WHETHER it’s sunkissed beaches, city breaks or innovative design – 2025 promises to be a year full of adventure for the traveller.
From the Transylvanian region famed for Dracula to a Baroque city on the Italian Riviera – we reveal the best destinations for the year.
1. Genoa, Italy
The lowdown: This Baroque city on the Italian Riviera gets a new high-speed train connection from Milan next year, so visit ahead of the crowds.
“It’s got a beautiful cathedral and some breathtaking architecture, but with far fewer crowds than Rome or Venice,” says Tom Hall, vice president at Lonely Planet.
The atmospheric, ancient alleyways of the historic centre, known as the Caruggi, are also special.
Grab the signature snack of focaccia with pesto as you stroll – Genoa is the green sauce’s birthplace.
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Don’t miss: Visit the Rolli palaces – 42 are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
“They do open-house weekends in May and September, where you can tour these grand private homes, as well as the museums,” says Tom.
“Be sure to visit Boccadasse, a little fishing village with pastel-coloured buildings, too.
“It’s about a 40-minute walk from the city and a little like Italy’s Cinque Terre.”
Best time to go: April to June.
FYI: Flights to Genoa cost from £38 return, plus you can bring back 500g of authentic Genovese pesto in your hand luggage.
2. Osaka, Japan
The lowdown: Osaka is hosting Expo, the world’s largest show of innovative design and scientific invention between April and October, which means Tokyo’s little sister has put in serious prep for new visitors.
“This spot is an overlooked part of Japan, but it’s the third-largest city and has got fantastic art and night life,” says Tom.
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Don’t miss: Book ahead for Expo – tickets cost from £20.
“Expect to see the latest in AI, smart tech and robots. Plus, it’s a real showcase for countries in terms of sustainability, culture and cuisine,” says Tom.
Asia’s first Time Out food market is on the cusp of opening, too.
“Be sure to try takoyaki – dough balls filled with octopus – and okonomiyaki pancakes,” he adds.
“The city is also great for vegans and veggies.”
Best time to go: Late autumn for some spectacular leaf peeping.
FYI: Flights to Osaka cost from £404 return.
3. The Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The lowdown: All eyes will be on The Outer Hebrides when new BBC Gaelic drama An T-Eilean (The Island) airs this week.
And fans will fall for the pristine white beaches and untouched natural habitats – despite there being more than 100 islands here, just 15 are inhabited.
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Don’t miss: Hit the Hebridean Way, from Vatersay to the Butt of Lewis.
“This can take you some 200 miles walking or cycling and crossing over 10 islands to see monuments, whisky distilleries and wildlife,” says Pat Riddell, editor of National Geographic Traveller UK.
If you’re lucky, you may even spot the Northern Lights.
Top tips? Grab pizza at Crust Like That on the Isle of Lewis and sample a dram at the Isle of Harris Distillery.
Best time to go: June or July for spotting seal pups.
FYI: Caledonian MacBrayne ferries run to the islands from the mainland in Oban and Ullapool.
4. Zambia
The lowdown: Nestled in southern Africa, this country is growing in popularity as an affordable safari alternative to its pricier neighbours Botswana and Zimbabwe.
And with 20 national parks on offer, you will be spoilt for choice.
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Don’t miss: “Obviously, the wildlife and Victoria Falls, which it borders with Zimbabwe, are the standouts,” says Tom.
“On the Zambian side of the Falls, you have brilliant viewing platforms and the barrage of noise from the water is quite something.”
Spot hippos, elephants, leopards and lions at Kafue National Park and Lower Zambezi Park.
Or see giraffes up close on a walking safari at South Luangwa National Park, said to be the birth place of this alternative safari and home to luxe-but-budget-friendly lodges like Flatdog Camps.
At Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park you’ll find the endangered white rhino.
“But adrenalin seekers won’t be left out – bungee jump at the Victoria Falls Bridge or go white-water rafting along the Zambezi River,” says Tom.
A dip in Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool at the edge of the Falls, is one for the bucket list.
Best time to go: May to October is dry season, when animals gather around the drinking spots.
FYI: Flights cost from £469 return.
5. Long Island, USA
The lowdown: Long Island’s North Shore, with its opulent mansions, was the inspo for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in April.
Less than an hour from New York City, it makes for a brilliant add-on.
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Don’t miss: Take a Great Gatsby boat tour around Manhasset Bay, the same one director Baz Luhrmann took to research his film.
A must-see mansion is Old Westbury Gardens, which has starred in the film North By Northwest, as well as The Gilded Age and Sex And The City.
“Go as much for the wine as the mansions, though,” says Tom.
“In summer and autumn, you’ll find farmsteads selling samples.”
Merlot from vineyards like Lenz Winery and the Wölffer Estate is very slurpable.
Best time to go: June to October – and midweek, as New Yorkers flock here at weekends.
FYI: Flights to New York cost from £239 return, and trains from Manhattan cost from £1.60.
6. Sri Lanka
The lowdown: Golden, sandy beaches, a tropical climate and rich culture – this Indian Ocean isle has heaps to discover.
Hot spots on its 1,300km coastline include Unawatuna, Bentota, Pasikuda and Arugam Bay – a surfer’s paradise – all of which look set to receive a Blue Flag this year.
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There’s a budding wellness scene, too.
Don’t miss: “Admire Buddhist temples and cultural heritage sites, like the rock fortress at Sigiriya and the historic fort in Galle,” says Jon Nigel, co-founder of Weather2travel.com.
Hikers will love the 186-mile Pekoe Trail through the Sri Lankan highlands and the chance to sip fine tea and coffee from source at the mountain plantations.
The country is also home to 26 national parks, three being marine parks.
“Some of the world’s best whale watching is on offer in the south between January and April,” adds Jon.
Best time to go: From mid-December to April.
FYI: Flights to Sri Lanka cost from £366 return.
7. Stockholm’s Archipelago, Sweden
The lowdown: Welcome to a new way of island hopping.
Made up of around 30,000 islands and islets, you can hike across 21 of these on the newly opened 168-mile Stockholm Archipelago Trail, plus there are lots of ferries and inns to bed down at.
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Sweden also ticks the box for the new “coolcation” trend of escaping southern Europe’s heatwaves.
Don’t miss: “Sleepover at places like Utö Värdshus, where Hollywood’s Greta Garbo once stayed,” says Pat.
Then pop into the Ingmarsö Bakery for fresh bread, pizza and coffee.
Meanwhile, every Friday on Tranholmen island, chef David Enmark turns his home into restaurant David At Home, cooking up seafood feasts of mussels, scallops and lobster for 40 guests.
Best time to go: Late August to early October, when the crowds disappear.
FYI: Flights to Stockholm cost from £38 return. Ferries cost from £4.30.
8. Aruba
The lowdown: At only 20 miles long and six miles wide, this island off the coast of Venezuela is all white sand, palm trees and colour-pop towns.
And this year it has three new hotels.
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There’s the St Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort with private cabanas and infinity pools, the Iberostar JOIA adults-only spot on stunning Eagle Beach, and the chic Secrets Baby Beach Resort.
“Whether you pick horseback riding, quad biking, sailing, or all three, the island offers plenty for thrill-seekers, as well as excellent scuba-diving,” says Jon.
Don’t miss: Go bodyboarding at Andicuri Beach, walking around the Ayo Rock Formations that are over 2,000 years old and snorkelling at Mangel Halto or Boca Catalina.
Aruba’s cuisine is a mix of Dutch, Caribbean and Asian influences – try national snack pastechi, a deep-fried pastry with a sweet dough and savoury filling, at The Pastechi House.
Best time to go: Nab up to half-price discounts on accommodation in September to late November, September is also a good time to snorkel.
FYI: Flights to Aruba cost from £365 return.
9. Bath, UK
The lowdown: One of the UK’s prettiest cities is going even more Jane Austen crazy this year for the 250th birthday of the writer, while fans await BBC drama Miss Austen, starring Keeley Hawes, later this year.
“We don’t always appreciate Bath the way overseas tourists do,” says Tom.
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“They walk around all its pretty crescents, parks and squares and feel like they’re in Persuasion. Plus there is a lovely stretch of the Kennet And Avon canal to stroll along.”
Don’t miss: Channel your inner Penelope Featherington by dressing in Bridgerton-style outfits at The Jane Austen Centre, follow in the author’s footsteps on a free audio walking tour and have your cake and eat it with afternoon tea at The Pump Room, right by the Roman Baths.
Historian Lucy Worsley hosts a Jane Austen talk at The Forum in May, or glam up for one of three balls at the Guildhall – pre-ball dance workshops are included!
Best time to go: For die-hard fans, September – when the Jane Austen Festival takes place.
10. Brasov, Romania
The lowdown: The Transylvania region may be famous for Dracula, but there’s more to get your teeth stuck into.
“There are vineyards, alongside all the hiking and history, while flights from Luton make it very accessible,” says Pat.
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Romania has about 6,000 brown bears, too.
Don’t miss: Wander around the medieval old town, squeeze along Rope Street – reputedly one of the narrowest streets in Europe – and sip a full-bodied Romanian red made from Feteasca regala grapes at Juno Wine Garden near the citadel walls.
Look out for the Gothic Black Church – named from all the soot and scorch marks left after the 1689 fire, and make a trip to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary close to Bran Castle, said to be the inspo for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
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Best time to go: Late spring, to see the wildflowers.
FYI: Flights to Brasov cost from £54 return.
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