My Favourite New Locations of 2025

How do I sum up my travels in 2025? Enjoyable, intense, and thoroughly deliberate, with a watch 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 nations. 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 nations — Mauritius, Madagascar, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica. That takes me to 96. My objective of 100 is in hanging distance!

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

So what made the listing 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 typical, 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 could be probably the most intense, uncommon, and visually gorgeous vacation spot of the yr. And it delivered in nearly each course potential.

Extra lovely than anticipated. Extra hardcore than anticipated. Extra irritating than anticipated. Extra shocking than anticipated.

Madagascar will not be for many vacationers. It’s tough and complex and the journey infrastructure is proscribed. The roads? Wild. The plumbing? Fairly often nonexistent.

However in case you’ve been craving a REAL journey, and also you’ve felt such as you’ve been enjoying it secure too usually in your travels currently — Madagascar is the place for you.

Think about climbing 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 arms 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 the whole lot organized so I wouldn’t should cope with all of the malarky.

(Properly. There was a little bit of malarky. We bought caught up in unrest within the capital, bought teargassed, have been caught ready for days because the airport was largely shut down. Shortly after all of us left, the protests culminated in a army coup. Sure. Severely. And the journey was nonetheless MASSIVELY value 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 subsequent Rock My Journey Madagascar journey is in October 2026. You may get $100 off any Rock My Journey journey with the code KATE100.

The right way to get to Madagascar: Your solely possibility is to fly in; there are not any worldwide ferries. Air France has common connections to Antananarivo from Paris. You may as well 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 the whole lot was getting shut down through the protests.

There may be an airline referred to as Neos that has a lot of random connections from Nosy Be to European cities like Milan, Verona, and apparently subsequent yr, PRAGUE. (Man, might 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 crushed path and bought us up near rural life in Madagascar. However I’ll shortly observe that’s not everybody’s cup of tea, so my second suggestion is climbing the Grand Tsingy, which is dramatic and delightful and actually leaves you feeling achieved.

The place to Keep in Madagascar: We stayed at nice lodges 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 canines who dwell on the resort, AC), Soleil des Tsingy (unimaginable 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 definitely worth the wait. That is considered one of my favourite new islands on the planet, and this journey kick-started my new love affair with Greece. I already preferred Greece, however now I need 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 may spend your complete journey in Crete and be happy.

As a result of sure, Crete has plentiful seashores, GORGEOUS seashores. And there are forests within the inside. Chania is an excellent metropolis the place you would simply keep per week or longer. You may hike one of many many gorges. And there’s SO a lot improbable meals; many Greeks assume Cretan meals is the most effective 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 mates. And talking of excursions, I used to be so impressed with the top quality of each single tour we did. They actually have it found out in Crete.

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

The right way 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). When you’re visiting each Santorini and Crete in the identical journey, it is sensible to take the ferry between them (2-4 hours).

Smartest thing to do in Crete: Oh, it’s so exhausting 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 very enjoyable night with the nicest, most welcoming individuals; the vacation spot was downright idyllic; and we realized to make so many scrumptious dishes.

The place to remain in Crete: We stayed in nicer locations than we often do on this journey. Nival Luxurious Suites is completely positioned within the coronary heart of Chania city and has tremendous good rooms with little kitchenettes; ours had an enormous terrace, too! Minos Seaside 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 beautiful, and the breakfast buffet was top-of-the-line I’ve ever seen anyplace.

The Grenadines

My new favourite Caribbean nation is St. Vincent and the Grenadines — however 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 just 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.

The right way 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 may as well 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 Seaside in Bequia. Swim within the water, admire the wood 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 prefer 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 proper dimension — the drive from the capital of Willemstad to the seashores of Westpunt is about an hour — and it’s not overdeveloped. Numerous Caribbean islands are coated with resort after resort, however Curaçao appears like individuals truly dwell right here. You may truly get to seashores simply, and lounge chairs are reasonably priced.

I’m positive an enormous 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 People currently.

On high of that, Willemstad is a shocking metropolis, crammed with brightly coloured Dutch-style buildings, and the seashores are dwelling to a few of the brightest blue water I’ve ever seen. This island is totally lovely, and it’s unattainable to not get good images right here!

When you’re in search of a pleasant Caribbean island to go to for per week or so, the place you possibly can see so much however received’t really feel like you’ll want to rush round to see the whole lot, Curaçao is a good alternative.

The right way to get to Curaçao: Your solely possibility is to fly in, as there are not any ferries. Yow will discover 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: Hire 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 vibrant 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 approach aside from one: there was no scorching water. The water maxed out at lukewarm, which is sweet whenever you’re scorching and sweaty however not good in any other case. However the rooms have been good, the situation 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. All the pieces was so inexperienced, so clear, so wonderful. And since it’s France, you will have 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 in the case of driving in fully 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 the whole lot 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.

The right way to get to Réunion Island: You’ll must fly in, as there are not 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 beautiful and remoted. You might drive there your self; I selected to rent a driver as a result of I used to be nervous concerning the slender, switchback-filled mountain roads. I employed a stunning French-speaking driver named Anthony via La Conciergerie de la Réunion, which gave me the most effective value (300 EUR, a particular September fee marked down fee from their typical 350 EUR; most different corporations quoted me 500 EUR or extra).

The place to remain in Réunion: I stayed at Le Tournesol in St. Gilles and didn’t like it. Whereas it was a easy house in a fairly first rate location, it was tough to search out, the important thing stored sticking, and the host despatched all the house data by way of Reserving.com messages, which made it a problem to search 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 prefer to spend a number of nights in Cilaos and some nights elsewhere.

Excessive Tatras, Slovakia

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

Only a few days of climbing and spa time — and it was excellent. This area is totally pretty. 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 day-after-day.

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

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

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

Smartest thing to do within the Excessive Tatras: Spend your morning climbing 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: If in case you have the funds, the Grand Kempinski Excessive Tatras is THE finest place to remain on this space! A very lovely place to splurge, and also you get entry to the spa day-after-day. If it’s out of your value vary, at the least do a day go to to the spa.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia has lengthy been the Caribbean island I’ve needed to go to probably the most — and I’m joyful to say that it paid off! I solely visited St. Lucia on a single day on my Star Clippers cruise, however I’m so desperate 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 unimaginable 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 houses that make up St. Lucia.

We visited the botanical gardens of St. Lucia and realized about all types of pure treatments (which we absolutely intend on attempting out after we get dwelling, together with mixing nutmeg and vinegar to sooth sore muscle tissue, and letting cloves dissolve in your mouth to stop 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.

The right way to get to St. Lucia: St. Lucia is best linked 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 resort — anyplace! Oh, and I loved the botanical gardens, too!

The place to remain in St. Lucia: The primary resort the place I need to keep sometime is Jade Mountain, probably the most luxurious resort on St. Lucia, the place all suites have three partitions and an open view of the Pitons, in addition to personal 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 dwelling to Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d’Alba. And an autumn weekend was the proper introduction.

Imaging little hill cities perched on countless hills coated with vineyards. Excellent eating places cooking up elevated variations of hyper-local delicacies. Even the cities, like Asti and Alessandria, have so much to supply. In fact, the wines are very good. And in case you 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 typically 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 bought a bit repetitive at occasions. 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!

The right way to get to the Langhe: You may fly into Torino or Milan Malpensa, lease a automobile, and discover the panorama. There are additionally a lot of trains criss-crossing the area, and I believe the 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, aside from one factor — neither wifi nor telephone sign labored, because of the thick stone partitions! A pleasant spot, however finest in case you don’t have to be linked.

The Second Time Round Award: Warsaw

I all the time like to offer 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 Arduous and needed to do at the least one 45-minute outside stroll per day, I ended up taking a number of lengthy walks round completely different areas of the town, giving me views I’ve by no means seen earlier than.

Warsaw is an rising metropolis that’s altering on the velocity of sunshine. (Typically 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.) Elements of the town jogged my memory of Buenos Aires or Mexico, with the high-rises in opposition to 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 frequently, however I’ll most likely be there now and again for a live performance or one thing. And I do know I’ll get pleasure from myself there.

The right way to get to Warsaw: Warsaw could be very well-connected by air, prepare, and bus.

Smartest thing to do in Warsaw: I need 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 might genuinely eat these each day-after-day and be joyful.

The place to remain in Warsaw: I truly stayed in a non-public room in a hostel, Safestay Warsaw. It was VERY easy and sparsely furnished, however a non-public ensuite in an amazing location for a good value.

My Journey Needs for 2026

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

My buddy Cailin and I are going to Egypt for simply over per 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 pageant in Gloucestershire, England! Ever since we watched a documentary on this loopy occasion, we’ve needed 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 mates’ wedding ceremony in Provence, and turning it right into a highway journey across the area. (Sure, we’re conscious that it will likely be scorching. We’ll make it work.)

After which August brings an enormous 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 occurring safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana!

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

What was your favourite new journey vacation spot of 2025?