January is the perfect time to start thinking about your travels for 2025! I always sit down the first week of January and plan out where I want to go for the year, a mix of short-haul and long-haul.
I’ve actually made the decision to reduce my travels this year because I’m putting on my big girl pants and saving to renovate my house (why are extensions and kitchens so expensive!?), but I do have a big trip to Singapore and Australia in February that I’m super excited for.
So, I thought I’d put together some ideas for you on the best destinations that should be on your list for 2025!
These are all places I’ve been myself and absolutely loved, so I can hand-on-heart say that these cities and countries are places you need to visit at least once in your life.
So, ready to find out which bucket list destinations you need to travel to in 2025?! Let’s go!
Short Haul Destinations for 2025
Now, let’s start with short-haul weekend destinations before we move onto the long-haul ones later on in this guide…
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is somewhere I’m planning to revisit in 2025. I first visited in 2019 when Jemima and I stayed at La Sultana Marrakech, and I loved it sooo much.
It’s such a dreamy city and feels a world-away from London despite only being a 3.5 hour flight.
I loved exploring the souks, eating at the local restaurants, and visting the Jardin le Majorelle and Bahia Palace (two of the most photogenic places in Marrakech).
Make sure you go to Hotel Pearl for rooftop drinks at sunset, and Comptoir Darna for a fancy weekend dinner. We also loved the tagine at Nomad, which is right in the heart of Marrakech.
When I next go to Marrakech, Bacha Coffee House is at the top of my list to try, and I’m also desperate to get out and stay in the Atlas Mountains for a couple of nights!
Read more: Spending a Weekend in Marrakech
Kotor, Montenengro
I think Montenegro is my actual favourite place that I’ve been to in recent years, and is a perfect place for a summer euro trip.
It’s SUCH an underrated destination in Europe and is sooo quiet and cheap compared to nearby Dubrovnik! We visited Montenegro on a two-day trip from Dubrovnik, and had the best time ever.
It’s a really tiny country with beautiful fjords where the mountains come straight down to the water, and because it’s so small you can actually visit multiple places in Montenegro in just two days.
I’d recommend visiting: Kotor Old Town, Perast, Porto, and Tivat.
Read more: How to Spend Two Days in Montenegro (Travel Guide)
Dubrovnik, Croatia
I only visited Dubrovnik for the first time in 2023, after over a decade of longing to visit. Well, the joke was on me for waiting so long, because the prices had skyrocketed compared to when I first heard of the place.
However, it was 100% worth the wait (and the money!) because Dubrovnik ended up being one of my favourite cities of all time.
Like, it’s so beautiful I actually cried.
It has everything you could wish for in a Euro Summer; incredible Hugo Spritz’s, a bar literally in a cave, stunning swimming spots to cool down in at the end of a hot day, and some of the most incredible and beautiful architecture I’ve ever seen.
We also found the food to be very good, and the locals were all super friendly. We also loved visiting the nearby Elaphiti Islands on a private boat, and our day trip to Trebinje, Bosnia was also a highlight of the trip.
Read more: Spending 3 Days in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Travel Guide)
Isles of Scilly, England
The Isles of Scilly is a place super close to my heart as my grandad’s family are from there, and I honestly wasn’t sure whether to include it in this list because part of me wants to keep it all to myself!
It’s a tiny archipelago just off the coast of Cornwall in England, and is the perfect place for a summer vacation if you want to switch-off, decompress, and relax away from the real world.
Get the Skybus from Land’s End and stay at Tregarthen’s Hotel on the main island of St Mary’s, then explore the off-islands from St Mary’s.
You’ll find stunning islands, wildlife and nature (you can even swim with sea lions!), clear sparkling water to swim in, and the most incredible food! It’s perfect for either a long weekend or a week long trip.
Read more: Ultimate Guide to Visiting The Isles of Scilly
Bergen, Norway
Enjoy a short winter weekend in Bergen, Norway, towards the end of 2025 and you’ll get dreamy winter landscapes, a fjord cruise to Mostraumen, and some of the coolest bars in Europe.
Aftab and I really, really fell in love with Bergen. It’s a very compact city that’s perfect for a quick one-night weekend getaway, and the vibes are…dare I say it…immaculate.
With lovely people, the freshest cod you will ever taste in your life, and the most moreish pastries, Bergen is an unmissable winter destination in Europe.
Stay at Bergen Bors, and make sure you go to the top of Floyen at Sunset for the most magical view over the mountains surrounding Bergen!
Oh, and definitely do a bar crawl…they have some VERY good bars in Bergen.
Read more: Winter Weekend Guide to Bergen, Norway
Cologne, Germany
Cologne is the final location on our short-haul list, before we jump into the long-haul hotspots for 2025!
A lot of people think of Cologne as a Christmas market destination, and while you can definitely book it for its Christmas markets, I visited in summer and really, really enjoyed it!
Cologne (or Köln in German), is the perfect city for a weekend or long weekend.
There’s a lot of history to explore (including the famous Cathedral), as well as copious amounts of apple strudel, and the city’s famous beerhalls where you can try all the different types of Kolsch beer!
Oh, and make sure you try the pork knuckle at Früh am Dom!!
Read more: Two days in Cologne, Germany
Long Haul Destinations for 2025
Rocky Mountains, USA
Pinterest has named 2025 the year of the elevacation, claiming that mountain ranges will become the go-to travel destination as both Gen Z and Gen X seek out treetop views and that fresh mountain air.
The Rocky Mountains are the ultimate mountain destination if you’re looking for something outside of Europe.
I visited in September 2023 when I toured around Montana, Utah and Idaho, and I completely fell in love with these Rocky Mountain states. You can expect breathtaking mountain views, great food, and friendly locals (just not in Bozeman, lol).
Read more: Perfect 8-Day Rocky Mountain States Itinerary
Abu Dhabi, UAE
I always tell people to go to Dubai for the partying, and Abu Dhabi for relaxing.
Abu Dhabi feels like Dubai’s older, wiser sibling.
Think beautiful sandy beaches and warm waters, historic museums and buildings, and the very best luxury hotels and restaurants.
Stay at the St Regis Saadiyat Island, and don’t miss the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. If you have the time, head out to Al-Ain in the desert and stay at the dreamy Telal Resort Al Ain.
Apia, Samoa
If you’re searching for a far-flung tropical destination for 2025, look no further than Samoa in the South Pacific.
Samoa is a place I completely fell in love with when I island-hopped around Samoa, Vanuatu, and Fiji with Laura in 2018, and I’ve been raving about it and telling everyone to go ever since!
Think tropical sandy beaches, a breathtaking island to explore, and the vibrant town of Apia where you can visit Robert Louis Stevenson’s old home.
But the star of the island is hands down the To Sua Ocean Trench. Just make sure you visit at high tide, as it can look a bit brown and murky at low tide (as we experienced).
You truly feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.
And if you have extra time, why not head to Royal Davui Island in Fiji!
Perth, Australia
Perth has to be the most underrated city in Australia.
I know, I know. I am completely biased. But hear me out.
Beautiful golden sandy beaches with perfect water for swimming, some of the best food and drink in Australia, the beautiful Margaret River wine region, and the buzzing town of Fremantle, Perth really has it all.
It’s also a lot quieter and cheaper than its East Coast rivals.
Plus, where else in the world can you meet a Quokka and get a #QuokkaSelfie!?
Singapore
I loveeee visiting Singapore so so much! I’ve been probably about a dozen times since I was seven years old, and for me it just never gets old. There’s always something new to see and enjoy.
It’s a great stopover enroute to Australia or Samoa, so why not spend a few days there and explore!?
Make sure you go to the Gardens by the Bay for the epic Supertree Skywalk and Cloud Forest, then take a walk through Chinatown and grab a bite to eat at the famous hawker markets!
Stay at Shangri-La on Sentosa Island to get a great mix of chill-out relaxation time and time in the bustling city.
Oh, and of course you can’t miss the Jewel at Changi airport!
St Lucia, Caribbean
And finally, we have the Caribbean island of St Lucia! I had a girls trip to St Lucia last year and it really wowed me.
Caribbean-wise I’d previously been to Antigua, Barbuda, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Cuba. St Lucia felt very different to all of those places, but I really enjoyed it.
We had a week of relaxing on the beach at the Royalton Resort & Spa St Lucia, and then a couple of days on boats sailing around the island and seeing the Pitons, Touraille waterfall, Sugar Beach, and Pigeon Island.
It was honestly the perfect destination to help beat the winter blues and we’re looking to go back next year because we loved it so much!
Read more: Tout Bagay Sailing Trip, St Lucia
Bonus Destination: NYC at Christmas!
If you want a really special trip for 2025, why not head to NYC at Christmas!?
I’ve done two trips to New York at Christmas time, in 2017 and 2024, and each one was SO dreamy. Honestly it just feels like you’re walking through a movie set and it’s sooo magical.
Stay at the St Regis New York to make it extra special, or book in at the Langham NYC or Knickerbocker for something more luxe-mid-range. If you’re on more of a budget, I also loved my stays at the Moxy Times Square and the Hard Rock Hotel NYC.
I’d recommend visiting around the middle of December as the prices are slightly cheaper than the beginning of the month, and unmissable Christmas activities include the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, Ice-Skating at Central Park’s Wollman Rink, and of course, the Rockefeller Christmas tree!
Tick Off That Bucket List in 2025
So, is 2025 the year you’ll tick off some big bucket list destinations?! Tag me on Instagram if you end up going to any of the above destinations – I’d love to see your photos!!
