What makes a trip unforgettable?

For some travellers, it is finally reaching a place they have dreamt about for years. For others, it is a meal they are still thinking about, a hotel that becomes part of the experience or the completely unplanned moment that could never have made it onto an itinerary.

Elisha Miller and Shuntelle Paynter have travelled extensively, from Antarctica and the deserts of Jordan to Finland, China and the Caribbean. We asked them the same six questions about the trips that have stayed with them, the lessons they have learnt along the way and where they are heading next.

The best trip

For Ms Miller, choosing just one is almost impossible.

From a historical and cultural perspective, Egypt and Jordan delivered some of her biggest bucket-list moments.

“Seeing the pyramids from the back of a camel was unforgettable, but one of the most magical moments was rounding the corner in Jordan and seeing the light hit the Treasury at just the right moment. It was absolutely breathtaking.”

But for pure adventure, her recent trip to Finland might have the edge.

“Floating beneath the Northern Lights, dog-sledding through the snow, ice fishing, taking reindeer sleigh rides and snowmobiling through the wilderness, it honestly felt like something out of a movie.”

For Ms Paynter, nothing has beaten Antarctica. It was a goal she had held onto since around 2015 or 2016, including throughout the pandemic.

“What made the experience so memorable was its untouched and pristine beauty. Waking up to still seas, towering glaciers and the sounds of a continent that so few people get to experience was truly unmatched.”

The hotel

Ms Miller narrowed her favourite stays to three: Amavi in Cyprus; La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel in St Martin; and Lesante Cape Resort in Zakynthos.

While all three delivered on luxury, it was the service — and breakfast — that made them memorable.

“I also have a real appreciation for the authenticity, charm and quaintness of a small boutique hotel or cosy bed and breakfast. Sometimes those more intimate properties can make a trip feel even more special.”

Ms Paynter's standout stay was entirely different: Zeina Luxury Desert Lodge in Wadi Rum, Jordan.

“Picture a transparent, igloo-shaped structure in the middle of the desert, paired with first-class hospitality.”

The sunsets and desert surroundings made the accommodation an experience in itself.

The meal

A self-described “food and wine aficionado”, Ms Miller counts The French Laundry in Napa and Kontrast in Oslo among her most memorable dining experiences.

But wherever she goes, she also seeks out local food and tries to order at least one thing outside her comfort zone.

“For me, food is such an important part of travel, it’s a way to experience a destination, its culture and its people in a completely different way.”

Ms Paynter admits she is less adventurous.

While teaching English in China in 2015, however, she took a chance on frog legs.

“I can’t say I’d eat them again, but it was definitely memorable!”

The meal she would actually like to repeat came from a tiny restaurant in Beijing, where she had a simple chicken and hand-rolled noodle dish. The owners photographed visiting tourists and displayed their pictures on the wall.

“One of my goals is to return to that little shop to see if my picture is still there, and, of course, to eat the food again.”

The biggest mistake

Ms Miller has two: over-scheduling and over-packing. She has abandoned strict day-by-day itineraries in favour of leaving room for spontaneity and now plans outfits before travelling, packing versatile pieces that can be worn multiple ways.

“Some of the best travel experiences happen when you simply see how the day unfolds, leave room for spontaneity and find out what kind of mischief you can get yourself into!”

Ms Paynter learnt her scheduling lesson the expensive way. On a graduation trip to Dubai in 2014, she booked a Burj Khalifa experience for just two hours after her flight landed. Immigration took longer than expected and she missed the reservation.

“Now, I make my arrival and departure days as relaxing as possible. I’d rather give myself time to settle in than spend the first few hours of a trip rushing around, or worse, wasting money on something I can’t make it to.”

The overrated destination

Here, surprisingly, they agree: Paris.

Ms Miller knows the answer may be controversial.

“I’m probably going to get a lot of flak for this.”

But she also admits her first visit came on a student budget and revolved around many of the typical tourist stops.

“I don’t think I necessarily experienced the real Paris.”

She is willing to give it another chance, and will soon get the opportunity.

Ms Paynter is more reluctant to label an entire destination overrated, but of the cities she has visited, Paris is one she does not necessarily feel compelled to revisit.

Their underrated choices, however, differ.

Ms Miller's is Anguilla.

Before visiting, she was warned that four nights would be too long. Instead, she fell for its beaches, beach bars, food, people and laid-back atmosphere.

“I absolutely loved Anguilla and would go back in a heartbeat.”

For Ms Paynter, Jordan deserves far more attention.

Beyond Petra, she remembers extraordinary hospitality, including a bakery clerk who refused to accept her money, and how safe and comfortable she felt travelling around the country.

“Jordan completely exceeded my expectations.”

Where next?

There is an amusing twist to Ms Miller's next trip: she is heading back to Paris. The reason is Celine Dion, her favourite singer, whom she plans to see in concert.

Beyond that, she has set herself a goal of visiting 50 countries before turning 50. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand are high on the list, along with Turkey, Africa (so vast that she isn’t sure where to start) and South America.

“There’s such a huge, beautiful world out there, and I want to experience, explore and soak in as much of it as I possibly can while I can.”

Ms Paynter, meanwhile, is heading back to Southeast Asia for a friend's milestone birthday in Bali before continuing to Timor-Leste. The latter will mark a milestone of her own: visiting all 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

“For me, travel has always been about more than simply checking destinations off a list. It’s about challenging myself, experiencing different cultures and setting goals that push me outside of my comfort zone.”