Travel trends in 2025 include all-women trips, sustainable vacations, and more — Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages / iStock Via Getty Images
It’s never too early to begin planning your latest vacation. With 2025 just around the corner, the time is nigh to do your research, set your itinerary, and get ready for your next great adventure.
As the new year approaches, we’ve noted a few travel trends that are expected to define vacations in the coming year. To help you stay updated on the most exciting destinations, transportation methods, and places to stay, experts share what to expect from travel in 2025.
Micro-cruising
Micro-cruising on smaller ships to under-the-radar destinations are on the rise — Photo courtesy of Le Ponant
While large cruise ships carrying armies of travelers around the Caribbean can be fun, small cruise ships are growing in popularity. Experts say the number of small ship cruises will double by 2030 as guests gravitate toward more intimate experiences.
“Micro-cruises typically have 50 passengers or fewer onboard, offering an opportunity for guests to explore ports larger ships cannot reach,” explains Unforgettable Travel Company and Cruise Croatia‘s Graham Carter. “Travelers can expect to get closer to sought-after destinations and a high level of authenticity within the areas they visit.”
Carter says that the small ship is commensurate with a boutique hotel. “More than 70% of our guests are new to cruising and see micro-cruising as a floating hotel with the same level of personalized service,” he adds.
Micro-cruises on Les Bateaux Belmond ships include Michelin-quality meals — Photo courtesy of Les Bateaux Belmond
You can find stunning micro-cruises from teams like &Beyond, whose Galapagos Explorer, a 124-foot expedition yacht, has only six suites and cabins. Other options include Aqua Expeditions, whose smaller ships sail to destinations like the shores of East Africa for five-day to two-week trips.
For folks looking to explore Europe on a small ship, consider Ponant, whose smaller ships feature 16 cabins. Or, check out Les Bateaux Belmond, known for its luxurious ships and highly sought-after culinary curator Dominique Crenn, whose Atelier Crenn was the first female-led restaurant in the U.S. to receive three Michelin stars.
Women-only experiences
More than 70% of luxury travelers are women — Photo courtesy of PeopleImages / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Ladies, pack your bags. Increasingly, travel experts are finding that women want to travel to bond with their female friends. “The trend of independent female travel will significantly increase in 2025, with 71% of solo luxury travelers being women,” says Melissa DaSilva, CEO of The Travel Corporation, the parent company of Insight Vacations and other tour groups. “We see many embracing an ‘if not now, when?’ mindset, inspired to explore on their own terms rather than waiting for friends or family to join.”
But it’s not just solo female travel taking over. DaSilva notes that many women seek trips with other mothers, daughters, or groups of friends “to enjoy the unique camaraderie and deeper connections that come with shared experiences in a women-only setting.”
Ellen Bettridge of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises also sees a growing interest among midlife women looking for adventures after life transitions, like career changes or kids leaving home. For instance, menopause wellness retreats are on the rise. “Many women find that traveling with other women enriches their vacation experience, offering a supportive, social environment,” she adds.
The desire to embark on solo female travel is so prevalent that award-winning adventure tour companies like Wild Women Expeditions, Whoa Travel, and Explorer Chick Adventure Co. are seeing increased business. Also, tour companies like Natural Habitat Adventures are creating experiences specifically for women, like Women in the Wild trips.
“Ultimately, it’s less about the destination itself and more about the camaraderie of the women in the group that makes the experience so appealing,” explains Natural Habitat Adventures’ Renata Haas. “Popular choices include Churchill for polar bears and northern lights, Alaska, Iceland, Greenland, South Africa, and Australia, among others.”
DaSilva says Peru, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, and Croatia are other common destinations for women-only travel.
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Generation-cations
The generation-cation travel trend brings the entire family together — Photo courtesy of Beaches Turks And Caicos
Multiple generations may not live under the same roof anymore but are increasingly traveling under the same itinerary. According to the 2025 Virtuoso Travel Trends report, for the first time in history, next year will mark the first year that up to seven generations could travel together. Travelers are increasingly seeking destinations and lodging to accommodate large, diverse families.
“We found that an overwhelming number of families prefer a group family travel to a solo family trip, with a lot of enthusiasm towards bringing all the generations together,” says James McAnally, managing director at Beaches Turks and Caicos. “Kids want to spend time with their parents; parents want their children to build memories with their grandparents. And they want to enjoy those moments in destinations that offer activities for all age groups.”
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When planning a generation-cation, it’s important to find destinations that offer a variety of activities to fit all specified age groups, says Stephanie Fisher of Brickell Travel. “Be sure to consider mobility concerns, young children in attendance, dietary restrictions, or levels of expectation in service,” she notes.
Finding a hotel for multi-generational family travel, with the right amount of space for everyone, is key. “Some of the best vacations are about fostering connection and recreating that feeling of home abroad brings you closer together, especially when you are vacationing with family like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins,” says McAnally.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean forcing folks into close quarters. Options include booking a cluster of hotel rooms, a few villas, or a cruise ship with different areas to congregate and retreat to their own space. Think private cottages at Mackinac Island’s beautiful Inn at Stonecliffe or securing a few rooms in the main house so family members can have privacy.
At hotels like La Reserve Geneve in Switzerland, you’ll find interconnected family rooms (including one decorated for children), complimentary childcare, and a heated tennis dome allowing family lessons during even the coldest months. For a beach destination, check out the stunning multi-bedroom villas at Nizuc in Cancun.
Another key to generation-cations is having a wealth of activities that keep everyone happy. For example, Numu Boutique Hotel in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, can accommodate several interests, from interactive cooking classes to engaging art workshops.
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F*ck-it lists
F*ck it lists are a big travel trend for Gen Z and millennials — Photo courtesy of Contiki
Not to be confused with bucket lists, so-called f*ck-it lists are growing in popularity in 2025. “While bucket lists are more thought out and planned, f*ck it lists are rather spontaneous and impulsive,” explains Carolyn Addison from travel company Black Tomato. “They tend to be shorter-term, bolder experiences in closer destinations based on things like concerts, cultural events, or flight deals that may arise unexpectedly.”
Experts find that younger travelers embrace the f*ck-it mentality. “These travelers are ready to jet off within just 10 days,” says Adam Armstrong of Contiki, an award-winning group tour company. “Instead of sticking to the usual spots, they choose under-the-radar destinations. It’s all about living in the moment and exploring the world in their own way.”
And while this could mean a spur-of-the-moment trip to Kenya or a “why not” trip to New Zealand, travelers are also expressing more interest in destinations closer to home. “F*ck it lists are for people who want to push boundaries, break routines, and try things that are a bit impulsive or out-of-character,” says Armstrong.
That means personal passion, not social media influence, inspires travel to many f*ck-it list destinations. Armstrong says as travelers become more aware of how social media can drive over-tourism and impact local communities, they’re starting to look beyond the typical must-see spots with an eye toward sustainable travel. So you’ll see things like ethical safari trips, discovering last-chance destinations, and taking coolcations on the rise.
Coming up with your f*ck-it list (rather than looking for inspiration from others) is key to unlocking this travel trend and your next unforgettable trip.
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