Are you salivating about where to go on holiday next year? Whether with family, friends, one significant other, or flying solo, plenty of destinations in the spotlight may be on your bucket list to explore. Many places reflect what's happening around the globe and have become designated 'no-go' zones for your safety. Still, overall, the world is a big place where you can experience unique sights, get up to whatever your heart desires, or lay back in delectable luxury doing nothing.
Below, you will find 3 suggestions that are being touted as the best places to visit in 2025:
Sri Lanka
The alternative to the chaos of India, Sri Lanka is a land of magical landscapes of ancient myths, wild animals playing in national parks, and incredible cuisine that will have your taste buds singing in a country tainted by numerous invading nationalities, each leaving footsteps to create a unique culture.
If you want a beachside retreat, there are plenty of gorgeous sun-worshipping spots at Tangalle and Mirissa. If you want to hike up an iconic landmark that will give your heart palpitations, head to Sigiriya Rock Fortress (aka Lion Rock) for a jaw-dropping view and appreciate its transformation from ancient civilization to a Buddhist monastery. History buffs will also marvel at the Golden Cave Temple of Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy. Head to the tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya for some cool respite before going to Galle Fort for boutique accommodation and chic cafes, and to thrash a credit card. Or, if you are feeling energetic, hike the new Pekoe Trail beginning in Kandy, which passes through Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, and Hatton, and ends in Ella. You will immerse yourself in Sri Lanka's heritage tea trail, where waterfalls, lakes, historic sites, valleys, and hundreds of tea plantations will lead you to boutique accommodation for the night.
Canada
With cool cities to run around, incredible mountains and national parks to explore, heritage sites for history buffs, and wonderful food to gorge on, visiting Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is a no-brainer any time of the year. Because Canada is so big, pick an area to make the most of your time, as you will never see everything in one trip.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Quebec City, surrounded by an ancient stone wall hiding super old buildings lined along cobblestoned streets, Vancouver with its stunning mountain setting on the Pacific Ocean, and the buzz of Toronto with its dynamic arts and music scene. Or, head to Ottawa to gawk at fairytale architecture, then onto Montreal to pig out on a dish of poutine (the cheesy dish of the nation) and home to the annual jazz festival. Natural wonders that should be seen include Niagara Falls, straddling the border between Canada and the United States, Gros Morne National Park for its soaring coastal cliffs and dramatic fjords, or go totally remote to the regions of Yukon, Churchill, and Manitoba for nature's incredible light show, the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). The outdoor lover will be wetting their pants in excitement at the prospect of kayaking, canoeing, and hiking the wild far reaches of this land where polar bears roam. If chaotic cities hold no appeal, Canada has plenty of national parks in which to hang out.
Croatia
Croatia is a sun-kissed land with many faces, from its achingly beautiful islands and beaches to national parks and picturesque historic towns. It's a destination demanding to be added to any bucket list for 2025.
Croatia is the sun-worshipping tourist haunt for stunning pebbled and white sand beaches gently lapped by the shimmering clear water of the Adriatic Sea where islands such as Brac, Korcula, Vis and others, allow travelers to disconnect and embrace chill-out time. Or, for fans of the show, The Game of Thrones, it’s like stepping into a movie set as many scenes were filmed within Dubrovnik’s towering walls (King’s Landing) and the Klis Fortress outside the city of Split featured as the City of Meereen, plus there are other sites prominently shown in the movie. Croatia is renowned as a music festival hub during the summer months and home to seafood glistening with freshness—octopus to oysters, risotto to stews and barbequed—you will be able to indulge your taste for the bounty of the sea sitting under an umbrella with luscious ocean views before you while partaking of heavenly sips of local white wine. You can even go on a vineyard trail, check out cellar doors, and meet the industrious locals. Eight national parks should satisfy the outdoor enthusiast to run amok in, while for the heartbroken souls, there is the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb to have a cry over.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
