Short-haul travel is wonderful; you won’t hear us saying any differently. Yet there remains something indisputably exotic about journeying far afield — visiting lands wildly different to our own in appearance, atmosphere, climate, culture and geography. For these, truly, are the holidays of our daydreams — the stuff of brochure covers, of jealousy-inducing postcards — and the ones which promise total, thrilling escape. From castaway beach destinations to far-flung wildernesses where tigers tread or jungles give way to jaw-dropping waterfalls, here are some of our suggestions for where to take a trip of a lifetime in 2025.
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1. Australia
Australia has long been the subject of intense demand among Brits craving holidays to Sydney, the Outback and Uluru, or the Great Barrier Reef. Beaches, wine and wildlife from koalas to kangaroos are among the driving forces to visit, as is Qantas’s plans to introduce a non-stop flight from London to Sydney in late 2025. After a £27 million revamp project, the recently reopened Shepparton Art Museum provides yet another reason to visit, to learn about the wealth of indigenous and First Nations artworks, situated in this iconic cultural centre two hours northeast of Melbourne.
Make it happen
Start in Melbourne at the grand old Hotel Windsor. Harry Houdini once stayed here, but it’s so plush you won’t be interested in vanishing acts.
• Best things to do in Melbourne
2. Charleston, South Carolina
Gadsden’s Wharf was once America’s largest slave port. Close to half of all subjugated Africans first entered the US through this dock. It’s a grim statistic, but one that has also motivated a new International African American Museum. Open just across the waterfront, the IAAM promises a comprehensive overview of slavery’s cultural, socio-economic and psychological history, and of its continuing legacy. Designed by the late, great American architect Henry Cobb, the £106 million, nine-gallery museum adds to the lure of Charleston alongside old-world, oh-so-Southern charm, characterful boutique hotels and one of the country’s best food scenes — anchored upon oysters, shrimp, crab, and cornmeal fritters.
Make it happen
Located in a 19th-century enclave, the ten-room, adults-only 86 Cannon supplies free bikes and has a saltwater pool.
• Most beautiful places in America
3. Kenya
Two very different safari options have recently changed the tourist landscape in Kenya. Most notable is the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge: a 20-tent camp which sees the hotel giant enter the African safari segment. But most sustainable, and downright important, is Emboo River Camp, across the Mara. Independently run, this is a beautiful place that screams progress: half of its guides are female, all-electric cars are used, vegetarian food is prioritised, power is solar, and environmental impact is proudly minimal. Marriott might be the headline-grabber, but Emboo should be the benchmark.
Make it happen
Book directly with Emboo River Camp, which also has a natural pool and a hydroponic garden fuelling that food.
4. Senegal
Meet Tui’s newest winter sun option. Senegal is far more accessible thanks to weekly flights from Gatwick to Dakar until late March. There’s much to see in the large West African nation, from sun-baked colonial architecture in Saint-Louis to a solid surfing scene built around solar-powered lodges and safaris in the Niokolo-Koba National Park, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and lions live in forests along the Gambia River. Tui focuses on the coast’s golden-sand beaches by selling trips to Saly and Pointe Sarene, a once-sleepy fishing village where huge hotels are being built, with the option of excursions to Dakar’s markets, bird-rich deltas and the Bandia Wildlife Reserve, where giraffes, rhinos and crocodiles congregate.
Make it happen
The four-star Riu Baobab comes with four huge pools, one of which has a swim-up bar.
5. Guyana
British Airways’ recently launched flights from Gatwick via Aruba have opened up this South American country for Britons. Unsung and underrated, Guyana has English as its official language (and cricket the national sport) as a legacy of colonial days. Highlights include the sandy, 90-mile — yes, 90 miles — Shell Beach; Amazonian tracts where eco-lodges help guests look for jaguars; and Kaieteur Falls, perhaps the world’s most wondrous single-drop waterfall. The capital, Georgetown, is also a riveting mix of Amerindian, Caribbean and Latin cultures.
Make it happen
Arrange a bespoke itinerary of highlights with a country specialist such as Journey Latin America.
journeylatinamerica.com
6. Rodrigues, Mauritius
Lying 350 miles northeast of mainland Mauritius, semi-autonomous Rodrigues is one of the planet’s most isolated inhabited islands. That doesn’t stop it from possessing two rejuvenated luxury hotels — formal Constance Tekoma; barefoot-style C Rodrigues, Mourouk — but it does explain the happy absence of high-rise development, crowds, traffic, hustle and bustle. This despite tens of wonderful, impeccable beaches and one of the Indian Ocean’s biggest lagoons; an aquamarine halo bigger than the land it magically envelops. Whether you visit giant tortoise sanctuaries, go zip-lining or stroll the tiny capital, Port Mathurin, take things slowly as indicated by a 30mph speed limit, there’s no place for rushing in this unsung tropical paradise.
Make it happen
Start at the more affordable C Rodrigues Mourouk, which lies right on one of the best beaches, does great food and offers a pool and regular concerts
7. Nagoya, Japan
On a bullet-train line between Tokyo and Kyoto, the Japanese city of Nagoya is best-known domestically as a manufacturing hub. It’s surprising; come and you’ll find beautiful Buddhist temples and shrines, plenty of green spaces and streets packed with good food — and a dazzling attraction about an hour away. Encompassing five areas themed around Hayao Miyazaki’s most popular films and a Spirited Away-inspired restaurant, Studio Ghibli’s first theme park is open now. Studio Ghibli is the animation studio best known for films including My Neighbor Totoro and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
Make it happen
Behind an unassuming façade, Meiryu has classic ryokan elements: tatami mats, futons, tea sets and shared breakfasts.
• Where and when to see Japan’s cherry blossom
8. Uzbekistan
Samarkand’s golden days came during the Silk Road era, when Genghis Khan was building a mighty empire. Yet the early 21st century is proving similarly prosperous: following the arrival of high-speed trains connecting to two other ancient, bewitching Uzbek centres, Bukhara and Chiva, its green-domed mosques and jewel-jammed mausoleums have been joined by a new luxury complex. Just outside town, Silk Road Samarkand promises upmarket hotels and gastronomy. Getting to Uzbekistan is also easier now that Qatar Airways offers twice-weekly flights from Doha to Tashkent.
Make it happen
In upmarket, traditionally-Uzbek hotel style, family-run Jahongir is five minutes’ walk from focal Registan Square.
• Best things to do in Uzbekistan
9. Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Many of us will insist that any long-haul travel we undertake must do some good to offset our carbon footprint. A contender is the Kisawa Sanctuary: 750 acres of acacia forest, dunes, beach and coral reefs in southeastern Africa. The vision of entrepreneur Nina Flohr — aka Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark — its dozen exquisite bungalows (built using local materials), spa and organic, zero-waste restaurant all help fund a sister marine research facility protecting resident dugongs.
Make it happen
Rooms at Kisawa come with sea or cove views, and guests are treated to a complimentary 60-minute welcome massage on arrival.
10. Maldives
Virgin Atlantic’s seasonal flights to Male have made the Maldives much more accessible for winter sun — and potentially more affordable. Previously, BA has had a bit of a monopoly over the route if you wanted to fly direct. Happily, Virgin’s arrival has coincided with the opening of a number of new resorts. There’s Soneva Secret, the ultra-luxury brand’s fourth property here with just 14 overwater and beach villa on a postage stamp-sized island. Closer to Male, there’s Ifuru Island, which offers not only sunset cruises and snorkelling, but the chance to arrive by skydiving from a plane. Or there’s the intimate, mid-range NH Maldives Kuda Rah Resort, whose 51 villas and suites are close to world-class dive sites.
Make it happen
Blue Bay Travel sells trips to Ifuru Island — and regularly has discounted rates.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in the Maldives
• Best hotels in the Maldives
11. India and Nepal
One of the most irresistible stars of Asia, the jaw-dropping 2024 BBC nature documentary introduced by Sir David Attenborough, is the beautiful red panda. Shy but wholly adorable, this smaller relative of the better-known giant panda was filmed in Nepal’s forested Himalayan foothills. It’s possible to visit that same location — the remote, picturesque Singalila National Park — on a trip that also takes in spectacularly situated guesthouses and, across the border in India, tea-making Darjeeling and its British-style bungalows. If you can stay longer, tack on an extension to Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park, where there’s every chance of seeing another animal featured in that same show: the iconic Bengal tiger.
Make it happen
Departing every March, Naturetrek has a group tour focused on sighting the red panda.
naturetrek.co.uk
• India travel guide
• Best beaches in India
Additional reporting by Qin Xie
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