What do you want to experience in 2025? The world is bursting with possibilities and fresh opportunities for you to explore deeper. You might combine whale spotting and wine tasting in South Africa, connect with the local culture through meaningful Māori experiences in New Zealand, or enjoy some rest and relaxation in milky hot springs on a trip to Japan’s rural north. Here are ten destinations that are particularly calling out to us.
Pick your destination:
1. Japan
Rest in the rural north
From Tokyo’s smoky ramen shops to Kyoto’s blossom-lined streets, Japan remains one of our most popular destinations. To stray away from the crowds in 2025, consider Tohoku. This northern area houses many of the best hot springs in the country, including Nyuto Onsen, known for its soothing, opaque waters. You could also include a visit to Matsushima, a bay of 260 pine tree-studded islets (and considered one of the top three views in the country), as part of a broader Japan trip.
Our recommended trips to Japan
2. Thailand
A trip of two halves
Combining multiple interests and ways of exploring in a single trip lets you gain new perspectives on your destination and get to know it more deeply. We think hybrid holidays, like combining land and water, will be a big trend for 2025. Thailand is one of our favourite destinations for it — you can experience the frenetic streets of Bangkok in a tuk-tuk, sample authentic cuisine at storied markets, and cruise past Khmer ruins. Plus, it’s easy to tag on time in other Southeast Asian countries.
Our recommended trips to Thailand
- Central Thailand & a cruise on the River Kwai
- Highlights of Southeast Asia by land & sea
- View all Thailand tours
3. Peru
In the footsteps of Paddington
If you’re as enamoured with the jungle-clad valleys and misty citadels of 2024’s Paddington in Peru as we are, we can arrange a trip to Peru inspired by the marmalade-loving bear. Plan early enough and you could include a privately guided tour of Machu Picchu (there are limited tickets available per day). For wildlife beyond the duffel-coat wearing variety, you could also extend your trip to include a cruise around the Galapagos Islands.
Our recommended trips to Peru
4. New Zealand
Meaningful Māori experiences
We’ve long known that it’s the authentic, local experiences that really allow you to get to know a place. So, for 2025, our New Zealand specialists are well prepared to help you respectfully integrate Indigenous culture into your travels. You might take a boat trip to Lake Taupo’s intricate rock carvings, visit history-rich Kāpiti Island to look for kiwis in its Māori-protected nature reserve, or go behind the scenes at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum with a Māori guide.
Our recommended trips to New Zealand
- Cultural New Zealand self-drive tour
- New Zealand's South Island self-drive tour
- View all New Zealand tours
5. South Africa
Wine, wildlife & waterfalls
What sets South Africa apart from many other countries in the region is its versatility, from city sights and coastal drives to wine tasting and whale spotting. Your trip here doesn’t have to revolve around safari, if you don’t want it to. In the Cape region, you can hike up Table Mountain, take a private tour of the Winelands with a local expert, and spy penguins and whales off the coast. Plus, the thundering Victoria Falls are an easy flight away.
Our recommended trips to South Africa
6. Canada
Cross country by rail
Canada’s most scenic train route, The Canadian, turns 70 in 2025 — join in the celebrations on a five-day journey from Toronto to Vancouver (or vice versa). This cross-country course gives you access to places that are otherwise difficult to reach — you’ll skim by glittering lakes and pass through shrubless prairies, as well as stopping at many of Canada’s best-known highlights. For a shorter journey, you might opt for the overnight Jasper-to-Vancouver route, which takes you deep into the Rockies.
Our recommended trips to Canada
- Best of western Canada by train & self-drive
- Hidden gems of Canada's Rockies self-drive tour
- View all Canada tours
7. India
Introducing you to experts
One of the burgeoning trends we’re noticing for 2025 is a preference for tours led by local experts. It’s something we’ve always prided ourselves in across our destinations, but our experiences in India particularly stand out for this. You could take a private, after-hours tour of Mehrangarh Fort with the site’s curator. Or, visit a local family in their Udaipur home to learn the secrets of their recipes and cooking techniques. You might want to expand your trip by including a visit to the mountainous Kingdom of Bhutan, where few visitors have ventured.
Our recommended trips to India
8. Norway
Get to know our latest destination
From mountain-hemmed fjords to vast pine forests, Norway’s epic landscapes offer a glimpse into the Earth’s raw majesty, especially when you explore its lesser-visited regions. Visit in the icy grip of winter to dog sled across the snowy tundra within the Arctic Circle and look for the northern lights. Or, for a summer visit, head to the remote Lofoten Islands, where tiny red-and-white cabins stand at the edge of the North Atlantic.
Our recommended trips to Norway
- Short northern lights winter break in northern Norway
- Highlights of the Lofoten Islands
- View all Norway tours
9. Egypt
A long-awaited opening
After more than a decade of anticipation, you can finally take a peek inside 12 of the new Grand Egyptian Museum’s treasure-laden halls. Visitor numbers are limited, though, so it’s best to book well ahead. Beyond the museum, there are many other ways to delve into Egypt’s pharaonic past, from expert-led tours of the Giza pyramids to a cruise along the Nile. For a glimpse into another ancient civilisation, tie it in with a trip to Jordan’s Petra.
Our recommended trips to Egypt
10. USA
Musical heritage & ranching
From glittering jumpsuits in Graceland to country tunes that spill out onto neon-lit streets, the USA’s South has a long tradition of music. 2025 looks to be especially exciting as the region celebrates what would’ve been Elvis’s 90th birthday, as well as 100 years of the esteemed country music venue, the Grand Ole Opry.
Alternatively, if watching the new season of Yellowstone has intrigued you, head further west to visit the show’s namesake national park before staying at a historic Montana ranch. There, you can explore the great outdoors on horseback with an experienced wrangler.