Where To Travel In 2025? Discover Your Next Dream Destination

Are you wondering Where To Travel In 2025 for your next big adventure? SIXT.VN is here to help you plan unforgettable travel experiences in Vietnam, offering everything from cultural immersions to thrilling adventures. Let’s explore some amazing destinations and travel tips to inspire your 2025 travel plans. Our services include reliable airport transfers, comfortable hotel bookings, and exciting tour packages.

1. What Cities Offer Big City Thrills in 2025?

For travelers seeking vibrant urban experiences, several cities around the world are making significant strides in their cultural and infrastructural offerings.

Detroit

Detroit is experiencing a revival, with adaptive reuse and new projects bringing energy to its neighborhoods. According to Mayor Mike Duggan, it’s a magical time to visit Detroit. The reimagined Book Tower, with a Roost hotel and Basque tapas bar, and the Shinola Hotel are key projects. General Motors is also investing in Hudson’s, a mixed-use development designed by Shop Architects and Hamilton Anderson Associates, which will serve as the automaker’s global headquarters and feature an Edition hotel. The Michigan Central campus, a symbol of innovation, has been revived with a $1 billion investment from Ford in the Corktown neighborhood.

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Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China

Foreign travelers are returning to Hong Kong, discovering refreshed luxury hotels and cultural offerings. The West Kowloon Cultural District includes Art Park, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the M+ contemporary gallery. Nearby, the K11 Musea houses the Rosewood Hong Kong and the newly refurbished Regent Hong Kong. Across the harbor, Hong Kong Island will see new hotels like the Hopewell and Southside by Ovolo in 2025. High-speed trains to Shanghai and Beijing have resumed overnight service. Shenzhen is a modern metropolis known for its beaches and mountain views. According to Discover Hong Kong, Shenzhen is a modern metropolis well-regarded for its beaches and mountain views.

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Marrakesh

A new nonstop United Airlines flight between Newark and Marrakesh provides easy access to this enchanting Moroccan city. According to Stefanie Schmudde at Abercrombie & Kent, this new route is highly anticipated. New hotels like the Park Hyatt and refurbished Four Seasons Resort add to the allure. Other options include the opulent Oberoi, the chic Rosemary riad, and the Nobu Hotel Marrakech Riad. The Selman Marrakech, voted the No. 5 hotel in the world by T+L readers, will soon host a high-end restaurant in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Jean-François Piège.

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Portland

Portland appeals to outdoor lovers with its parks and the Willamette River. The Portland Bureau of Transportation reports a 5% increase in biking since 2022 due to its growing network of paved trails. New attractions include Cascada, an underground thermal springs spa and eco-hotel, and a $111 million renovation of the Portland Art Museum, adding 100,000 square feet, new galleries, and a Mark Rothko Pavilion. The $2 billion redevelopment of Portland International Airport, known for its friendly atmosphere and nature-inspired terminal, enhances accessibility.

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Rome

Rome will host the Jubilee in 2025, which occurs every 25 years. Andrea Grisdale, founder of IC Bellagio and a T+L A-List advisor, anticipates pilgrims from around the world. She suggests exploring lesser-known areas of Rome at a slower pace to avoid crowds. The city will see new hotels like Palazzo Talìa, designed by Luca Guadagnino, and Romeo Roma, updated by Zaha Hadid Architects. Casa Monti celebrates art and Rome’s bohemian lifestyle. The Corinthia Rome, Mandarin Oriental, Rome, and Rosewood Rome are also slated to open. Orient Express will reopen La Minerva after renovations and launch a new luxury train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express.

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Sacramento, California

Sacramento International Airport’s $1.3 billion renovation is set to be completed in 2025, with terminal expansions, new food options, and better traffic flow. According to Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento, the city’s transformation as a food and music destination has been somewhat under the radar. Sacramento boasts 15 Michelin-recognized restaurants and a 2024 James Beard Award finalist. The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sutter Health Park for the 2025–2027 MLB seasons. Food and music festivals, including the Farm-to-Fork Festival and GoldenSky Country Music Fest, add to the city’s appeal.

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2. Where Can You Experience Cultural Immersion in 2025?

If you’re seeking destinations that offer a rich cultural experience, consider these locations:

Budapest, Hungary

The W Budapest opened in the Drechsler Palace in 2023, symbolizing a more cosmopolitan Budapest. Gwen Kozlowski, a T+L A-List advisor at Exeter International, notes that time and investment have transformed Budapest into an exciting city. New luxury hotels like the Kimpton BEM Budapest and Dorothea Hotel complement established ones. Városliget, or City Park, has undergone a $1 billion restoration, adding cultural spaces like the House of Music Hungary and the Museum of Ethnography.

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Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Bukhara will host its first biennial in September 2025, titled “Recipes for Broken Hearts,” bringing together international creatives to produce work within the country. According to UNESCO, Bukhara’s crafts and folk art traditions have recently gained international recognition. Larry Ossei-Mensah, curator and cofounder of Artnoir, highlights the biennial as an opportunity for cultural legacies and contemporary ideas to interact in unexpected ways.

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Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston offers a blend of history and modern attractions. The International African American Museum opened last summer, and the inaugural Food & Wine Classic in Charleston brought renowned chefs together. The Beemok Hospitality Collection will open The Cooper, the city’s first five-star hotel, in 2025. The iconic Charleston Place hotel will unveil its completed renovations, and the new American Gardens park will debut in late 2025. The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection, opened on Johns Island in August 2024.

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Inverness and the Flow Country, Scotland

Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands, serving as a base for exploring the stunning scenery, castles, mountains, and wildlife. Chris Taylor, the destination development director for VisitScotland, recommends Inverness for exploring the Highlands. The Flow Country, a vast peatland area, was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in July 2024. The Inverness Castle Experience, a major restoration, will transform the city’s former prison and courts into a venue for history, music, and regional cuisine. Cabot Highlands is also coming soon.

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Lisbon and the Algarve, Portugal

Lisbon offers a unique blend of history and culture. Sheree M. Mitchell, a T+L A-List advisor and founder of Immersa Global, describes Lisbon as a city with soul, influenced by its colonial past and international status. New luxury stays include Six Senses Lisbon, Nobu Hotel Lisbon, The Standard, Lisbon, and Kimpton Lisbon. Amber Asher, CEO of Standard International, notes that Lisbon is cool and affordable. The Algarve region, with beautiful beaches and charming towns, is easily accessible, and United Airlines plans a seasonal nonstop route from Newark to Faro in 2025.

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Luxor, Egypt

Luxor is renowned for its ancient temples. A new nonstop EasyJet flight from London will improve access to this city, famed for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples. Jacqui Gifford, T+L vice president and editor in chief, recommends spending more time in Luxor. Al Moudira and the Beit Sabée guesthouse are stylish lodging options. Nour El Nil also operates a fleet of chic dahabeahs, including the newest, Poppee.

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Thailand

Thailand is Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Destination of the Year, offering white-sand beaches, street food, and temples. In Bangkok, new hotels like the Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, The Ritz-Carlton, Six Senses The Forestias, and Hyatt’s Andaz will open. Season three of The White Lotus, set in Thailand, is also highly anticipated for early 2025. Grant Ekelund, a Thailand specialist at InsideAsia Tours, recommends Kanchanaburi for its scenery, history, and places to stay.

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3. Where Can Adventurous Travelers Go in 2025?

For those seeking thrilling and unique experiences, these destinations offer plenty of adventure:

The Caucasus

Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia offer new opportunities for travelers, thanks to an innovative itinerary from Atlas Obscura and Intrepid. These trips include visits to wineries, bakeries, crafts ateliers, historical sites, mosques, and churches like Gergeti Trinity. Plenty of time is spent in the countryside, visiting farms and hiking.

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Greenland

Greenland is experiencing a tourism boom. Cruise arrivals were up 74% in 2023, and overall numbers were up more than 30%. Greenland’s first international airport is slated to open in late 2024 in Nuuk, and United will become the first U.S. airline to operate flights to the country in 2025. New tours offer wildlife watching, trips to the interior, and learning about Indigenous culture. Intrepid and Natural Habitat Adventures have added new expeditions for 2025. HX and Viking will sail new itineraries from Nuuk, and Ponant and Silversea are promising new experiences. According to NASA, Greenland is losing about 270 billion tons of ice mass each year.

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Kumaon, India

In the Himalayas, Kumaon is a remote division in Uttarakhand. Shakti plans to open Shakti Prana, a seven-cabin retreat, there in October. The property will be the latest in a string of mountain lodges from the brand. Founder Jamshyd Sethna promises tranquility in these Himalayan hideaways, with stunning views of the Great Himalayas and the Ramganga River valley.

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Madagascar

Despite being the fourth-largest island in the world and one of the most biodiverse, Madagascar is now becoming more accessible. Abercrombie & Kent and Red Savannah are adding fresh itineraries for 2025 that focus on the country’s ecological riches. Samantha Gordon, Red Savannah’s Africa specialist and a T+L A-List member, notes that travelers want to see things their friends have not. A new Emirates service links Dubai and Antananarivo. New hospitality offerings are also popping up, such as Namoroka Tsingy Camp and Voaara.

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Nicaragua

Nicaragua is becoming more accessible thanks to a new 75-mile highway slated to connect towns and beach communities along the Pacific coast by the end of 2025. According to Luke Maish, CEO of Rancho Santana, the Costanera Highway is one of the most significant projects in Central America. He adds that travelers are confidently returning to Nicaragua, particularly regions like the Pacific coast. United has doubled the number of flights it offers from its Houston hub to Managua.

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The Philippines

The Philippines offers sapphire-blue waters, limestone cliffs, a cosmopolitan capital, and ancient rice fields. The destination’s affordability and a pro-tourism government make it appealing. A new nonstop Philippine Airlines flight from Seattle is another boost. New hotels have opened in Manila, including the Admiral Hotel. The island of Palawan will welcome new resorts like El Nido from Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. Tesa Totengco, a member of T+L’s Travel Advisory Board, recommends exploring deeper.

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Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort’s massive expansion will add Universal Epic Universe in 2025. The park will feature five new lands with classic monsters, Nintendo franchises, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Epic Universe is slated to open in May 2025, with Universal Helios Grand Hotel joining the resort. Two more resorts, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, will join the portfolio in early 2025. According to Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, this expansion marks a huge transformational moment.

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4. What Are the Best Destinations for Food and Drinks in 2025?

For culinary enthusiasts, these destinations offer a mix of traditional and innovative gastronomic experiences:

Colorado’s Western Slope

Colorado’s Western Slope is gaining recognition for Rieslings and other cool-climate grapes. Ray Isle, executive wine editor of Food & Wine, notes that there is definitely something there. The region, centered around Grand Junction, includes Carlson Vineyards, The Storm Cellar, and Sauvage Spectrum. The Grand Valley AVA may benefit from climate change due to its high altitude. The area also offers hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

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Crete, Greece

Crete is poised for its moment in the sun, with noteworthy openings like the new InterContinental Crete and JW Marriott. JW Marriott will unveil its first Greece property in 2025, a low-slung resort with chic rooms looking onto private pools. The Rosewood Blue Palace is also set to debut on Crete’s northern shore in 2026. The island also has world-class cultural riches and dramatic topography.

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Osaka, Japan

Osaka is becoming a must-visit for its culinary scene and nightlife. Expo 2025, running April through October, will be held at venues across the city. The theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and organizers expect more than 28 million visitors. The city has new draws, including the Four Seasons and the Patina Hotels & Resorts. The Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka is slated to wrap a major renovation by April 2025. According to Air Canada, the newly renovated Kansai International Airport has added several seasonal nonstop flights, like those from Toronto’s Pearson International.

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Priorat, Spain

Priorat, southwest of Barcelona, is becoming a sought-after destination. Marco Palermo of Authentic Explorations recommends discovering it before it truly explodes on the travel scene. Wineries like Perinet and Clos de l’Obac are producing world-class reds. Clos Mogador and Cellers de Scala Dei offer organic wine tastings and eco-tours. The culinary scene is also booming, with Michelin recognition for restaurants like Brots and Quatre Molins.

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San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a culinary innovation hub. The first Michelin Guide to Texas awarded 15 stars, acknowledging the state’s culinary prowess. Nine of San Antonio’s restaurants, bars, and breweries have been in contention for James Beard Awards. Jason Dady will open Mexico Ceaty in early 2025, highlighting Mexican cuisine. The Pullman Market, a 40,000-square-foot dining complex, exemplifies the farm-to-market ethos.

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San Diego

San Diego’s culinary scene is getting even more exciting, with new openings bolstering its reputation. Tara Monsod, executive chef of Animae, opened Le Coq, a modern French steak house. The city also welcomed its first omakase yakitori restaurant, Yakitori Tsuta. Travis Swikard plans to open Fleurette, while chef Elijah Arizmendi will debut Lucien in 2025.

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Slovenia

Slovenia is introducing new experiences in 2025. Black Tomato will take wine lovers to three distinct regions: Primorska, Posavje, and Podravje. Slovenia has impressed the Michelin inspectors, with 63 restaurants earning recognition in 2024. New hotel renovations and openings give visitors more choice for high-end stays.

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Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Valle de Guadalupe is receiving well-deserved recognition. El Cielo Resort received 12 awards for its wines at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The region lies about 90 miles south of San Diego on the Baja California peninsula and is home to more than 200 wineries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Banyan Group entered the scene with the opening of Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe, dedicated to Grenache.

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5. What Are the Best Destinations for Moments on the Water in 2025?

For those who love being on or near the water, these destinations offer unique experiences:

Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

The Apostle Islands are seeing their status as a spiritual and commercial hub for the Ojibwe come toward center stage. According to Mike Wiggins Jr., the new director of the Madeline Island Museum, Ojibwe history is an ancient and living history. Ojibwe chef Bryce Stevenson, a key figure in the Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement, opened Miijim, a restaurant centering Native foods from Native producers.

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Barbados

Barbados offers a diverse range of experiences, from rugged east coast hiking to calm Caribbean shores. According to Kim Clarke, a manager at The Sandpiper, this island promises an unforgettable experience. Thrill seekers can visit Harrison’s Cove Eco-Adventure Park, while those craving calm can soak in the sun and crystal-clear waters. New daily American Airlines flights from New York and new service from Philadelphia enhance accessibility.

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The French Riviera

The French Riviera offers chic hotels that have reinvigorated the region. Hôtel du Couvent, the latest property from Valéry Grégo, is set in a 17th-century monastery overlooking Nice. Other options include the Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel and a new Mama Shelter. Arev has brought a breath of fresh air to St.-Tropez.

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Iceland, by cruise ship

Iceland offers a unique way to experience the island, seeing the rarely visited northern reaches and towns such as Akureyri and Ísafjörður. Cruise line Viking will offer several weeklong circumnavigations in 2025, aboard Viking Mars. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will host a 10-day round-the-country sail on Seven Seas Grandeur, and Oceania Cruises has a dozen departures in 2025. According to Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, cruises help diffuse crowds by taking people off the typical tourist trail.

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Nova Scotia, Canada

Nova Scotia is easier than ever to reach. American Airlines has launched daily service from New York’s La Guardia Airport to Halifax. The Muir Halifax, an Autograph Collection hotel, is an ideal home base, with a 36