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Back in 2006, sketches for the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim art museum on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island were first unveiled as part of the emirate’s plan to become the cultural yin to neighbouring Dubai’s flashier yang. A year later, the Zayed National Museum was added to the list of eye-catching buildings that would form the island’s new Cultural District – including the Louvre Abu Dhabi that opened in 2017. Now, after much delay, both will finally open their doors by the end of the year – and we can’t wait. Until then, the emirate’s first Public Art Biennale continues to turn Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into one big gallery, as 70 artists descend on its public spaces (until 30 April), cementing the emirate’s growing reputation as the Gulf’s new cultural pacesetter.
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In July 2024, a devastating wildfire ripped through the Alberta town of Jasper, destroying 30% of its homes and businesses. Six months on, the idyllic mountain bolthole is once again open and welcoming visitors. Jasper is a hub for winter activities, including skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, and a gateway to Jasper National Park, with its eye-popping turquoise lakes, waterfalls and Athabasca Glacier, a mighty arm of the Columbia Icefield.
Some 97% of this sprawling, wildlife-rich National Park was unaffected by the fires, and miles of pristine trails wiggle into its backcountry – check Parks Canada's website for updates. Testament to the resiliency of Jasper locals, around 90% of the town’s accommodations – from luxurious resorts to rustic mountain lodges – are now accepting reservations too. We love the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, which reopened in October 2024. Keep an eye on jasper.travel/welcome-back/ for details.
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With the recent COP (Conference of Parties) taking place in Baku and an armada of flights now connecting Azerbaijan to the UK, the country is riding high. It was especially interesting that tourism was added to the COP’s agenda this year for the first time, just as Azerbaijan embraces its own sustainable gifts. Slow Food is a big deal here, particularly among traditional communities and cultures. Agri-tourism stays and workshops in the German vineyards of Shamkir, the Udi villages of the north and the apiaries of the Russian Molokan community of Ivanovka offer visitors an entirely different take on the country to that found in Baku. Together with the natural gifts of the Caucasus and Talysh mountain regions, whose remote villages are now welcome pit stops for hikers, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a low-impact escape. Elsewhere, a burst of hotels and attractions have also arrived in the COP’s wake, with the new Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex in Gobustan drawing the eye in particular for its spectacular muddy burps and natural gas fires.
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There is a certain travel snobbery when it comes to Bermuda, which is too often seen as just a place to brush up on your golf swing or lounge on pink-sand beaches. Few realise the depth of history and architecture here. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Bermudian town of St George, one of the first permanent English settlements in the ‘New World’, gained UNESCO status. Founded in 1612, it is the site of a number of historic buildings, including the oldest surviving Anglican church outside the UK. This was rebuilt in stone in the 18th century, though you can still see its original pulpit, carved in 1660. It is just one of some 800 heritage properties across the island, many now turned into galleries (Bridge House) and museums (Globe House, Verdmont) telling Bermuda’s little-heard story.
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In recent years, Dubrovnik’s citadel has suffered under the weight of tourists during the summer months. Finding ways to lessen the load by spreading visitors across the year is one way to reduce the impact, and the city’s cultural calendar is playing its part by offering plenty of off-season perks. One major highlight for 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, whose Musical Spring season was created as a counterbalance to the busy summer schedule. It also has concerts across the calendar, with the International Late Summer Music Festival, for example, seeing ensembles and orchestras arrive deep into September, before the annual Jazz Outbreak festival picks up the baton in November.
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It takes a long time to change perceptions, but El Salvador is making headway. Since 2023, crime rates have plummeted across a tiny nation that was once among the most dangerous in Latin America. Nowhere is this felt more keenly than in the capital San Salvador, whose Historic Centre was once a no-go area. The building of the new Central America Park, outside the National Palace, is just a small part of the work being done to clean up the inner city and make it safer. And with some $55 million earmarked for future projects in the area, including hotels and restaurants, the good work is set to continue – something that the income from visitors will only help. Outside the capital, travel is still very affordable here, and there are incredible sites beyond the coast’s busy surfing beaches, from Suchitoto’s colonial centre to Maya pyramids and volcano treks high above the jungle. As the country finally sheds its old reputation, now is the time to go.
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Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Take your time in Khiva, where a number of listed buildings within the walls of the Itchan Kala inner fortress now incorporate boutique stays. The elegant Orient Star, for example, occupies what used to be the city’s largest madrasa.
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Nearly 20 years ago, sketches for the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim art museum on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island were first unveiled as part of the emirate’s plan to become the cultural yin to neighbouring Dubai’s flashier yang. A year later, the Zayed National Museum joined it on the list of eye-catching buildings that would form the island’s new Cultural District – including the Louvre Abu Dhabi that opened in 2017. Now, after a lot of anticipation, both will open their doors by the end of the year – and we can’t wait. Until then, the emirate’s first Public Art Biennale continues to turn Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into one big gallery, as 70 artists descend on its public spaces (until 30 April), cementing the emirate’s growing reputation as the Gulf’s new cultural pacesetter.
Why Now?
It’s been 60 years since filmmakers descended on Austria’s Salzburgerland to shoot The Sound of Music, offering the perfect excuse for some off-season retro set-jetting. The Baroque houses and Gothic churches of Salzburg certainly offer a dream backdrop for tours of its set locations, as you flit between the pristine gardens of Mirabell Palace, the intriguing trick fountains of Hellbrunn and the grounds of Schloss Leopoldskron, which hosts a year-long exhibition on the film (from 6 Feb). Look out, too, for Salzburg State Theatre’s resurrection of the Broadway stage musical (Nov–Dec), while the anniversary day (23 Oct) of the film’s original release is lit up by a gala featuring the Mozarteum Orchestra.
The musical theme continues in Vienna with the bicentenary of the birth of Viennese composer Johann Strauss, blitzing the cultural calendar with events such as sunset singalongs in the City Park, a concert in the Central Cemetery, operetta performances and exhibitions on the composer’s life and works (johannstrauss2025.at). And stick around for the big day on 25 October, when a birthday performance of his music takes over the Rathausplatz, just in time for the opening of a new immersive exhibition at the Johann Strauss Museum.
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Nearly 140 years after the Trans-Caspian railway reached Uzbekistan, its antiquated Russian-built rail system is slowly being replaced with modern, high-speed links, as memories of 12-hour cross-country commutes fade. The good news is that by September 2025, a route that already takes in Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara will be extended to the walled city of Khiva, a living museum of medieval mosques and labyrinthine mud-walled alleys. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore a city too often skipped over by visitors.
En route, be sure to stop in Bukhara, which welcomes Central Asia’s first major international biennial this year (5 Sep–20 Nov). It takes over the city’s newly restored historic centre, as exhibitions make the most of its 19th-century caravanserais (inns) and madrasas (schools). With visa-free access to the country, a wealth of new air and rail links, and a host of reported museums following on the heels of the Bukhara Biennial, now is the time to explore.
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On 26 September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in south-eastern USA, causing devastation across Florida’s Big Bend, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina (including the artistic mountain town of Asheville). Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton followed, impacting Floridian communities such as Fort Myers, Sarasota and St Petersburg. Recovery efforts in the affected regions began immediately and most areas are now welcoming respectful, responsible travellers.
At the time of writing, portions of North Carolina’s iconic Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened, while communities such as Bakersville, a creative hub and gateway to the Appalachian Trail, are ready for business. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s Piedmont region (including museum-rich cities such as Raleigh and Durham) and the barrier islands that decorate the state’s coast were untouched. In East Tennessee, major attractions such as Pigeon Forge’s Dollywood and the historic sites of Chattanooga remain open too.
In the Sunshine State, the Floridian destinations affected are actively welcoming visitors, and businesses are rapidly reopening. This includes Bradenton, with its chalk-white beaches and manatee-rich waters, and the cultural and architectural attractions of Sarasota.
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Chemnitz, one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture, is overdue its time in the sun. Rebuilt under Communist rule (it was named Karl-Marx-Stadt for 37 years), what was once Germany’s wealthiest city has a long history of political and cultural influence, now explored across a wealth of museums and galleries. Take time to ponder its legacy before the call of the Ore Mountains takes hold.
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One of the best-loved books in America’s literary canon, F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby marks its centenary on 10 April 2025, and New York State will be at the heart of the festivities.
The Great Gatsby theatre play is currently glittering on New York City’s Broadway, but the Jazz Age celebrations go beyond the Big Apple. Long Island was a key inspiration for Fitzgerald and the real-life blueprint for the novel’s villages of East and West Egg. Over on the island’s North Shore, an area known as the Gold Coast for its plethora of sumptuous estates, its historic residences (aka ‘the Gatsby Mansions’) will be leaning into the festivities with a host of special events held alongside their usual history-rich tours.
More culture awaits in New York’s far north-west, where Buffalo’s music and arts scene is gaining deserved attention. One 2025 highlight will be the expansion of its Colored Musicians Club, recognised as the oldest continuously run African-American music venue in the US and best known for its jazz performances.
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Stick around in the capital for Kuala Lumpur’s Kreatif KL arts festival, which debuted in late 2024 (Sep–Dec). This attempt to rejuvenate the downtown area showcases a cultural side to the city too often lost amid the urban sprawl.
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Tourism in reopened destinations actively helps their road to recovery. However, pay close attention to road, park and business closures in the affected areas and heed all travel advisories. Resources can be found on visitnc.com, tn.gov and visitflorida.org.
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This year marks the 80th anniversary of Dubrovnik’s Museum of Modern Art, which continues its year-round calendar of exhibitions of contemporary Croatian artists.
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Namibia is a place to stretch your legs, retune your ears and soothe your soul. Among the ochre-and-tan folds of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, for example, there’s ample serenity to be found. It’s so remote that man-made noises are rarely heard. Instead, there’s only a gentle soundscape of breezes and barking geckos.
In June 2024, this section of the Namib Desert became the first wilderness reserve in Africa to be awarded Quiet Park status by Quiet Parks International, which aims to record and preserve the world’s most peaceful environments. To enjoy its dunescapes and starry skies, stay at Wolwedans (wolwedans.com) or Kwessi Dunes (naturalselection.travel), or take a cross-desert hike with Tok Tokkie Trails (toktokkietrails.com).
Elsewhere, the newly redesigned Desert Rhino Camp (wildernessdestinations.com), a rustic-chic solar-powered stay, offers the chance to track black rhinos on foot in the Palmwag Concession with local experts from the Save the Rhino Trust. Look out, too, for a new walking safari base, Onguma Trails Camp (onguma.com), which opens in April on the edge of Etosha, a region full of desert-adapted wildlife.
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The Kwita Izina, a yearly naming ceremony held in Volcanoes NP to honour new gorilla infants, marks its 20th anniversary in September. Grab tickets to see exhibitions, performances and the ceremony itself.
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There is a certain travel snobbery when it comes to Bermuda, which is too often seen as just a place to brush up on your golf swing or lounge on pink-sand beaches. Few realise the depth of history and architecture here. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Bermudian town of St George, one of the first permanent English settlements in the ‘New World’, gained UNESCO status. Founded in 1612, it is the site of a number of historic buildings, including the oldest surviving Anglican church outside the UK. This was rebuilt in stone in the 18th century, though you can still see its original 1660 pulpit. It is just one of 800 heritage properties, many now turned into galleries (Bridge House) or museums (Globe Museum, Verdmont) telling Bermuda’s story.
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Don’t miss Cartagena’s Afro-Caribbean festivals or a guided tour of Aracataca, the birthplace of Márquez, to feel the essence of magical realism firsthand.
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Look out for the Bermuda National Trust’s annual ‘Walkabout’, which opens historical buildings in St George to the public in December.
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A new train journey provides yet another reason to head south in 2025. Bookended by New Orleans (Louisiana) and Mobile (Alabama), the hotly anticipated new Gulf Coast Amtrak route will join up the coastal Mississippi towns of Bay St Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. It’s reportedly due to return this spring, running for the first time in 20 years.
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Osaka is Japan’s hot ticket for 2025, with the arrival of the World Expo (Apr–Oct) offering a glimpse into all our futures. Just as exciting is the reopening of the city’s Museum of Fine Arts in March. Its spring arrival accompanies a slew of new art venues across the country, including Chugoku’s Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art – which raised eyebrows when it spent £1.9 million on a pair of Andy Warhol works – and the promising Naoshima New Museum of Art in the Seto Inland Sea region. You can even combine a visit to the latter with the return of the Setouchi Triennale 2025 (Apr–Nov), a boundary-pushing contemporary arts festival held across 17 islands.
Switching the mood entirely, it’s also the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – two cities that have more to offer than a shared tragic history. Pay your respects but also take time to explore what they gave – and still give – to the world, as well as what they lost. Nagasaki in particular is home to a host of World Heritage sites charting the Meiji Industrial Revolution, a series of 19th-century reforms that propelled Japan onto a world stage it never left.
Our tip
Look out for the Bermuda National Trust’s annual ‘Walkabout’, which opens up a number of historical buildings in St George to the public in December.
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Ever since Saudi reopened to visitors in 2019, much of the focus has been on sites outside Riyadh. Now the spotlight is shining back on the capital just as two big projects come to fruition: the launch of new national airline Riyadh Air and the christening of the first stage of the city’s metro system.
Hopes are also high for the opening of the Red Palace Boutique Hotel, the city’s first historical stay, later this year. This former seat of government has been turned into a 70-room luxury escape with little extravagance spared, and it promises to be a beauty. Though just as eye-catching is Ilmi, the capital’s soon-to-open science and discovery centre, which looks like a giant disco ball dropped into 27,000 sqm of parkland.
While you wait for those two to open, the well-established Riyadh Season (Oct–Mar) has a packed schedule of concerts, sports events and Michelin-starred pop-ups to savour.
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Rio might be known for its carnivals, beaches and football, but this year’s UNESCO World Book Capital has its literary side too. Central to this is the return of the Book Biennial, a huge fair held in RioCentro accompanied by a Ferris wheel in which excerpts of classic novels are boomed into the cabins.
Afterwards, soak up the city’s literary landmarks. Guided tours of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a non-profit founded in 1896 within a replica of Versailles’ Petit Trianon chapel, are a good primer. And don’t miss the Neoclassical National Library – the largest in Latin America – or afternoon tea in the Belle-Epoque Confeitaria Colombo, where novelists and revolutionaries once banded over coffee and brigadeiros.
However, the city’s literary crown jewel is still the Royal Portuguese Reading Room, home to 400,000 manuscripts, folios and books rescued from the Old World. This dazzling 19th-century library of dark wood, stained glass and gilt flourishes is unmissable.
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Tuneful Mississippi has produced some of the world’s music heavyweights, including bluesman BB King and legendary rock-and-roller Elvis Presley. Both would have been celebrating major birthdays in 2025, and the state will be honouring these late, great musicians throughout the year.
Celebrations for Elvis’s 90th will centre on Tupelo, the small, music-soaked town in northeastern Mississippi where Presley was born in 1935. Elvis’s birthplace, a simple shotgun house (a single-storey home with rooms arranged in a straight line) remains open to the public, and will mark the anniversary on January 8 2025 with a presentation and live music. Festivities will continue at the Tupelo Elvis Festival (June 4–8 2025), an annual jamboree featuring concerts and lookalikes. Further west, in the juke-joint-dotted Mississippi Delta, another of the state’s famous sons will be honoured this year. BB King was born in Berclair 100 years ago, on 16 September 1925, and the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in nearby Indianola will be marking the big day with a host of special events.
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It’s party time in Singapore, as National Day (9 August) marks the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. The big event sees parades glide through the Padang area, a park-like expanse wrapped by buildings from the colonial era, many now turned into museums and galleries telling the country’s story. As costumed dancers flit beneath a sky contorted with fireworks, its Neoclassical facades offer a chance to compare how modern Singapore has changed over the last 60 years. The city has reinvented itself through sustainable designs that embrace nature, from the tree-shaped biodomes of Gardens by the Bay to the living buildings that are now everywhere, and architecture-themed tours of the city are a great place to start. The celebrations aren’t confined to August either, with celebrations ranging from Chinese New Year’s Chingay Parade to October’s Food Festival all taking on an extra frisson this year.
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For many travellers, Qatar is seen as a transit hub connecting East and West. But look beyond the airport and you’ll find a destination that, over the last few years in particular, has emerged as a centre for innovative art and design. Capital Doha is continuously expanding its cultural calendar, having recently added the Design Doha Biennale to the list of the world’s must-see art events. It is also readying itself for the upcoming opening of the Qatar Auto Museum, an ambitious project designed by prolific ‘starchitect’ Rem Koolhaas.
This year also sees two oft-overlooked art and design spaces celebrate their fifth and 15th anniversaries respectively: M7, the creative hub within the Msheireb neighbourhood, and the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, set within the architecturally noteworthy Education City. Both have made a big impact on the local art and design scene and are marking the occasion with exhibitions ranging from critical looks at forensic architecture to design-forward shows.
Why Now?
In July 2024, a wildfire ripped through the Alberta town of Jasper, the popular winter sports hub and gateway to Jasper National Park, destroying 30% of its homes and businesses. Six months on, this idyllic mountain bolthole is once again open and welcoming visitors.
The national park’s turquoise lakes, waterfalls and Athabasca Glacier have certainly been missed. Most of it was unaffected by the fires, though parts still remain closed at the time of writing – check the Parks Canada site for updates.
Locals have refused to be cowed by the wildfires, though, and some 90% of the town’s accommodations are now accepting reservations once more. We particularly love the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (fairmont.com), which began accepting guests again in October 2024. Keep an eye on Jasper’s tourism site (jasper.travel/welcome-back) for details of other reopenings, and help support a town that is now back on its feet.
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The 2024 opening on Saadiyat Island of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, which showcases little-seen works from private collections, received far less international attention than its neighbours but is just as exciting.
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By the mid-1970s, large chunks of forest were being destroyed across Costa Rica to create pastureland for cattle. The Osa Peninsula – the last giant tract of primary rainforest in Pacific Central America – was no exception, and some 160 half-built farms (spanning 40,000 hectares) had to be removed to create Corcovado National Park in 1975. Fifty years on, Costa Rica’s eco-revolution is well documented but the jewel in its crown is still arguably Corcovado. Home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, there are no roads into the park; visitors have to arrive by air, boat, on foot or on horseback. What they will find is not just incredible wildlife (jaguars, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws) but an ongoing conservation miracle worth celebrating.
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Chart a course to the south-western town of Lüderitz for the new Namibia Maritime Museum, the largest of its kind in Africa.
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Up north, the opening of the Hokkaido East Trail, between the wetlands of Kushiro and bear-filled forests of the Shiretoko Peninsula, has us reaching for our walking boots. This 410km trek explores Japan’s most rugged wilderness.
Our tip
Ayers Rock Resort runs a series of immersive visitor experiences, from bush walks to dot-painting workshops, that collaborate with Aṉangu artists, musicians and guides. Look out also for its Wintjiri Wiṟu storytelling experience, an evening drone show developed in partnership with the Indigenous community that tells the Mala ancestral story across the night sky.
Our tip
The 2024 opening on Saadiyat Island of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, which showcases little-seen works from private collections, received far less international attention than its neighbours but is just as exciting.
Our tip
The second phase of the restoration of Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi Kingdom on the outskirts of Riyadh, sees a slew of new restaurants and hotels arrive in the Kingdom’s original capital this year. But the star here is Bab Samhan, an eye-catching luxury stay built in traditional Najdi style from bricks of earth.
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The city’s green spirit extends to the food scene, where Senatorių Pasažas, a renovated mansion packed with local producers (and a couple of restaurants that make the most of the produce) is now a staple.
Why Now?
In recent years, Dubrovnik’s citadel has often felt the sheer weight of tourists in the summer. Lessening the load by spreading visitors across the year is one way to reduce the impact, and the city’s cultural calendar is playing its part.
One major highlight for 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, whose spring and winter seasons were created as a counterbalance to the busy summer schedule. Another group marking its anniversary is the 60-year-old Linđo Folklore Ensemble. Catch its regular performances on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Lazareti (May–Oct) as it gears up for its jubilee concert – tentatively set for 21 November in Gospino Polje Sports Hall. By then, the city will still be swaying to the sounds of November’s annual Jazz Outbreak Festival.
Our tip
The grassy Marina Barrage is the best spot to catch the National Day fireworks, though it’s a favourite with locals, so get there early.
Why Now?
On 26 October 1985, the sites of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa were officially handed back by the Australian government to the Aṉangu people, the Traditional Owners of this land, who then leased them to Parks Australia. However, a decade ago, during 2015’s anniversary of the handover, there was still anger that not much had changed for the Aṉangu community and that tourism had done little to benefit them. Today, there is far more positivity in the air as the 40th-anniversary celebrations approach, following greater efforts to put the Aṉangu at the centre of visitor experiences. A new wave of Indigenous-run tours and businesses and the building of a new Cultural Centre in conjunction with the local community are just a handful of examples. Now, 40 years after the handover, travellers can finally experience this sacred site the way its Traditional Owners want them to.
Our tip
Dubrovnik’s Museum of Modern Art celebrates its 80th year with a series of retrospectives, including Croatian artists Josip Škerlj (Mar–May) and Josip Vaništa (Dec–Jan 2026).
Why Now?
With the recent COP29 taking place in Baku and an armada of flights now connecting Azerbaijan to the UK, the country is riding high. It was especially interesting that tourism was added to the COP’s agenda this year for the first time, just as Azerbaijan embraces its own sustainable gifts.
Slow Food is a big deal here, particularly in traditional communities and cultures. Agritourism stays and workshops in the Germanic vineyards of Shamkir, the Udi villages of the north and the apiaries of the Molokan community of Ivanovka offer visitors an entirely different take on the country to that found in Baku. Together with the natural gifts of the Caucasus and Talysh mountain regions, whose remote villages are now welcome pit stops for hikers, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a low-impact escape.
Elsewhere, a burst of hotels and attractions have also arrived in the COP’s wake, with the new Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex in Gobustan drawing the eye in particular for its spectacular muddy eruptions and flaming natural gas fires.
Our tip
In the picturesque pastures above Werfen, 40km south of Salzburg, a new audio tour (SmartGuide app) accompanies hikers on the Sound of Music Trail up to Gschwandtanger, where the film’s iconic ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and picnic scenes were shot.
Our tip
Look out, too, for the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, a historic waterway connecting Buffalo (at Lake Erie) to Albany (on the Hudson River). The canal’s construction drove America’s Industrial Revolution, and celebrations will include waterside concerts and a cross-canal journey on a 19th-century-style vessel.
Our tip
Don’t miss Joya de Cerén, ’Latin America’s Pompeii’. This remarkable pre-Columbian farming village was preserved in volcanic ash from an eruption in 595 AD.
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Slovenia receives scant attention for its amazing small towns. In a year when tiny Nova Gorica becomes one-half of the first cross-border European Capital of Culture, it’s worth considering the country’s other mini gems. Start amid the celebrations of Nova Gorica, a Modernist vision of Yugoslavia created in 1947 when access was cut off to Gorizia (the city with which it shares this year’s title), which had been handed over to Italy. Look out for the opening Capitals of Culture ceremony (8 Feb), held on a town square shared by both cities – amazingly, this was divided by a fence until 2004. From there, drop south to the coastal town of Piran, a terracotta-roofed beauty of Venetian-Gothic design that juts into the Adriatic, or head east for the medieval town of Novo Mesto, which is home to one of the most striking castles in the country, marooned elegantly in the waters of the River Krka. Or time your visit to Ptuj to coincide with the festival of the Kurenti, when shaggy-costumed revellers take to the streets in the days leading up to Easter.
Why Now?
By the 1980s, the mountain gorillas of Central Africa’s Virunga range were nearing extinction, numbering fewer than 250. Since then, efforts to save them have centred on the region’s parks, with fees from gorilla trekking permits helping to finance the conservation work. Central to this has been Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, now home to around 380 gorillas, where jobs and profits from tourism have been channelled into the local communities with positive results (the last poaching incident here was in 2002). Now the park is undergoing a 3,740-hectare expansion, which hopes to support an increase in the local gorilla population of up to 20%. Never has there been a better time for visitors to see the important work being done here firsthand.
Our tip
To arrive in Nova Gorica in style, take the Bohinj Railway south from Jesenice. This meanders down through the Julian Alps and the lush Soča Valley, running alongside a frontier border packed with First World War history.
Why Now?
Germany rarely gets the credit for how fun it is to explore. This is the birthplace of the road trip after all – dating back to when the original ‘Benz motorwagen’ went on tour in 1888. This year, it sees some classic driving routes celebrate big birthdays, offering the perfect excuse to hit the asphalt.
First up is the Romantic Road (75th anniversary), a 460km drive created in 1950 to kick-start Germany’s post-war economy through tourism. Its route sweeps past Baroque palaces, neo-Gothic castles and the vineyards of Würzburg as you cruise between Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Another to look out for is the 600km Fairy Tale Route (50th anniversary), which rises out of Hanau in Hesse, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. As you skip between castles, palaces, and villages of half-timbered houses on the way to Hamburg, it soon becomes apparent how the route got its name.
Our tip
Some attractions are just timeless, and no visit here should ignore the relics of Azerbaijan’s Silk Road era, particularly the caravanserai and dazzling Khan’s winter palace found in Sheki.
Why Now?
Colombia’s cultural spotlight shines brighter than ever in 2025. Netflix’s adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude promises to bring the fictional town of Macondo to life, immersing viewers in the country’s magical realism roots. Meanwhile, rumours of Encanto 2 are sparking excitement for another enchanting vision of Colombia’s vibrant landscapes and traditions.
The country’s hospitality scene is also stepping into the limelight, with the luxurious Four Seasons Cartagena set to open. Nestled in this World Heritage-listed coastal city, the hotel offers a front-row seat to Colombia’s colonial charm and Caribbean rhythms.
Adding to its appeal, Cali recently hosted COP16, highlighting Colombia’s sustainability efforts and biodiversity. Known as one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, it continues to lead the charge in conservation and eco-tourism in the South American region.
From the lush Amazon to the Andean peaks, Colombia’s landscapes are as diverse as its stories; and with new cultural milestones and luxury experiences on the horizon, 2025 is the year to visit.
Our tip
Don’t miss Joya de Cerén, ‘Latin America’s Pompeii’. This remarkable pre-Columbian farming village was preserved in volcanic ash from an eruption at the turn of the 7th century.
Why Now?
To make our journeys greener, we need to look at not just how we travel but also the destinations helping to reduce our impact. Step forward, Vilnius! A recent replanting scheme has turned the Lithuanian capital into, literally, the greenest city in Europe (trees cover 50% of the urban area). So there’s little surprise that it was picked as this year’s European Green Capital. For travellers looking to lower their footprint, the expansion to the city’s cycle network and the incoming fleet of hydrogen-powered buses make a big difference. Meanwhile, even simple things like the abundance of free water refill stations have made wandering the city centre’s blur of Brick Gothic churches and Baroque monasteries even easier. It all helps.
Our tip
Look out for city statues of the great Carioca writers, from poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-87) to Machado de Assis (1839–1908), a mixed-race novelist in a time of slavery who defined early Brazilian literature.
Why Now?
It takes a long time to change perceptions, but El Salvador is making headway. Since 2023, crime rates have plummeted across a tiny nation that was once among the most dangerous in Latin America. Nowhere is this felt more keenly than in the capital San Salvador, where the Historic Centre was once a no-go area. The building of the new Central America Garden, next to the National Palace, is just a small part of the work being done to clean up the inner city and make it safer. And with some $55 million earmarked for future projects in the area, including hotels and restaurants, the good work is set to continue – something that the income from visitors will only help.
Outside the capital, travel is still very affordable here, and there are incredible sites beyond the coast’s busy surfing beaches, from Suchitoto’s colonial streets to Maya pyramids and volcano treks high above the jungle. As the country finally sheds its old reputation, now is the time to go.
Our tip
As one of the pioneers of eco-tourism in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Eco-lodge connects the Golfo Dulce-Pacific Ocean coast to Corcovado NP, maintaining a vital buffer zone for the rainforest. Stays help to support the conservation of the area.
Why Now?
Sometimes a break is a good thing. The delayed return of non-stop flights between London and Kuala Lumpur with British Airways (from 1 April) offers a tantalising prospect: a chance to rediscover a Malaysia beyond the wildlife stars of Sarawak and Sabah.
One exciting option for 2025 is the recent return of Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express, a luxury train from another era that transplants the allure of the golden age of European rail travel to the country’s jungle-fringed beaches and colonial towns. Stops include the rainforests of Taman Negara and the labyrinthine alleys and colonial row houses of George Town’s UNESCO-listed centre, offering a mix of culture and wilderness every bit as jaw-dropping as Borneo.
Our tip
Alberta is among Canada’s largest provinces, so there’s more to explore besides Jasper. Set your sights on the Métis Crossing, an Indigenous cultural centre and lodge whose accommodations now include glamping domes set up for star-gazing. A new spa is in the works too.
Our tip
Alberta is among Canada’s largest provinces, so there’s more to explore besides Jasper. Set your sights on the Métis Crossing, an Indigenous cultural centre and lodge whose accommodations now include glamping domes set up for star-gazing. A new Métis spa is in the works too.
Our tip
Some attractions are timeless, and no visit here should ignore the relics of Azerbaijan’s Silk Road era, particularly the caravanserai and the Khan’s winter palace in Sheki.
Our tip
Head beyond Doha to see Richard Serra’s East-West West-East and Olafur Eliasson’s Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day, spectacular permanent art installations juxtaposed against a wild desert setting.
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Transcript
Select a destination to explore
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Alberta, Canada
Azerbaijan
Bermuda
Colombia
Corcovado NP, Costa Rica
El Salvador
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Germany
Florida, Tennessee & North Carolina
Japan
Malaysia
Mississippi, USA
Namibia
New York State, USA
Qatar
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Rwanda
Salzburg & Vienna, Austria
Singapore
Small-town Slovenia
Uzbekistan
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, NP, Australia
Vilnius, Lithuania
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FULL LIST
Back in 2006, sketches for the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim art museum on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island were first unveiled as part of the emirate’s plan to become the cultural yin to neighbouring Dubai’s flashier yang. A year later, the Zayed National Museum was added to the list of eye-catching buildings that would form the island’s new Cultural District – including the Louvre Abu Dhabi that opened in 2017. Now, after much delay, both will finally open their doors by the end of the year – and we can’t wait. Until then, the emirate’s first Public Art Biennale continues to turn Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into one big gallery, as 70 artists descend on its public spaces (until 30 April), cementing the emirate’s growing reputation as the Gulf’s new cultural pacesetter.
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Abu Dhabi
UAE
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CITY
Because good news travels fast – and we can’t wait to visit again
Why go?
FULL LIST
In July 2024, a devastating wildfire ripped through the Alberta town of Jasper, destroying 30% of its homes and businesses. Six months on, the idyllic mountain bolthole is once again open and welcoming visitors. Jasper is a hub for winter activities, including skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking, and a gateway to Jasper National Park, with its eye-popping turquoise lakes, waterfalls and Athabasca Glacier, a mighty arm of the Columbia Icefield. Some 97% of this sprawling, wildlife-rich National Park was unaffected by the fires, and miles of pristine trails wiggle into its backcountry – check Parks Canada's website for updates. Testament to the resiliency of Jasper locals, around 90% of the town’s accommodations – from luxurious resorts to rustic mountain lodges – are now accepting reservations too. We love the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, which reopened in October 2024. Keep an eye on jasper.travel/welcome-back/ for details.
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Alberta
CANADA
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With the recent COP (Conference of Parties) taking place in Baku and an armada of flights now connecting Azerbaijan to the UK, the country is riding high. It was especially interesting that tourism was added to the COP’s agenda this year for the first time, just as Azerbaijan embraces its own sustainable gifts. Slow Food is a big deal here, particularly among traditional communities and cultures. Agri-tourism stays and workshops in the German vineyards of Shamkir, the Udi villages of the north and the apiaries of the Russian Molokan community of Ivanovka offer visitors an entirely different take on the country to that found in Baku. Together with the natural gifts of the Caucasus and Talysh mountain regions, whose remote villages are now welcome pit stops for hikers, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a low-impact escape. Elsewhere, a burst of hotels and attractions have also arrived in the COP’s wake, with the new Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex in Gobustan drawing the eye in particular for its spectacular muddy burps and natural gas fires.
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Azerbaijan
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Azerbaijan
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FULL LIST
There is a certain travel snobbery when it comes to Bermuda, which is too often seen as just a place to brush up on your golf swing or lounge on pink-sand beaches. Few realise the depth of history and architecture here. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Bermudian town of St George, one of the first permanent English settlements in the ‘New World’, gained UNESCO status. Founded in 1612, it is the site of a number of historic buildings, including the oldest surviving Anglican church outside the UK. This was rebuilt in stone in the 18th century, though you can still see its original pulpit, carved in 1660. It is just one of some 800 heritage properties across the island, many now turned into galleries (Bridge House) and museums (Globe House, Verdmont) telling Bermuda’s little-heard story.
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Bermuda
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Bermuda
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Colombia
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Corcovado
National Park
COSTA RICA
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In recent years, Dubrovnik’s citadel has suffered under the weight of tourists during the summer months. Finding ways to lessen the load by spreading visitors across the year is one way to reduce the impact, and the city’s cultural calendar is playing its part by offering plenty of off-season perks. One major highlight for 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, whose Musical Spring season was created as a counterbalance to the busy summer schedule. It also has concerts across the calendar, with the International Late Summer Music Festival, for example, seeing ensembles and orchestras arrive deep into September, before the annual Jazz Outbreak festival picks up the baton in November.
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Dubrovnik
CROATIA
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Dubrovnik
CROATIA
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FULL LIST
It takes a long time to change perceptions, but El Salvador is making headway. Since 2023, crime rates have plummeted across a tiny nation that was once among the most dangerous in Latin America. Nowhere is this felt more keenly than in the capital San Salvador, whose Historic Centre was once a no-go area. The building of the new Central America Park, outside the National Palace, is just a small part of the work being done to clean up the inner city and make it safer. And with some $55 million earmarked for future projects in the area, including hotels and restaurants, the good work is set to continue – something that the income from visitors will only help. Outside the capital, travel is still very affordable here, and there are incredible sites beyond the coast’s busy surfing beaches, from Suchitoto’s colonial centre to Maya pyramids and volcano treks high above the jungle. As the country finally sheds its old reputation, now is the time to go.
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El Salvador
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Florida, Tennessee & North Carolina
USA
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Germany
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Japan
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Malaysia
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Mississippi
USA
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Namibia
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New York State
USA
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Qatar
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Rio de Janeiro
BRAZIL
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Riyadh
SAUDI ARABIA
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Rwanda
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Salzburg & Vienna
AUSTRIA
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Singapore
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Slovenia
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Uluru
National Park
AUSTRALIA, NT
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Uzbekistan
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Vilnius
LITHUANIA
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FULL LIST
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Alberta, Canada
Azerbaijan
Bermuda
Colombia
Corcovado NP, Costa Rica
El Salvador
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Germany
Florida, Tennessee & North Carolina
Japan
Malaysia
Mississippi, USA
Namibia
New York State, USA
Qatar
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Rwanda
Salzburg & Vienna, Austria
Singapore
Small-town Slovenia
Uzbekistan
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa, NP, Australia
Vilnius, Lithuania
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Our tip
Take your time in Khiva, where a number of listed buildings within the walls of the Itchan Kala inner fortress now incorporate boutique stays. The elegant Orient Star, for example, occupies what used to be the city’s largest madrasa.
Why Now?
Nearly 20 years ago, sketches for the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim art museum on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island were first unveiled as part of the emirate’s plan to become the cultural yin to neighbouring Dubai’s flashier yang. A year later, the Zayed National Museum joined it on the list of eye-catching buildings that would form the island’s new Cultural District – including the Louvre Abu Dhabi that opened in 2017. Now, after a lot of anticipation, both will open their doors by the end of the year – and we can’t wait. Until then, the emirate’s first Public Art Biennale continues to turn Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into one big gallery, as 70 artists descend on its public spaces (until 30 April), cementing the emirate’s growing reputation as the Gulf’s new cultural pacesetter.
Why Now?
It’s been 60 years since filmmakers descended on Austria’s Salzburgerland to shoot The Sound of Music, offering the perfect excuse for some off-season retro set-jetting. The Baroque houses and Gothic churches of Salzburg certainly offer a dream backdrop for tours of its set locations, as you flit between the pristine gardens of Mirabell Palace, the intriguing trick fountains of Hellbrunn and the grounds of Schloss Leopoldskron, which hosts a year-long exhibition on the film (from 6 Feb). Look out, too, for Salzburg State Theatre’s resurrection of the Broadway stage musical (Nov–Dec), while the anniversary day (23 Oct) of the film’s original release is lit up by a gala featuring the Mozarteum Orchestra. The musical theme continues in Vienna with the bicentenary of the birth of Viennese composer Johann Strauss, blitzing the cultural calendar with events such as sunset singalongs in the City Park, a concert in the Central Cemetery, operetta performances and exhibitions on the composer’s life and works (johannstrauss2025.at). And stick around for the big day on 25 October, when a birthday performance of his music takes over the Rathausplatz, just in time for the opening of a new immersive exhibition at the Johann Strauss Museum.
Why Now?
Nearly 140 years after the Trans-Caspian railway reached Uzbekistan, its antiquated Russian-built rail system is slowly being replaced with modern, high-speed links, as memories of 12-hour cross-country commutes fade. The good news is that by September 2025, a route that already takes in Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara will be extended to the walled city of Khiva, a living museum of medieval mosques and labyrinthine mud-walled alleys. It’s an exciting opportunity to explore a city too often skipped over by visitors. En route, be sure to stop in Bukhara, which welcomes Central Asia’s first major international biennial this year (5 Sep–20 Nov). It takes over the city’s newly restored historic centre, as exhibitions make the most of its 19th-century caravanserais (inns) and madrasas (schools). With visa-free access to the country, a wealth of new air and rail links, and a host of reported museums following on the heels of the Bukhara Biennial, now is the time to explore.
Why Now?
On 26 September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in south-eastern USA, causing devastation across Florida’s Big Bend, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina (including the artistic mountain town of Asheville). Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton followed, impacting Floridian communities such as Fort Myers, Sarasota and St Petersburg. Recovery efforts in the affected regions began immediately and most areas are now welcoming respectful, responsible travellers. At the time of writing, portions of North Carolina’s iconic Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened, while communities such as Bakersville, a creative hub and gateway to the Appalachian Trail, are ready for business. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s Piedmont region (including museum-rich cities such as Raleigh and Durham) and the barrier islands that decorate the state’s coast were untouched. In East Tennessee, major attractions such as Pigeon Forge’s Dollywood and the historic sites of Chattanooga remain open too. In the Sunshine State, the Floridian destinations affected are actively welcoming visitors, and businesses are rapidly reopening. This includes Bradenton, with its chalk-white beaches and manatee-rich waters, and the cultural and architectural attractions of Sarasota.
Our tip
Chemnitz, one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture, is overdue its time in the sun. Rebuilt under Communist rule (it was named Karl-Marx-Stadt for 37 years), what was once Germany’s wealthiest city has a long history of political and cultural influence, now explored across a wealth of museums and galleries. Take time to ponder its legacy before the call of the Ore Mountains takes hold.
Why Now?
One of the best-loved books in America’s literary canon, F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby marks its centenary on 10 April 2025, and New York State will be at the heart of the festivities. The Great Gatsby theatre play is currently glittering on New York City’s Broadway, but the Jazz Age celebrations go beyond the Big Apple. Long Island was a key inspiration for Fitzgerald and the real-life blueprint for the novel’s villages of East and West Egg. Over on the island’s North Shore, an area known as the Gold Coast for its plethora of sumptuous estates, its historic residences (aka ‘the Gatsby Mansions’) will be leaning into the festivities with a host of special events held alongside their usual history-rich tours. More culture awaits in New York’s far north-west, where Buffalo’s music and arts scene is gaining deserved attention. One 2025 highlight will be the expansion of its Colored Musicians Club, recognised as the oldest continuously run African-American music venue in the US and best known for its jazz performances.
Our tip
Stick around in the capital for Kuala Lumpur’s Kreatif KL arts festival, which debuted in late 2024 (Sep–Dec). This attempt to rejuvenate the downtown area showcases a cultural side to the city too often lost amid the urban sprawl.
Our tip
Tourism in reopened destinations actively helps their road to recovery. However, pay close attention to road, park and business closures in the affected areas and heed all travel advisories. Resources can be found on visitnc.com, tn.gov and visitflorida.org.
Our tip
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Dubrovnik’s Museum of Modern Art, which continues its year-round calendar of exhibitions of contemporary Croatian artists.
Why Now?
Namibia is a place to stretch your legs, retune your ears and soothe your soul. Among the ochre-and-tan folds of the NamibRand Nature Reserve, for example, there’s ample serenity to be found. It’s so remote that man-made noises are rarely heard. Instead, there’s only a gentle soundscape of breezes and barking geckos. In June 2024, this section of the Namib Desert became the first wilderness reserve in Africa to be awarded Quiet Park status by Quiet Parks International, which aims to record and preserve the world’s most peaceful environments. To enjoy its dunescapes and starry skies, stay at Wolwedans (wolwedans.com) or Kwessi Dunes (naturalselection.travel), or take a cross-desert hike with Tok Tokkie Trails (toktokkietrails.com). Elsewhere, the newly redesigned Desert Rhino Camp (wildernessdestinations.com), a rustic-chic solar-powered stay, offers the chance to track black rhinos on foot in the Palmwag Concession with local experts from the Save the Rhino Trust. Look out, too, for a new walking safari base, Onguma Trails Camp (onguma.com), which opens in April on the edge of Etosha, a region full of desert-adapted wildlife.
Our tip
The Kwita Izina, a yearly naming ceremony held in Volcanoes NP to honour new gorilla infants, marks its 20th anniversary in September. Grab tickets to see exhibitions, performances and the ceremony itself.
Why Now?
There is a certain travel snobbery when it comes to Bermuda, which is too often seen as just a place to brush up on your golf swing or lounge on pink-sand beaches. Few realise the depth of history and architecture here. This year marks the 25th anniversary since the Bermudian town of St George, one of the first permanent English settlements in the ‘New World’, gained UNESCO status. Founded in 1612, it is the site of a number of historic buildings, including the oldest surviving Anglican church outside the UK. This was rebuilt in stone in the 18th century, though you can still see its original 1660 pulpit. It is just one of 800 heritage properties, many now turned into galleries (Bridge House) or museums (Globe Museum, Verdmont) telling Bermuda’s story.
Our tip
Don’t miss Cartagena’s Afro-Caribbean festivals or a guided tour of Aracataca, the birthplace of Márquez, to feel the essence of magical realism firsthand.
Our tip
Look out for the Bermuda National Trust’s annual ‘Walkabout’, which opens historical buildings in St George to the public in December.
Our tip
A new train journey provides yet another reason to head south in 2025. Bookended by New Orleans (Louisiana) and Mobile (Alabama), the hotly anticipated new Gulf Coast Amtrak route will join up the coastal Mississippi towns of Bay St Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. It’s reportedly due to return this spring, running for the first time in 20 years.
Why Now?
Osaka is Japan’s hot ticket for 2025, with the arrival of the World Expo (Apr–Oct) offering a glimpse into all our futures. Just as exciting is the reopening of the city’s Museum of Fine Arts in March. Its spring arrival accompanies a slew of new art venues across the country, including Chugoku’s Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art – which raised eyebrows when it spent £1.9 million on a pair of Andy Warhol works – and the promising Naoshima New Museum of Art in the Seto Inland Sea region. You can even combine a visit to the latter with the return of the Setouchi Triennale 2025 (Apr–Nov), a boundary-pushing contemporary arts festival held across 17 islands. Switching the mood entirely, it’s also the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – two cities that have more to offer than a shared tragic history. Pay your respects but also take time to explore what they gave – and still give – to the world, as well as what they lost. Nagasaki in particular is home to a host of World Heritage sites charting the Meiji Industrial Revolution, a series of 19th-century reforms that propelled Japan onto a world stage it never left.
Our tip
Look out for the Bermuda National Trust’s annual ‘Walkabout’, which opens up a number of historical buildings in St George to the public in December.
Why Now?
Ever since Saudi reopened to visitors in 2019, much of the focus has been on sites outside Riyadh. Now the spotlight is shining back on the capital just as two big projects come to fruition: the launch of new national airline Riyadh Air and the christening of the first stage of the city’s metro system. Hopes are also high for the opening of the Red Palace Boutique Hotel, the city’s first historical stay, later this year. This former seat of government has been turned into a 70-room luxury escape with little extravagance spared, and it promises to be a beauty. Though just as eye-catching is Ilmi, the capital’s soon-to-open science and discovery centre, which looks like a giant disco ball dropped into 27,000 sqm of parkland. While you wait for those two to open, the well-established Riyadh Season (Oct–Mar) has a packed schedule of concerts, sports events and Michelin-starred pop-ups to savour.
Why Now?
Rio might be known for its carnivals, beaches and football, but this year’s UNESCO World Book Capital has its literary side too. Central to this is the return of the Book Biennial, a huge fair held in RioCentro accompanied by a Ferris wheel in which excerpts of classic novels are boomed into the cabins. Afterwards, soak up the city’s literary landmarks. Guided tours of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a non-profit founded in 1896 within a replica of Versailles’ Petit Trianon chapel, are a good primer. And don’t miss the Neoclassical National Library – the largest in Latin America – or afternoon tea in the Belle-Epoque Confeitaria Colombo, where novelists and revolutionaries once banded over coffee and brigadeiros. However, the city’s literary crown jewel is still the Royal Portuguese Reading Room, home to 400,000 manuscripts, folios and books rescued from the Old World. This dazzling 19th-century library of dark wood, stained glass and gilt flourishes is unmissable.
Why Now?
Tuneful Mississippi has produced some of the world’s music heavyweights, including bluesman BB King and legendary rock-and-roller Elvis Presley. Both would have been celebrating major birthdays in 2025, and the state will be honouring these late, great musicians throughout the year. Celebrations for Elvis’s 90th will centre on Tupelo, the small, music-soaked town in northeastern Mississippi where Presley was born in 1935. Elvis’s birthplace, a simple shotgun house (a single-storey home with rooms arranged in a straight line) remains open to the public, and will mark the anniversary on January 8 2025 with a presentation and live music. Festivities will continue at the Tupelo Elvis Festival (June 4–8 2025), an annual jamboree featuring concerts and lookalikes. Further west, in the juke-joint-dotted Mississippi Delta, another of the state’s famous sons will be honoured this year. BB King was born in Berclair 100 years ago, on 16 September 1925, and the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in nearby Indianola will be marking the big day with a host of special events.
Why Now?
It’s party time in Singapore, as National Day (9 August) marks the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. The big event sees parades glide through the Padang area, a park-like expanse wrapped by buildings from the colonial era, many now turned into museums and galleries telling the country’s story. As costumed dancers flit beneath a sky contorted with fireworks, its Neoclassical facades offer a chance to compare how modern Singapore has changed over the last 60 years. The city has reinvented itself through sustainable designs that embrace nature, from the tree-shaped biodomes of Gardens by the Bay to the living buildings that are now everywhere, and architecture-themed tours of the city are a great place to start. The celebrations aren’t confined to August either, with celebrations ranging from Chinese New Year’s Chingay Parade to October’s Food Festival all taking on an extra frisson this year.
Why Now?
For many travellers, Qatar is seen as a transit hub connecting East and West. But look beyond the airport and you’ll find a destination that, over the last few years in particular, has emerged as a centre for innovative art and design. Capital Doha is continuously expanding its cultural calendar, having recently added the Design Doha Biennale to the list of the world’s must-see art events. It is also readying itself for the upcoming opening of the Qatar Auto Museum, an ambitious project designed by prolific ‘starchitect’ Rem Koolhaas. This year also sees two oft-overlooked art and design spaces celebrate their fifth and 15th anniversaries respectively: M7, the creative hub within the Msheireb neighbourhood, and the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, set within the architecturally noteworthy Education City. Both have made a big impact on the local art and design scene and are marking the occasion with exhibitions ranging from critical looks at forensic architecture to design-forward shows.
Why Now?
In July 2024, a wildfire ripped through the Alberta town of Jasper, the popular winter sports hub and gateway to Jasper National Park, destroying 30% of its homes and businesses. Six months on, this idyllic mountain bolthole is once again open and welcoming visitors. The national park’s turquoise lakes, waterfalls and Athabasca Glacier have certainly been missed. Most of it was unaffected by the fires, though parts still remain closed at the time of writing – check the Parks Canada site for updates. Locals have refused to be cowed by the wildfires, though, and some 90% of the town’s accommodations are now accepting reservations once more. We particularly love the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (fairmont.com), which began accepting guests again in October 2024. Keep an eye on Jasper’s tourism site (jasper.travel/welcome-back) for details of other reopenings, and help support a town that is now back on its feet.
Our tip
The 2024 opening on Saadiyat Island of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, which showcases little-seen works from private collections, received far less international attention than its neighbours but is just as exciting.
Why Now?
By the mid-1970s, large chunks of forest were being destroyed across Costa Rica to create pastureland for cattle. The Osa Peninsula – the last giant tract of primary rainforest in Pacific Central America – was no exception, and some 160 half-built farms (spanning 40,000 hectares) had to be removed to create Corcovado National Park in 1975. Fifty years on, Costa Rica’s eco-revolution is well documented but the jewel in its crown is still arguably Corcovado. Home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, there are no roads into the park; visitors have to arrive by air, boat, on foot or on horseback. What they will find is not just incredible wildlife (jaguars, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws) but an ongoing conservation miracle worth celebrating.
Our tip
Chart a course to the south-western town of Lüderitz for the new Namibia Maritime Museum, the largest of its kind in Africa.
Our tip
Up north, the opening of the Hokkaido East Trail, between the wetlands of Kushiro and bear-filled forests of the Shiretoko Peninsula, has us reaching for our walking boots. This 410km trek explores Japan’s most rugged wilderness.
Our tip
Ayers Rock Resort runs a series of immersive visitor experiences, from bush walks to dot-painting workshops, that collaborate with Aṉangu artists, musicians and guides. Look out also for its Wintjiri Wiṟu storytelling experience, an evening drone show developed in partnership with the Indigenous community that tells the Mala ancestral story across the night sky.
Our tip
The 2024 opening on Saadiyat Island of the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, which showcases little-seen works from private collections, received far less international attention than its neighbours but is just as exciting.
Our tip
The second phase of the restoration of Diriyah, the birthplace of the Saudi Kingdom on the outskirts of Riyadh, sees a slew of new restaurants and hotels arrive in the Kingdom’s original capital this year. But the star here is Bab Samhan, an eye-catching luxury stay built in traditional Najdi style from bricks of earth.
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The city’s green spirit extends to the food scene, where Senatorių Pasažas, a renovated mansion packed with local producers (and a couple of restaurants that make the most of the produce) is now a staple.
Why Now?
In recent years, Dubrovnik’s citadel has often felt the sheer weight of tourists in the summer. Lessening the load by spreading visitors across the year is one way to reduce the impact, and the city’s cultural calendar is playing its part. One major highlight for 2025 is the 100th anniversary of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, whose spring and winter seasons were created as a counterbalance to the busy summer schedule. Another group marking its anniversary is the 60-year-old Linđo Folklore Ensemble. Catch its regular performances on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Lazareti (May–Oct) as it gears up for its jubilee concert – tentatively set for 21 November in Gospino Polje Sports Hall. By then, the city will still be swaying to the sounds of November’s annual Jazz Outbreak Festival.
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The grassy Marina Barrage is the best spot to catch the National Day fireworks, though it’s a favourite with locals, so get there early.
Why Now?
On 26 October 1985, the sites of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa were officially handed back by the Australian government to the Aṉangu people, the Traditional Owners of this land, who then leased them to Parks Australia. However, a decade ago, during 2015’s anniversary of the handover, there was still anger that not much had changed for the Aṉangu community and that tourism had done little to benefit them. Today, there is far more positivity in the air as the 40th-anniversary celebrations approach, following greater efforts to put the Aṉangu at the centre of visitor experiences. A new wave of Indigenous-run tours and businesses and the building of a new Cultural Centre in conjunction with the local community are just a handful of examples. Now, 40 years after the handover, travellers can finally experience this sacred site the way its Traditional Owners want them to.
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Dubrovnik’s Museum of Modern Art celebrates its 80th year with a series of retrospectives, including Croatian artists Josip Škerlj (Mar–May) and Josip Vaništa (Dec–Jan 2026).
Why Now?
With the recent COP29 taking place in Baku and an armada of flights now connecting Azerbaijan to the UK, the country is riding high. It was especially interesting that tourism was added to the COP’s agenda this year for the first time, just as Azerbaijan embraces its own sustainable gifts. Slow Food is a big deal here, particularly in traditional communities and cultures. Agritourism stays and workshops in the Germanic vineyards of Shamkir, the Udi villages of the north and the apiaries of the Molokan community of Ivanovka offer visitors an entirely different take on the country to that found in Baku. Together with the natural gifts of the Caucasus and Talysh mountain regions, whose remote villages are now welcome pit stops for hikers, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a low-impact escape. Elsewhere, a burst of hotels and attractions have also arrived in the COP’s wake, with the new Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex in Gobustan drawing the eye in particular for its spectacular muddy eruptions and flaming natural gas fires.
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In the picturesque pastures above Werfen, 40km south of Salzburg, a new audio tour (SmartGuide app) accompanies hikers on the Sound of Music Trail up to Gschwandtanger, where the film’s iconic ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and picnic scenes were shot.
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Look out, too, for the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, a historic waterway connecting Buffalo (at Lake Erie) to Albany (on the Hudson River). The canal’s construction drove America’s Industrial Revolution, and celebrations will include waterside concerts and a cross-canal journey on a 19th-century-style vessel.
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Don’t miss Joya de Cerén, ’Latin America’s Pompeii’. This remarkable pre-Columbian farming village was preserved in volcanic ash from an eruption in 595 AD.
Why Now?
Slovenia receives scant attention for its amazing small towns. In a year when tiny Nova Gorica becomes one-half of the first cross-border European Capital of Culture, it’s worth considering the country’s other mini gems. Start amid the celebrations of Nova Gorica, a Modernist vision of Yugoslavia created in 1947 when access was cut off to Gorizia (the city with which it shares this year’s title), which had been handed over to Italy. Look out for the opening Capitals of Culture ceremony (8 Feb), held on a town square shared by both cities – amazingly, this was divided by a fence until 2004. From there, drop south to the coastal town of Piran, a terracotta-roofed beauty of Venetian-Gothic design that juts into the Adriatic, or head east for the medieval town of Novo Mesto, which is home to one of the most striking castles in the country, marooned elegantly in the waters of the River Krka. Or time your visit to Ptuj to coincide with the festival of the Kurenti, when shaggy-costumed revellers take to the streets in the days leading up to Easter.
Why Now?
By the 1980s, the mountain gorillas of Central Africa’s Virunga range were nearing extinction, numbering fewer than 250. Since then, efforts to save them have centred on the region’s parks, with fees from gorilla trekking permits helping to finance the conservation work. Central to this has been Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, now home to around 380 gorillas, where jobs and profits from tourism have been channelled into the local communities with positive results (the last poaching incident here was in 2002). Now the park is undergoing a 3,740-hectare expansion, which hopes to support an increase in the local gorilla population of up to 20%. Never has there been a better time for visitors to see the important work being done here firsthand.
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To arrive in Nova Gorica in style, take the Bohinj Railway south from Jesenice. This meanders down through the Julian Alps and the lush Soča Valley, running alongside a frontier border packed with First World War history.
Why Now?
Germany rarely gets the credit for how fun it is to explore. This is the birthplace of the road trip after all – dating back to when the original ‘Benz motorwagen’ went on tour in 1888. This year, it sees some classic driving routes celebrate big birthdays, offering the perfect excuse to hit the asphalt. First up is the Romantic Road (75th anniversary), a 460km drive created in 1950 to kick-start Germany’s post-war economy through tourism. Its route sweeps past Baroque palaces, neo-Gothic castles and the vineyards of Würzburg as you cruise between Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Another to look out for is the 600km Fairy Tale Route (50th anniversary), which rises out of Hanau in Hesse, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. As you skip between castles, palaces, and villages of half-timbered houses on the way to Hamburg, it soon becomes apparent how the route got its name.
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Some attractions are just timeless, and no visit here should ignore the relics of Azerbaijan’s Silk Road era, particularly the caravanserai and dazzling Khan’s winter palace found in Sheki.
Why Now?
Colombia’s cultural spotlight shines brighter than ever in 2025. Netflix’s adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude promises to bring the fictional town of Macondo to life, immersing viewers in the country’s magical realism roots. Meanwhile, rumours of Encanto 2 are sparking excitement for another enchanting vision of Colombia’s vibrant landscapes and traditions. The country’s hospitality scene is also stepping into the limelight, with the luxurious Four Seasons Cartagena set to open. Nestled in this World Heritage-listed coastal city, the hotel offers a front-row seat to Colombia’s colonial charm and Caribbean rhythms. Adding to its appeal, Cali recently hosted COP16, highlighting Colombia’s sustainability efforts and biodiversity. Known as one of the world’s most megadiverse countries, it continues to lead the charge in conservation and eco-tourism in the South American region. From the lush Amazon to the Andean peaks, Colombia’s landscapes are as diverse as its stories; and with new cultural milestones and luxury experiences on the horizon, 2025 is the year to visit.
Our tip
Don’t miss Joya de Cerén, ‘Latin America’s Pompeii’. This remarkable pre-Columbian farming village was preserved in volcanic ash from an eruption at the turn of the 7th century.
Why Now?
To make our journeys greener, we need to look at not just how we travel but also the destinations helping to reduce our impact. Step forward, Vilnius! A recent replanting scheme has turned the Lithuanian capital into, literally, the greenest city in Europe (trees cover 50% of the urban area). So there’s little surprise that it was picked as this year’s European Green Capital. For travellers looking to lower their footprint, the expansion to the city’s cycle network and the incoming fleet of hydrogen-powered buses make a big difference. Meanwhile, even simple things like the abundance of free water refill stations have made wandering the city centre’s blur of Brick Gothic churches and Baroque monasteries even easier. It all helps.
Our tip
Look out for city statues of the great Carioca writers, from poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-87) to Machado de Assis (1839–1908), a mixed-race novelist in a time of slavery who defined early Brazilian literature.
Why Now?
It takes a long time to change perceptions, but El Salvador is making headway. Since 2023, crime rates have plummeted across a tiny nation that was once among the most dangerous in Latin America. Nowhere is this felt more keenly than in the capital San Salvador, where the Historic Centre was once a no-go area. The building of the new Central America Garden, next to the National Palace, is just a small part of the work being done to clean up the inner city and make it safer. And with some $55 million earmarked for future projects in the area, including hotels and restaurants, the good work is set to continue – something that the income from visitors will only help. Outside the capital, travel is still very affordable here, and there are incredible sites beyond the coast’s busy surfing beaches, from Suchitoto’s colonial streets to Maya pyramids and volcano treks high above the jungle. As the country finally sheds its old reputation, now is the time to go.
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As one of the pioneers of eco-tourism in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Eco-lodge connects the Golfo Dulce-Pacific Ocean coast to Corcovado NP, maintaining a vital buffer zone for the rainforest. Stays help to support the conservation of the area.
Why Now?
Sometimes a break is a good thing. The delayed return of non-stop flights between London and Kuala Lumpur with British Airways (from 1 April) offers a tantalising prospect: a chance to rediscover a Malaysia beyond the wildlife stars of Sarawak and Sabah. One exciting option for 2025 is the recent return of Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express, a luxury train from another era that transplants the allure of the golden age of European rail travel to the country’s jungle-fringed beaches and colonial towns. Stops include the rainforests of Taman Negara and the labyrinthine alleys and colonial row houses of George Town’s UNESCO-listed centre, offering a mix of culture and wilderness every bit as jaw-dropping as Borneo.
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Alberta is among Canada’s largest provinces, so there’s more to explore besides Jasper. Set your sights on the Métis Crossing, an Indigenous cultural centre and lodge whose accommodations now include glamping domes set up for star-gazing. A new spa is in the works too.
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Alberta is among Canada’s largest provinces, so there’s more to explore besides Jasper. Set your sights on the Métis Crossing, an Indigenous cultural centre and lodge whose accommodations now include glamping domes set up for star-gazing. A new Métis spa is in the works too.
Our tip
Some attractions are timeless, and no visit here should ignore the relics of Azerbaijan’s Silk Road era, particularly the caravanserai and the Khan’s winter palace in Sheki.
Our tip
Head beyond Doha to see Richard Serra’s East-West West-East and Olafur Eliasson’s Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day, spectacular permanent art installations juxtaposed against a wild desert setting.