The Most Iconic Trips You’ll Ever Take

There’s summer, and then there’s brat summer. Brat summer is all about unapologetic indulgence, carefree adventures, and following your whims without hesitation. The kind where you’re not just on vacation, you’re starring in your own perfectly curated travel film. The outfits are giving, the lighting is just right, and every destination is more photogenic than the last.

It’s the season to say yes to extra scoops of gelato in Italy, splurging on a luxurious beachside cabana in Bali, or hopping on a last-minute train to explore a hidden gem in Europe. Travel becomes more than just a getaway—it’s a chance to lean into the joy of living, letting your instincts guide you to experiences that feel delightfully self-indulgent. After all, what better way to celebrate summer than by being boldly, blissfully bratty?

We’ve handpicked dream itineraries from four standout travel companies — Tauck, Keytours, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Holland America Line — who don’t just plan trips. They craft moments. These aren’t your average vacations. They’re the ones you’ll scroll back to in your camera roll all year long.

Here’s how to travel well and with the companies that know exactly how to make it memorable.

Tauck: Travel Whisperer for Your Luxe European Fantasy

Tauck tours embody a brat summer, offering luxury, exclusivity, and carefree travel rolled into one unforgettable experience. Imagine skipping lines at iconic landmarks, savoring gourmet meals in settings straight out of a dream, and staying in world-class accommodations with unparalleled views. With expertly curated itineraries and VIP access, Tauck takes care of every detail, leaving you free to follow your whims and soak up the extravagance. It’s not just travel; it’s pure, joyous indulgence, designed for those who want to revel in the finer things without a care in the world.

Tauck doesn’t just take you to Italy or along the Danube; they make it feel like you’ve slipped into another life entirely. One where your itinerary is seamless, the hotels are charming in that “hidden gem-but-somehow-five-star” way, and the guides feel more like cool, in-the-know locals than tour leaders.

Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Sicily

This isn’t just sightseeing. It’s a sun-soaked, cliffside-living, candlelit-dinner-in-a-ruin kind of vibe. Tauck takes care of every transfer, detail, and insider access. Which means you’re free to just live the movie. Amalfi is as stunning as they say. Sicily is wilder than you think. And Rome? It still belongs to the girls who romanticize everything.

The Blue Danube

This cruise feels like an elegantly-paced dream. One day it’s Vienna’s regal cafés, the next it’s the Gothic skyline of Budapest glowing at twilight. You drift between cities like a queen of the river, no hauling luggage, no figuring things out. Tauck gets you past the touristy stuff and straight into what’s real and beautiful about these cities.

Italia Bella: Rome to Venice

Yes, this one’s family-friendly. But it also happens to be incredibly aesthetic. Think: Florence at golden hour, gelato in hand, and a private boat gliding you into Venice like you’re starring in your own rom-com. Tauck makes it easy to focus on the fun, while they handle the magic behind the curtain.

Keytours: Wild, Luxe, & Wonderfully You

Keytours is for the traveler who wants it all and wants it curated just right. They specialize in itineraries that feel both once-in-a-lifetime and totally doable. Whether you’re craving barefoot luxury, ancient wonders, or over-the-top adventure, they’ll get you there in style, without making you lift a finger.

Kruger Safari & Maldives

This is travel storytelling at its best. One day you’re tracking lions at sunrise, the next you’re floating in a Maldivian lagoon. It’s the ultimate contrast, gritty and gorgeous, raw and refined. Keytours makes the transition flawless, so you feel like a jet-set goddess moving from safari lodge to water villa with ease.

Best of Greece and Turkey

You start in Istanbul all spice markets and rooftop views, then float into the pastel serenity of the Greek Isles. You’re not rushed. You’re not figuring out ferries. You’re just following the rhythm of the Mediterranean, with Keytours paving the way. It’s that soft adventure energy you’ve been craving.

Victoria Falls, Kruger & Cape Town

You don’t just see Victoria Falls. You feel it, mist on your face, roar in your chest. Then, just when you’re getting used to the wilderness, Cape Town hits you with bold city energy and wine country vibes. It’s a trip with texture, contrast, and a whole lot of wow. And Keytours makes sure every moment is smooth, stylish, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

Slow Travel, Styled for the Soft Life

Riverside doesn’t do flashy. They do flawless. Their ships are floating boutique hotels — elegant, intimate, and so well-designed that you’ll never want to get off. The routes are scenic, the service is discreet, and the experience feels entirely your own. It’s the kind of travel that prioritizes atmosphere and depth, with a side of quiet luxury.

Romantic Rhine Southbound

There’s something magical about watching castle ruins slip past as you sip Champagne on deck. From Amsterdam to Basel, every stop is quaint, charming, and photogenic. Riverside gives you the time and space to wander, linger, and fall in love with each little riverside town.

Danube Capitals

The itinerary hits the trifecta — Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava — with all the beauty and none of the chaos. It’s like an elegant waltz through European history, but your days end in a spa, not a hostel. Riverside gets the pace just right, making it ideal for the traveler who’s grown out of whirlwind sightseeing and into slow, sensual discovery.

Wachau Valley & Beyond

The Wachau Valley isn’t on every traveler’s radar, but maybe that’s what makes it special. Rolling vineyards, sleepy villages, and baroque abbeys that feel like secrets, this trip is a masterclass in subtle luxury. Riverside handles the little touches so you can lose yourself in the view.

The Iconic Ocean Escape for People With Taste

Holland America has mastered the art of grown-up cruising. It’s luxe without being loud, classic without being outdated. Their ships feel like floating resorts, their destinations are thoughtfully chosen, and their onboard vibe? Chic, calm, and just the right amount of indulgent.

Southern Caribbean: Amber Cove & ABC Islands

Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire… each island hits like a splash of color in your summer palette. This cruise is tropical chic with a hint of retro glam — the kind of vibe where you order cocktails by the pool, then head ashore to dance barefoot in a beach bar. Holland America makes island-hopping feel easy and effortless.

Alaska & Yukon Cruisetour

If your dream summer includes a faux fur vest and the kind of scenery that makes you gasp, this is your move. Holland America blends adventure with absolute comfort: glass-domed train rides, cozy lodges, and expert guides who make glaciers and moose feel like old friends.

Canada & New England Discovery

Think misty mornings in Nova Scotia, lobster rolls in Maine, and quiet moments by rocky shores. This cruise feels like a Nancy Meyers set with a sea breeze. It’s refined, photogenic, and full of charming, real-life storybook towns. Holland America wraps it all in a perfectly-polished bow.

Why Book with a Travel Advisor?

Dreaming about building your ultimate brat summer escape? A travel advisor can help make it iconic. From finding the perfect luxury itinerary to curating the immersive experiences you’ll still be posting about next year, they know how to turn a gorgeous trip into your personal masterpiece.