Flying a Spitfire, Hurricane or P51 or a Lockheed Lightning will forever be beyond my means I think. I've come to terms with having to admire them from the ground.
Much more feasible would be to fly these (not impossible if I really go for it, the main obstacle being money):
- Dragon Rapide
- Dakota (not the Piper but the DC3)
- Staggerwing
- Ryan
Even more feasible:
- Temco Swift
- Falco
Or get re-acquainted with some types I've flown before -- too long ago! It's high time to fly with the wheel at the right end again!
- DH Chipmunk
- Stampe
- Emeraude
- Piper Cub
- Rollason Condor
- KZII
As for more modern 'classics', I'd go for small. I'd love to try a BD-5 or a JM Miller duct pusher, or a Cri-Cri.
Or a Vampire... such a pity that squadron was broken up.
As for travelling, you can't do much better than what I am flying now, efficiency-wise.