The International Traveller team's 2025 travel hit list is here!

Get ready to embark on your next great adventure with our ultimate guide to the top destinations to explore this year.

Choosing where to travel can be an overwhelming task, especially with so many phenomenal destinations to consider. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, or stunning natural beauty, the possibilities are endless. Thankfully, the International Traveller team have done some of the hard work for you and rounded up a list of the places we think you should go to next.

From seeing the northern lights in Finland to cruising down the Nile in Eygpt, you’ll find our top picks for 2025 and some insider tips to consider during the planning process. Get packing!

Egypt

Quentin Long, Co-Founder

Egypt is one of the destinations that runs hotter and colder than a feverish child. One minute it’s inundated with the masses all madly ticking bucket lists. Then with a whiff of conflict or unsettled inhabitants of the nebulous “Middle East" (a term that is so imprecise it is almost meaningless), Egypt’s hotels, river cruises and tours empty quicker than a brown fox leaving those with a bit more fortitude and adventure to enjoy it in style, for less and without the maddening crowds.

With the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM to followers) now open the country is in recovery mode. Thus 2025 will be the optimal time to explore the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and the Nile and enjoy the refined, incredible Egyptian hospitality in relative peace, sans the masses.

Tip: Make sure you get an expert tour company with great Egyptologists to make the most of the experience.

A winter road trip in Utah, USA

Katie Carlin, Head of Content

The writer under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah. (Image: Katie Carlin)

Just before the pandemic hit in early 2020, I went on a 10-day road trip of the 45th state that started in Salt Lake City and ended over the border in Las Vegas. It remains one of my all-time favourite trips to date. Winter in Utah is arguably the best time to visit.

Find uncrowded hiking trails, dine in cosy pubs and eateries, toast s’mores by the fire under star-filled night skies, carve it up on some of the best powder in the world, and get your culture fix at Sundance Film Festival (23 January – 2 February, 2025); held annually in January over three locations in various cinemas throughout Park City, Salt Lake City, and Sundance Mountain Resort near Provo. The festival offers a stellar line-up of dramatic and documentary features, short films, series and episodic content, and multimedia installations and performances. There are also panel discussions, filmmaker conversations and live music events to enjoy – plus the odd celebrity sighting. It’s the perfect entrée to what awaits you on the road.

Sri Lanka

Imogen Eveson, Print Editor

And elephant at Gal Oya Lodge — See Elephants in nature at Gal Oya Park. (Image: Elise Hassey)

In November I headed to Bali for Further East, a trade show for the Asia-Pacific region which, for travel editors like me, is an invaluable way to get ahead of the curve. So what did I learn over three days of speed-dating tourism operators from all across Asia-Pacific? For years on the cusp of being ‘the next big thing’, Sri Lanka is ready for its moment in the sun.

Off-limits for 20 years due to the country’s civil war, Sri Lanka’s east coast is opening up for tourism. Be among the first Aussies to explore endless stretches of powdery white sand by checking into barefoot luxury resorts such as Uga Bay and Uga Jungle Beach. Top tip? It makes the perfect winter escape from Australia.

Sri Lanka is also emerging as an alternative safari destination, and those in the know head to hidden-gem national parks such as Gal Oya – home to Asian elephants, shy leopards and more than 150 bird species. A stay on its fringes at Gal Oya Lodge offers a sustainable way to explore the jungle in different ways, from bike rides to sunset cruises and walks with local Vedda people.

Meanwhile, in the Central Highlands, The Pekoe Trail is a newly created long-distance walking trail –Sri Lanka’s first – carving through hilltowns, tea plantations, remote villages and forests in 22 stages over 300 kilometres. Break up the journey with boutique stays in tea country bungalows located near trailheads, such as Teardrop Hotels’ Camellia Hills, Goatfell and Nine Skies.

Botswana

Lauren de Sousa, Art Director

Whether it’s waking up to the sounds of animals racing past your campsite or hearing lions roar in the distance at dawn, there’s no shortage of thrills to get your heart racing and your sense of adventure soaring. On our trip, we witnessed an impala being chased by a pack of African wild dogs, also known as painted wolves, just a few metres from our campsite. On another morning, a curious hyena was licking the dew off our tent while we lay inside. These were just a couple of the many memorable sightings and experiences we came across whilst travelling through Botswana, one of the few African countries to not have fences around their national parks and reserves.

While the African bush can capture your heart and imagination, its culture and people can truly fill your soul. During our trip, we met some incredible individuals—from our knowledgeable tour guides and game rangers to the locals who call these places home. They are some of the most hospitable people I have ever met—individuals who may not have much in terms of material possessions, yet are capable of giving so much in return.

From game driving during the day at your own leisure and exploring the beautiful open plains and landscape to ticking off wildlife sightings and enjoying an African sunset while sitting around the fire enjoying a glass or two of vino, travel doesn’t get much better than this.

Kanazawa, Japan

Rachael Thompson, Evergreen Editor

Japan is a very popular destination at the moment, so if you want to head outside of the major cities, Kanazawa is well worth the visit. It was spared from bombing during the Second World War, so many of its historical buildings and traditional districts remain today, and they’re breathtaking. Must-do activities include visiting Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en Garden, and the Higashi Chaya District.

A lot of people opt to visit Japan during cherry blossom season, but I’d recommend visiting in November when the autumn leaves are at their peak and the city is blanketed in red, orange, and yellow. For a more authentic experience, I’d also recommend staying in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation) such as Kagabi Temari Machiya.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Emily Murphy, Social Media Manager and Writer

Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, is straight out of a fairytale and 2025 is the year to experience its allure. Beyond being the official home of Santa Claus, it’s an Arctic dreamscape where you can chase the northern lights, sleep in glass igloos and wander through snow-laden forests. With 2025 marking the peak of the current solar cycle, the heightened solar activity is expected to deliver the most breathtaking northern lights displays in over a decade.

I’m drawn to its serene wilderness and cultural richness – from reindeer safaris to learning about the Sámi people. Add to that the invigorating tradition of Arctic ice baths, paired with a steamy Finnish sauna, Rovaniemi feels like a place that connects you to something extraordinary.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Wales

Elizabeth Whitehead, Senior Writer

The picturesque Snowdonia National Park. (Image: Getty Images/ Schroptschop)

The UK is one of the most popular outbound destinations for Australians. Scotland and Ireland steal all the glory when it comes to scenery, but I hardly ever hear anyone talk about Wales. Not only does it contain some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain (see: the otherworldly mountainscapes of Snowdonia National Park), but the country has got culture to boot. Not only is it speckled with Middle Age castles, but there are plenty of regions where the Welsh language is still widely used and spoken. Plus, who wouldn’t want to visit a country whose flag has a dragon on it?

Stockholm, Sweden

Taylah Darnell, Editorial Assistant

With neighbours like London and Paris, Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm is often overlooked by tourists. But spending a week in this eclectic city proved to me it deserves a spot up top with some of Europe’s biggest metropoles. The city truly has something for everyone – culture vultures, history buffs, art enthusiasts, fans of fashion and nature lovers are all generously catered for.

One of my favourite parts of Stockholm is its old town, Gamla Stan, on the small island of Stadsholmen in the city’s heart. I truly fell in love with its cobblestoned streets, secret alleyways, colourful 18th-century buildings, medieval cathedrals and quirky boutiques. Plus, it’s home to the best beer and burger combo I’ve ever had (Barrels – I’m looking at you!). Heading out into the Stockholm archipelago is also a must. Made up of over 30,000 islands, it’s the second-largest archipelago in the Baltic Sea. Book a stay at the luxurious Smådalarö Gård Hotell & Spa near Dalarö to live your best Scandi-chic life, even if it’s just for a couple of nights.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Where the International Traveller team think you should travel in 2025