The world’s 10 most iconic places and experiences

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Talk about starting with a bang. Raymond Blanc scored two Michelin stars straight out of the gate 40 years ago when he opened his Oxfordshire restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Even as he held on to those stars, Blanc developed Le Manoir into much more than a restaurant: it now has 32 rooms as well as a cooking and a gardening school. The warm welcome and the attention to detail lift Le Manoir above its rivals, from the freshly baked lemon cake waiting for you in your room to the rose-petal martini made with crimson petals plucked fresh from the majestic gardens. See belmond.com

The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Consistently voted one of the world’s best train journeys, the Rocky Mountaineer has been a rollicking success since its maiden journey in 1990 through the Canadian Rockies. It continues to upgrade and expand its fleet including the luxurious GoldLeaf cars with glass dome ceilings, outdoor viewing platform and chef-prepared meals on board, while an additional three routes have been added, including to Utah. Offering unbeatable scenery, incredible service and entertaining commentary, it’s little wonder Rocky Mountaineer has grown to become the world’s largest privately owned luxury train company and tops the bucket list for countless Aussie travellers. See rockymountaineer.com

Palace Hotel Tokyo

Think of the Palace Hotel Tokyo as your home away from home – and this home commands views of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, its walls are lined with more than 700 pieces of original art, its foyer has a huge glass frontage framing a single, perfect maple tree, it has several of Tokyo’s best restaurants and its best cocktail bar on site, and its rooms have balconies overlooking the Imperial Gardens. The Palace Hotel really does feel like home because it’s so friendly, so warm and so comfortable, which might just be the ultimate achievement for somewhere so curated, luxurious and historic. It’s a phenomenal property. See en.placehoteltokyo.com

Lake House Daylesford

The Lake House might have just celebrated its 40th birthday, but this is a property that is still constantly evolving, still changing to meet the times while retaining its rich sense of self. On the original property, on the shores of Lake Daylesford, sits Alla Wolf-Tasker’s fine-dining restaurant and boutique hotel, an icon of regional Australian hospitality. In recent years, however, the Lake House has expanded into Dairy Flat Farm, a luxury self-contained property next to the Lake House’s bakery, and Wombat Hill House, which sells those bakery goods from the Botanic Gardens. Here’s hoping we see another 40 years. See lakehouse.com.au

Resplendent Ceylon

When Tea Trails opened in the Central Highlands in 2005, it was a game-changer for Sri Lanka, which was emerging from a 26-year civil war. The collection of restored colonial-era bungalows scattered among the Dilmah tea company’s hilly plantations brought the concept of luxury to a country that had been considered a backpacker’s destination. Tea Trails is the brainchild of Dilmah tea heir Malik Fernando, a passionate advocate for his country who has been crucial in supporting Sri Lankan tourism through its troubled history, including the recent financial crisis. The Resplendent Ceylon portfolio has recently added younger lifestyle brand Reverie to its collection of Relais and Chateaux partnered hotels. See resplendentceylon.com

Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, New Zealand

This iconic “great ride” from the peaks of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to the port of Oamaru celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. During a six-day trip with outdoor specialist Adventure South, riders get to sample the South Island’s hearty regional fare, stay in delightful boutique accommodation and meet some of the hospitality pioneers that make the trail possible. Adding to its appeal, UNESCO has declared the route’s Waitaki Valley will become Australasia’s first Global Geopark, recognising its Maori heritage, fossil record and unique geology, which includes limestone cliffs and glacial valleys. See adventuresouth.co.nz

Flam Railway, Norway

For most people, the main reason to visit Flam, the village at the end of the 29-kilometre-long Aurlandsfjord in western Norway, is the Flam Railway. And it’s a compelling one. Despite opening in 1940, the 20-kilometre trip is still one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge railway lines – an engineering marvel that snakes through a spectacular montage of plunging valleys, raging rivers and thundering waterfalls. Everyone from National Geographic to Lonely Planet has declared it one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Even if you’re not a train buff, you should see what all the fuss is about. See norwaysbest.com/the-flam-railway