The Most Coveted Experiences of 2025, According to Travel Experts

The world’s largest island, Greenland’s scenic coasts, and glacier-carved landscapes are normally experienced via expedition cruises. But, starting November 2024, new flight routes into Nuuk’s international airport will allow intrepid adventurers to touch down at the edge of the Arctic Circle and then explore on foot.

“For the savvy, curious traveler itching to explore the uncharted, we predict they will embrace exploring land-based Greenland,” said Ayaka Hasegawa, PR manager at luxury, experiential travel company Black Tomato.

New for 2025, the operator’s overland Greenland itinerary will focus on immersive, educational experiences that “are sensitively designed, respectful of locals, and intended to support communities,” said Hasegawa.

Among the field-trip style adventures on offer, travelers can learn to catch arctic char with bare hands, sail on a traditional schooner boat up the coastline, mountain climb, dog sled, take RIB boats to visit local communities, and sleep beneath ethereal polar skies at cozy glamping sites. Witnessing the UNESCO-inscribed Ilulissat ice fjord and Greenland’s unique flora and fauna rank high on travelers’ wish lists, but the company also hopes to shine a light on the island’s unique culinary heritage.

“Gourmet dining in Greenland is a lesser-known treasure, with incredible local chefs showcasing bastions of impressive culinary skills, with an acute focus on using locally sourced ingredients,” added Hasegawa.

Backroads’ new Hiking and walking tour of Iceland and Greenland (June to September 2025) is another land-based option for travelers looking to combine Iceland and Greenland. The itinerary begins with three nights in Iceland, based in Grindavik, before flying to Greenland, where adventures include hiking the coastline from Oqaatsut to the edge of the Ilulissat ice fjord.

Trains offer one of the most eco-friendly, comfortable, and romantic ways to experience Europe’s natural wonders and cultural treasures. Mark Smith, the train guru behind The Man in Seat 61, has his eye on several new routes for 2025.

“Two of the continent’s most popular cities, Paris and Berlin, will have their first direct train link in decades,” said Smith. “Trains will depart each capital at 9 a.m. and take between seven and eight hours.”

This new rail connection — a partnership between German rail operators Deutsche Bahn and France’s SNCF — is in addition to the highly anticipated three-times weekly sleeper service launched by NightJet earlier this year.

The sleeper trains boom continues with European Sleeper’s new seasonal sleeper, launching February 5, 2025, that will travel from Brussels to Venice with stops at Utrecht, Cologne, Munich, Innsbruck, and Verona. The route will provide winter sports enthusiasts with a more sustainable travel option.

Smith is also excited about new generation trains on sleeper routes between Munich and Bologna, Salzburg and Florence, Vienna and Rome.

“The new Nightjet trains are a far cry from the old rolling stock. Sleeping cars come with temperature control, ambient lighting, call buttons, a toilet, and a shower cubicle,” said Smith.

“I’m also personally looking forward to a Paris-Milan ride in Executive class on Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa,” added Smith. “The line, which has been closed since August 2023 due to a major landslide, will be reopened in Spring 2025.”

Since opening its borders post-pandemic, Japan’s popularity has skyrocketed. Following incidents of “Geisha paparazzi” in Kyoto and tourist jams and trash on the trails at Mount Fuji, authorities have implemented a raft of taxes and regulations.

In response to overtourism, operators are crafting itineraries that inspire travelers to appreciate a destination’s emblematic attractions in a more sustainable way. In the case of Japan, that might be experiencing cherry blossoms, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, samurai villages, or hot springs, but in lesser-known, more remote towns and villages.

Launching in 2025, G Adventures’ new Geluxe subset of immersive tours offers travelers alternative and meaningful ways to experience classic destinations.

“We want to put our travelers in a position to meet and to interact with fascinating people and build connections with destinations in a way you can’t just show up and accomplish,” said Timothy Knight, one of the company’s Global Purpose Specialists.

“I love our Geluxe itinerary in Japan,” said Knight. “It’s a total redesign of the traditional way to experience the country. It visits new-to-travel cities and towns and helps develop new activities and the small businesses that support them. There’s a special hiking trail on the coast there that we’ve helped develop, and it’s stunning. And the simple act of taking folks there on our trip benefits struggling communities that were devastated by the Tsunami.”

Far-flung island paradises, such as Fiji, Thailand, the Maldives, and Seychelles, combined with private yachts and cruise expeditions that offer “next level stimulation and engagement” have become a major trend, according to Virtuoso’s 2024 Trends Report.

Well-heeled travelers can venture to Indonesia’s remote islands in style next year on Abercrombie & Kent’s new 15-day Raja Ampat & the Spice Islands. Onboard an exclusively chartered expedition yacht, rubbing shoulders with explorers and expert marine biologists, travelers will explore 12 sites in the wildly beautiful East Indonesian archipelago, including pristine islands, bays, and beaches. Famed among snorkelers and divers for its coral reef, the Spice Islands are one of the most diverse marine environments on the planet, home to 75 percent of the world’s species.

Next year, Paul Gaugin’s new 10-night More Tuamotus & Society Islands will stop overnight in Fakarava, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of French Polynesia’s best destinations for diving and snorkeling. The cruise will also make stops on Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine, and the private islet of Mote Mahana.

At the heart of Central Europe, Slovenia has long been one of the continent’s best-kept secrets, with majestic peaks, emerald green lakes, and a picturesque Adriatic coastline that set the stage for epic hiking, biking, rafting, caving, and horseback riding.

“At Black Tomato, travel to Slovenia has increased to record levels, with consistent sentiment shared around the mind-blowing nature of the destination…it exquisitely captures the best of its bordering countries of Italy, Croatia, and Austria,” said Hasegawa.

In response, the company has added a slew of new adventures for 2025, including an immersive wine safari in Brda, hikes through the Upper Sava Valley, and private tours of the UNESCO-inscribed Škocjan Caves. And there’s even more reason to visit in 2025. Nova Gorica, Slovenia’s youngest city, will share the spotlight with its Italian neighbor, Gorizia, as the first-ever cross-border European Capitals of Culture.

A pioneer in sustainable travel, Slovenia is also the starting point for the new 2090-mile Trans Dinarica, the first-ever biking trail to connect the countries of the Western Balkans. The trail traverses Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia.

The majestic serrated peaks of Italy’s Dolomites are well known among Europe’s snow sport cognoscenti, who carve turns by day then indulge in designer shopping and après-ski in chic mountain towns like Cortina D’Ampezzo. Outdoor enthusiasts can now experience Italy’s gorgeous northeast corner in a more sustainable way.

The 105-mile Cammino Retico, which opened in May, connects traditional villages in the Veneto and Trentino regions where Dolomitic limestone peaks rise above flower-filled valleys clustered with idyllic Tyrolean chalets. Historical sites, such as the evocative walled city of Feltre, dot the route, and sustainable accommodations include convivial farm stays and traditional albergos.

If you’d rather travel with a group, Backroads Travel is launching a new six-day immersive Dolomites Lodge-to-Lodge Hiking Tour for 2025, which combines high-altitude treks with stays at luxe mountain retreats where guests indulge in spa treatments and South Tyrolean specialty cuisine.

An African safari is one of life’s great adventures, a chance to witness incredible wildlife and explore remote, untouched landscapes. According to Go2Africa’s State of Travel Safari Report, safari search interest increased 38 percent last year. The report also cited a 20 percent increase in beach and safari itineraries, with a spike in bookings to the Seychelles for 2025.

Widely considered Africa’s most romantic destination, the Seychelles archipelago’s otherworldly beauty has made it a luxury hideaway for royalty and honeymooning celebrities. Hailed as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” sugar-white sands gently slope to azure waters, and tropical habitats filled with rare indigenous palms give way to vanilla and spice plantations and orchid fields.

The most visited islands are Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, known for their ultra-glamorous resorts. For travelers looking for a more secluded, eco-conscious island getaway, tiny Platte Island—80 miles south of Mahé—recently became home to the new Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, which combines luxurious accommodations with immersive, nature-focused experiences.

Kenya and South Africa offer the most seamless bush-to-Seychelles experience, with direct flights to Mahé from Nairobi (three hours) and Johannesburg (five hours).

With its glittering Caribbean coastline, teeming jungles, and thrilling adventure pursuits, Belize shares many of the awe-inspiring features that has made Costa Rica so beloved among American travelers. Just like its neighbor, Belize has also made bold commitments to sustainable growth over recent years.

The tiny, former British colony also possesses its own soul-stirring natural assets and cultural cachet. The Blue Hole, one of the world’s most spectacular dive sites, beckons snorkelers and divers, while the Cayo District astounds with its otherworldly jungle-cloaked Mayan ruins, mist-laced mountain trails, and fascinating underground cave systems.

For travelers looking to combine sustainable outdoor adventures with sumptuous accommodations, 2025 is when it all comes together. A glitzy new Four Seasons resort will feature a Fabien Cousteau nature and conservation institute, while a wellness-inspired Six Senses will debut within the UNESCO-inscribed Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Belize has never been the easiest destination to reach from the U.S., but with increased flight routes with JetBlue, American Airlines, and Southwest, as well as a $250 million expansion project of Philip Goldson International Airport, greater accessibility will inspire an influx of adventure-seeking travelers in 2025.

“The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised,” announced the ’90s Britpop band Oasis on August 27.

Great Britain is already in the midst of a Swiftie-style frenzy as the Gallagher brothers put their squabbles aside (maybe) to play five-night concerts in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, and their home city of Manchester next summer. According to the Daily Mail, prices for a Holiday Express hotel room in Edinburgh when the band performs next August are going for £1,200 (GBP).

Passion-point and vibe-based travels, like gig tripping or traveling for a major sporting event, continue to rise with travelers prepared to splurge on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, according to Skyscanner’s 2024 Trends Report.

Traveling internationally to see your favorite artist also comes with the added benefit of exploring an often-overlooked destination like Manchester. The Gallagher brothers’ home city is already well known for its thriving live music scene, football teams, and dynamic multicultural neighborhoods. But it’s Manchester’s less-flaunted assets, like the dazzling Manchester Museum—fresh from a major renovation—the Imperial War Museum North, and the revitalized canal district with its flagship art spaces that speak to the city’s transformation from the engine of the Industrial Revolution to a modern cultural powerhouse.