The Dream List

Vietnam
Make Friends, Not War
History
Go on a private tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels with a war veteran who spent time inside them—having once fought against Americans, Mr. Nam now welcomes them to his country. Beneath Cu Chi village, Vietcong soldiers hid in the narrow passageways, which also served as a food and weapons warehouse, a communications network, and the base of operations for the 1968 Tet Offensive. After crawling around the tunnels, you'll head back to Mr. Nam's home for dinner with his family. Cost: $500. Source: Andrea Ross (see the preceding).

EUROPE

Czech Republic
Living History
History
Visit the Terezín concentration camp, 90 minutes from Prague, with one of its last living survivors. You'll see perfectly preserved dwellings and the "Hidden Synagogue" and learn what it was like to live in the camp as well as under Nazi occupation. Cost: $1,200, including round-trip transportation from Prague. Source: Greg Tepper, Exeter International, Tampa (800-633-1008; greg@exeterinternational.com; exeterinternational.com).

Italy
Alone in the Basilica
The Arts, History
Have a private after-hours tour of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica with an expert guide who will tell you about the church's history and explain how to interpret the symbols in its famed gilded mosaics. You'll also be shown the crypt—normally off-limits to the public—where you can still see the foundations of the church built on this site in the tenth century. Cost: $850. Source: Andrea Grisdale (Italy).

Cucina Confidential
Culinary
Treat yourself to an all-day cooking lesson with Chicco Mooney, owner of Milan's L'Ulmet restaurant. You'll accompany Chicco to the market to choose the freshest ingredients, and join his wife and sons in the kitchen, to assist in preparing the restaurant's lunch. Then it's time to enjoy the four courses you've helped create, each paired with wine. Don't miss the wine cellar, one of the most impressive private collections in Lombardy—and don't come in August, when the Mooneys are on vacation. Cost: $560. Source: Andrea Grisdale, IC Bellagio, Bellagio, Italy (39-03-195-2059; andrea@icbellagio.com; icbellagio.com).

Slide show   Italian Dreams History, architecture, art and much more - great Italian destinations! more photos

Ancient Artistry
The Arts, Local Traditions
Tour the oldest and most important glass factory on the island of Murano, near Venice. The owner will show you around the workshops—the public is normally allowed only in the store—and will demonstrate the techniques that have made Murano glass so sought-after. Cost: $475. Source: Andrea Grisdale (see the preceding).

Russia
Tatar Traditions
Culinary, Local Traditions
Spend a day with the Tatar family, learning about the customs of the Crimean Tatars and enjoying their national songs and dances. You'll be taught how to prepare an authentic lunch and will receive an introduction to their famous embroidery methods. Cost: $1,000. Source: Greg Tepper (see Czech Republic).

Ultimate Amber
History, The Arts
Visit the workshops for the reproduction of the Amber Room in St. Petersburg's Catherine Palace. You'll go behind the scenes to speak to the craftsmen who have spent almost 25 years replicating this magnificent space. Cost: $80. Source: Greg Tepper (see Czech Republic).

Galilea Nin Martin Legarda, the owner of the Marqués de Legarda winery, at the entrance to his wine cellars.

Spain
A Wine Wonder
Culinary, History
Gain entry to the winery and palace of the Marqués de Legarda in La Rioja, which has some of the oldest cellars in Spain. The owner is a descendant of El Cid, and his seventeenth-century palace houses family treasures, books, and paintings. Cost: $2,160. Source: Virginia Irurita, Made for Spain, Madrid (34-91-310-7070; mfs@madeforspain.com; madeforspain.com).

Tile Talent
The Arts, Local Traditions
Take a private class in ceramic-tile painting with Esperanza Romero, whose pieces are frequently exhibited in Spain and abroad. Granada's tradition of ceramics dates back to Moorish times, and Romero will help you choose among the brightly colored geometric designs, guide your technique, and glaze your pieces. Cost: approximately $440, payable only in euros (325 euros). Source: Virginia Irurita (see the preceding).

Sweden
Remember the Vikings
History, Philanthropy
Take a private tour of Stockholm's Vasa Ship Museum, and climb aboard the Vasa—an honor normally extended only to scientists and heads of state. This seventeenth-century warship was commissioned by King Gustav Adolphus but sank just a mile into her maiden voyage in 1628 and remained underwater until she was finally salvaged, nearly intact, in 1961. The director of the museum will accompany you around the exhibits before or after hours. Cost: $1,000, plus a contribution to the museum (determined at time of booking). Source: Jan Sortland, Norwegian Adventures, Gvarv, Norway (47-35-95-65-37; jan@norwegian-adventures.com; norwegian-adventures.com).

Turkey
Sultan's Supper
Culinary, History, Philanthropy, Politics
Have dinner in Topkapi Palace's Imperial Room, normally reserved for the Turkish prime minister to entertain foreign dignitaries. Enjoy a ten-course dinner of classic Ottoman dishes, surrounded by the room's original furnishings and accompanied by a trio of musicians, while food historians explain the significance of each course as it is served. If you come in June, July, or September, you can finish the evening with cocktails on the terrace. Cost: $6,000, including a donation to the Topkapi Palace Museum. Source: Karen Fedorko, Sea Song Tours, Istanbul (90-212-292-8555; fedorko@seasong.com; seasong.com).

Ancient History
History
Meet archaeologist Sümer Atasoy at a Pontic tomb from the fourth century b.c. that he discovered in 2005 and which isn't yet open to the public. He'll explain the items unearthed and their relevance to that period. The Pontic Greeks established colonies along the Black Sea starting around 800 b.c., and remained there until they were evicted by the Turks in 1923. Weather conditions—and Atasoy's availability—are optimal for this experience from May through mid-October. Cost: $1,750. Source: Carrie McDougall (see Egypt).

Ukraine
Setting the Stage
The Arts
Have a private backstage tour of Odessa's opera house, where Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff performed. You'll be able to view the dressing and rehearsal rooms and, if you time your visit right, you can see singers warming up for the evening's performance. Cost: $300. Source: Greg Tepper (see Czech Republic).

Don't miss these Travel stories from msnbc.com World’s weirdest travel gadgets Welcome to the world’s friendliest countries Airlines want your money, but not your cash Fewer travelers seen taking flight over holidays Caribbean high season deals: The latest and greatest

MORE FROM DESTINATIONS

Destinations Section Front

Africa and Mideast Asia Down Under and beyond Europe Mexico South America Tropical getaways U.S. and Canada Destinations Section Front   Add Destinations headlines to your news reader: