From Asheville to Amsterdam, these hot spots should be on next year's itinerary.
By Jennifer KesterContributor
W2025 calendar will be filled with big events and noteworthy openings in alpha cities, Forbes Travel Guide finds that travelers are turning to more remote locations and continuing to focus on wellness getaways.
These trends reflect a growing desire for unique and enriching travel experiences that prioritize personal well-being and connection with nature. From the tranquil beaches of the Maldives to the vibrant cultural landscape of Bhutan, these destinations offer a diverse range of experiences that go beyond the typical vacation.
Yet no matter your travel motivation (from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to Amsterdam's 750th anniversary), you'll find a place to visit on Forbes Travel Guide's list of top destinations for 2025. Start planning your next adventure:
Four Seasons Hotel in New Orleans
As the city prepares to host Super Bowl LIX in February, the Superdome (which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025) has been upgraded and New Orleans Caesars (a $435 million renovation transformed the old Harrah's casino complex and brought a Nobu restaurant and hotel) and a new Four seasons (a contemporary respite with notable restaurants) opened across the street just a few years ago. Furthermore, the story Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter was recently renovated and The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
After the game, stay for the rich culinary scene. While classics like Commander's Palace and Antoine's are enduring favorites, more recent additions like Acamaya (Mexican seafood), Dakar NOLA (Senegalese-Creole) and 34 Restaurant and Bar (Emeril Lagasse and his son EJ's ode to their Portuguese roots) adds even more flavor to one of the country's best culinary cities.
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Bhutan
This South Asian country may be small (a little bigger than Maryland), but it's making great strides in wellness and conservation. This small kingdom, located east of the Himalayas, prioritizes gross domestic happiness rather than gross domestic product as part of government policy: it is the first country in the world to have a negative carbon footprint , its constitution requires at least 60% of the country's forest cover and it is building a “city of mindfulness”.
Bhutan is therefore the ideal place for eco-conscious travelers who want to explore the natural wonders of the mountains and vibrant culture. For example, &Beyond the River Punakha Lodge opened in 2023 with luxury tents; hiking, biking, and whitewater rafting adventures; and excursions to sacred sites such as Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
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Monaco
Monaco may be known for its glamorous casino and exhilarating Grand Prix, but the world's second-smallest country (after Vatican City) offers other reasons to visit. It's home to one of the world's oldest aquariums, an annual jazz festival and a glamorous beach. The principality is also a culinary destination with restaurants by legendary chefs, including that of Alain Ducasse. The Louis XV and that of Yannick Alléno Monte-Carlo Pavilion. One of the hottest restaurants is Newcomer Amazonwhose roof overlooks the casino.
If you want to watch the prestigious F1 race, try it on board Explora II— the luxury ship will dock less than 500 feet from the railway tracks.
Esthésie One&Only
Athens Riviera, Greece
Travel is booming on the Greek islands, where crowds flock to the best-known (Santorini and Mykonos) and least-known places (Naxos and Ios). The next great Greek seaside paradise lies just 10 miles south of Athens. At its peak in the 1950s, the Athenian Riviera attracted illustrious names like Frank Sinatra and Jackie Onassis to its famous beach clubs and sunny shores.
Today, the neighborhood is poised for a resurgence among a new generation with luxury properties like Five-Star Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel in Athens (the first of the brand in Greece) and Esthésie One&Only (with bungalows and three swimming pools) opened their doors there.
The Inn on the Biltmore Estate
Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in September, causing at least $53 billion in damage. It will take years for the state to recover, but tourists can help those efforts.
Most of downtown Asheville is open for business, including shops, restaurants, galleries and art studios. Tourists can also enjoy the mountain town's many breweries, including Highland Brewing Company and Archetype Brewing. Ashville's most famous attraction, the 8,000-acre castle-like Biltmore Estate and its four-star hotel hostel welcome visitors.
Those wishing to explore the scenic nature of the Blue Ridge Parkway by car, foot or bicycle should note that access has been restored, but double check what is open.
Adobe Stock/Aerial Film Studio
When the Dutch capital celebrates its 750th anniversary on October 27, it will kick off a year of parties, festivals, concerts and art exhibitions. One of Amsterdam's biggest events is Sail in August, when crowds watch hundreds of ships sail through the city center and take part in maritime-themed activities. Prepare for a big party on June 21, when the A10 road that encircles the town will be closed to traffic to allow a nine-mile parade with music, dancing and theater.
Additionally, Rosewood will open its first hotel in the country in the historic Palace of Justice building along the picturesque Prinsengracht (“Prince's Canal”), and Mandarin Oriental plans to take over the contemporary four-star hotel. Conservatory in the museum district and give it a facelift.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Long Boat Key, Florida
Unless you're a local, you may not know about this quiet barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. Here, visitors will discover 19 kilometers of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and nature reserves. But the secret is revealed with the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resortthe brand's only hotel to debut in the United States in 2024 and the island's largest development in 50 years.
The beachfront hotel features more than a half-dozen restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa and a 350,000-gallon lagoon for divers with nearly 50 rays and 3,000 fish.
Royal Mansour Marrakech
Morocco
As Morocco prepares for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, the North African nation is experiencing a surge in hotel growth.
The opulent five-star Royal Mansour Marrakech expanded and added properties in Casablanca and Tamuda Bay in 2024. Other recent openings include the Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam and the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat in Kasr Al Bahr, both in the capital, Park Hyatt Marrakech and The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay. And other luxury properties will arrive in 2025: Waldorf Astoria will land in Rabat and an LXR Hotels & Resorts property will arrive in Casablanca.
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This SoCal beach town is enjoying its moment in the sun. Santa Monica may be best known for its pier and Ferris wheel (the first in the world to be powered by solar energy), but as the city celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025, it's experiencing a new renaissance.
The luxurious Santa Monica Regent Beach recently debuted with chef Michael Mina's Egyptian-Mediterranean restaurant Orla and Guerlain's first spa on the West Coast. The new Sandbourne Santa Monica, autograph collection brings chic design from architect Gulla Jónsdóttir and free ceramics classes. And downtown Santa Monica now has its first tasting room, family-owned AJA Vineyards, with a vineyard along the Malibu Coast.
NIHI Sumba
Sumba, Indonesia
The search for well-being continues to motivate people to travel. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is growing at an annual rate of 16.6%. One place to find it is Sumba, an Indonesian island located a 50-minute flight from Bali but seems like a world apart with untouched land and no crowds.
NIHI Sumba uses savannahs, limestone hills, rice fields and jungle as a backdrop for its new Wild Wellness program that connects guests with the surrounding nature. The boutique hotel uses its herd of horses (which swim with guests in the ocean) for equine therapy and a spa safari that includes a hike to the top of a cliff. ball for indulgent treatments overlooking the water.
Velaa Private Island
The Maldives
An archipelago of 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives offers a remote dream vacation with overwater villas, crystal clear waters and secluded locations. Making the long journey will be easier once Malé's Velana International Airport, the gateway to paradise, completes a much-needed renovation in 2025 that will include a new passenger terminal, runway and seaplane terminal.
The Maldives is another hot spot for wellness tourism. Five stars Joali being is a leader in transformative getaways with a comprehensive program that covers everything from meals to sleep. Five stars Velaa Private Island recently unveiled the Velaa Wellness Villagewhich has an Ayurvedic, osteopathic and medical service center; a Pilates and yoga studio; and a healthy restaurant.
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Brisbane, Australia
Australia's third-largest city ticks the boxes for travelers looking for a destination with a thriving cultural and culinary scene. But the capital of Queensland is also the sporting capital of the country and will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Although you can attend rugby and cricket matches and other sporting events here, the subtropical climate and natural beauty make Brisbane a great place to take part in your own outdoor adventures. Discover the city skyline as you kayak down the Brisbane River. Hike through the rainforest of D'Aguilar National Park. Or rappel down 20-million-year-old cliffs at Kangaroo Point.
