My Favourite New Locations of 2025

How do I sum up my travels in 2025? Enjoyable, intense, and punctiliously deliberate, with an eye fixed towards more and more intense adventures sooner or later.

This yr, I’ve been feeling extra of an urge to go to new locations, and particularly new international locations. However I’ve additionally been drawn towards extra intense and adventurous journeys. Madagascar was precisely what I wanted — a tough and wild journey stuffed with surprises. I would like extra of that!

In 2025, I visited seven new international locations — Mauritius, Madagascar, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica. That takes me to 96. My aim of 100 is in hanging distance!

(And don’t neglect to take a look at my greatest journey moments of 2025 and my worst journey moments of 2025! These two are must-reads!)

So what made the checklist of my favourite new locations of 2025?

In 2012, I selected locations like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.

In 2013, I selected locations like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.

In 2014, I selected locations like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Eire.

In 2015, I selected locations like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.

In 2016, I selected locations like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.

In 2017, I selected locations like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2018, I selected locations like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.

In 2019, I selected locations like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.

In 2020, I selected locations like Mexico Metropolis; Viñales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.

In 2021, I selected locations just like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d’Aosta, Italy.

In 2022, I selected locations like Naples, Martha’s Winery, and Guanajuato, Mexico.

In 2023, I selected locations like Ischia, Patagonia, and Perast, Montenegro.

In 2024, I selected locations like Bhutan, the Basque Nation, and the San Blas Islands, Panama.

As standard, I’m solely together with locations that I visited for the primary time in 2025 — in order that excludes locations that I’ve visited earlier than, together with Kraków, New Orleans, and in every single place I visited in Mexico this yr.

One exception: the Second Time Round award.

Madagascar

Going into 2025, I knew Madagascar can be probably the most intense, uncommon, and visually gorgeous vacation spot of the yr. And it delivered in nearly each route attainable.

Extra lovely than anticipated. Extra hardcore than anticipated. Extra irritating than anticipated. Extra stunning than anticipated.

Madagascar isn’t for many vacationers. It’s tough and complex and the journey infrastructure is restricted. The roads? Wild. The plumbing? Fairly often nonexistent.

However for those who’ve been craving a REAL journey, and also you’ve felt such as you’ve been enjoying it protected too typically in your travels recently — Madagascar is the place for you.

Think about mountaineering throughout the roof of a rock forest, clipping your self out and in. Think about getting up near lemurs and swimming with big turtles. Think about visiting tiny villages, chatting with locals and youngsters holding your fingers wherever you go. Think about watching a sundown over baobab timber. Think about visiting a rustic almost proof against overtourism.

As a result of Madagascar is a tough place to journey, I all the time knew I’d not do it not solo, however as a gaggle journey. I joined the Rock My Journey Madagascar journey and WHAT A GREAT DECISION THAT WAS! An extremely enjoyable journey with a lot journey, good locations to remain, and every little thing organized so I wouldn’t need to cope with all of the malarky.

(Effectively. There was a little bit of malarky. We obtained caught up in unrest within the capital, obtained teargassed, have been caught ready for days because the airport was principally shut down. Shortly after all of us left, the protests culminated in a navy coup. Sure. Severely. And the journey was nonetheless MASSIVELY price it.)

Visiting Madagascar felt like I used to be a younger backpacker once more. It was so good to expertise this new nation, but additionally join with my previous self on the identical time.

The following Rock My Journey Madagascar journey is in October 2026. You will get $100 off any Rock My Journey journey with the code KATE100.

Easy methods to get to Madagascar: Your solely choice is to fly in; there aren’t any worldwide ferries. Air France has common connections to Antananarivo from Paris. You can even fly into Antananarivo from Réunion on Air Austral (which I did) or Mauritius on Air Mauritius, and there are a number of different connections inside Africa. Ethiopian Airways appeared to be the one airline working reliably when every little thing was getting shut down in the course of the protests.

There may be an airline known as Neos that has numerous random connections from Nosy Be to European cities like Milan, Verona, and apparently subsequent yr, PRAGUE. (Man, may I’ve used that this yr!!)

Finest Factor to Do in Madagascar: The largest journey of the journey was the three-day boat journey down the Tsiribihina River, only a tough and wild journey that was so off the overwhelmed path and obtained us up near rural life in Madagascar. However I’ll rapidly notice that’s not everybody’s cup of tea, so my second advice is mountaineering the Grand Tsingy, which is dramatic and delightful and actually leaves you feeling achieved.

The place to Keep in Madagascar: We stayed at nice motels all through the journey, and I particularly suggest Maison Ylang Dive Middle in Nosy Be (excellent end-of-trip splurge with SUPER good rooms, nice workers and meals, candy canine who dwell on the lodge, AC), Soleil des Tsingy (unbelievable infinity pool which is JUST PERFECT after a hike on this super-hot area), and Chez Maggie in Morondava (so welcoming with nice meals, good rooms with doorways that separate two beds, and AC).

Crete

It took me 40 years to make it to Crete, and wow, was it ever well worth the wait. That is one in every of my favourite new islands on the planet, and this journey kick-started my new love affair with Greece. I already appreciated Greece, however now I wish to go EVERYWHERE in Greece!

Lots of people plan Crete as a part of an island-hopping itinerary in Greece, particularly in the event that they’re coming from abroad. However belief me — Crete is THE vacation spot, Crete has EVERYTHING, and you’ll spend your complete journey in Crete and be glad.

As a result of sure, Crete has plentiful seashores, GORGEOUS seashores. And there are forests within the inside. Chania is a superb metropolis the place you would simply keep every week or longer. You may hike one of many many gorges. And there’s SO a lot incredible meals; many Greeks assume Cretan meals is one of the best in Greece!

However what I keep in mind most is how extremely pleasant the individuals in Crete have been — so gregarious and lively. After each tour or exercise, it felt like we and our guides parted as pals. And talking of excursions, I used to be so impressed with the top quality of each single tour we did. They actually have it discovered in Crete.

Actually, Charlie and I cherished Crete a lot, we began planning our subsequent journey earlier than we even left.

Easy methods to get to Crete: You may simply fly into Crete’s airports of Chania within the west and Heraklion within the east, and each have connections all through Europe. Crete can also be well-connected by ferries (although Athens is a protracted 8-10 hour ferry journey). In the event you’re visiting each Santorini and Crete in the identical journey, it is smart to take the ferry between them (2-4 hours).

Smartest thing to do in Crete: Oh, it’s so arduous to slender it down to at least one factor as a result of I cherished it ALL!! However I actually cherished our cooking class within the mountains close to Chania. A extremely enjoyable night with the nicest, most welcoming individuals; the vacation spot was downright idyllic; and we discovered to make so many scrumptious dishes.

The place to remain in Crete: We stayed in nicer locations than we normally do on this journey. Nival Luxurious Suites is completely situated within the coronary heart of Chania city and has tremendous good rooms with little kitchenettes; ours had an enormous terrace, too! Minos Seashore Artwork Resort in Agios Nikolaos is likely one of the nicest seaside resorts I’ve ever stayed in. It was so luxe, the property was attractive, and the breakfast buffet was probably the greatest I’ve ever seen anyplace.

The Grenadines

My new favourite Caribbean nation is St. Vincent and the Grenadines — nevertheless it’s the Grenadines particularly that stole my coronary heart! I selected our Star Clippers cruise for its intensive itinerary via the Grenadines, and on our journey I used to be fortunate sufficient to go to Union Island, Tobago Cays (Mayreau and Petit Rameau), and Bequia.

THESE ISLANDS are the Caribbean that you simply dream of. None of them have any large resorts or vacationer crowds. Simply quiet seashores with a number of little shacks the place locals dish out rum punch or freshly grilled fish.

Is there a lot to do right here? No. However that’s the purpose. Come right here on a catamaran for the day (as so many individuals do), or keep for a number of nights and benefit from the peace and quiet.

That’s all you want.

Easy methods to get to the Grenadines: There are flights to Kingstown, St. Vincent, and from there you possibly can hop on the ferries between the Grenadines. You can even ferry-hop from Grenada to Carriacou, then onward to the Grenadines. A few of the islands have tiny airports.

Smartest thing to do within the Grenadines: Spend a day at Princess Margaret Seashore in Bequia. Swim within the water, admire the picket structure, relaxation within the shade beneath the timber, and drink super-strong $5 rum punches.

Finest place to remain within the Grenadines: Actually, I couldn’t let you know, as we got here right here on our Star Clippers cruise. However after spending time within the archipelago, I’d most wish to spend a number of nights on the island of Bequia. And I’d SO love to go to the island of Mustique, too!

Curaçao

There are such a lot of islands within the Caribbean — however a number of occur to march to my beat completely. Curaçao, a rustic throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a type of islands — and I’m so glad that we selected to begin our large four-week Caribbean journey right here.

I really feel like Curaçao is the right dimension — the drive from the capital of Willemstad to the seashores of Westpunt is about an hour — and it’s not overdeveloped. A whole lot of Caribbean islands are lined with resort after resort, however Curaçao looks like individuals really dwell right here. You may really get to seashores simply, and lounge chairs are inexpensive.

I’m certain a giant a part of that is that Curaçao has primarily catered to European vacationers for many years, whereas the resort-filled Aruba has primarily catered to American vacationers. However locals are saying issues are altering, and Curaçao is attracting extra Individuals recently.

On prime of that, Willemstad is a surprising metropolis, full of brightly coloured Dutch-style buildings, and the seashores are house to among the brightest blue water I’ve ever seen. This island is totally lovely, and it’s inconceivable to not get good pictures right here!

In the event you’re in search of a pleasant Caribbean island to go to for every week or so, the place you possibly can see loads however received’t really feel like you might want to rush round to see every little thing, Curaçao is a good alternative.

Easy methods to get to Curaçao: Your solely choice is to fly in, as there aren’t any ferries. You’ll find direct flights from a handful of North American cities, together with Miami, New York, Chicago, and Toronto; from Amsterdam and Brussels in Europe; and from a number of different locations within the Caribbean, South America, and Central America.

Smartest thing to do in Curaçao: Lease a automobile and spend a day exploring the seashores round Westpunt, the western space of the island. Playa Lagun and Grote Knip are two good ones. Take within the view from the bar above Playa Laguna, and swim within the vivid turquoise waters wherever you go.

The place to remain in Curaçao: I stayed at Atelier Skalo in Willemstad, which was an amazing slot in each manner apart from one: there was no scorching water. The water maxed out at lukewarm, which is sweet while you’re scorching and sweaty however not good in any other case. However the rooms have been good, the placement was excellent (brief stroll from the middle of city), the workers have been good, and and there was free parking.

Réunion Island

The one vacation spot that stunned me probably the most and delivered to this point past my expectations was Réunion Island! This small island within the Indian Ocean is technically a part of France, and it’s not like anyplace I’ve ever been.

This island has insane geography — volcanoes, seashores with glowing sand, sharp cliffs with crashing waves, multi-tier waterfalls, tiny hamlets surrounded by jagged mountains. Every thing was so inexperienced, so clear, so superb. And since it’s France, you have got boulangeries with contemporary croissants, flowers blooming in every single place, and produce circumstances stuffed with wine within the supermarkets.

One other spotlight? The driving. I’m a little bit of a nervous driver ordinarily, particularly with regards to driving in utterly new elements of the world, however there was nothing to concern. The driving was BUTTERY SMOOTH. The highways have been in immaculate situation.

I used to be simply head over heels in love with every little thing I used to be seeing on this island. And I solely had two actual days to discover!! I actually need to return and do the island correctly.

Easy methods to get to Réunion Island: You’ll must fly in, as there aren’t any ferries right here. You may fly from CDG or Orly in Paris on Air France or Air Austral, or you possibly can fly direct from Mauritius, Antananarivo, Nosy Be (I flew between Réunion and all three of these, LOL), and another locations overseas.

Smartest thing to do in Réunion: Go to Cilaos. I completely cherished my go to to this village deep within the mountains, so attractive and remoted. You can drive there your self; I selected to rent a driver as a result of I used to be nervous in regards to the slender, switchback-filled mountain roads. I employed a stunning French-speaking driver named Anthony via La Conciergerie de la Réunion, which gave me one of the best worth (300 EUR, a particular September fee marked down fee from their standard 350 EUR; most different firms quoted me 500 EUR or extra).

The place to remain in Réunion: I stayed at Le Tournesol in St. Gilles and didn’t adore it. Whereas it was a easy house in a fairly first rate location, it was troublesome to seek out, the important thing saved sticking, and the host despatched all the house data by way of Reserving.com messages, which made it a trouble to seek out any data. If I had the funds, I’d have stayed on the LUX* St. Gilles, the nicest resort on the island. However subsequent time I’d wish to spend a number of nights in Cilaos and some nights elsewhere.

Excessive Tatras, Slovakia

For my forty first birthday this yr, I wished one thing completely different than my large occasion in Croatia the yr earlier than. One thing quiet, in nature, accessible by practice, with a GREAT lodge. And so I selected the Excessive Tatras of Slovakia — one of the vital gorgeous locations in Central Europe!

Just some days of mountaineering and spa time — and it was excellent. This area is totally beautiful. We stayed within the city of Štrbske Pleso, which is known as for its lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and has a stunning strolling path round it that I loved every single day.

So far as the hikes went, it is best to know that hikes in Central Europe are usually graded a bit simpler than they’d be within the US. That mentioned, there actually are hikes for each stage right here, and the mountain surroundings is simply gorgeous. The mountains listed here are craggy and lined with pine forests.

This was the right place for an escape from town for a number of days, and I hope I get to return right here quickly!

Easy methods to get to the Excessive Tatras: The Excessive Tatras are fairly straightforward to get to by practice or bus from Prague, Kraków, and even Budapest. Poprad is the principle “metropolis” on a significant practice line, and there are smaller trains that criss-cross the area. We took the practice from Prague, which took about seven hours.

Smartest thing to do within the Excessive Tatras: Spend your morning mountaineering the path of your alternative, seize lunch at a hut, and spend the afternoon stress-free within the spa on the Grand Kempinski Excessive Tatras as you watch all of the hikers circle the lake.

The place to remain within the Excessive Tatras: In case you have the funds, the Grand Kempinski Excessive Tatras is THE greatest place to remain on this space! A extremely lovely place to splurge, and also you get entry to the spa every single day. If it’s out of your worth vary, a minimum of do a day go to to the spa.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia has lengthy been the Caribbean island I’ve wished to go to probably the most — and I’m comfortable to say that it paid off! I solely visited St. Lucia on a single day on my Star Clippers cruise, however I’m so desirous to return and see extra of the island.

The Pitons, the 2 conical inexperienced mountains within the south of the island, are the image of St. Lucia. They usually made an unbelievable backdrop for the Royal Clipper, its sails unfurled at golden hour.

Charlie and I booked an tour that took us from Marigot Bay to Soufrière, displaying off the luxurious inexperienced hillsides and the well-kept properties that make up St. Lucia.

We visited the botanical gardens of St. Lucia and discovered about every kind of pure treatments (which we totally intend on attempting out once we get house, together with mixing nutmeg and vinegar to sooth sore muscular tissues, and letting cloves dissolve in your mouth to forestall diabetes).

However greater than something, I loved staring on the Pitons. I want to come back again to this island and stare at them some extra.

Easy methods to get to St. Lucia: St. Lucia is healthier related by air than I assumed! They’ve direct flights from a number of North American cities, together with New York, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, and my hometown of Boston, in addition to London.

Smartest thing to do in St. Lucia: Simply get your self someplace with a view of the Pitons and benefit from the view, whether or not that’s on the sand, on the water, in a luxurious lodge — anyplace! Oh, and I loved the botanical gardens, too!

The place to remain in St. Lucia: The primary lodge the place I wish to keep sometime is Jade Mountain, probably the most luxurious lodge on St. Lucia, the place all suites have three partitions and an open view of the Pitons, in addition to non-public plunge swimming pools and jacuzzis. SOMEDAY I’ll keep there!

Langhe, Italy

Piemonte is a area of Italy that I’ve visited twice and love — however till this yr, I had by no means visited the Langhe. The wealthy wine-growing area within the south of Piemonte is house to Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d’Alba. And an autumn weekend was the right introduction.

Imaging little hill cities perched on infinite hills lined with vineyards. Excellent eating places cooking up elevated variations of hyper-local delicacies. Even the cities, like Asti and Alessandria, have loads to supply. After all, the wines are excellent. And for those who go to in October, you may get white truffles shaved on absolutely anything.

However what I actually loved was that the Langhe felt like an grownup getaway. Maybe most wine areas are. However whereas generally it looks like youngsters are completely in every single place in Italy, that is one area that feels extra like an grownup playground. A REFINED grownup playground.

My solely criticism — the meals obtained a bit repetitive at instances. And nonetheless don’t get why the Piemontese insist on serving super-thin tajarin pasta with meat sauce. You want a thick noodle to carry the meat!

Easy methods to get to the Langhe: You may fly into Torino or Milan Malpensa, hire a automobile, and discover the panorama. There are additionally numerous trains criss-crossing the area, and I feel town of Asti would make a pleasant base.

Smartest thing to do within the Langhe: My favourite factor was a wine and chocolate pairing expertise that we did at Costa di Bussia vineyard close to Monforte d’Alba. This wasn’t merely, “This wine is sweet with white, this one is sweet with darkish” — each chocolate was painstakingly chosen and paired GORGEOUSLY. Extremely suggest it.

The place to remain within the Langhe: We loved our keep within the tiny city of Monforte d’Alba, apart from one factor — neither wifi nor telephone sign labored, due to the thick stone partitions! A pleasant spot, however greatest for those who don’t have to be related.

The Second Time Round Award: Warsaw

I all the time like to present my second time round award to a spot that I didn’t actually vibe with on my first go to, however had a greater time on the second go to. This yr, that vacation spot is Warsaw!

I solely visited Warsaw for an in a single day again in 2016 — and because it got here proper after magical Kraków, it suffered by comparability. This time, I got here for the Kendrick Lamar and SZA live performance and stayed a number of days.

Since I used to be in the midst of 75 Onerous and needed to do a minimum of one 45-minute out of doors stroll per day, I ended up taking a number of lengthy walks round completely different areas of town, giving me views I’ve by no means seen earlier than.

Warsaw is an rising metropolis that’s altering on the pace of sunshine. (Usually not for the higher. I’m listening to housing prices are massively rising, whereas wages are extra stagnant. Which is the case in lots of locations.) Components of town jogged my memory of Buenos Aires or Mexico, with the high-rises towards the inexperienced parks.

And the meals was actually scrumptious and well-priced — not solely Polish meals, however I additionally ate nice Greek and Italian meals right here. There have been so many nice cafes, too.

I don’t see myself working to Warsaw regularly, however I’ll in all probability be there from time to time for a live performance or one thing. And I do know I’ll get pleasure from myself there.

Easy methods to get to Warsaw: Warsaw could be very well-connected by air, practice, and bus.

Smartest thing to do in Warsaw: I wish to be considerate and say one thing cultural — however truthfully, I used to be all about consuming pierogis and consuming the bitter rye soup. I may genuinely eat these each every single day and be comfortable.

The place to remain in Warsaw: I really stayed in a personal room in a hostel, Safestay Warsaw. It was VERY easy and sparsely furnished, however a personal ensuite in an amazing location for an honest worth.

My Journey Needs for 2026

I’m hitting my subsequent main journey milestone in 2026 — it appears like I’ll be visiting my one hundredth nation! Listed here are among the upcoming journeys on my schedule.

My pal Cailin and I are going to Egypt for simply over every week in March. We’re doing a tour with Intrepid Journey, and we are able to’t wait to go to all of the monuments and take a felucca down the Nile!

In Might, Charlie and I are going to see the cheese-rolling competition in Gloucestershire, England! Ever since we watched a documentary on this loopy occasion, we’ve wished to attend!

I’ll be visiting my household in Massachusetts in June. I’d add on Nantucket. I STILL haven’t been there, and it’s my greatest Massachusetts oversight.

In July, Charlie and I are attending our pals’ marriage ceremony in Provence, and turning it right into a highway journey across the area. (Sure, we’re conscious that will probably be scorching. We’ll make it work.)

After which August brings a giant journey in Africa! Charlie and I are becoming a member of a Rock My Journey journey to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe! Earlier than the journey, we’ll be spending a number of days in Cape City, and after the journey, my mother will fly into Victoria Falls and we’re happening safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana!

Across the holidays, Charlie and I are visiting my household collectively, and like most years, we’re considering of including on a aspect journey someplace. Perhaps someplace new within the Americas. Perhaps someplace in Asia? Who is aware of?

What was your favourite new journey vacation spot of 2025?