided cycling tours are available all over the world, from the vineyards of France to the rice terraces of Vietnam. You don’t have to be an athlete—many trips are paced for leisure and include support vans, luggage transport, and comfortable accommodations at the end of the day.
Repositioning cruises
If you’ve never heard of a repositioning cruise, you’re not alone—but they’re one of travel’s best-kept secrets. These cruises happen when ships move from one region to another between seasons (like from the Caribbean to Europe), and they often come with longer itineraries and lower prices. You’ll get more sea days, fewer crowds, and a true sense of slow travel. For example, a repositioning Bahamas cruise might take you along the East Coast before crossing the Atlantic. It’s not about the ports—it’s about the passage.
Let the unexpected shape your story
When you choose a different way to travel, you open yourself up to a different kind of connection—with the world, with others, and with yourself. Maybe you’ll find joy in the quiet of a houseboat morning, or awe in the vastness of an open sea. Maybe you’ll meet someone on a sleeper train who shifts your thinking, or realize halfway through a cycling trip that you’re stronger than you thought. The best trips aren’t always the ones you plan perfectly—they’re the ones that surprise you in the best way. And sometimes, all it takes is trying something new.
