Best Places to Travel in 2025

The new year is upon us and 12 months of potential lay ahead of us, but where are the best places to travel in 2025?

Deciding where to go next can be trifling, especially for the well-travelled. Flicking through dog-eared passports and peering at the undiscernible smudges to assess where you’ve been and where you might go only adds to the confundity of the conundrum. With dozens of destinations visited, we are expertly familiar with many of the best places to travel, but also understand how challenging the decision can be. With 195 countries to choose from and hundreds more destinations within each, the scope of options is utterly overwhelming.

So instead of simply selecting our choice of the best places to travel in 2025, we have chosen the best destinations to indulge your interests. After all, if you love what you are doing, the location is almost unimportant.

Our Best Places to Travel in 2025

Follow your interests around the world as we gather together the best places to travel in 2025 to explore your passions:

1. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR EAGER EQUESTRIANS

For those who are slaves to the saddle, a journey isn’t complete until the grooming is done! Thankfully, our itineraries relinquish you of such obligations, your mounts lovingly attended by resident stablehands. But the sentiment remains the same, and horseback adventures open a new world and fresh perspectives to any journey.

In India, the plains and forests of Rajasthan evoke the Raj-era elegance, and horseriding excursions are punctuated by morning tea poured into fine china cups from silver pots and sedate sundowners for G&T and a slice of sunset.

Kenya offers the iconic riding safari. The plains of the Masai Mara are the canvas of the Great Migration, and galloping with the herds is an experience that no bout of amnesia could erase. Further north, Laikipia, Samburu and Ol Pejeta provide a more undulating landscape, trotting the trails to discover giraffe, elephant and rhino.

Botswana brings the Liverpools! The waterways of the Okavango Delta reach far across the verdant landscape, providing hydration of a profusion of game, and a dynamic challenge for equestrians! 

Within every horse enthusiast lies the inkling of a cowboy or girl, romantic visions of riding into the sunset, Stetson doffed to passersby and hitching your steed outside a one-horse-town saloon. An interpretation of these halcyon visions can be found in Argentina, riding shoulder to shoulder with the modern-day cowboys, or gauchos, who embody traditional ways in daily life. 

2. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR SUN WORSHIPPERS

Sunseekers can be pacified with a few poolside hours, but without sand on their toes and the shadow of a palm tree for a little solar respite, this is only an appetiser for a deeper craving. Safaris can be crafted into journeys of multiple contrasting chapters, and for true heliophiles, the best paragraphs are written on the coasts and archipelagos to Africa’s East. Rewarding and unforgettable safari accomplished, a few days on Africa’s beaches and islands offer leisurely luxury and relaxation before the flight home.

Kenya’s Lamu archipelago and the islands of Zanzibar off the shores of Tanzania are a spectacular combination of culture, cuisine and coconuts on the sand. Surrounded by pristine, tranquil oceans and vibrant reefs, both Lamu and Zanzibar offer a wealth of watersports, temperate year-round climate, and an abundance of secluded beaches to choose from. Away from the soft, snow-white sand, history can be found in the towns and ports of the islands. Integral to the spice trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, the islands still bear the marks of European and Middle Eastern influence.

For the truly sun-addicted, the Maldives is globally renowned as one of the best places to travel, and justifiably so. Tropical serenity meets luxurious, understated elegance, and some of the finest ocean-inspired properties can be found on this collection of more than 1,000 islands. Encapsulating the ambience, some of the finest properties aren’t the glamourous, sparkling hotels, but the boutique villas elevated above the crystalline waters on stilted timber platforms, reflecting Robinson Crusoe-esque island vibes whilst upholding supreme luxury and service.

3. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR HISTORY BUFFS 

Wherever you travel, history lies just beneath the surface, and with a little digging, fascinating stories can be uncovered of centuries, even millennia gone by. In many parts of Europe, it’s hard not to trip over a building or landmark that dates back far beyond the Western establishment of Australia. Some historical sites, however, carry the awe-inspiring weight of their past, presenting it with awe and mystery in equal measure.

No historian can proudly don his monocle without visiting the magnificent relics of Egypt. Here, the tales of thousands of years ago are viscerally tangible, from the omnipresent pyramids to the Valley of the Kings and the sentinels of Abu Simbel. Every step across the sweeping sand takes you further back in time, with museum artefacts embellishing every tale.

Though occupied for many thousands of years, Jordan’s Petra region has become world-famous for its rock-hewn city lying deep within a canyon. Thought to have been carved from the cliff around the time BC was changing to AD, mystery still surrounds the site. Numerous other ruins scatter the desolate landscape, and a museum gives visitors a glimpse into the purpose and history of this fascinating lost civilisation.

In South Africa, one can venture back beyond the time that history itself was invented! The Sterkfontein Caves, a short drive from Johannesburg, have been given the moniker of the Cradle of Humankind due to the unfathomable fossils found there. Skeletons of early hominins some 23 MILLION years old were discovered at Sterkfontein and the surrounding cave networks in the 1940s. Today, one can explore the museum, view the remnants of our ancient ancestors and explore the captivating caves.

4. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR TRAINSPOTTERS 

No, we aren’t suggesting spending your vacation jotting train numbers down at Flinders Street! Rail travel reflects a timeless elegance, great guffs of steam billowing into the air and a slower pace allowing the time to appreciate the passing countryside and the stops along the track. Sometimes, the best places to travel don’t comprise a single destination.

Envisioning the route to Peru’s Machu Picchu, one might picture arduous hikes along mountain passes, but there is a far easier, far more luxurious mode of transportation: the Hiram Bingham. A wonderfully restored, diesel-driven train, the Hiram Bingham is an elegant dining car and vibrant bar on wheels that transports you close to the summit in decadent style. On the return journey, Pisco Sours are poured and a Peruvian band serenades you as you dine on delicious cuisine and pity the poor Inca who trekked the trail on foot. With the mountaintop citadel your destination, this is also a wonderful journey for history buffs.

Board a Palace on Wheels for a week-long journey through India. This lavish train was the choice of travel by India’s Raj and continues to follow the silver line through nine different cities – including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur – on a circuitous route taking in India’s architecture, culture and wonder.

Many stories have been told that were inspired by the railways of Africa. The opening credits of the continent’s most iconic movie, ‘Out of Africa’, even follows Karen Blixen’s train journey through the Ngong Hills in Kenya’s heartland. ROVOS combines this historical element with the decadence of turn-of-the-century colonial travel and the magic of safari as it winds from Pretoria, across South Africa and through Namibia. An inspirational trip, the route takes in the historical town of Windhoek, an excursion to the dunes of Sossusvlei, Walvis Bay and the dramatic Skeleton Coast, and concludes at Etosha National Park for a spectacular safari drive.

5. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR GASTRONOMISTS

Late, great chef Anthony Bourdain once said, “I think food, culture, people and landscape are all absolutely inseparable.” He also said, “Drink heavily with locals whenever possible”, and we’ll take both as reason to travel! The way to a nation’s heart is through its food, and it is often the impromptu moments shared at a dining table with locals that are the most memorable.

South Africa is a driving force in contemporary cuisine. Combined with its wine culture, the southern regions are as much about fine dining and Michelin stars as they are about ocean or farm-to-table ingredients, sharing a braai or the simple-yet-flavoursome Cape-Malay cuisine. With so much to offer, the Cape and surrounding landscapes are an intoxicating journey of the senses.

National dishes are most often defined by their seasoning, and rarely is this more true than in Morocco. Walking through the narrow alleyways of souks and bazaars, one is engulfed in a miasma of rich aromas, spices towering in conical displays and dishes being cooked day and night that pack a Muhammad Ali-sized punch of flavour.

Like Morocco, India is all about the seasoning, but the notion of an ‘Indian curry’ is also drastically misleading. In the West, we think of korma or tikka masala as the defining dishes that encapsulate the Indian curry, but by sampling dishes from across the country, one will discover a world of variation. Richer and full-bodied in the north, spicy, zesty seafood in the south, a single dish can be reinterpreted in myriad ways from state to state or even village to village.

6. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR RAMPANT RAMBLERS 

“It’s a dangerous business… going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” So said Gandalf to his young Hobbit charge in Lord of the Rings. More can be discovered in a single step than in a long-haul plane journey, and walking adventures overflow with discovery.

Walking safaris are always filled with wonder, but a walking safari over 11 days and 160 kilometres positively bursts with it. The aptly named Great Walk of Africa takes guests on a magnificent exploration on foot through Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, tracing rivers teeming with elephant, viewing endemic maneless lion from a safe distance and sleeping under the stars each night in mobile canvas tents. There’s even a touch of turn-of-the-century history in the mix to keep things interesting and diverse.

The Inca Trail is one of the hiking world’s most famous routes, tracing the mountainsides of the high Andes, passing ancient ruins and taking in spectacular scenery. This is not a trail for the foolhardy though, and sleeping in tents each night can become somewhat challenging. Instead, we suggest trekking lodge to lodge, taking in similar sights and sites, but with the knowledge of a warm bath and comfortable bed awaiting you at the end of each day.

One of the world’s Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro is revered by mountain climbers as the African continent’s highest peak. Despite this accolade, it is superbly accessible, requiring only a reasonable level of fitness and no specialised climbing gear. Spanning between five and nine days, depending on route taken and participant abilities, the ‘Kili Climb’ is more an uphill walk than a rock-face clamber. Guides and porters carry all but your light day pack, including tents and a camp kitchen for your overnight stops. Passing through bush foothills and alpine slopes, one will emerge at the summit of the continent surrounded by snow.

7. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR SEDATE SAILORS  

Ahhh, a life on the ocean waves… romantic as it seems, ocean sailing is often cramped, arduous and nausea-inducing! Yet there is also something wonderfully tranquil about drifting on water and watching the world unhurriedly slip by.

The two great rivers of the world, the Nile and the Amazon, offer very contrasting perspectives of riverboat life. On the lifeblood of Egypt, feluccas draw crisp white sails, shimmering in the sun as they sail passed ancient relics. Aboard a larger dahabiya, one can enjoy gourmet meals and fine wine before retiring to you cabin as you sail through history. The Amazon passes through nine different countries, but Peru and Ecuador offer some of the most superb experiences, from jungle hikes with naturalist guides to visiting traditional villages to learn about their culture, food and medicine.

Some say that it’s not about the destination, but the journey that takes you there. We tend to agree in many ways, but not for Antarctica. Rugged cruise ships ply the ice-strewn waters to ket sites throughout the Antarctic region, but the journey is very much about the destination. While perfectly hospitable, the vessels are built more for function, and premier luxury is a sparse commodity. However, what lies beyond the gunwales is an experience of priceless worth.

The gentle rock of a boat as the sun melts into the darkening tropical ocean is enough to bring one to tears, and Raja Ampat is one of the most tear-inducing places to travel anywhere in the world. Towering limestone islands spring from a sea filled with life and this biodiverse region is heralded by marine biologists and travellers alike for its exceptional beauty and untouched ecosystem.

8. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR SMALL-GROUP JOURNEYS

A moment shared is a moment doubled, and small-group journeys provide both camaraderie and security for those travelling alone. Even as a couple, the knowledge that you are being catered to as part of an intimate collective of travellers can be heartily reassuring. While we can handcraft small-group itineraries throughout the world, we have found them particularly appealing to female guests and those who wish to see the world without the insecurities of travelling alone.

In March, Journeys for Women ventures to India to take in the vibrancy, tranquility and festivities of this nation. From the Taj Mahal to the Blue and Pink cities of Jodhpur and Jaipur, this all-women exploration culminates and the frenetic and joyous celebration of Holi.

Spain awaits in April, and the colourful and cultural streets of Barcelona await. Home to Gaudi, the Salvador Dali Museum and contemporary artisans, the vibrant city is utterly captivating. From Barcelona, the Spanish sojourn ventures offshore, taking in the tranquil islands of Mallorca and Menorca.

Venture into the Andes in July for a Grand Peruvian Adventure. Taking in the iconic destinations of Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Cusco, the party then proceeds to the far north to set sail on the Amazon, creating two surreal and unforgettable journeys in one.

Morocco beckons in September, and Journeys for Women absorbs all this wonderful nation has to offer from the food and crafts to the deserts and history, all perfectly catered to an intimate collective of like-minded women.

9. BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL FOR AVID ANGLERS

For those inclined to the rod and reel, every healthy body of water beckons, but some offer a more experiential excursion.

In the wilds of Patagonia, flyfishing has become a popular pastime. Glacial rivers bear healthy stocks of salmon, and casting amidst the towering snowcapped mountains without a single sight of the fingerprint of mankind to be seen is absolutely captivating… even if the fish don’t bite!

Africa is revered as home to one of the most sought-after and entertaining of freshwater game fish: the mighty tiger. The Zambezi River that bisects Zambia and Zimbabwe is one of the best places to travel in pursuit of this challenging and ferocious catch.

If big game fishing is particularly appealing, the deep sea off the Mozambique coast is superb. Tropical climate, clear, calm water and abundant sealife provide exceptional angling. Here, you can land barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, skipjack and a host of pelagic fish.

Lists abound at this time of year of recommendations for top destinations, but the truth is the best places to travel in 2025 are those that provide what you desire the most. By following your passions, rather than third-party advice, you can do what you love in places of wonder, pursuing your hobbies, interests or obsessions around the world.

Discover the Best Places to Travel in 2025

See you out there.

Thomas

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