View from a voyage to Antarctica on Ponant.
Photo: Courtesy of Ponant
These Are the Unlikely Travel Destinations Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2025
Luxury travelers are looking to unexpected islands, cool-weather areas, and expedition cruises to far-flung locales
While there is a lot of truth to that famed Audrey Hepburn line, “Paris is always a good idea,” there’s a lot to be said for roads less traveled. And with over-tourism a hot-button issue, now is a perfect time for jet-setters and affluent travelers to look beyond the tried and true for locales whose star is on the rise.
At the recent Virtuoso Travel Week, an annual gathering of advisers and representatives from a global network of invitation-only luxury and experiential travel partners, industry insiders revealed where those in the know are looking to go during the upcoming fall and “festive” seasons, as well as 2025.
So while places like Italy, France, Mexico, Spain, and Saint-Barthelemy, remain popular, now is the perfect time to book voyages to under-the-radar spots such as Anguilla, Grenada, or Indonesia, where visitors can experience glorious surroundings and lavishly appointed accommodations with plenty of room to roam. (The bragging rights of having been there before anyone else you know is just an added bonus.)
Solar de Vila Meā in Barcelos, Portugal. Photo: Pedro Ferreira
Slovenia, Portugal, Croatia
While Italy offers a multitude of inspiring cities, many travelers are looking beyond its borders for great food, inspiring culture, and breathtaking vistas. Portugal as well as Italy’s neighboring nations of Slovenia and Croatia are emerging as attractive alternatives. Boutique hotels, including the Meneghetti in Croatia’s picturesque Istria County, offer oenophiles the chance to sample exquisite local varietals in bucolic surroundings dotted with stunning works of art, while villas such as the Solar de Vila Meā in Barcelos, Portugal envelop travelers in quiet luxury. Tastemakers such as Pierre Yovanovitch tout Slovenia’s charms, which include stunning architecture, a burgeoning art scene, and vibrant food culture.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont
Canada
Our northern neighbor is experiencing a surge in popularity, with a 168 percent increase in travel, according to Virtuoso research. Located in the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fairmont Banff Springs is like a punctuating jewel among vast swaths of unspoiled splendor. Visitors can ski the Rocky Mountains, take a gondola ride to the snowcapped peak, explore the many scenic lakes, enjoy wildlife tours, or walk on a glacier before retiring to the castle setting for rejuvenating spa treatments or mouthwatering gourmet meals.
Meanwhile, the nearby Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is emerging from a refresh, which will include a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly Thermal Wellness Facility. Those looking for an immersive art experience can explore the Fogo Island Inn, a radical Relais & Chateau property off the coast of Newfoundland that hosts an artist residency program in one of the four studios designed by architect Todd Saunders.
Four-bedroom cliff retreat at Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada. Photo: Courtesy of Six Senses
Guerlain spa at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla. Photo: Courtesy of Belmond
Anguilla and Grenada
Generally spanning late November through New Year’s, the travel industry’s “festive” season is a popular time to venture out and about. For those on the East Coast, destinations such as Costa Rica and Saint Barthelemy are perennial favorites but Grenada and Anguilla should be on everyone’s must-visit list. The rows of ocean-facing villas at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla are just steps from powdery soft sand; here, guests can take turquoise bikes to the far end of the property where decadent meals can be had at Pimms, one of the most romantic waterfront restaurants on the island. Cruise in the other direction and the resort culminates in the breathtaking Guerlain spa where the heavenly Ocean Vibes treatment harnesses the tranquil sounds of the crashing waves. In Grenada, the new Six Senses La Sagesse beckons with 56 beautiful pool suites, 15 incredible villas, a fabulous array of restaurants and bars showcasing authentic Grenadian flavors, and of course, a spectacular spa.
Aqua Nera, one of the ships in Aqua Expeditions’ fleet. Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions
A guest suite on the Aqua Nera. Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Expeditions
Luxury Cruising
“Cruising” tends to conjure images of massive ships with enormous crowds, endless buffets, and more activities than your average amusement park—but there’s been a surge in more elevated vessels with quieter environments, fine dining, and art installations. Explora Journeys is just days away from christening Explora II, its second ship, which will house the only Buccelatti boutique at sea. Those looking for relaxed sailings with access into smaller ports have a growing number of fleets to choose from, among them AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Sea Dream Yacht Club. Owned by Francesco Galli Zugaro and his wife, Birgit, Aqua Expeditions reflects the founders’ passion for art and indigenous design and the ships are outfitted with rare pottery by Amazonian tribes, making their boats an inspiring accommodation for scenic travels through the Amazon, the Galapagos, and Mekong River Delta.
A Ponant vessel outside Kangerlugssuaq, Greenland. Photo: Laurence Fischer
Atlas World Traveller in Antarctica. Photo: Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages
Polar Exploration
The holiday season is the most popular time for voyages to Antarctica as well. (Be prepared for your Instagram feed to be filled with videos of the Drake Passage.) Adventure-seekers looking to unleash their inner explorer might want to look at Ponant, which limits its number of guests so more people can have longer windows to set foot on the icy mass, which is limited to just 100 passengers at a time. Atlas Ocean Voyages, too, offers bespoke tours to icy frontiers, from the fjords of Greenland to otherworldly expanses of Iceland. This past summer, Atlas introduced two new yachts in the region, giving travelers a cozy environment from which to view the painterly Northern Lights.
Xigera Safari Lodge. Photo: Courtesy of Red Carnation
Safari
There is no question about it—an African safari is life changing. In Botswana, the remarkable Xigera Safari Lodge combines breathtaking surroundings with curated suites filled with art and design sourced in collaboration with Cape Town’s Southern Guild gallery. AndBeyond’s collection of retreats combines high-style accommodations with immersive wildlife experiences led by knowledgeable guides. The brand’s Phinda Forest Lodge debuted revamped suites and public areas last year while their outpost near famed Kruger National Park, andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp, will unveil its newly refurbished spaces on September 20. A new location in Kenya’s Laikipia-Ewaso ecosystem is planned for July 2025.
Cover: View from a voyage to Antarctica on Ponant.
Photo: Courtesy of Ponant
