While the African bush can capture your heart and imagination, its culture and people can truly fill your soul. During our trip, we met some incredible individuals—from our knowledgeable tour guides and game rangers to the locals who call these places home. They are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met—individuals who may not have much in terms of material possessions, yet are capable of giving so much in return.
Where the International Traveller team think you should travel in 2025
Snowdonia National Park is on the list. (Image: Getty Images/Schroptcschop)
Get ready to embark on your next great adventure with our ultimate guide to the top destinations to explore this year.
Choosing where to travel can be an overwhelming task, especially with so many phenomenal destinations to consider. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or stunning natural beauty, the possibilities are endless. Thankfully, the International Traveller team have done some of the hard work for you and rounded up a list of the places we think you should go to next.
From seeing the northern lights in Finland to cruising down the Nile in Eygpt, you’ll find our top picks for 2025 and some insider tips to consider during the planning process. Get packing!
Egypt
Quentin Long, Co-Founder
The Ancient Egyptian temple of Karnak. (Image: Getty Images/oversnap)
Egypt is one of the destinations that runs hotter and colder than a feverish child. One minute it’s inundated with the masses all madly ticking bucket lists. Then with a whiff of conflict or unsettled inhabitants of the nebulous “Middle East” (a term that is so imprecise it is almost meaningless), Egypt’s hotels, river cruises and tours empty quicker than a brown fox leaving those with a bit more fortitude and adventure to enjoy it in style, for less and without the maddening crowds.
With the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM to followers) now open the country is in recovery mode. Thus 2025 will be the optimal time to explore the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the Nile and enjoy the refined, incredible Egyptian hospitality in relative peace, sans the masses.
Tip: Make sure you get an expert tour company with great Egyptologists to make the most of the experience.
A winter road trip in Utah, USA
Katie Carlin, Head of Content
The writer under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. (Image: Katie Carlin)
Just before the pandemic hit in early 2020, I went on a 10-day road trip of the 45th state that started in Salt Lake City and ended over the border in Las Vegas. It remains one of my all-time favourite trips to date. Winter in Utah is arguably the best time to visit.
Find uncrowded hiking trails, dine in cosy pubs and eateries, toast s’mores by the fire under star-filled night skies, carve it up on some of the best powder in the world, and get your culture fix at Sundance Film Festival (23 January – 2 February, 2025); held annually in January over three locations in various cinemas throughout Park City, Salt Lake City, and Sundance Mountain Resort near Provo. The festival offers a stellar line-up of dramatic and documentary features, short films, series and episodic content, and multimedia installations and performances. There are also panel discussions, filmmaker conversations and live music events to enjoy – plus the odd celebrity sighting. It’s the perfect entrée to what awaits you on the road.
Sri Lanka
Imogen Eveson, Print Editor
See Elephants in nature at Gal Oya Park. (Image: Elise Hassey)
In November I headed to Bali for Further East, a trade show for the Asia-Pacific region which, for travel editors like me, is an invaluable way to get ahead of the curve. So what did I learn over three days of speed-dating tourism operators from all across Asia-Pacific? For years on the cusp of being ‘the next big thing’, Sri Lanka is ready for its moment in the sun.
Off-limits for 20 years due to the country’s civil war, Sri Lanka’s east coast is opening up for tourism. Be among the first Aussies to explore endless stretches of powdery white sand by checking into barefoot luxury resorts such as Uga Bay and Uga Jungle Beach. Top tip? It makes the perfect winter escape from Australia.
Sri Lanka is also emerging as an alternative safari destination, and those in the know head to hidden-gem national parks such as Gal Oya – home to Asian elephants, shy leopards and more than 150 bird species. A stay on its fringes at Gal Oya Lodge offers a sustainable way to explore the jungle in different ways, from bike rides to sunset cruises and walks with local Vedda people.
Meanwhile, in the Central Highlands, The Pekoe Trail is a newly created long-distance walking trail –Sri Lanka’s first – carving through hilltowns, tea plantations, remote villages and forests in 22 stages over 300 kilometres. Break up the journey with boutique stays in tea country bungalows located near trailheads, such as Teardrop Hotels’ Camellia Hills, Goatfell and Nine Skies.
Botswana
Lauren de Sousa, Art Director
Giraffes roaming the wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. (Image: Getty Images/mantaphoto)
Whether it’s waking up to the sounds of animals racing past your campsite or hearing lions roar in the distance at dawn, there’s no shortage of thrills to get your heart racing and your sense of adventure soaring. On our trip, we witnessed an impala being chased by a pack of African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves, just a few metres from our campsite. On another morning, a curious hyena was licking the dew off our tent while we lay inside. These were just a couple of the many memorable sightings and experiences we came across whilst travelling through Botswana, one of the few African countries to not have fences around their national parks and reserves.
From game driving during the day at your own leisure and exploring the beautiful open plains and landscape to ticking off wildlife sightings and enjoying an African sunset while sitting around the fire enjoying a glass or two of vino, travel doesn’t get much better than this.
Kanazawa, Japan
Rachael Thompson, Evergreen Editor
Traditional Edo-era architecture stands preserved. (Image: Getty Images/Nirad)
Japan is a very popular destination at the moment, so if you want to head outside of the major cities, Kanazawa is well worth the visit. It was spared from bombing during the Second World War, so many of its historical buildings and traditional districts remain today, and they’re breathtaking. Must-do activities include visiting Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en Garden, and the Higashi Chaya District.
A lot of people opt to visit Japan during cherry blossom season, but I’d recommend visiting in November when the autumn leaves are at their peak and the city is blanketed in red, orange, and yellow. For a more authentic experience, I’d also recommend staying in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation) such as Kagabi Temari Machiya.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Emily Murphy, Social Media Manager and Writer
Witness the beauty of the northern lights. (Image: Getty Images/Wirestock)
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is straight out of a fairytale and 2025 is the year to experience its allure. Beyond being the official home of Santa Claus, it’s an Arctic dreamscape where you can chase the northern lights, sleep in glass igloos and wander through snow-laden forests. With 2025 marking the peak of the current solar cycle, the heightened solar activity is expected to deliver the most breathtaking northern lights displays in over a decade.
I’m drawn to its serene wilderness and cultural richness – from reindeer safaris to learning about the Sámi people. Add to that the invigorating tradition of Arctic ice baths, paired with a steamy Finnish sauna, Rovaniemi feels like a place that connects you to something extraordinary.
Wales
Elizabeth Whitehead, Senior Writer
The picturesque Snowdonia National Park. (Image: Getty Images/ Schroptschop)
The UK is one of the most popular outbound destinations for Australians. Scotland and Ireland steal all the glory when it comes to scenery, but I hardly ever hear anyone talk about Wales. Not only does it contain some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain (see: the otherworldly mountainscapes of Snowdonia National Park), but the country has got culture to boot. Not only is it speckled with Middle Age castles, but there are plenty of regions where the Welsh language is still widely used and spoken. Plus, who wouldn’t want to visit a country whose flag has a dragon on it?
Stockholm, Sweden
Taylah Darnell, Editorial Assistant
Stockholm is a unique blend of centuries-old charm and modern Scandi elegance. (Image: Getty Images/Aliaksandr Antanovich)
With neighbours like London and Paris, Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm is often overlooked by tourists. But spending a week in this eclectic city proved to me it deserves a spot up top with some of Europe’s biggest metropoles. The city truly has something for everyone – culture vultures, history buffs, art enthusiasts, fans of fashion and nature lovers are all generously catered for.
One of my favourite parts of Stockholm is its old town, Gamla Stan, on the small island of Stadsholmen in the city’s heart. I truly fell in love with its cobblestoned streets, secret alleyways, colourful 18th-century buildings, medieval cathedrals and quirky boutiques. Plus, it’s home to the best beer and burger combo I’ve ever had (Barrels – I’m looking at you!). Heading out into the Stockholm archipelago is also a must. Made up of over 30,000 islands, it’s the second-largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea. Book a stay at the luxurious Smådalarö Gård Hotell & Spa near Dalarö to live your best Scandi-chic life, even if it’s just for a couple of nights.
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