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Where To Go In 2025: The 29 Best Places To Travel
A new year brings new opportunities to travel the world. This past year, however, also brought new challenges, with many destinations experiencing conflict, contentious elections and disasters both human-made and environmental. Yet through it all, the thrill of travel continues to inspire, delight and push us to discover new places, people and experiences.
Each year, our intrepid staff of expert travelers and our global network of contributors compile a list of the most exciting destinations to visit in the year ahead. Our 2025 list is officially the biggest in TPG’s history, with 29 destinations in total. We chose each place for a mix of reasons — natural, cultural and historical — but also because it is at the forefront of major travel trends that will shape our trips for years to come.
Those include new models for sustainable tourism development in jungle-covered Dominica and burgeoning Indigenous-focused opportunities in Manitoba that allow travelers to better understand some of the world’s wildest stretches.
As traditional shoulder seasons in many areas are getting longer, travelers might have more time to get out and explore the sun-drenched shores and ancient ruins of the Athens Riviera. Though, sometimes, all it takes to get you on a plane is a good meal, so we’ve also lined up some tantalizing culinary events to whet your appetite in places like Japan’s Kansai region, which is hosting the World Expo in 2025, and Vienna, which will spend the year celebrating the 200th birthday of the King of Waltz, Johann Strauss II.
But what makes this a truly TPG list is that many of these destinations are all the more accessible thanks to the opportunities loyalty programs offer. Those frequent flyer miles and hotel points you’ve diligently racked up can open the door to flying United Polaris business class to Marrakech or encountering giant tortoises at the dreamy Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.
Making this list has gotten us even more excited about the year of travel ahead. We hope you feel the same rush and share your experiences with us as you use your points and miles to turn these ideas into realities.
— Eric Rosen and Lyndsey Matthews
Athens Riviera, Greece
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for an easy-to-reach Mediterranean beach holiday
Being whisked away via ferry or puddle jumper to a far-off Greek island is certainly a treat. But there’s something to be said for having this same experience — the glimmering Mediterranean, heaping platters of fresh-caught seafood and sleepy seaside villages — all within a stone’s throw from the cultural riches of one of Europe’s liveliest cities: Athens.
Spread along some 40 miles of white sand and cliff-dotted coastline, the Athens Riviera begins about 10 miles south of the city, stretching from Palaio Faliro, with its expansive views of the Saronic Gulf, to bustling Glyfada, then the marinas of Vouliagmeni — don’t miss a mineral-rich soak in Lake Vouliagmeni — before ending at Cape Sounion, home to the fifth-century B.C. Temple of Poseidon.
The former Ellinikon International Airport is experiencing an enormous transformation into a sustainable urban park, Ellinikon Experience Park, that will eventually include a luxury mall, homes and a Mandarin Oriental opening in 2027.
A hotel renaissance is already underway with the rebrand and renovation of the legendary Four Seasons Astir Palace in 2019, the retro-glam One&Only Aesthesis (which opened in 2023) and 91 Athens Riviera, an upscale glamping concept from boutique brand Domes (opening in 2024). Other debuts this year include the new Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Glyfada, with its ‘70s coastal vibes, and the reopening of Cape Sounio from Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, overlooking the Temple of Poseidon.
Those traveling to the Riviera in the summer should consider a trip that overlaps with the Release Athens music festival (June to July), which features a diverse range of global musicians and is held at the seaside open-air venue Plateia Nerou. Don’t forget to stop by Glyfada’s sea turtle rescue center to learn about its ongoing conservation efforts.
TPG tip: Rent a car to drive to the Temple of Poseidon. It also makes getting into Athens easier. Public transport along the Riviera is not intuitive, and private tours down to Cape Sounion can run upward of $150, especially during the peak season.
The Magdalena River, Colombia
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for river cruisers looking for a new adventure
Flowing northward across Colombia between two Andean mountain ranges, the Magdalena River is one of South America’s most alluring waterways. It is a gateway to historic towns from the Spanish colonial era and jungles teeming with rare birds and other wildlife. Even as the rest of the country has opened to tourism, though, the Magdalena River has remained relatively untouched until now.
Enter AmaWaterways, the upscale river cruise company that will become the first major line to operate trips on the 1,000-mile waterway starting in 2025.
From March on, the line will offer two seven-night itineraries on the Magdalena and its tributaries aboard the 30-room AmaMagdalena, a custom-built-for-the-river “floating boutique hotel” designed to get travelers deep into Colombia’s interior in the utmost comfort. Three months later, in June, the line will add a second vessel on the river, the 32-room AmaMelodia.
Both vessels will feature spacious rooms with balconies, a restaurant where a Colombian chef will offer curated menus highlighting the country’s flavors, a fitness center, a spa and a sundeck with a relaxing whirlpool.
Highlights of the two itineraries — one-way from Cartagena to Barranquilla, or the reverse — will include an overnight visit to Santa Cruz de Mompox, a UNESCO-listed colonial city, and a stop in Palenque, known as the first free African town in the Americas.
Bird-watching, visits with Indigenous communities, scenic cruising through the picturesque La Mojana region and a waterborne visit to the floating village of Nueva Venecia are also on the schedule. As is typical for AmaWaterways trips, fares for the voyages (starting at $3,839 per person) include daily tours from local guides.
TPG tip: Extend your trip to Colombia with a stay in Cartagena on the country’s Caribbean coast. The walled Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the beaches range from party scenes to secluded island getaways. The city will be home to a new 131-key Four Seasons, expected to open in mid 2025 and housed in landmark buildings dating to the 16th century in the city’s historic Getsemani district.
Morocco
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for luxury hotel lovers and North Americans who want new flight options
As rebuilding efforts continue following the September 2023 earthquake in the Atlas Mountains, tourism in Morocco is more important than ever in 2025, considering its impact on the national economy and the local communities it supports. Most sites in Marrakech are poised to welcome travelers back, while guests at the recently reopened Virgin Limited Edition Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains can continue to donate to rebuilding local communities through The Eve Branson Foundation.
There’s plenty more happening in the lead-up to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will cohost with Spain and Portugal. A major luxury hotel boom is underway in anticipation of 26 million annual visitors by 2030. In 2024, Royal Mansour expanded into a collection of hotels, with a Casablanca hotel and a Tamuda Bay beach resort joining its iconic Marrakech property. Other notable 2024 openings include the Park Hyatt Marrakech and a Ritz-Carlton and a Four Seasons in the national capital, Rabat. Hilton has plans to debut a new LXR Hotels & Resorts location in Casablanca and a Waldorf Astoria in Tangier in 2027.
When it opened in 2018, the Al Boraq high-speed train between Casablanca and Tangier (the only such line in Africa) cut travel time from five hours to two, and by 2030, a new spur should also add Marrakech to the network.
TPG tip: Flying to Morocco from North America will be easier than ever in 2025 thanks to a new United Airlines route from Newark to Marrakech that launched in October 2024 and a new Royal Air Maroc route from Toronto to Casablanca that takes off in December 2024.
— Lyndsey Matthews
Dominica
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for outdoor adventurers seeking sustainability
Like many island nations, Dominica (pronounced “dom-in-EEK-a”) beckons travelers with its combination of luxurious seaside resorts and rugged outdoor adventures — but it’s also emerging as the sustainability capital of the Caribbean.
Dominica has committed to becoming carbon-neutral and climate-resilient by 2030, partly by adapting emergency preparedness techniques that the island’s Indigenous Kalinago people have used for centuries. Those include storm-resistant building methods and an early disaster warning system using conch shell horns since many residents don’t have smartphones and the island’s mountainous topography can make service spotty.
The country recently established the world’s first sperm whale reserve, which generates tourism income and reduces the island’s carbon footprint, off its western coast. Dominica’s whales are estimated to take 5,000 cars’ worth of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year, both by storing it in their large bodies and by feeding carbon-absorbing phytoplankton with their waste.
Dominica is home to several luxurious, eco-conscious resorts for travelers seeking to reduce their impact. Coulibri Ridge, which opened in 2023 on the island’s southern tip, is powered by wind turbines and solar panels and uses purified rainwater to fill its pools. The Green Globe-certified Secret Bay (available to book via American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts) is built entirely from sustainably sourced materials. It also offers excursions to the Kalinago Barana Aute cultural village, where guests can learn about Kalinago history, sample traditional dishes and shop for local crafts.
Those looking to redeem points can keep an eye on Hilton’s Tranquility Beach Resort and Spa, which plans to open its doors in time for the island’s World Creole Music Festival in the fall, or the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, which is also part of the Capital One Premier Collection.
TPG tip: Reaching this remote paradise has never been easier. American Airlines now offers daily flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Dominica’s Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) from June through August and November through March, and United will add a once-weekly Saturday flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to DOM in February 2025. Service will likely continue to expand with the new, larger Dominica International Airport coming in 2025.
Buffalo
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for celebrating the diversity of American history and culture
New York’s so-called “City of Good Neighbors” (dubbed thus because it welcomed — and still does — immigrants with open arms) is better than ever as it enters 2025 with many compelling celebrations.
In January, the legendary Historic Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum — the oldest continuously operating, Black-owned music venue in the U.S., where the likes of Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis performed — reopens with a fresh renovation, an expansion and a new ground-floor museum with interactive exhibits in time to mark 90 years.
During Buffalo’s 50th Juneteenth festival, one of the country’s oldest and largest, the rich diversity baked into Buffalo’s history will be felt — and tasted — across the city at landmarks that include the West Side Bazaar, a small restaurant incubator and food court featuring Egyptian and Jamaican cuisine.
On Sept. 24, a full-size replica of the Seneca Chief, the inaugural boat to open the Erie Canal when it was completed in 1825, will mark the bicentennial by reenacting its first voyage from Buffalo to New York City.
The recently completed $200 million reimagining of the Albright Art Gallery, which opened in 1905 and is now called the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, includes a striking glass-roofed, 30,000-square-foot gallery designed by OMA/Shohei Shigematsu. The 100-plus-acre Lake Erie waterfront Ralph Wilson Park, first established circa 1932 as LaSalle Park, is also undergoing a major $110 million improvement project to be completed in 2026. It will include a forthcoming great lawn, a sledding hill, a lagoon habitat and a pedestrian-, cyclist- and wheelchair-accessible bridge.
The hotel scene ties into local history, too, with Buffalo’s latest property, The Richardson Hotel, occupying the 1880 Romanesque, castlelike former New York State Asylum. The Statler Buffalo, in the decadent downtown 1920s hotel where Elvis Presley once performed, is also reopening its lobby bar, Milton’s, and kicking off the renovation of its 200 closed-for-decades guest rooms.
TPG tip: Buffalo will be easier to navigate via the light-rail station coming to the waterfront DL&W terminal (last active in the ‘60s) near the lively Cobblestone District as part of a $57 million project that may eventually include a public market with food, art and live music.
Western Australia
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for hitting the open road (and water) in one of the world’s most remote regions
Many visitors to the land Down Under tend to stick to the big cities and natural wonders along its east coast, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Blue Mountains. Far to the west, across the continent’s vast red center, lies Western Australia, which accounts for a third of the country’s landmass. Relatively undiscovered wine regions, incredible natural phenomena and a glimpse into the future of travel all await those willing to go the extra distance.
Start in the capital, Perth, which has witnessed a hotel boom over the past decade that has included a Ritz-Carlton that opened in late 2019 and the soon-to-finish renovation of the tony Pan Pacific Perth.
From there, visitors can take advantage of the new WA EV electric vehicle road network that spans 4,300 miles from the border with South Australia to the town of Kununurra in the north and has charging stations every 100 miles. That will make it easier to reach outposts like Exmouth, the gateway to UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef, home to hundreds of unique species of fish and crustaceans (and don’t miss the migrating whale sharks from March to August).
Farther north, the remote, sparsely populated coastal area of the Kimberley is opening up thanks to a slew of new cruises, including the recent inaugural itinerary from luxury line Seabourn. Here, you’ll see seasonal waterfalls, rivers teeming with crocodiles and mind-bending sights like the so-called “horizontal waterfalls” of Talbot Bay caused by the region’s massive tides.
In the state’s south, oenophiles can sample the award-winning vintages from Margaret River’s wineries (between morning and afternoon surf sessions) while enjoying new culinary festivals like Pair’d.
There is no need to drive the three hours back to Perth for the return home thanks to Jetstar’s new thrice-weekly nonstop flights from Busselton Margaret River Airport (BQB) to Sydney Airport (SYD).
TPG tip: With around 8,000 miles of coastline, Western Australia has some of the country’s best beaches. Now they’re more accessible than ever thanks to the new Western Australia online accessibility hub, which pinpoints wheelchair-accessible beaches throughout the state and those that offer free use of beach wheelchairs.
— Eric Rosen
Kansai, Japan
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for Japanophiles and hotel lovers with points to redeem
It’s not as if Japan’s Kansai region, home to Kyoto and Osaka, was ever short on reasons to visit, but a 2025 calendar packed with events and splashy hotel openings will offer plenty more. From April to October, 28 million visitors are expected to descend upon the 2025 World Expo on Osaka’s human-made Yumeshima island for global exhibitions on everything from next-gen sustainable fashion to artificial intelligence-powered smart cities. Art fans, meanwhile, will flock to the nearby Setouchi Triennale, just west of Kansai, from spring to fall.
In anticipation of an influx of cash-flush visitors, a surge of luxury hotels is opening in the region. Four Seasons premiered its Osaka outpost last August in a gleaming high-rise in the central Dojima district with six restaurants, a wellness center equipped with Japanese ofuro baths and an entire level of ryokan-style suites with tatami floors and futon beds. Next April, the Capella Hotel Group will debut Patina Osaka across the road from Osaka Castle, while the points-friendly Waldorf Astoria Osaka is set to open in a redeveloped lifestyle district on the former rail yards north of Osaka Station later in the year.
In Kyoto, a 13-minute Shinkansen ride north, Six Senses Kyoto opened last April with a sprawling spa and a roster of activities, including meditation sessions with a local Zen priest and workshops with one of Japan’s oldest incense makers. It’s bookable via IHG One Rewards, too. Capella Kyoto, meanwhile, will raise the city’s luxe factor when it opens next fall with 92 rooms and suites in a low-slung, Kengo Kuma-designed building in the Miyagawa-cho geisha district.
But these developments are a double-edged sword for a region already grappling with the effects of overtourism. Earlier this year, Kyoto had to ban foreign visitors from some of the streets in the teahouse-lined Gion district and launched new sightseeing buses to its most popular temples to alleviate pressure on commuter routes. It’s all the more reason to venture beyond the postcard-worthy sights of this imperial capital: Walk Japan’s recently launched Kyoto: Mountains to the Sea route brings you far from the fray on an eight-day guided walking tour through Kansai’s farming villages, high mountain passes and fishing hamlets along the Wakasa Bay coast.
TPG tip: Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX) is in the middle of its first-ever renovation since opening in 1994 and will launch its all-new Terminal 1 ahead of the Expo. Look forward to two refreshed business and premium lounges with designs inspired by the region’s architectural heritage. Newly relaunched routes, such as Qatar Airways’ service from Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) to KIX and Air Canada’s service from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to KIX, make getting there easier, too.
— Chris Schalkx
Greenland
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for easier access to one of the world’s most remote places
When the newly expanded Nuuk Airport (GOH) opens with a longer runway and a new terminal building in Greenland’s capital Nov. 28, 2024, international airlift to the world’s largest island will greatly increase.
Notoriously difficult to access, Greenland currently only has international flights via two airlines: Air Greenland and Icelandair. Most of those flights arrive at Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ), some 200 miles from GOH, without any road connections between the destinations. But United announced seasonal nonstop flights from EWR to GOH starting June 14, while Scandinavian Airlines, which recently joined SkyTeam, will fly directly from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) starting June 27 — hopefully with more airlines to follow.
The opening of the new Nuuk airport will make land-based tourism in Greenland more accessible, too. Explore the city’s Greenland National Museum & Archives and the annual Nuuk Snow Festival (February to March) and hike Quassussuaq mountain. Or, hop another plane or ferry to the iceberg-filled Ilulissat Icefjord on the west coast or the Norse and Inuit farmlands of Kujataa on the south coast (both are UNESCO World Heritage sites). Given the terrain in Kujataa, it’s easy to go on multiday treks, splitting your time between camping, glamping and staying in local bed-and-breakfasts.
The new airport will also provide easier-to-access embarkation points for expedition cruises directly from Nuuk instead of starting in Iceland. HX, for instance, has partnered with Air Greenland for three Grand Greenland voyages from Nuuk on MS Fridtjof Nansen in 2025. Similarly, Viking announced four new sailings to or from Nuuk next summer, while Silversea will debut a sailing from Churchill, Manitoba, to Nuuk next July.
TPG tip: The tour operator Intrepid is launching a new Greenland Expedition trip in 2025. The itinerary includes stays at locally owned lodges and a two-day hike on Lyngmark Glacier on Disko Island.
Vienna
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for music lovers who appreciate luxury, too
Next year marks the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss II, aka the King of Waltz. In anticipation of this milestone, the brand-new Johann Strauss — New Dimensions museum opened in Vienna’s First District on Nov. 7, 2024. It features multisensory, interactive exhibits that trace the composer’s life, his music and his influence on Vienna. It joins the House of Strauss in the 19th District, which opened at the end of 2023 and presents a more traditional, less digital experience.
Throughout the anniversary year, Vienna will serve as one giant stage for a packed Strauss schedule, including specially themed events such as Fledermaus Day on April 5, 2025, which marks the premier of the famous operetta of that name, and Strauss’ actual birthday on Oct. 25, which will include a concert of the composer’s works in the famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein.
Vienna’s key music institutions are also participating, offering special programs at the Wiener Konzerthaus, Volksoper Wien, Vienna State Opera and Musik Theater an der Wien, which has just completed a 2 1/2-year renovation. Several exhibitions about the famous composer will also be held, including “Celebrating Johann Strauss” at the Theatermuseum, which is being refurbished before debuting the exhibit Dec. 4, 2024.
Visiting Vienna has always promised luxury, but 2025 brings the addition of even more upscale hotels, including the recent openings of the Rosewood Vienna, Almanac Palais Vienna, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel, part of the Capital One Premier Collection, and The Amauris Vienna, a member of Relais & Chateaux. In 2025, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Residences Vienna will open inside an art nouveau former courthouse building.
TPG tip: Head to the new Pier 22 on Danube Island, which is being completed in stages. It currently features barrier-free water access, several sunbathing areas on nets above the river, plenty of greenery and shaded pergolas. By the end of 2025, there will be new restaurants, a culture kiosk, an open park space and an outdoor fitness area.
Atacama Desert, Chile
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for otherworldly retreats with some of the clearest skies on Earth
Intrepid travelers will find geysers, stargazing opportunities and salt flats galore in the vast desert landscape of northern Chile’s Atacama Desert.
By day, trek across the dunes and salt flats of the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and view wildlife at Los Flamencos National Reserve, which features lagoons and rivers home to Andean foxes, fluffy vicunas and shocking-pink flamingos, as well as enormous condors and eagles.
Nighttime presents opportunities for astro-tours and observatory visits since the Atacama’s location at high altitude, coupled with the lack of light pollution, makes for ideal dark sky conditions.
Though the Atacama Desert is nearly 49,000 square miles, the rustic town of San Pedro de Atacama makes a comfy base with several chic retreats. Check into the 51-key Our Habitas Atacama, which opened in 2023 with decor inspired by the surreal surrounding landscape. The hotel also features a pool, a wellness area for morning yoga or breath work sessions and a restaurant and bar.
Or, wait until April 2025, when Tierra Atacama is expected to reopen after an 11-month renovation costing north of $12 million. This earthy oasis offers jaw-dropping views of Licancabur, a stratovolcano straddling Chile’s border with Bolivia. This property has 32 rooms — including apartments that can accommodate up to six guests — some with private terraces, indoor-outdoor showers and airy open floor plans. Best of all, it’s affiliated with Mr & Mrs Smith, so you can book it via Hyatt and earn or redeem World of Hyatt points there.
TPG tip: The best stargazing in the Atacama Desert happens in July and August, during the Chilean winter when the skies are crystal clear. However, a total lunar eclipse March 13-14, 2025, might be worth a trip there to catch a spectacular blood moon visible from start to end. The shoulder seasons, between March and May and September and November, also have fewer crowds.
Calabria, Italy
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for experiencing Italy’s undiscovered beaches, medieval hilltop villages and Greek ruins
Calabria, the “toe” of Italy’s “boot,” may be one of the country’s most rustic, lesser-visited regions, but it weaves together threads of culture, traditional cuisine, history and natural beauty in unexpected ways.
Traverse its wild spaces, and you can still see shepherds walking mountain roads with their flocks; visit families making silk, olive oil, wine and cheese the way their ancestors have for generations; and explore centuries-old villages like Badolato. You can also visit millennia-old ruins, some of which date back to Magna Graecia when the Greeks arrived in the eighth century B.C.
The region’s 500 miles of coastline along both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas is some of the best in Europe, with 20 stunning “Blue Flag” beaches, including the newly inaugurated strand at Parghelia in Vibo Valencia. There are plenty of hiking trails, too, including the 34-mile “Kalabria Coast to Coast” route and the 338-mile “Cycle Path of the Parks,” which winds through the region’s four national parks (three of which — Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte — are UNESCO-listed sites).
Seven more UNESCO-designated sites are in Calabria, including the city of Reggio Calabria and Cosenza Cathedral. These will be especially poignant during the 2025 Holy Year celebrations throughout the country starting Dec. 24, 2024. Five additional sites are up for UNESCO status, including the historic center of Gerace in Reggio Calabria and the stunning Byzantine Baptistery of Santa Severina.
Charming inns, hotels, apartment-style lodgings, farm stays and resorts welcome travelers, too. Don’t miss Praia Art Resort in Isola di Capo Rizzuto, with the Ionian Sea on one side and rolling hills covered by myrtle and citrus trees on the other; it’s bookable starting at 72,000 Hilton Honors points per night. New hotels that opened in 2024 include Middle Town Palace, Bloom and Unico Cannamele Escape — all in Tropea.
TPG tip: U.S. travelers can connect nonstop to Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF) and Reggio Calabria Airport (REG) from many European gateways, including Rome, Milan, Bologna and Venice, Italy, as well as Zurich. ITA Airways, Lufthansa, EasyJet, Ryanair and Edelweiss Air all fly there. You can also take a fast train from Rome or Naples.
Seychelles
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for a points-funded luxury vacation at the other end of the world
Boulder-strewn beaches, roving giant tortoises, reefs teaming with marine life and inviting Creole culture … the Seychelles is practically the embodiment of paradise brought to life.
While this 115-island archipelago 400 miles off eastern Africa’s coast was once so remote that no humans settled there until the 18th century, it’s now more accessible than ever thanks to increased flight service from the major Middle Eastern airlines and a slew of new hotels where points will come in handy.
The capital of Mahe is now reachable from the U.S. with just one stop on airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Swiss and Turkish Airlines. Many of these airlines offer abundant award availability from their hubs to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in both economy and business class.
The Seychelles has also seen a preponderance of recent hotel openings where travelers can redeem points. Chief among them, the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is an idyllic island paradise just a 20-minute flight from Mahe. Guests can spend days scuba diving and luxuriating in the spa before sunset sails and multicourse gourmet menus in the various restaurants, all for rates starting at 130,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Those looking to avoid the time and cost of an island hop can stay on Mahe at the luxurious Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts (opened in 2021) starting at just 110,000 Hilton points per night. There, guests can laze by the bayside infinity-edge pool during the day and spend their evenings enjoying curry made with freshly caught snapper and Old-Fashioneds with a touch of five spice at its Creole restaurant, Moutya.
Meanwhile, IHG One Rewards points can be cashed in at Six Senses Zil Pasyon, while Marriott Bonvoy points will come in handy for quick overnights at Laila, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort on Mahe. The 16-villa Fregate Island will reopen in 2025 following an extensive sustainability-based renovation, and Cheval Blanc Seychelles from luxury megaconsortium LVMH is expected to open sometime around the beginning of the new year with just 52 villas perched above Anse Intendance on Mahe’s southwestern coast.
TPG tip: Visit the islands in late April through early June and from October through November for the best weather. These periods are when the climate is warm and dry without much wind or rain.
— Eric Rosen
Deer Valley, Utah
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for high-end skiing on some of the newest terrain in the USA
Utah’s skiers-only, luxury destination of Deer Valley (no snowboarders allowed!) is on the cusp of some exciting years ahead. Not only was this 40-year-old resort, which is just a stoplight-free, 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), selected to help host the Winter Olympics in 2034, but this ski season also marks the beginning of a multiyear, 3,700-acre expansion that will double the resort’s skiable terrain and add an entirely new base area with 800 new rooms spread over three luxury hotels.
Once fully completed in the coming years, Deer Valley will be among the five largest ski resorts in the U.S.
This phased expansion starts this 2024-2025 ski season with the Nov. 20 opening of the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. This Category 6 Hyatt, bookable from 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night, will have 387 guest rooms, 40 suites and 55 private residences. The Grand Hyatt will be the first new hotel to open as part of Deer Valley’s East Village expansion, but it won’t be the last. Two additional yet-to-be-announced hotels are reportedly in the design phase.
Deer Valley will also open three new chairlifts and add 300 skiable acres this season, many of which will be beginner-friendly. The new lifts include the Keetley Express, a six-person bubble lift near the Hyatt that will connect the new East Village area with the rest of the resort, along with the Hoodoo Express and Aurora lifts.
This is good news for those traveling into the East Village area, as it will be accessible via U.S. Route 40, circumventing the sometimes congested town of Park City.
Those planning a visit to Deer Valley in late 2025 will likely have even more new lifts and trails to take advantage of, as the 2025-2026 season is expected to be when the bulk of the additional terrain under development opens. Hikers and mountain bikers can also look forward to tackling the terrain in the offseason.
Despite everything new coming to Deer Valley, two things will not change: capacity-controlled daily skiers to ensure a good experience and a prohibition on snowboarding.
TPG tip: You can ski Deer Valley with the Ikon Pass, which can be a better deal than paying daily lift ticket rates; the latter can approach $300 per day on peak dates. Just remember to make reservations if you are skiing using an Ikon Pass.
Madhya Pradesh, India
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for intrepid travelers who love history and exhilarating safari experiences
India has no shortage of wildly beautiful and historically significant places to explore. The Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, which has more national parks than any other state in India, should be at the top of adventurous travelers’ lists for 2025. In July 2024, six Madhya Pradesh sites were added to India’s Tentative UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sites on the roster include the ochre-hued, eighth-century Gwalior Fort, built on a sandstone outcropping, and the rock art sites of the Chambal Valley in northern Madhya Pradesh, a variety of religiously significant rock paintings dating as far back as the Paleolithic era. Among Madhya Pradesh’s three already-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage sites, Khajuraho is a complex of 10th- to 12th-century temples with stone carvings depicting medieval Indian life.
Two new luxury hotels make it easier than ever for travelers to experience these treasures in comfort. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, 11 miles from Khajuraho Airport (HJR) and accessible by highway, will open in 2025 in the hills near Khajuraho. Built 200 years ago by Maharaja Hinu Pat Shah, the former palace will feature 66 opulent accommodations blending traditional North Indian and British colonial designs, 70 lush acres of gardens, a rainwater-fed lake and an infinity-edge swimming pool. Guests can also take advantage of excursions and safaris in Panna National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Five hours southeast, Oberoi is also opening The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh on the edge of Bandhavgarh National Park in December. The regal Bengal tiger calls the hilly preserve with lush jungle and meandering rivers home. Visitors may also spot rare white tigers, stealthy leopards, black panthers, hyenas and more than 500 bird species. To respect the environment, the resort will have just 21 safari-style tents inspired by royal caravans, each with a private garden and an outdoor deck. Luxury outfitter Micato Safaris will offer exclusive experiences in partnership with the resort, including night game drives, jungle walks, birding excursions, cooking classes and visits to local villages.
TPG tip: Madhya Pradesh’s parklands are closed during the monsoon season, which lasts from July to September. They are also closed every Wednesday, even during the high season, to allow wildlife to roam freely without visitors. March and April are typically considered the best months for wildlife sightings.
Amsterdam
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for celebrating a historic milestone along with locals
Amsterdam is celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025. A yearlong calendar of events, including art exhibits, concerts and other festivities, is planned in the buildup to Oct. 27, the date the Dutch capital was first mentioned in official records.
In the modern era, Amsterdam has grown into one of the world’s most popular cities for tourists, with overnight visitors in 2024 expected to exceed 25 million (officials have recently implemented new rules to keep numbers in check). To avoid some of the summer high season crush, visit in spring; one notable annual event is Tulip Festival Amsterdam (March 20 to May 11).
Summer officially starts with a solstice street party June 21, stretching across nearly 10 miles of the A10 ring highway surrounding the city, which will close to vehicle traffic. Maritime enthusiasts, meanwhile, shouldn’t miss Sail, the world’s largest sailing event (Aug. 20 to 24), when more than 800 seafaring vessels, including iconic Dutch tall ships, will descend on Amsterdam’s waterways.
The city eagerly anticipates the opening of the Rosewood Amsterdam (one of the last hotels to be approved before the city banned new accommodations). Other hotels, meanwhile, have busied themselves with renovations ahead of the anniversary celebrations. A new “barstro” in the lobby of the Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht (part of World of Hyatt), housed in a former public library, is a stylish spot to linger over a cocktail.
The College Hotel Amsterdam, an Autograph Collection property where you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, is fresh off a smart renovation showcasing the 1894 building’s previous life as a school. Features include room numbers displayed on miniature chalkboards and carpet patterns that mimic scribbled notes.
If your travel plans include Amsterdam, check out the calendar of upcoming events so you can join the party, too — as of Oct. 27, 2024, birthday celebrations are officially underway. Given some recent incidents of unrest in the city, you might want to track current events and make sure any security precautions you feel comfortable with are in place before your trip.
TPG tip: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is well connected to North America thanks to the many routes that Dutch carrier KLM operates. Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France and KLM, releases Promo Rewards lists with award flights from several U.S. cities on the first of every month. Discounts typically range from 25% to 50% off normal mileage redemption prices.
— Blane Bachelor
Manitoba, Canada
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for seeing the northern lights and taking part in Indigenous tourism
In 2025, we’ll be in “solar maximum,” an especially active phase for the sun that translates to increased auroral activity, making it a great year to visit Manitoba, one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights.
Subarctic Manitoba — especially the northern town of Churchill — has a big advantage over other northern lights destinations: the weather. February and March are the best times to see the atmospheric phenomenon when temperatures drop to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (and Celsius). The frigid air tends to discourage cloud formation. If you want to pair northern lights viewing with wildlife adventures, visit in late summer to see beluga whales or in autumn for peak polar bear season.
More than 50% of Churchill’s population is Indigenous, so several local businesses are Indigenous-owned. Wapusk Adventures, for instance, was founded by Dave Daley, a member of the Metis people and the president of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba. Daley hosts cultural talks, takes guests dogsledding (he’s a long-distance dogsledder himself) and provides a warm base for aurora-hunting guests. There are also public artworks throughout the town, created by globally recognized Indigenous artists like Churchill resident Sandra Cook.
Elsewhere in Manitoba, opportunities to connect with Canada’s First Nations cultures abound. Turtle Village in picturesque Riding Mountain National Park is an Indigenous-owned company; Ashley Smith, who is Anishinaabe from Gambler First Nation, and her family operate a series of off-the-grid cabins and provide guided experiences like ice fishing and bannock making. In Keeshkeemaquah, there’s the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada. In Winnipeg, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights covers not only the Indigenous peoples of Canada but also marginalized and persecuted groups from around the world.
TPG tip: It’s possible to visit Churchill independently if you’re good at logistics, but an organized tour will arrange transportation and assure accommodations up north. Natural Habitat Adventures has women-only trips during northern lights season, while Frontiers North offers a Canadian “safari” trip that covers both Riding Mountain National Park and Churchill.
— Stefanie Waldek
Sao Paulo
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for city lovers with an eye for design and an appetite for art
Sao Paulo may be South America’s financial capital, but it’s also a vibrant arts destination. Between the culmination of several highly anticipated luxury hotel openings, a robust rotation of exhibitions at Brazil’s largest art museum, annual celebrations like Brazilian Carnival and one of South America’s most extensive street art scenes, Sao Paulo will be particularly abuzz in 2025.
Cidade Matarazzo, an ongoing urban redevelopment complex of restored 20th-century buildings in the former Condessa Filomena Matarazzo Maternity hospital and just steps away from bustling Avenida Paulista, is home to both the Rosewood Sao Paulo (opened 2022 and part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts) and Brazil’s very first Soho House outpost (opened 2024). Soho House Sao Paulo puts Brazilian modernist decor and artwork at center stage against the striking backdrop of the reimagined Italianate hospital. Meanwhile, the Rosewood Sao Paulo, with its unexpected combination of neoclassical buildings and a lush vertical garden tower, has Philippe Starck interiors and a museum-worthy collection of more than 450 works by local artists. Sao Paulo’s W Hotel & Residences will open this December at the center of Via Olimpia; it will offer top-floor dining and the brand’s signature Wet Deck bar and Away Spa.
MASP, the city’s primary art museum and home of the largest collection of Western art in South America, will expand into a new tower expected to be completed by the end of this year. Exhibits, which begin in December and run through 2025, will include “Stories of LGBTQIA+ Diversity,” “Queer Screenprinters: Freedom for Sensibilities” and performance work from visual artist Manauara Clandestina.
TPG tip: If you’d like to add a second destination to your Brazil trip, UNESCO recently added northern Brazil’s Lencois Maranhenses National Park to its World Heritage List. Go during the rainy season (roughly from January to June) to experience this fascinating coastal desert’s rare inter-dunal lagoons. While there aren’t direct flights from Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) to Barreirinhas Airport (BRB), direct flights are available to Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (SLZ), which is about a four-hour drive from the park.
— Ellie Nan Storck
Lakeland, Finland
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for curious “coolcationers” who want to travel like Finnish locals
With average summer temperatures of just 68 degrees Fahrenheit, Finland is seeing growing interest — up 150% year over year, according to Virtuoso, the luxury travel consortium — as a summer “coolcation” destination for U.S. travelers looking to escape heatwaves in more traditional European vacation spots in southern Europe.
To summer like a Finn, head to the Lakeland region. Home to thousands of lakes, the largest lake district in Europe starts about 60 miles north of Helsinki and is easily accessible by train or car. A year-round destination, Lakeland is at its best in summer for canoeing and hiking in the region’s parklands — don’t miss the famous view of Pielinen Lake from Ukko-Koli Hill in Koli National Park — and experiencing Finnish sauna culture. There are plenty of traditional saunas to discover, but one of the more luxurious options is the forest spa on stilts at the Panorama Landscape Hotel, which opened with 10 modern cabins and a fine dining restaurant on the side of Tahko Mountain in 2023.
Thanks to nearly 20 hours of sunlight per day in summer, there’s plenty of time to go on a steamboat cruise on Saimaa Lake or attend the annual Ilosaarirock rock festival (from July 18 to 20) in Joensuu long into the region’s white nights. Who knows? Some of Finland’s famous happiness — it’s been named the “World’s Happiest Country” for seven consecutive years by a joint report from Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network — might just rub off on you.
TPG tip: Following the recent refurbishment of its long-haul fleet, Finnair will increase airlift next summer from several U.S. cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas, to Helsinki. Priority Pass members can look forward to two new Aspire lounges that will join the already-open Finnair Schengen Lounge at Helsinki Airport (HEL) by 2025. Plan to explore the capital and check into the new Hotel Maria, the first Legend Collection hotel in Finland from Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts.
— Lyndsey Matthews
Tucson
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for history geeks eager to discover the multifaceted past of one of America’s most dynamic cities
A year before the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, Tucson will mark 250 years since its own founding in 1775. The Arizona city will celebrate all year, with the main festival at the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum on Aug. 23, 2025. The free celebration, which acknowledges the legacy of people who lived in the region over thousands of years, including the O’odham, Yaqui and Apache, will feature mariachi performances, a Presidio garrison musket demonstration, dancing and craft demonstrations.
2025 also marks 10 years since Tucson was named the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S., recognizing its 5,000-year food history and unique blend of culinary traditions. To immerse yourself in Tucson’s agricultural history, visit the Mission Garden on the city’s west side, which traces the city’s food history, beginning with Indigenous people through Spanish missionaries’ arrival and beyond.
An important site in Tucson’s history, the San Xavier del Bac Mission, founded in 1700, will begin restoring its ornate retablo facade depicting religious icons next year to its original materials. Another historic restoration is to Teatro Carmen, a 300-seat theater dating back to 1915, and the adjoining building, the one-time home of the Black Elks Club. Both are in the historic downtown Barrio Viejo neighborhood, which is set to receive National Historic Landmark designation in late 2024 and is the largest barrio in the U.S. at more than 150 acres.
TPG tip: Home to the headquarters of Dark Sky International, Tucson is a haven for stargazers and astronomers. Nearby Saguaro National Park was named the world’s ninth Urban Dark Sky Place at the end of 2023. The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Visitor and Science Center, one of many observatories in the area, reopened this October after a 2020 closure, with guided tours relaunching in 2025.
— Devorah Lev-Tov
Vietnam by rail
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for a slow-travel train adventure in Southeast Asia
It wasn’t too long ago that the 30-hour, 1,000-mile train journey from Hanoi in Vietnam’s north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south was on the bucket list of only the toughest of travelers. Even in the soft-sleeper class, the trip aboard the government-run Reunification Express was slow and spartan. Visitors with bigger budgets often opted to fly instead, missing out on the jungle-cloaked mountains and honey-colored beaches that line the tracks along the way.
In recent years, many new and upgraded railway services have made rail voyages an increasingly appealing — and sustainable — alternative. The Vietage, a luxurious train operated by the Thailand-based Anantara Hotels & Resort group, made its maiden voyage between Da Nang and Quy Nhon in 2020 and introduced a new route to Nha Trang last May. Tacked onto the Reunification Express, its carriages feature private dining booths clad in local wickerwork, where guests can tuck into fine French-Vietnamese lunches accompanied by Champagne or zone out with a shoulder massage during the six-hour trip.
Launching this December, SJourney (the name nods to Vietnam’s S-shaped geography) traverses the country’s full north-to-south length over a slow-paced, seven-night itinerary. Its Indochine-style restaurant, salon and 30 sleeping cabins will chug from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) at a leisurely pace with stops for excursions through the rice fields of Ninh Binh, tours of the royal palaces of Hue and other heritage cities along the route. And if you’re a history buff with less time to spare, the Revolution Express will take guests on day trips between Da Nang and Hue in a restored steam locomotive from the 1960s when it launches in early 2025.
Whichever mode of transport you choose, new hotels offer fresh reasons to linger around each stop. This December, Namia River Retreat will open a small village of pool villas and a sprawling spa on an islet in the Thu Bon River near Hoi An, while the Banyan Group’s wellness-centric Garrya brand will soon make its Vietnamese debut with the 110-room and -villa Garrya Mu Cang Chai, draped over a rice field-fringed hill in the northern Yen Bai province. And those are just starting signs: Hospitality power players such as Mandarin Oriental, Waldorf Astoria, Nobu and Kempinski have new Vietnamese outposts lined up for 2026 and 2027.
TPG tip: While Vietnam’s railway system is steadily being upgraded, some airports lag behind. Immigration lines at Vietnam’s international airports are notoriously long, so it’s worth purchasing a fast-track service from your hotel or tour operator to skip the line. Ho Chi Minh City’s new Long Thanh International Airport will hopefully alleviate some pressure when it opens in 2026.
— Chris Schalkx
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, from North Carolina to Florida
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for rediscovering a fascinating (and food-centric) cultural heritage on our doorstep
Declared a national heritage area by Congress in 2006, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is the only region in the U.S. to achieve this designation due to both its unique landscape and the group of people who inhabit it.
The corridor is a fascinating glimpse into the history, cuisine and way of life of the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved Central and West African people brought to the U.S. centuries ago who have settled along the Southeast’s coastal fringes, from Wilmington, North Carolina, to St. Augustine, Florida. There will be plenty of reasons to visit in 2025, too, including the Original Gullah Festival in Beaufort, South Carolina, in May; the Sweetgrass Festival near Charleston, South Carolina, in July; and the Gullah Food Festival in Hilton Head, South Carolina, that typically takes place in October.
The best way to experience the corridor is on a multiday road trip along some of the country’s most picturesque shorelines, 80 barrier islands and various coastal communities. Stop in Charleston to explore the city’s Black history with Sites and Insights Tours or Gullah Geechee Tours, go to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens for its “Exploring the Gullah Culture” presentation and eat at Hannibal’s Kitchen for daily changing Gullah-inspired specialties. Stay at Auberge Resorts’ The Dunlin, which opened in September. It is on South Carolina’s Johns Island, which is a 35-minute drive from Charleston along the Kiawah River, and is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Make your way two hours southwest to South Carolina’s Montage Palmetto Bluff, which manages a huge conservation and reforestation effort and is part of the Capital One Premier Collection. Learn about the region’s special riverine ecology from the hotel’s on-staff naturalists or on a private Daufuskie Island history tour with Outside Palmetto Bluff. Be sure to visit nearby St. Helena Island’s Penn Center, which documents island life over the centuries, and tuck into various gumbo and barbecue specialties at Gullah Grub.
From there, it’s about a half-hour drive to Savannah, Georgia, where you can explore the city’s Black history with several excellent walking and coach tours and stay at the Bardo, another Capital One Premier Collection hotel. Finally, end your trip just over the Florida border with a Coast One Tours outing showcasing the Black history of Amelia Island.
In October, seven attendees of the Gullah Geechee community’s annual Cultural Day festival on Georgia’s Sapelo Island died when a ferry dock partially collapsed. To help the affected families heal, consider donating to the Sapelo Strong Coalition of five local organizations.
TPG tip: If you only have time to tackle one portion of the corridor, focus around Beaufort. From there, it is easy to visit many nearby islands and coastal communities with various historical sites and cultural centers dedicated to Gullah Geechee culture.
— Eric Rosen
Europe’s new walking paths
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for crowd-weary travelers seeking a deeper connection with culture and history
Europe’s newest hiking trails offer a more thoughtful, less crowded way to explore the continent than tourist-packed cities and overbooked attractions. These trails showcase Europe’s natural beauty and make hidden gems like small towns, churches, vineyards, national parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites more accessible to off-the-beaten-path travelers. With accommodations ranging from rent-a-tents to huts to local B&Bs, walking holidays are a great way to travel sustainably.
The 1,800-mile Palmilhar Portugal (Walking Portugal), the world’s longest circular walk, unveiled its first section in 2024 in Alenquer, a small municipality just north of Lisbon. Meanwhile, Ireland’s National Walks Scheme — a government program designed to attract tourist income and create jobs in rural communities — almost doubled to 140 trails, with 10 more to come in the next two years. Ggurijnar Hermi, a bring-your-own-hammock trail through the Swiss Alps, launched in late 2023, allowing visitors to sleep under the stars in pre-equipped, hammock-ready sites.
Other trails focus on celebrating art and history, as well as nature. The Camino Croatia — a series of ancient pilgrimage routes throughout Croatia that connect to other caminos and ultimately lead to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela shrine — was all but unknown until its recent restoration. The Pagarine Route, which opened in late 2023, retraces the steps of medieval salt traders from Nice, France, to Cuneo, Italy. The two-mile Sentiero dell’Arte e dell’Anima (“Path of Art and Soul”) opened in Tuscany, Italy, in March 2024, leading visitors from the historic town of Pienza to a series of 28 benches, each crafted by a different international artist.
Each trail links to Europe’s cultural heritage and helps travelers discover something you won’t find in a guidebook.
TPG tip: The easiest way to immerse yourself in one of these trails is to book a self-guided tour. Companies like Macs Adventure, Exodus Adventure Travels and Backroads offer a variety of all-in-one packages. They’ll book accommodations and luggage transfers and send you all the needed maps, so you can spend your day exploring nature knowing that a shower, a soft bed, a hot meal and good conversation await you each evening.
— Rachel Craft
Maui, Hawaii
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for a chance to support a beloved destination as it recovers from a deadly wildfire
Travelers might still be wondering if now is the appropriate time to visit Maui, and we can say without a doubt — it is. The Valley Isle is fully reopened after the devastating fire in August 2023 that killed at least 102 people and left Lahaina and the surrounding areas in ruins.
Since the fire, tourism to Maui has drastically decreased in terms of visitor numbers and spending. However, the resilient communities there stand ready to welcome back travelers who want to take a more meaningful trip to Hawaii.
It’s easier than ever to support sustainability and restoration efforts there. The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, for example, offers a “Rooted in Aloha” program where guests can help plant trees to aid in the reforestation of Haleakala National Park. The Hawaii Tourism Authority lists many voluntourism activities so you can give back in paradise, no matter which hotel you choose.
Speaking of which, many of the top resorts have also undertaken significant renovations, including the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, where your Hilton points will come in handy.. The property spent more than $350 million updating its guest rooms, restaurants and the new Kilolani Spa — the largest in Hawaii.
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui just finished its own massive refresh, while Marriott Bonvoy members might want to check out the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, which has transformed its lobby with a new bar and lounge. Nearby, the Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows debuted stunning new oceanfront cottages.
Flight deals from several major U.S. airports, including ones in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, regularly appear for under $200, and award nights are available at hotels across the island, so a trip to the island might be well within your budget and reach.
TPG tip: By January, mainland U.S. carriers will offer direct service from at least 17 gateways to Maui. Delta Air Lines is bringing back its seasonal service from Atlanta from Nov. 21, 2024, through April 30, 2025, so start thinking about putting those SkyMiles to use.
— Becky Blane and Clint Henderson
Namibia
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for ultraprivate encounters with rare wildlife at an iconic safari camp
More travelers than ever should find this large but sparsely populated African nation on the continent’s southwest coast welcoming since the June 2024 court ruling that decriminalized sex acts between men. This ruling made it safer for LGBTQ+ visitors keen to see the country’s unique wildlife and wide-open spaces. Points enthusiasts will find increasing opportunities to get to and enjoy the thrillingly remote destination, too.
Namibia is home to some exquisite and singular lodges, from the windswept Skeleton Coast to the rippling dunes of Sossusvlei. In the northwestern Damaraland region, Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp has reopened in an area known for its highly safeguarded (in large part thanks to Wilderness and Save the Rhino Trust Namibia) population of critically endangered black rhinos. The camp has been beautifully redesigned with sprawling, fabric-roofed tents, timber and leather furniture and local stone accents. However, this is a lodge purpose-built to have a positive impact not only on the wildlife (which includes southern giraffe, oryx and Hartmann’s mountain zebra) but also on nearby communities via employment opportunities and financial remuneration to local conservation organizations.
While a visit to the country is sure to be memorable, travelers should be aware that Namibia is one of several nations in southern Africa currently experiencing a historic drought. In May, Namibia’s government declared a state of emergency and even allowed the hunting of 700 wild animals to help feed its food-insecure population in August, so check current conditions before arranging travel.
TPG tip: For visitors arriving in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, the Hilton Garden Inn Windhoek is now open and bookable starting at 17,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Additionally, Zannier Hotels Sonop, the sumptuous and spectacular tented camp set among boulders in the southern Namib Desert, has been added to World of Hyatt via its Mr & Mrs Smith partnership, so it’s now possible to book starting at 54,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
— Kathryn Romeyn
Portland, Oregon
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for diverse dining, wellness hotels and a welcoming community
It’s a pivotal moment for Portland. In August, Portland International Airport (PDX) unveiled the first phase of its sweeping $2 billion renovation, including a soaring timber roof made with wildfire-salvaged wood sourced from within a 300-mile radius, spaces enhanced by lush greenery and LED video walls streaming art inspired by Oregon’s natural beauty. Expected to wrap in early 2026, the second phase will include new restaurants, retail and meet-and-greet areas.
The Portland Museum of Art will unveil a major $111 million revamp in late 2025. The project’s anchor is the new Mark Rothko Pavilion entrance that will connect the museum’s historic buildings with new galleries.
Cascada hotel will open soon in the Alberta Arts District with three restaurants and the city’s first underground thermal springs spa. Next summer, World of Hyatt members will have a reason to extend their trip with the opening of Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge, an elevated outdoor resort a 90-minute drive east of the city in Washington’s White Salmon River Valley.
The Ritz-Carlton, Portland opened in 2023 with award nights starting at 76,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The property will soon open a new food hall, The Flock, serving international flavors like Saudi Arabian fare at Queen Mama’s Kitchen, while recently opened restaurants like the female-owned cider house Bauman’s on Oak and acclaimed Indonesian spot Pasar continue to generate buzz.
The uptick in tourism might also be related to the repeal of Oregon Ballot Measure 110 (a law that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of controlled substances) that went into effect this September. “Downtown foot traffic and hotel occupancy [are] at their highest levels since before the pandemic,” says Cody Bowman, deputy chief of staff for outgoing Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office. Hopefully, 2025 will see more of the same.
TPG tip: Named after the late holder of the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest drag queen and slated to open in the summer of 2025, Darcelle XV Plaza will be a lively and inclusive community hub downtown with a dog park and a performance space.
Taipei, Taiwan
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for safe and inclusive LGBTQ+ Asian adventures with a luxury lean
Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, is racking up accolades and top-tier luxury hotels at an unprecedented pace. A recent study by Emisil also revealed Taipei is the world’s fifth-best queer tourist destination and has the highest safety index rating thanks to its low crime rate. All this underscores the warm welcome travelers of every race, gender and sexuality can expect in the subtropical metropolis of 2.5 million, the largest city in a country that in 2019 became the first in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
On the sustainability front, the government’s goal is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The plans involve expanding the city’s already considerable green spaces, using eco-conscious building materials such as water-conserving permeable pavements in civic projects and promoting sustainable architecture like Taipei 101, the world’s tallest and largest eco-friendly building thanks to features like plant-covered roofs that improve air quality and provide insulation.
Among the hotels opening next year, the 85-key Capella Taipei, designed by Andre Fu Studio, will debut in the Songshan District in springtime, close to heritage sites like Xingtian Temple and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. It will house several restaurants, a three-floor bar complex and a spa offering moon phase-inspired treatments. Four Seasons, meanwhile, is opening in a new 591-foot-tall tower opposite Taipei 101 in 2026, with 260 accommodations showcasing mountain and city vistas. Nearby, the Fubon Art Museum opened in 2024 with a modern and contemporary art collection in a new five-story building.
TPG tip: Book Delta’s new daily nonstop flight from Seattle to Taipei on an Airbus A330-900neo to attend the next edition of the World Masters Games, the quadrennial athletic event over two weeks in May 2025. Another option is Alaska Airlines’ Taiwan-based partner Starlux (which aims for Oneworld membership in 2025); it launched its inaugural nonstop Seattle to Taipei service in August. As of July 2025, United will add a new daily flight from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) to Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in south Taiwan.
— Kathryn Romeyn
Todos Santos, Mexico
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for experiencing a bygone slice of Mexican paradise
Just an hour’s drive north of the upscale resorts and thumping nightclubs of Cabo San Lucas’ Golden Corridor, the hamlet of Todos Santos remains relatively untouched. Here, travelers can find a fast-disappearing way of life that recalls the laid-back surf vibes of Baja California’s past.
In 2006, the government designated Todos Santos as one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Magicos” (magic villages) thanks to its colorful colonial architecture and lively homegrown arts scene. The swells and surf breaks along its Pacific beaches are among the best in Mexico, and those who are more comfortable on land can take advantage of activities like mountain biking and desert hiking.
The area has also seen a proliferation of pared-down luxury hotels open in recent years. Most noteworthy is the 41-suite Paradero Todos Santos that opened in 2021 and will unveil new family villas in 2025. The hotel is part of the Capital One Premier Collection, and its Brutalist-chic-meets-desert-minimalism architecture has won various design accolades. Thanks to Hyatt’s recent acquisition of Standard International, travelers should soon be able to use their World of Hyatt points at the 32-key Hotel San Cristobal, part of the swanky Bunkhouse Hotels label.
Meanwhile, an hour to the east, La Paz beckons as the gateway to the Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau called “the aquarium of the world” thanks to its profusion of wildlife, including whale sharks and sea lions, with whom visitors can snorkel in various seasons.
TPG tip: Want to avoid the tourist crush at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)? Alaska Airlines is launching a new route from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to La Paz International Airport (LAP) starting Nov. 20, 2024; it will operate two to three times per week (so check Alaska’s site for booking dates!).
— Eric Rosen
Indianapolis
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for sports enthusiasts and families looking for a domestic getaway
Indianapolis, affectionately called “Indy” by locals, is known for the largest single-day sporting event on the planet, the Indianapolis 500, which will occur May 25, 2025, for the 109th time.
Following an 18-month closure and an $89 million upgrade, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will reopen in April with 6,000 square feet of additional exhibition space, seven garages detailing the track and its history and an immersive experience simulating race day on a giant LED video board.
Indy locals are feeling the full Caitlin Clark effect, too. Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever, was the No. 1 draft pick for the WNBA and the league’s 2024 Rookie of the Year winner. Indy will host the WNBA All-Star Game in July 2025.
The world’s largest children’s museum, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025 with special events and openings, including the first-ever Mickey Mouse Clubhouse exhibit (Feb. 22 to Aug. 31) and a new Peruvian cultural immersion experience starting July 12.
The Factory Arts District will welcome new tenants in 2025, including a trampoline fitness facility, an apothecary making small-batch body care products and a bike shop. The city continues to be a sleeper foodie haven, attracting the likes of Nick Detrich, co-founder of several of New Orleans’ finest cocktail bars, who will open the raw bar Magdalena in Fountain Square by the end of this year.
This winter, the city’s newest luxury hotel, the 170-room InterContinental Indianapolis, will open inside a historic edifice listed among Indiana’s 10 most endangered landmark buildings, with a rooftop bar offering an unobstructed view of the iconic Lady Victory atop the Soldiers & Sailors Monument.
TPG tip: New nonstop flights to Indianapolis from Salt Lake City on Delta Air Lines and New Orleans on Frontier Airlines launched earlier this year. More direct routes, like one from Nashville on Southwest Airlines beginning March 6 and another from Austin on Delta starting May 7, will launch in 2025.
— Devorah Lev-Tov
Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy
THE POINTS GUY/GETTY IMAGESBest for travelers looking to discover an unexpected piece of European culture
At the foot of the Julian Alps lies Nova Gorica, a Slovenian town 62 miles from the capital Ljubljana and right on the border with Italy. Across a shared plaza is Gorizia, an Italian town about 29 miles away from Trieste.
Nova Gorica, which translates to “New Gorizia,” was established when Gorizia was unceremoniously split down the middle — with a metal barrier and soldiers dividing the two — in 1947 between post-Mussolini Italy and communist Yugoslavia. About 10 years later, at the urging of communities on both sides, who had previously lived in harmony, the barriers came down, and ever since then, locals have passed freely between the twin cities, often by walking across Trg Evrope/Piazza Transalpina/Europa Square, the shared central square that has Slovenian, Italian and English names — a common sight in this region.
The two cities will unite in 2025 as the first European Capital of Culture without borders. To prepare, Europa Square is undergoing restoration, the newly refurbished Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica is building an outdoor amphitheater and a new exhibition called “Epic“ will tell the stories of cross-border locals through photographs and testimonials. The Italian side of the old town — including Via Rastello, a cafe- and shop-lined street that leads to Gorizia Castle — has also been revitalized.
The grand opening ceremony will take place in both cities Feb. 8, 2025, Slovenia’s National Day of Culture. The occasion will launch a year of 600 “borderless” cultural events, including music, dance, art, theater, film, fashion and cuisine. Major events include a “March of Friendship” on May 1 to commemorate the marches held when the border closed, a food festival called “Taste Without Borders” from Sept. 26 to 28 and the closing ceremonies Dec. 3 to 5, culminating with the ignition of the towns’ elaborate Christmas lights. In between, various programs will include a concert by native Gorizian pianist Alexander Gadjiev, who will perform under the region’s arched Solkan Bridge.
TPG tip: The region is also known for its agricultural bounty and is famous for its cherries and peaches. Less than an hour away by car is the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Hisa Franko by lauded Slovenian chef Ana Roš.
— Devorah Lev-Tov
