As 2025 unfolds, journey is taking a flip for the nostalgic. With digital overload at an all-time excessive, extra vacationers wish to unplug, decelerate, and reconnect—with the previous, with others, and with themselves. Whether or not it’s escaping to a literary-inspired retreat, indulging in an old-school journey, or embracing the rugged allure of the Wild West, the largest journey traits of 2025 are much less about scrolling and extra about savoring each second.
Journey Will get Lit
It’s official—studying is cool once more. There’s nothing fairly like curling up with an excellent guide whereas on trip, and with the rise of BookTok and rising digital fatigue, literary-themed getaways are having a second.
For some, it’s about getting into the pages of a beloved story—like channeling Eloise and her whimsical adventures on the ‘tippy-top flooring’ of the legendary Plaza Resort in New York Metropolis. Friends can bask in an Eloise-themed afternoon tea on the Palm Courtroom or keep within the Eloise Suite, designed by Betsey Johnson, with its daring pink-and-black aesthetic and plush toys of Eloise and her pup, Weenie.
For others, the attraction lies in locations that remember literature at their core, like Nolinski Venezia’s magnificent Library Bar—an intimate area lined with over 4,000 thoughtfully curated books, complemented by a grand piano and a wide ranging ceiling fresco by artist Simon Buret.
The Mega-Moon
The right honeymoon can take many kinds, however one factor most newlyweds can agree on: the longer, the higher. With distant work on the rise and {couples} prioritizing experiences over extravagant weddings, the mega-moon development is taking off. These prolonged getaways enable {couples} to completely unplug from each day life, immerse themselves in native tradition and luxuriate in a wide range of actions with out feeling rushed.
Costa Rica, with its pristine seashores, misty cloud forests and towering volcanoes, is a primary vacation spot for this development. At Casa Chameleon Resort at Las Catalinas, the Workation Bundle makes balancing work and play a breeze. Friends take pleasure in a private assistant, poolside daybeds reworked into open-air workplaces and complimentary journey actions and spa remedies.
One other hotspot for remote-working honeymooners? Ubud, Bali. Viceroy Bali makes leveling up a mega-moon easy—every personal pool villa comes geared up with a devoted workstation and a convention room is offered for in-person conferences. After a tough day’s work, Pinstripe Bar is the right place to unwind with an expertly crafted cocktail.
Vino Ventures
Wine journey has lengthy been synonymous with iconic areas like Bordeaux, Tuscany and Portugal’s Douro Valley—locations recognized for scenic vineyards, historic wineries and indulgent tastings. However now, a brand new wave of wine fanatics are venturing past these classics, in search of out lesser-known and re-emerging areas for a extra intimate, genuine expertise.
One such vacation spot is Piedmont in northern Italy. Whereas Tuscany stays a favourite, many vacationers are actually flocking to this hidden gem for its world-class vintages, breathtaking landscapes and wealthy cultural heritage—minus the crowds. Tucked between cheesemakers and truffle hunters, Villa La Madonna makes essentially the most of its enviable location with market-fresh components within the kitchen, a vine-fringed swimming pool and an beautiful line-up of Piedmont-grown blends within the cellar.
For individuals who love Napa Valley however crave a quieter different, Healdsburg in California’s Sonoma County is a rising star. With over 60 wineries close by and a rising checklist of acclaimed eating places, it’s rapidly turning into a wine lover’s haven. Resort Healdsburg, with its celebrated Dry Creek Kitchen by superstar chef Charlie Palmer, provides ingredient-driven cuisines that showcase the perfect of the area’s produce.
Cowboy Core
Whether or not impressed by the smash-hit TV collection Yellowstone, Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders or Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album, the cowboy aesthetic continues to captivate audiences. Now, cowboy core is making its mark within the journey world. As extra vacationers search off-the-beaten-path, rural locations, there’s a rising demand for inns providing genuine Western experiences.
Locations like Utah’s 3,500-acre Lodge at Blue Sky supply a luxe, Western-inspired escape that’s something however primary. Set in opposition to spring-fed creeks and the majestic Wasatch mountains, this lodge blends up to date consolation with a deep respect for nature, that includes beautiful delicacies, a world-class spa and limitless out of doors actions.
Additional north, Montana’s Ranch at Rock Creek strikes the right steadiness between refined luxurious and true Western spirit. With top-tier facilities, excellent service and gorgeous surroundings, friends can take pleasure in horseback driving on spectacular trails, fly fishing on Blue Ribbon Rock Creek, mountain climbing, archery and exploring historic ghost cities.
Accessible Adventures
Touring the world may be extremely enriching—however for a lot of, it stays out of attain. With rising demand for inclusivity, the tourism trade is lastly taking significant steps towards accessibility, aiming to create a extra inclusive expertise for all vacationers. Whereas there’s nonetheless progress to be made, many resort manufacturers are main the cost.
Hyatt, for instance, has teamed up with nonprofit KultureCity to raised perceive the wants of neurodivergent vacationers and supply considerate lodging forward of their keep. At Grand Hyatt Vail, friends with situations like ADHD, autism and dyslexia can profit from 3D room excursions and detailed pre-arrival emails to assist them really feel extra ready and comfy.
Equally, IHG Lodges & Resorts is enhancing accessibility for friends with mobility challenges. A standout is Kimpton Fitzroy London, the place the addition of an progressive stair carry ensures seamless wheelchair entry whereas preserving the resort’s historic allure.
Detour Locations
We’ve all been there—arriving at a bucket-list vacation spot just like the Eiffel Tower, Machu Picchu, or Yellowstone, solely to search out it crowded with different vacationers who had the identical thought. As overtourism turns into a rising concern, extra vacationers are in search of locations that supply not simply novelty, however true authenticity. This shift initially led to the rise of vacation spot dupes—lesser-known options to common sights. Now, a brand new development is rising: detour locations—hidden gems which might be only a brief distance from well-known cities and landmarks.
Detour locations supply the perfect of each worlds: vacationers can nonetheless expertise the highlights of a serious vacation spot however with a recent perspective and a extra distinctive, crowd-free expertise. As an illustration, a basic tour of Italy’s iconic cities—Rome, Florence, Venice—wouldn’t be full and not using a go to to Montecatini Terme, a thermal spa city tucked into the Tuscan countryside, simply an hour from Florence. Right here, Palazzo BelVedere provides a serene retreat, designed to nourish each physique and soul.
Equally, if you happen to love Lisbon’s cobbled alleyways, historical ruins and white-domed cathedrals, a brief detour to Sintra reveals a quieter, equally fascinating aspect of Portugal. Valverde Sintra Palácio de Seteais, set amongst rolling hills, exudes timeless class with its opulent work, intricate frescoes and romantic environment—with out the same old vacationer crowds.
Rosy Retrospection
In an period dominated by digital distractions and fast-paced dwelling, vacationers are in search of a return to less complicated occasions. This want has sparked an increase in nostalgia-driven journeys—a phenomenon often called rosy retrospection, the place persons are drawn to inns and locations that evoke the previous, even when they’ve by no means skilled it firsthand.
Borgo San Felice Resort in Italy’s Chianti area captures this sentiment completely. As soon as a medieval hamlet, it has been lovingly restored right into a 60-room resort, with its unique wooden retailer, olive press, faculty, bakery and wine cellars now reworked into elegant areas. Right here, time slows to the rhythm of sun-drenched vineyards, flower-lined pathways and serene courtyards—a real style of old-world Italy. Feeling impressed? Enter now for an opportunity to win a keep at this charming Tuscan retreat.
For an journey infused with classic grandeur, Zannier Sonop in Namibia provides a Nineteen Twenties British colonial-style luxurious camp set atop a dramatic spill of boulders within the coronary heart of the Namib Desert. By day, friends can discover the untamed wilderness on horseback, soar over the dunes in a scorching air balloon or embark on personal safaris at dawn or sundown. As evening falls, the enchantment continues with an open-air cinema and stargazing beneath an limitless African sky.
Rural Upskilling
As wellness tourism grows, extra vacationers are in search of experiences that foster private development, mindfulness and self-discovery. Enter rural upskilling—an rising development the place guests reconnect with ancestral traditions and embrace a slower, extra grounded lifestyle by means of hands-on studying.
Babylonstoren in South Africa is main the way in which, providing friends an opportunity to step again into the late nineteenth century at its Soetmelksvlei interactive farm advanced. Right here, guests can study pre-industrial abilities by means of expert-led workshops in cow milking, flour grinding, blacksmithing and carpentry, all honoring conventional craftsmanship.
Equally, Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve embraces a back-to-basics method. Friends can take pleasure in fly-fishing, greenhouse excursions and even spring shed looking—the follow of looking for antlers shed by deer, elk and different animals in late winter and early spring. It’s a enjoyable and academic option to achieve perception into nature’s rhythms and wildlife motion.
Culinary Collabs
Luxurious inns are upping their recreation, providing extra than simply lovely stays—they’re crafting one-of-a-kind experiences by means of collaborations with iconic heritage manufacturers, particularly within the culinary world.
Take Resort de la Ville in Rome, the place a partnership with famend Italian porcelain model Ginori 1735 has introduced Café Ginori to life. The area is a feast for the senses, mixing Italian craftsmanship with culinary artistry. Friends can dine surrounded by Ginori 1735’s signature porcelain, with the model’s timeless patterns elegantly woven into each element.
In the meantime, at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, indulgence reaches new heights at The Krug Room, created in collaboration with the legendary home of Krug—based in 1843. Right here, friends can savor Govt Chef Robin Zavou’s impressed delicacies alongside the distinguished Champagnes of Krug, elevating the basic pairing right into a full-fledged sensory journey.
Journey Celebrating Girls
From solo adventures to management roles in journey tourism, girls are reshaping the journey panorama—and inns are taking notice. Extra properties are celebrating girls by means of social influence initiatives, artwork, wellness and storytelling, creating areas that empower and encourage.
Six Senses, recognized for its pioneering method to wellness, has launched female-focused applications throughout 5 of its gorgeous properties. At Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Vietnam, girls can immerse themselves in curated experiences designed to reinforce diet, motion, sleep, stress administration and general well-being—set in opposition to a backdrop of untouched pure magnificence.
At Palazzo Avino—affectionately known as The Pink Palace—girls’s management is woven into the resort’s very cloth. Owned and run by sisters Mariella and Attilia Avino, the property displays their imaginative and prescient and fervour at each flip, from its impeccable hospitality to The Pink Closet, a boutique showcasing style and equipment by feminine designers.
