Experts reveal 2025's hottest travel destinations

"Eyes are turning to Greenland, with a new international airport shortly opening in the capital Nuuk. This will allow for direct flights from Europe and the US, making the country more accessible than ever. Greenland’s current tourism model is mostly focused on cruising in remote wilderness areas, away from the heart of the islands. At Intrepid, we've launched a new Greenland Expedition starting in 2025 that aims to explore the country on land and spotlight more of life above the polar circle. Travellers will learn about the culture and mythology of local fishing towns, and take guided hikes to traditional Inuit settlements."

Albania

Jules Pearson, founder of lifestyle website London On The Inside, Sausage Press guides, and VP of food and beverage development at Ennismore

"Albania keeps coming up in conversations. It certainly looks incredible, with a long coastline that stretches up from its border with Greece in the south to Montenegro in the north. There are plenty of vineyards, interesting restaurants and seafood to eat, all of which tick the boxes for me. There are also lots of music festivals and plenty of outdoor walking in the Albanian Alps. There is even talk that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are partnering with Aman to operate a new Aman hotel on a private island, with food by Carbone! If it isn’t already on people’s radar now, it certainly will be when that opens."

Powys, Wales

Liz Simpson, co-founder of Kip Hideaways

"Gorgeous little rentals keep springing up in this beautiful area that's full of waterfalls, lakes and mountains, outdoor pursuits galore, and close to Snowdonia and Hay on Wye, too. The pretty towns have great independents and gastro pubs, such as The Harp Inn in Old Radnor. Other highlights include an exquisite collection of artwork, sculptures, tapestries and furniture at medieval Powys Castle, also home to 300-year-old terraced gardens with dramatic countryside views. Explore The Radnor Forest – follow the trails through Warren Woods to reach the spectacular Water Break Its Neck waterfall, where you can dip your toes in and watch the rainbow mist rising amongst the trees. A series of Victorian dams are set among spectacular scenery in the Elan Valley, with 80 miles of nature trails to explore. I stayed here with my family during half-term and it was so lovely, with its own organic vineyard. This sleek cabin is another brilliant one, owned by an interior designer."

Uzbekistan

Laura Millar, food and travel writer, former food and travel editor at Metro

"The reasons to visit are not just confined to the long-held romantic fascination with Uzbekistan’s historic position as a destination along the ancient Silk Road (brought to life by the British Museum’s recent exhibition evoking caravans of camels, dusty desert dunes and the trade of textiles and spices). Looking to the future, this compelling central Asian country is bracing itself to become a much broader tourist destination in 2025. Plans are afoot to launch adventure travel – including parachuting and skydiving – as well as more sustainable options. Of course, you still can’t beat sights such as Samarkand’s sprawling Registan Square; the colourful domes, turrets and minarets of Khiva; or the majestic madrasas of Tashkent. Not to mention the beautiful local art and crafts you can bring home and the incredibly good food, from simple baked bread to complex dishes like plov. All this and no visa required, either – go before it gets overcrowded."

Lima, Peru

Emma Sleight, head of content, The World's 50 Best

"Lima! It’s been very high on my list for many years, and having worked alongside the Kjolle team during our Lyaness NYC residency in 2019, I was amazed by the unique ingredients they had in their pantry. Peru as a destination is becoming much more popular, and as more people start to visit and understand the landscape and produce, they will look to the drinks and ingredients as not only a bigger movement, but an inspiration for drinks to be able to replicate in their own spaces."

Alentejo, Portugal

Gurdeep Loyal, trends expert and olive trends columnist

"The undiscovered Alentejo region of Portugal, which sits between Lisbon to the north and the Algarve directly below, is the wine heartland of Portugal – it produces incredible rich, jammy, powerfully spiced reds. It also has a rustic, hearty cuisine, and incredible markets in cities like Evora. Plus, there are fortresses to discover in cities like Elvas. It’s very beautiful – and not often ventured into."

Check out Gurdeep's list of culinary hotspots for 2024 here.

The Azores

Jo Yee, food and travel photographer

"The Azores. I went on a photography assignment to Sao Miguel in the Azores in 2022, and it left a long and lasting impression on me. Loved everything from the varying landscapes, black sand beaches and thermal hot springs, to the incredible food. Also a great place to chase waterfalls. It is relatively under the radar compared to the famous European hot spots, so is not as overtouristed and still relatively good value. Getting around by car was a breeze. They also have a very mild climate, so it is a great destination all year round."

Edinburgh and the Highlands

Camille Kenny-Ryder, founder of Weekend Journals

"The food scene in Scotland is thriving post-pandemic, with so many wonderful restaurants opening. It great to see lots of women leading the moment, like Darcie Maher, founder of Lannan, and Roberta Hall-McCarron from The Chartroom and Eleanore."

Check out olive's guide to Edinburgh here.