Where to travel in 2025?

If you are looking for new destinations to consider for your 2025 travels, check out the lists below:

• TimeOut posted its list of the 50 best cities to visit in 2025. Bangkok is #2, and they left out a few of my favorites. Check it out and see how many you have already checked off of your list.
• The Points Guy newsletter came up with 29 destinations. An oddly specific number, but the list has a few interesting options (except maybe Buffalo, NY?) and some nice details for recommending each destination.
• The BBC could only come up with 25 suggestions. It's an eclectic list, but it includes Kansas City, so that may be a low cost trip option for those who live in Oklahoma or Iowa.
• Travel pulse has 10 suggestions for "emerging destinations", beginning with Greenland.

Several lists mention Greenland. Sounds like the next hot tourist destination. Make that the next "cool" tourist destination. Get there before it becomes the 51st US state, becomes overwhelmed with tourists, and has to build dozens of McDonalds and Marriotts. This is the current list of TripAdvisor's 10 best hotels in Nuuk. No Marriott on that list yet.

Since those articles seemed to often include somewhat eclectic choices, I asked AI to search publications for the last 5 months and identify the top 20 destinations for U.S. travelers to visit in 2025, based on the frequency of mentions in the media.

Here is what it returned:

• Brisbane, Australia - Highlighted for its growing cultural scene and proximity to natural attractions like the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. Celebrated for its vibrant dining and nightlife options.
• Moab, Utah, USA - Known as the gateway to Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks, it's praised for its red-rock scenery, excellent for hiking, mountain biking, and rafting.
• Toulouse, France - Described as "Paris in miniature," it's noted for its art galleries, excellent food, and scenic riverbanks. The reopening of Musée des Augustins in 2025 adds to its allure.
• Vanuatu - An island escape with rich heritage and diverse cultures, known for its jungle, beaches, and volcanoes, but less touristy, offering a unique experience.
• Trinidad and Tobago - Celebrated for the vibrant Carnival in 2025, birding, hiking, and a culinary scene reflecting a cultural melting pot.
• Nepal's Terai Region - Offers wildlife experiences in Chitwan National Park, Buddhist heritage in Lumbini, and tea garden tours in Ilam.
• Lithuania - Recognized as the European Green Capital of 2025, it's praised for its natural landscapes, history, and cultural attractions in Vilnius.
• Turks and Caicos - Noted for its beaches like Cockburn Town Beach and the increase in flight searches indicating growing interest from U.S. travelers.
• Quepos, Costa Rica - Known for sport fishing, its natural beauty, and a significant increase in flight searches, making it a trending destination.
• Siwa Oasis, Egypt - Part of Vogue's itinerary for its unique desert landscape and cultural richness.
• Black Forest, Germany - Recommended for its natural beauty, spa town Baden-Baden, and the new era of luxury at Brenners Park.
• Ryukyu Islands, Japan - For those seeking less touristy areas, these islands offer pristine beaches and cultural experiences, with new luxury accommodations opening in 2025.
• Romania - Its rapidly growing economy, cultural and gastronomic scenes, and historical sites like Transylvania make it a notable destination.
• Alaska, USA - Celebrated for its centennial celebrations of Glacier Bay National Park, Native-led adventures, and the Iditarod race.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico - Noted for its culinary scene and recovery from past challenges, hosting a new food festival in 2025.
• Space Coast, Florida, USA - Offers unique experiences like witnessing rocket launches and bioluminescent kayaking.
• New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - Hosting a record-tying Super Bowl in 2025, enhancing its appeal as a cultural and event destination.
• Washington, D.C., USA - Will host World Pride 2025, attracting global visitors for its cultural and historical attractions.
• Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA - A romantic getaway known for its beaches and quaint towns, making it a top spot for domestic travel.
• Hawaii, USA - Continues to be popular for its beaches across all islands, offering year-round warm weather and scenic beauty.

Some interesting choices here, and some old favorites. But keep in mind that travel writers are likely burned out on the old favorites, and looking for new off the beaten path destinations that can capture clicks.

So don’t rule out the traditional destinations. They all still have a lot to offer.

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