In need of some destination inspiration this year? Explore our month-by-month rundown of exciting places to go
Words by: Alice Barnes-Brown, India-Jayne Trainor, Joanna Booth, Lina Molloholli, Rashmi Narayan, Rhodri Andrews and Sarah Gillespie
January: Finland
This is the perfect time to visit Finland, which offers magical snowy landscapes in January. For clients who have the aurora borealis on their bucket list, 2025 is a solar maximum year, meaning northern lights displays are set to be more spectacular than ever – and January offers some of the darkest skies.
British Airways recently launched direct flights to Ivalo in northern Finland, where husky rides, snowmobiling and adventures in the Arctic Circle await. In the south of Finland, visitors can explore the delicious dining and historic sights of Helsinki, or get into nature with hiking and cold swimming in the Lakeland region.
February: Thailand
This month sees the release of the third season of The White Lotus, which was filmed in Koh Samui and Phuket, which are already seeing a bookings boost as a result. February falls within Thailand’s dry season (November to April), and winter provides calm seas and moderate temperatures for exploring Phuket’s picturesque old town, or lounging like the stars at beaches such as Kata and Karon.
Boat trips to the Phi Phi Islands, Phang Nga Bay and Koh Lanta make for a sun-drenched day trip with snorkelling, kayaking and swimming in hidden bays.
March: Canada
The trend for ‘astrotourism’ shows no signs of waning, and 2025 brings two partial solar eclipses. The first, which will fall on March 29, has Nova Scotia in its path, making this a great excuse for clients to take an early-springtime trip to Canada. Travelling in March will also give them a chance to witness another amazing spectacle – the northern lights.
With the aurora also visible in southern Canada, Nova Scotia provides a cosy seaside stay, with clients able to drive themselves between pretty fishing villages and spend evenings eating seafood in welcoming inns.
April: Albania
As the European beach destination on everyone’s lips, Albania has plenty of hot product launching in April, including a new Just You tour and the opening of the Adorn Tirana – Handwritten Collection hotel in March. And that’s not all: an airport in the south, Vlorë, is due to open this month, becoming the country’s second international gateway and improving access to the Albanian Riviera.
Spring is a fantastic time to experience an authentic side of Albania, as clients can enjoy local restaurants without the crowds. Sunny yet mild days are perfect for wandering through medieval alleys or hiking in the rugged landscapes of Valbona Valley National Park.
May: Guernsey
Guernsey will become easier than ever to visit next year, thanks to three new flights from regional airline Blue Islands, including a link from Norwich that launches on May 10. This month brings an additional celebration: Liberation Day. The island was occupied by the Nazis until May 9, 1945, making this year the 80th anniversary of liberation. The specifics have yet to be confirmed, but themed parties, local musicians and vintage vehicles are likely to make an appearance.
Alongside the celebrations, there are plenty of sites to explore: think Fort Hommet, the German Underground Hospital and the German Occupation Museum.
June: Greenland
In a world where overtourism is often in the headlines, Greenland – an island 10 times the size of the UK – welcomes only 100,000 visitors every year. It’s likely to get more attention soon, as not only did an airport open in the capital Nuuk in November (allowing wide-bodied aircraft to land) but Greenland’s expedition cruising programme is also increasing, with the season starting in June.
HX Hurtigruten Expeditions will send its ships further north than ever before from 2025, visiting the Thule region of the High Arctic, home to some of the most remote communities on Earth.
July: Malta
Set-jetting clients will want to earmark Malta for their summer break, particularly after they watch Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey chase dinosaurs along its coast in Jurassic World Rebirth, which was partially filmed on the island and hits cinema screens on July 2. Send clients on a boat trip that visits the Coral Lagoon, where scenes for the latest in the Jurassic franchise were filmed, and to the well-preserved forts around the island – including Delimara and Manoel – which stood in for Rome in last year’s Gladiator II.
Visiting in July will also coincide with the Isle of MTV festival, one of Europe’s largest free music festivals.
August: Singapore
Singapore will celebrate the 60th anniversary of independence this month. Festivities are yet to be confirmed, but yearly national day celebrations typically include a huge parade, fireworks and live music – so expect this August to be a big one. Singapore’s diminutive size makes it easy to discover in a short time and visitors can take in sights such as Gardens by the Bay and the island of Sentosa, home to beaches and Universal Studios.
Foodies can taste their way through diverse neighbourhoods that include Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam, or try a slice of everything at a hawker street food market.
September: Bosnia & Herzegovina
For a shoulder-season short break, consider Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the perfect time to go, with minimal rainfall and daytime temperatures in the low 20s. The towns of Mostar and Počitelj are known for their Islamic architecture, while Sarajevo is a city that blends Austro-Hungarian churches with Ottoman-era markets and mosques.
From here, it’s a short hop to Konjic, a white-water rafting destination known for the gargantuan, Communist-era Tito’s Bunker. Herzegovinian vineyards are also worth a visit during the September harvest season for their rich, red blatina wines.
October: Greece
With many Greek businesses extending the summer season and Jet2holidays introducing Poros and Aegina to its 2025 programme, the Saronic Islands are shaping up to be a hot ticket for clients seeking a coolcation in October. The islands are easy to get to by ferry, with a journey time of less than two hours from Athens.
Poros (pictured below) stuns with its neoclassical harbourside architecture, quaint pottery workshops and vibrant cafes, while Aegina is famed for its ancient Temple of Aphaia and pistachio growing. It is also the gateway to the islands of Moni (pictured above) and Agistri, with their stunning swimming bays. A must-try is the local fistikato, a grated pistachio paste with caramel, covered in whole pistachios. Temperatures hover comfortably around 21 degrees, ideal for sightseeing or beach lounging.
November: Lithuania
Named European Green Capital for 2025, the limelight will be firmly on Vilnius this year, as it makes strides towards sustainable tourism. It might be the Green Capital, but Vilnius will be painted crimson and gold during November (the Lithuanian name for November, Lapkritis, means falling leaves).
There’s no shortage of places to witness Vilnius’s golden glow, from peaceful Kudru Park to the Žvėrynas neighbourhood or atop Gediminas Tower. Towards the end of the month, Christmas markets and sparkling light displays pop up across Lithuania’s capital – making it a great time for clients to discover the buzz of its baroque streets and poppy-seed pastries.
December: The US
For the Deep South, December is the month of many anniversaries, with 2025 marking 70 years since Rosa Parks’ Montgomery bus boycott – a landmark event of the Civil Rights movement, which will be celebrated on Rosa Parks Day on December 1. Last year, the event was marked with free museum tours and a re-enactment of a Martin Luther King Jr speech.
The Kwanzaa festival, celebrating African heritage, will also be observed across the region between December 26 and January 1. The Deep South is awash with riverboat tours, excellent live music and bourbon distilleries, making it an exceptional choice during the festive season.
Why you should visit West Africa in 2025
West Africa tourism is set to grow in 2025. Besides new cruise itineraries – HX Hurtigruten Expeditions launched one in 2024, while Swan Hellenic debuts a West African Coast itinerary in 2026 – a new Air Sierra Leone flight connects Gatwick with pulsating capital Freetown from 2025.
Tour operators adding Sierra Leone include Rainbow Tours, while Intrepid Travel is launching a two-week Benin, Togo and Ghana adventure in February and Explore has a new tour to Ghana (pictured).
Explore’s Africa programme manager Antony Barton says: “Ghana is one of West Africa’s most culturally diverse destinations. It would appeal to someone interested in African culture and traditions. During our new 15-day tour, clients stay in remote communities. There are direct flights to Ghana from London, including a Virgin Atlantic service to Accra launching in May. It’s safe, English-speaking and has an amazing coastline. It’s a great winter-sun destination.”
Where to go in 2025 for wellness
Maldives
In its 2025 Travel Trend Report, hotel group Accor revealed that searches for ‘wellness retreat holidays’ were up 22% among British travellers in 2024.
Wellness innovations continue apace in 2025, including at Ifuru Island Maldives, which has recently launched ‘longevity for life’ packages ranging from three to seven days, and include revitalising massages, movement classes and beauty treatments.
Sweden
The UK held its first Sauna Summit last May, so capitalise on increased interest by selling a spa-focused holiday in Sweden.
The town of Landskrona will open a kallbadhus in early 2025, with an area for cold water bathing in the lake and saunas to warm up in afterwards.
Turkey
The Anda Barut Collection opened in Didim last year, offering stellar fitness and spa services. Clients can jog around the coastal complex or take any number of fitness classes, before softening up their skin with a traditional Turkish hammam treatment.
Where to go in 2025 for adventure
Chile
The rise in dark sky tourism is good news for Chile, as the Atacama Desert is heralded as one of the world’s best stargazing spots.
Tasmania
With Inspiring Journeys and National Geographic Expeditions among the operators launching tours this year, Tasmania offers off-the-beaten-path Australian adventure.
Pakistan
A new destination for G Adventures, Pakistan is the south Asian nation to which hikers, history lovers and foodies are flocking.
India
Occurring only once every 12 years, the Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela descends upon the city of Prayagraj in January. Operators such as TransIndus are running special itineraries.
Georgia
Trips to the Caucasian country are going to become easier thanks to the launch of two direct flights to Tbilisi. Go for ancient churches, scenic cities and delectable wine regions.
Events in the UK in 2025
The UK will mark an array of anniversaries this year, offering a good reason for a staycation. Glasgow is celebrating 850 years since its official foundation – expect the streets of the Scottish city to be filled with live Celtic music and self-guided foodie trails.
Down south, Bath (pictured) will be throwing plenty of Regency-themed events to mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. The city’s landmark Georgian-era Francis Hotel, which is steps away from the Jane Austen Centre, will also complete extensive renovations.
PICTURES: Harri Tarveainen;Shutterstock/Omri Eliyahu, Linda Hughes Photography, Elton.xh; Tommy Simonsen; Shutterstock/Anuchit kamsongmueang, S.Borisov, zedspider; Shutterstock/Guitar photographer, MNStudio, George_Rossi, JNix
