Ever since international travel reopened after the pandemic, travel trends have been exciting to track. There seems to be an endless number of little-known destinations popping up on the radar, with many travelers ready to experience new places and have more adventure in their life! It’s predicted that next year will be when people go to less “touristy” places to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That’s my kind of travel! The less “touristy” the better.
Some destinations are more traditional, like Rome, but people are yearning to see these places in a new way, whether through a special event or a new opening of a hotel or restaurant. Great news, foodies! Food-motivated travel is going to be big next year, too!
From tried and true classics like London to new and adventurous experiences like Bolivia, these destinations are on my to-visit list for 2025. Many of these places have made the top lists of travel trend predictions made by Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Expedia, and others.
Get inspired by this detailed list of 2025 travel ideas with the best time to go, especially for travelers from the USA. I can help you choose a destination and book your trip!
January travel destination 2025: Cairo, Egypt
What’s new in 2025: In an interview for Forbes, luxury travel advisor OvationNetwork recommended Cairo, Egypt, as a top destination for 2025. The ancient city is getting a refresh with the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to be the world’s largest archaeological museum. The museum, years in the making, opened 12 halls in October 2024 for trial runs for the first time. Cairo itself is a living museum of history and culture, both ancient and modern. From exploring the Khan el-Khalili bazaar to sipping a late-night tea in a traditional cafe, it’s hard to be bored in this city of 10 million.
Plus, Cairo is the departing point for a Nile river cruise to visit Egypt’s famous temples in Luxor and Aswan. If you are interested in learning more about river cruises on the Nile, please contact me.
When to go: Egypt is best enjoyed in winter, between November and February. Avoid the hot desert summers!
February travel destination 2025: Phuket and Chiang Mai, Thailand
What’s new in 2025: Luxury travel magazine Travel + Leisure just named Thailand as their destination of the year for 2025. Thailand has been popular for many decades, but it’s particularly trendy for 2025 because the famous HBO show “White Lotus” is filming its third season there. It’s expected to draw in many more visitors, as its second season did for Sicily. Oh, I can’t wait, I loved the first two seasons!
Aside from the obvious visit to Bangkok, Phuket is a beloved place for beach vacations (and it’s still on my list of places to visit!) Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, has endless white-sand beaches and electric-blue water and is often compared to Bali. It stands out for its many historic and cultural sites, like temples and shrines, including a nearly 150-foot Buddha statue.
If you’ve already done Phuket, Lonely Planet’s 2025 Best in Travel list recommends you try Chiang Mai. The city is a foodie’s heaven; it’s even better if you can visit in January for the Chiang Mai Food Festival.
When to go: February and the first half of March are the most popular times to see Thailand, but it’s still pleasant until June, when the rainy season usually starts.
Spring travel destination ideas for 2025
In March or April: Japan
What’s new in 2025: Japan’s popularity has surged post-pandemic, and this won’t change in 2025 (especially with the show “Shogun” winning 18 Emmys in 2024!). What will change, though, is where people visit in the country. Due to over-tourism and new regulations introduced by the government, it’s expected that new places throughout the island nation will pop up as the next hotspots.
Lonely Planet speculates that Osaka will be the Tokyo of 2025, with the World Expo being held there from April through October. Expedia, expecting more experience-based travel in 2025, recommends Uji, the hub of Japanese green tea (matcha), or Hokkaido, where you can see Japanese cranes. Just a two-hour train ride from Tokyo is the mountain town Nikko, which American Express recommends for its fusion of elements of Kyoto and Mount Fuji. Nat Geo suggests that would-be visitors to Kyoto try Kanazawa instead, where there’s a geisha quarter, a samurai district, unique artistry, and beautiful gardens.
When to go: March and April are Japan’s high season because it is cherry blossom season. If you want to avoid the crowds, there is also vibrant fall foliage from September to November. There really is not a bad time to visit Japan depending on what weather and activities are on your list.
In March, April, or May: London
What’s new in 2025: London isn’t a new or surprising addition to this list. Quite the opposite, the global capital’s lengthy history keeps people returning year after year. But 2025 will be extra special for London’s hotel scene. The city is finally getting a Six Senses! The luxury hotel and spa brand from Thailand expanded to Europe less than 10 years ago, opening seven locations across southern and central Europe. The sustainable wellness hotel will make its northern Europe debut in the UK in 2025, opening in The Whiteley near the beautiful Hyde Park.
When to go: Between March and May is the perfect time to see London. The weather is at its best, and there aren’t too many crowds. The city’s two high seasons are June to August and December through January.
In May or June: Bolivia
What’s new in 2025: As South American destinations continue to trend, like last year’s surge of travel to Colombia, all eyes are on Bolivia as 2025’s hot spot. Several luxury travel agencies have put “The Tibet of the Americas” on their 2025 must-see lists, especially the country’s salt flats, called “Salar de Uyuni.” The world’s largest, these salt flats are the perfect destination for travelers interested in adventure and nature. OvationNetwork recommends an excursion to Incahuasi Island, an “island” in the vast salt flats. Bonus, you can see the giant cacti, too!
When to go: Your best bet is to visit during the dry season from May to October. However, during the rainy season (late December to early April), a thin layer of rainfall covers the flats, creating a mirror effect loved by nature photographers.
Summer travel destination ideas for 2025
Portugal
What’s new in 2025: Portugal, an affordable yet stunning destination with delicious cuisine and rich history, has been on travelers’ radars for the past couple of years and will continue attracting visitors in 2025. The capital city, Lisbon, is the most accessible place to see and therefore the obvious choice, but next year I expect to see many more people exploring other areas of Portugal. History lovers will enjoy Evora, the UNESCO World Heritage city with monuments standing from Roman times. Those seeking a trendy and artsy city will love Porto in the Douro Valley.
When to go: Portugal is a year-round destination, but the peak season is summer, especially August.
Paros, Greece
What’s new in 2025: American Express recommends this dreamy Grecian island for 2025. Paros is a treasure hidden in plain sight, only a 40-minute flight from Athens. Easy to reach yet blissfully peaceful, Paros has the beautiful beaches and whitewashed villages of Santorini without the crowds. The island has it all: You can have outdoor adventures like horseback riding on the beach, take a boat tour to Antiparos, shop at boutiques in the Naoussa neighborhood, explore the Lefkes village, and, of course, taste the delicious food. Greek food is one of my favorites!
When to go: Peak season, July and August, is the best time for swimming. If you’re more interested in the scenery and pleasant strolls, opt for the shoulder seasons.
October travel destination 2025: Greenland
What’s new in 2025: According to travel industry stats, seeing the Northern Lights is an experience everyone wants to get in on next year. Most people immediately think of Iceland, but what about Greenland? Starting in June 2025, there will be a direct flight from the US to the world’s largest island for the first time (United Airlines flying from Newark, NJ, to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital). With 80 percent of its mass covered in ice, Greenland offers a more wintry and rugged alternative to Iceland, which has become incredibly popular (and expensive) in the past 10 years. Fodor’s Travel placed Greenland at the top of their Most Coveted Experiences of 2025 list!
When to go: The best time to see the Northern Lights in Greenland is during winter, from the end of September to March or April.
P.S. If you prefer to see the Northern Lights without needing to have a passport, head to my former home, Alaska! I lived in southeast Juneau for two winters, so I experienced the lights in the wintertime. The best city to see the lights, however, is Fairbanks.
November travel destination 2025: The Balkans
What’s new in 2025: The Balkans are on all the best lists of must-visit regions in 2025. Albania was booming last year, and other Balkan nations continue to increase in popularity. I just returned from a trip to Montenegro and Croatia, and I was blown away by the natural beauty of the diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains. Famed British travel agency Wild Frontiers recommends Montenegro for 2025, especially for exploring the stunning national parks. National Geographic’s Readers’ Choice Winner for 2025 is Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
When to go: The Balkans are best seen in the shoulder seasons for the most lush nature and fewer crowds.
December travel destination 2025: Rome
What’s new in 2025: This year is set to be extraordinary for Rome. The Vatican is leading the charge of the 2025 Jubilee, also called a Holy Year, a special year-long event that only happens once every 25 years. Though it is a religious call for pilgrims to come together, the city comes alive with cultural events, concerts, and more that not only celebrate the Catholic faith but also Rome. It will be a special time to visit the city. Rome is one of my favorite cities, and finding those special hidden gems makes it even better!
When to go: Due to its mild winters, Rome is a year-round destination; just consider that the summer months will be very crowded (and very hot), especially during the Jubilee year.