2025 Travel Trends

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What are the trends for 2025?  People this year are truly distinguishing travel to not only be more personal but also be longer than even before the pandemic.  Everyone has seen the photos and heard about how crowded Europe has become, so now what?  The world, it turns out, is a fairly large place.  Here are some of the trends we found so far:

• ALASKA: Not surprising, Alaska is on just about everyone's bucketlist.  It is larger than combining the states of California, Texas, and Montana so this wild frontier has a lot to be discovered.  You can do a rail journey, cruise vacation, or fly to the outposts from Nome to Fairbanks - maybe even combine all three.  Check out our latest brochure from Princess as an example of cruises and cruise tours which combine a cruise vacation and a rail journey.
• ECO-TOURISM: People want to know that the vacation they are on will not negatively impact the planet. It has the added bonus of supporting the local economy. It is blending the cultural heritage of the locals combined with education and conservation. You can find vacations in places like a coffee farm in Costa Rica, an over-the-water bungalow in Tahiti without disturbing the protected marine habitats, and the conservation focus of the Galapagos islands which also puts a cap on visitors to its 300+ islands.  New Zealand also offers a vast number of ecotourism experiences, from animal sanctuaries to natural wildlife on land, sea, and even natural caves. 
• CELESTIAL VIEWING: After the eclipse in late 2023, the world has become enamored with the next solar eclipse.  The next one which will be quite a show is in August of 2026, seen between Iceland and Spain.  Even the solar eclipse over Luxor Egypt in 2027 is gaining in popularity - the Viking cruise at that time is already sold out now in 2025.  So if you are interested in any phenomena in the sky including seeing the auroras, you are in luck.
• JAPAN:  Japan like Alaska is also a bucketlist destination and for good reason: ancient culture, beautiful iconic landscapes, and the food.  Public transportation is unparalleled so you can travel easily from Tokyo to Osaka/Hiroshima.  There are many ways to see Japan from cruises (unpack once and get guidance from port to port), land tours, and also independent travel.  If you want to see Cherry Blossom Season, be prepared to pay top dollar as it is the busiest time in Japan (in April). Domestic tourism also picks up for Golden Week (around the beginning of May).  
• WELLNESS: Maybe because of the pandemic, people are looking to care for themselves and purge the physical signs of stress in life.  Wellness retreats typically provide not just lodging, but a treatment plan to include activities like hiking, yoga, meditation and also delicious healthy meals.  Check out places like the Four Seasons in Lanai Hawaii (so exclusive you have to book a year in advance) or the rustic luxury of Big Sur California at Alila.  You can also be pampered at far off places (for less money) like Sansara in Panama or Jaya House in Cambodia.

Did any of these vacation trends fit what you are looking for?  Feel free to contact us or schedule a free consultation to get a quote.