Forbes Travel Guide’s 12 Best Destinations of 2025 – Forbes Travel Guide Stories
While the 2025 calendar will be filled with big events and noteworthy openings in Alpha City, Forbes Travel Guide finds travelers are drawn to more remote locations and continue to focus on wellness vacations.
These trends reflect the growing desire for unique, enriching travel experiences that prioritize personal well-being and connection with nature. From a quiet beach Maldives With Bhutan’s vibrant cultural scene, these destinations offer diverse experiences beyond the typical vacation.
However, whatever your motivation for travel – start with Super Bowl LIX new orleans arrive amsterdam750th Birthday – You’ll find a place worth visiting on Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Best Destinations list. Start planning your next adventure:
amsterdam
When the Dutch capital celebrates its 750th anniversary on October 27, it will kick off a new year of parties, festivals, concerts and art exhibitions. One of Amsterdam’s biggest events is the August Sailing, when crowds watch hundreds of ships sail into the city center and take part in ocean-themed activities. Prepare for the big celebrations on June 21, when the A10 road around the city will be closed to traffic for a nine-mile procession of music, dance and theater.
Additionally, Rosewood will open its first hotel in the country in the historic Palace of Justice building along the scenic Prinsengracht Canal, while Mandarin Oriental plans to take over the modern four-star hotel greenhouse Museum District and transform it.
new orleans
The Superdome, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, received updates as the city prepares to host Super Bowl LIX in February. Caesars Hotel New Orleans ($435 million renovation transformed the former Harrah’s casino complex and introduced a Nobu restaurant and hotel) and a new hotel four seasons (a modern casual spot with a great restaurant) opened across the street a few years ago. In addition, there are legendary Hotel Monteleone Located in the heart of the French Quarter and recently renovated, The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
After the game, stick around to enjoy the rich food scene. While classic buildings such as the Palais de Commander and Palais Antoine endure, new additions such as acamaya (Mexican Seafood), dakar (Senegalese-Creole) and 34 Restaurants and Bars (Emeril Lagasse and his son EJ’s ode to Portugal’s roots) adds even more flavor to one of the country’s best foodie cities.
Bhutan
This South Asian country may be small — a little larger than the state of Maryland — but it’s made great strides in health and environmental protection. The small kingdom in the eastern Himalayas has prioritized gross domestic happiness over gross domestic product as a government policy priority – it is the world’s first carbon-negative country, and its constitution requires the country to be at least 60% increase forest coverage and build “mindful cities”.
Therefore, Bhutan is a place for eco-conscious travelers who want to explore the natural mountain wonders and vibrant culture. For example, Beyond Punakha River Inn Opening in 2023, it features luxury tents; hiking, biking and whitewater rafting adventures; and visits to sacred sites such as Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Monaco
Monaco Perhaps best known for its glamorous casinos and exciting Grand Prix, the world’s second-smallest country (after Vatican City) has other reasons to visit. It’s home to one of the world’s oldest aquariums, an annual jazz festival and stunning beachfront views. The principality is also a gastronomic destination, with restaurants from legendary chefs including Alain Ducasse’s Louis XV and Yannick Areno’s Hotel Pavillon Monte Carlo. One of the hottest dining spots is a newcomer Amazonwhose rooftop overlooks the casino.
If you really want to watch the famous F1 race, give this a try Exploration 2–Luxury cruise ships will dock less than 500 feet from the tracks.
Athens Riviera, Greece
Tourism is booming in the Greek Islands, with people flocking to famous sites (Santorini and Mykonos) and lesser-known sites (Naxos and Ios). The next big Greek beach paradise is located 10 miles south of Athens. In its heyday in the 1950s, the Athens Riviera attracted celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Jackie Onassis with its famous beach clubs and sunny shores.
Today, the area is preparing for a renaissance among a new generation, with luxury hotels such as five-star hotels Four Seasons Astyle Palace Hotel Athens (the brand’s first in Greece) and the only aesthetic (complete with bungalows and three swimming pools) opened there.
Asheville (North Carolina)
In September, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, causing at least $53 billion in damage. It will take years for the state to recover, but visitors can help the effort.
most city centers asheville Now open for business including shops, restaurants, galleries and art studios. Visitors can also tour the mountain town’s abundant breweries, including Highland Brewing Company and Archetype Brewing. Asheville’s most famous attraction is the 8,000-acre, castle-like Biltmore Estate and its four-star hotel Inn Visitors are being welcomed.
Those who want to explore the picturesque nature of the Blue Ridge Parkway by car, hike or bike should note that access has been restored, but Double check what is open.
longboat island florida
Unless you’re a local, you might not know about this tranquil barrier island off the coast of the Philippines Sarasota. Here, visitors will explore 12 miles of soft white sand beaches, turquoise waters and nature preserves. But as the secret opens The St. Regis Longboat Key ResortIt is the brand’s only hotel set to open in the United States in 2024 and is the island’s largest development in 50 years.
The oceanfront hotel has six restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa and a 500,000-gallon lagoon where snorkelers can spot 40 rays and 2,800 native reef fish.
Morocco
As Morocco prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, hotels in the North African country are experiencing a growth spurt.
Magnificent five star Royal Mansour Marrakech Expanded and added properties in Casablanca tamda bay It is expected to open in 2024. Other recent hotel openings include the Ritz-Carlton Dar es Salaam and Kasr Al Bahr in the capital, Rabat, Four Seasons Hotel Rabat, Park Hyatt Marrakech and The St. Regis Tamuda Bay La Bahia Blanca Resort. In 2025, more luxury hotels will open: a Waldorf Astoria in Rabat and an LXR Hotels & Resorts hotel in Casablanca.
Santa Monica, California
This Southern California beach town is enjoying its moment in the sun. santa monica The city may be best known for its pier and Ferris wheel (the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel), but as the city celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025, it’s undergoing another renaissance.
luxurious Regency Santa Monica Beach Hotel It recently debuted with chef Michael Mina’s Egyptian Mediterranean restaurant Orla and Guerlain’s first West Coast spa. new Sandborn Hotel Santa Monica, Autograph Collection Bring chic designs and free ceramics classes from architect Gulla Jónsdóttir. Downtown Santa Monica now has its first tasting room, family-owned AJA Vineyards, a winery on the Malibu coast.
Sumba Island, Indonesia
The pursuit of health continues to inspire people to travel. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is growing 16.6% annually. Sumba is an island in Indonesia, a 50-minute flight from Bali, but its undeveloped land and lack of crowds give it a world of difference.
Nihi, Sumba Island Set against a backdrop of savannah, limestone hills, rice fields and jungle, the new Wild Wellness program connects guests to the natural surroundings. This boutique hotel utilizes its herd of horses (famous for swimming in the ocean with guests) for equestrian therapy and offers spa tours that include a hike to the cliff top Bag Enjoy a pampering treatment overlooking the water.
Maldives
The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, offering overwater villas, crystal clear waters and remote locations for the ultimate remote dream vacation. Traveling long distances will become even easier once Male’ Velana International Airport (Heaven’s Gate) completes much-needed renovations in 2025, including a new passenger terminal, runway and seaplane terminal.
The Maldives is another wellness tourism hotspot. five stars Joe Ali exists is the leader in transformative vacations, offering comprehensive programs that cover everything from meals to sleep. five stars Villa private island recently announced Vera Health Villagewhich features an Ayurvedic, osteopathic and medical services center; a Pilates and yoga studio; and a healthy restaurant.
Brisbane, Australia
Australia’s third-largest city offers visitors seeking a thriving cultural and culinary destination. But Queensland’s capital is also the country’s sporting capital and will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
While you can watch rugby and cricket matches and other sporting events here, the subtropical climate and natural beauty make Brisbane a great place to join in on your outdoor adventures. Admire the city skyline while kayaking along the Brisbane River. Hike through the rainforest of Dajral National Park. Or rappel down 20-million-year-old cliffs at Kangaroo Point.
