These Explore readers have just won bucket-list overseas trips

"Shocked", "surprised", "overwhelmed" and "delighted" are just some of the words Explore readers are using after winning five bucket-list holidays with travel operator, TripADeal.

"It's a dream come true," says Jenny Penrose of Mackay, Queensland, who won the 18-day 2 for 1 Europe adventure for a couple, which visits cities such as Rome, Prague, Venice, Barcelona and Valletta.

"My husband and I haven't been to Europe before. We were going to go when my son was living over in Scotland, but then COVID happened and we had to cancel it."

When Jenny received a phone call informing her that she's won the prize, she couldn't believe it.

"I was in disbelief. I even cried a little," says Jenny, who'll be heading on the trip with husband David.

The prize is part of Explore's biggest ever reader giveaway in collaboration with TripADeal.

Five trips around the world - worth more than $50,000 - were up for grabs as part of the promotion, which was launched on November 3 and attracted more than 25,000 entries from around the country.

Janet Parry of Cronulla, NSW, travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia seven years ago. And while the entire trip went swimmingly well, Janet has one regret: she never experienced a cruise on Vietnam's renowned Halong Bay. But that's about to change, now that she's won TripADeal's 17-day Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery, which includes a cruise on a traditional junk-style vessel in the World Heritage-listed area.

"I enter these competitions but I never ever thought that I would win. It was a very big surprise. I was shocked," says Janet, who'll be taking her daughter Karen on this holiday.

Cherilee Harris of Caboolture, Queensland, was just as surprised and delighted to win TripADeal's 18-day Norwegian Arctic Expedition for a couple.

"I have never seen my husband's face light up like that," says Cherilee. "The Norwegian Arctic is one of those places that you always want to go, but you just sort of don't because it's such a big holiday."

Another Queenslander, Paula Parker, who lives in Proserpine, has won the 19-day Puglia, Amalfi & The Med trip.

"I went to Europe for the first time 30 years ago, when I was just 21," says Paula. "And I can't wait to go back again as part of this prize with my mother."

A 10-day Ultimate South African Safari with TripADeal was also part of the reader giveaway, and it has been won by Karen Johnston of Swansea, NSW.

Explore is the Saturday travel section of 14 Australian newspapers published by ACM, including Bendigo Advertiser, The Canberra Times, The Courier (Ballarat), Central Western Daily (Orange), Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong), Newcastle Herald, The Advocate (Burnie), The Border Mail (Albury), The Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga), The Examiner (Launceston), The Northern Daily Leader (Tamworth), The Standard (Warrnambool) and Western Advocate (Bathurst).

Explore offers reader giveaways every few months. To stay up to date, visit exploretravel.com.au and subscribe to the Explore newsletter.

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