Best Bets 2025
WHERE TO GO IN 2025
Our team of travel experts set out to create Best Bets 2025—a list of our top picks for travel in the new year. Destinations were nominated for a variety of reasons: new travel infrastructure that's made reaching the previously unreachable a breeze; big anniversaries, landmark events or standout conscious travel practices; increased interest among Travelzoo members; or exceptional culinary and cultural offerings.
Read on for our can't-miss recommendations for travel in 2025—then, pack your bags and let the adventure begin.
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Sonoma County California
About 40 miles north of San Francisco, you'll find the famously unpretentious wine region known as Sonoma County. With no fewer than 19 AVAs and a full roster of culinary artists, you could eat and drink your way through an entire trip. But redwood forests, moody beaches and rushing rivers make venturing into the county's incredible landscapes irresistible. Here's to a getaway infused with wine, wellness and outdoor revelry in 2025.
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Malta
Grand Costa Maya
Japan
Massachusetts
Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
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Grand Costa Maya Mexico
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This gorgeous expanse of Caribbean coast feels under-the-radar for now, but is likely to become Mexico's next big thing before long. The recent debut of Tulum's international airport offers an ultramodern, convenient gateway to this region of Mayan ruins, soft-wave beaches and lush lagoon systems. Whether you seek laidback fishing villages, plunge-ready cenotes, colonial forts or UNESCO-listed bioreserves, this is where you'll find it on your 2025 travels.
Malta Europe
With the release of Gladiator II in theaters, Malta once again plays a starring role on the big screen. It's no surprise that this island nation in the Mediterranean is a favorite of film location scouts—with historic cities, quaint villages, hidden coves and coastal cliffs. But it's also favored by savvy travelers who want rich culture, fascinating history and incredible weather. Read more about why Malta could star in your next vacation.
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Massachusetts U.S.A.
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In 2025, the Bay State will kick off a series of festivities to commemmorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Whether you're headed in to see reenactments of the battles of Lexington and Concord, to walk Boston's Freedom Trail, to feel liberated in the great outdoors (a hike in the Berkshires, perhaps?) or to celebrate over a plate of piping hot lobster on the Cape, you'll want to be part of this landmark year for Massachusetts.
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Japan Asia
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For every "must-see" temple or top-rated street market in Japan, there's a hidden alley, rural hot spring or unheralded shrine that feels like a private discovery. This is why it's totally okay if drawing up a comprehensive itinerary feels overwhelming; the destination lends itself better to immersion than efficiency. Although planning a trip to coincide with the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, running from spring to fall, wouldn't be a bad idea.
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Maui Hawaii
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A little over a year has passed since the deadly fires devastated the historic Lahaina town in west Maui. In the wake of this tragedy, the island and its residents continue to welcome travelers to respectfully experience Maui’s lush landscape, gorgeous beaches and fresh cuisine. As tourism rebounds, visitors can put unheard-of deals to good use, bolstering the local economy. As 2025 dawns, we embrace the message of Mākaukau Maui or "Maui is ready."
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Slovenia Europe
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The new year will bring numerous events to Slovenia as Nova Gorica, its youngest city, celebrates its role as a European Capital of Culture. While the festivities may bring you to this small Central European country in 2025, there is plenty of natural beauty—Alpine mountains, beach coastline, pristine forests and green meadows—to captivate you for longer.
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The Bahamas North America
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The electric-turquoise waters and famous swimming pigs have long called visitors to this sun-kissed archipelago. But beyond simple sun-seeking, there are more substantial reasons to travel to the Bahamas in 2025. The country has made a solid commitment to preserving its paradisiacal protected parks (32 in total, spanning 2.2 million acres) and offers tourists the chance to forge authentic connections through its 50-year-running People-to-People program.
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Greenland North America
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Starkly beautiful, wild and dream-like, the icy Arctic island of Greenland was, until recently, rather difficult to reach. That's changing in 2025, with a new international airport opening in the capital, Nuuk. United Airlines has already announced nonstop flight service from Newark airport will begin in June. A land of northern lights, midnight sun, Inuit culture and otherworldly landscapes awaits adventurous visitors in 2025.
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
Our 2025 destination guides
Greenland
Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
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Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
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Japan
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Grand Costa Maya
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Greenland
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Grand Costa Maya
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Sonoma County
Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
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Copenhagen, Denmark
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Queensland Australia
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Malta Europe
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Grand Costa Maya Mexico
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Greenland
The Bahamas
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Massachusetts U.S.A.
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Japan Asia
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Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
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Slovenia Europe
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Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
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Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
Malta
Sonoma County
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Greenland
The Bahamas
Maui
Slovenia
Japan
Massachusetts
Grand Costa Maya
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Maui Hawaii
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Our 2025
destination guides
photo credit: Kim Carroll
photo credit: Glenn Lee Robinson
photo credit: M. Woolsey
photo credit: M. Woolsey
photo credit: Emily Elizabeth
photo credit: JNTO
photo credit: JNTO
photo credit: JNTO
photo credit: Municipality of Kamnik
photo credit: Michael Matti
photo credit: Stanko Kozel - Ptuj Institute of Tourism
photo credit: Ciril Jazbec
photo credit: HTA / Tommy Lundberg
photo credit: HTA / Dana Edmunds
photo credit: HTA / Mathieu Duchier
photo credit: Aningaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland
photo credit: Elia Locardi - Visit Greenland
photo credit: Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
photo credit: Stephanie Vermillion - Visit Greenland
photo credit: Aningaaq R. Carlsen - Visit Greenland