Frommer's Best Places to Go in 2025

Published on December 3, 2024

Our beloved founder Arthur Frommer, who died Nov. 18, 2024, dedicated a career of nearly 70 years to sharing his love of travel. Arthur's passion for expansion through exploration has inspired millions of people to change their outlooks by simply visiting a new part of the world. 

“If I had never traveled,” Arthur Frommer wrote in 2009, “I would have remained—despite all the reading I could do, all the lectures I could hear—a person who fundamentally was without humility, subconsciously believing in the constant superiority of his own nation or tribe.”

Our global yearning for hope and empathy is perhaps more needed now than ever before in our lifetimes. So, as we do every year, the team of writers and editors at Frommer's came together to decide which outlook-changing destinations to enshrine on our eagerly awaited Best Places to Go list. 

As our selections coalesced, a theme emerged: unity through community. When we see things through the eyes of strangers, as Arthur believed, everything improves, and in 2025, some destinations are shifting into new versions of themselves, eager to be discovered. We see the theme in islands that are finally a possibility for tourism after years of seclusion, in cities that are throwing spectacular bashes for their longstanding culinary and cultural heritage, in countries that are mounting once-in-a-lifetime cross-border celebrations, and even in the commemoration of a cherished novelist who can still enrapture us with her nuanced portraits of the human heart written two centuries ago.

Arthur Frommer knew that travel has the power to enlarge lives. Hope emerges when we open our minds and hearts to other people and other places. Arthur dedicated his life to spreading his belief that every person—regardless of class, background, beliefs, or income level—can know the blessings of personal change through the discovery of others. Our Best Places to Go in 2025 list, which is presented in no particular order, is our promise to Arthur—and to you—that Frommer's will continue to improve our readers’ lives by introducing them to faraway people and places. 

Pictured above: Bolivia

Years of effort have gone into planning Bolivia’s 2025 bicentennial, commemorating the country’s hard-won freedom from Spain. The region of Chuquisaca and the city of Sucre, where independence was declared in 1825, will be at the center of the party. Details are still being ironed out, but monthly celebrations have already begun and will pick up pace throughout the year, with some 200 special events planned for Chuquisaca alone. It all culminates in the actual bicentennial on August 6, 2025. You can expect parades (the Virgin of Guadalupe festival in Sucre is pictured above the intro), live music, dancing, carnivals, fireworks, and much more.

But while you acknowledge Bolivia's history, make sure to take in the country’s considerable natural beauty, too. From the otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flat to mountain lakes in startling shades of emerald (Laguna Verde) and even reddish-pink (Laguna Colorada), Bolivia is full of stunning sights. Just as dizzying as the Andean elevations are wonders such as the lush jungle of Madidi National Park in the upper Amazon river basin, the ghostly stone spires of Valle de la Luna, and, straddling the border with Peru, mighty Lake Titicaca, home of rare wildlife and, it’s believed, the birthplace of the ancient Inca civilization.—Lisa Maloney

Fully 90% of the plants and animals found in Madagascar are found nowhere else. That includes certain baobab tree species, all of the world's 100-plus species of lemur (pictured above), and more than half the world’s chameleons. That natural abundance has long made this island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa a bucket-list mainstay for wildlife enthusiasts

But Madagascar has been a challenge to reach. Now, though, the addition of four new Emirates flights a week from Dubai to Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, has at last made the island more accessible. 

Further attracting visitors are two new eco-lodges: the safari-tented Namoroka Tsingy Camp, located near the six ecosystems and razor-sharp limestone formations of Namoroka National Park; and Voaara, where eight stylish bungalows and a villa are designed to blend harmoniously with their setting amid a coastal jungle. Endless white-sand beaches, more than 40 national parks, and a vibrant multiethnic culture supply even more good reasons to visit.—Veronica Stoddart

Sometimes smaller is better. At 7,827 square miles, Slovenia is roughly the size of Massachusetts, meaning visitors can crisscross the Eastern European country easily. Along the way you'll see Alpine towns and mountain passes, ancient grape-growing regions that are today at the forefront of biodynamic winemaking, half a dozen majestic castles (like Blejski Grad, pictured above), mural-adorned churches, and coastal resorts still bearing the architectural stamp of the once-mighty Republic of Venice. You'll get the sights and tastes that are the hallmarks of the countries that border Slovenia—Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary—only with fewer crowds.

Unless, of course, you go to Nova Gorica and Gorizia in 2025. Crowds will descend on these twin cities for the annual European Capital of Culture fest, one of Europe's most important arts festivals, and a reason to visit on its own. Gorizia is just across the Italian border, so for the first time the event will celebrate European unity and friendship across borders. There will be gastronomic offerings as well as programming dedicated to art, cinema, fashion design, music, photography, and theater. Many of the performances and art installations are expected to take place in the cities' spectacular natural surroundings. —Pauline Frommer

Nashville doesn’t really have “down" time anymore, and 2025 is packing extra heat. First, the Grand Ole Opry (pictured above) turns 100. Throughout the year, the Opry 100 program will honor country music’s longest continuously running radio show with tributes, its first international broadcast (from London), and 100 new artists taking the Opry stage. It will mount more shows over a year—230 and counting—than it has in history, giving more audiences than ever an opportunity to experience this American entertainment landmark.

(Try to go to Opry at the Ryman, in a historic auditorium, instead of trekking to Gaylord Opryland, which offers more of a variety show than concert. The Mother Church was the Opry’s home from 1943 to 1974, and it’s a singular place to see live music.) 

There will also be dozens of special events connected to Nashville's historic Belcourt Theatre, which is also turning 100; the Adventure Science Center, which is turning 80 with STEM-focused fun for kids; and Cheekwood botanic garden and art museum, which is marking 65 years by maxing out its already stellar seasonal calendar. If you've never been to Nashville before, 2025 is a banner year to discover this distinctly American city's cultural staying power. —Ashley Brantley

Ashley Brantley is the author of the Frommer's guide to Nashville and Memphis.

Santorini, the most-visited Greek island, is incredibly beautiful—just ask any of the 3 million-plus tourists who descend on this tiny speck of land every year. The crush can be so intense that last summer, the local government asked its 20,000 permanent residents to stay off the roads to make room for all the visitors (the request did not go over well).

For island hoppers who want to experience Greece without the crowds, Crete, which is roughly twice the size of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, might be the perfect alternative. Sure, some places on the country’s largest island get packed in the height of summer, as you’ll discover when elbowing your way through Knossos, the awesome palace complex that was the center of the island’s Minoan civilization 4,000 years ago. But you’ll also have the roads almost to yourself as you meander through the vineyard-clad countryside that surrounds pretty Archanes village or wander into the mountains to visit the Psychro Cave, where Zeus was said to be born.

The beautiful blue lagoons of Elafonissi, protected as a national park, are among many idyllic spots on the island’s 650-mile-long coastline. Some places in Crete, like Loutro, on the isolated southwest coast, can only be reached by boat. One of the island’s most popular excursions offers the chance to leave civilization behind and get away from it all on a 10-mile trek through the Samaria Gorge, a deep, narrow cleft in the White Mountains.

And here’s something to consider: While most Greek islands close up shop to tourists between October and May, many of Crete’s hotels, restaurants, shops, and sights remain open year-round. Wintertime temps hover in the 50s and 60s F, and there won’t be a tour group in sight as you wander the back lanes of Chania (pictured above) and Rethymnon, the beautiful, character-filled Venetian/Ottoman cities on the north coast, or admire the Minoan jewels and frescoes in the Archeological Museum in Iraklion (Heraklion), the island’s capital. Who knows—you may even have Knossos all to yourself. —Stephen Brewer

Stephen Brewer is the author of the Frommer's guide to Athens and the Greek Islands.

Having entered its 60th year of independence at the end of 2024, Zambia has a lot to celebrate besides that milestone. The southern African nation has long been associated with its most famous site, Victoria Falls, shared with neighboring Zimbabwe. Referred to locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the “Smoke That Thunders” attracts more thrill-seekers than ever, thanks to new adventures from microlighting to abseiling.

But the country merits a deeper dive than a quick trip to that natural wonder.

Over the last decade, Zambia has become a leader in eco-friendly and affordable safaris. Follow in the footsteps of leopards, lions, and Crawshay’s zebras on a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park (pictured above). Get up close and personal—but not too close—with the world’s largest hippo population via a canoe safari on the Luangwa River. Or witness the annual wildebeest migration at Liuwa Plain National Park, which continues to benefit from a 20-year ecological revitalization program.

Culturally, Zambia, one of Africa’s safest countries, stands at the forefront of female-led initiatives on the continent, giving opportunities for women working as safari guides, members of anti-poaching units, and artisans. Visitors can learn more about the country’s history and its 73 ethnic groups at the living cultural villages of Mukuni and Kabwata, at the Livingstone Museum, or during traditional Chakwela Makumbi ceremonies at the start of planting season in October. No matter what you do, be sure to sample the country’s national dish, nshima, a hearty maize porridge served with vegetables, fish, or meat. —Lily Heise

Janeites—that's the longstanding nickname for fans of the queen of English literature, Jane Austen—will flock to western England throughout 2025 to mark the 250th birthday of the celebrated scribe. There's so much going on, an Austen devotee could lose their sense and sensibility: Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Hampshire, where the author lived until her death in 1817, has been a museum since 1949 and will be hosting at least a dozen events every month throughout the year, starting with the Pride & Prejudice Festival in January. The author’s Hampshire birthplace, the tiny village of Steventon, will host a slate of historic exhibits, chamber concerts, and a country fair in the writer’s honor.

Her former hometown of Bath, which has been a staple for visitors to the United Kingdom since Roman times, is also planning three Regency-costumed balls, plus a Jane Austen festival in September. Winchester Cathedral, one of Europe's largest and finest medieval buildings, will join the commemorations too, with a special service, performances, tours, and the unveiling of a Jane Austen statue. And for those who want to go deeply into Austen’s time, the elegant Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel will mount two 6-day, immersive experiences—full Regency costumes supplied. There will also be commemorative walking tours, theater, afternoon teas, and special events throughout both Bath and Hampshire. That's plenty of Persuasion to party with the Janeites in 2025. —Mary Novakovich

Despite Orlando’s reputation for theme parks, it hasn’t seen the opening of a new one since 1999, when Universal Orlando Resort cut the ribbon on Islands of Adventure. In the intervening quarter century, a lot has changed. Starting in May 2025, riding a silver bullet of a multibillion-dollar investment by its parent corporation, Comcast, Universal Orlando will take aim at Orlando’s vacation market with the most lavishly detailed theme park of the modern era, Universal Epic Universe.

Epic Universe, the focus of white-hot global anticipation, is designed to astound with four richly designed lands where every detail is themed, down to the food you'll eat. One land is dedicated to Universal’s classic horror icons including Frankenstein’s Monster and the Werewolf; another contains the spectacular double-track Starfall Racers, which could join Universal’s growing stable of some of the world’s best roller coasters; the third will be another variation on the blockbuster Wizarding World of Harry Potter attractions, including a groundbreaking ride set at the Ministry of Magic; and last is the luridly whimsical Super Nintendo World, a real-life re-creation of the beloved video game franchises including Bowser, Mario, and a certain damsel-detaining, barrel-bowling gorilla. 

Epic Universe and its just-built trio of hotels (the fanciest one overlooks the rides—why don't more theme parks do that?) will also radically expand the brand’s mushrooming footprint of Universal in Orlando. The park's debut adds a second Universal campus four miles south of its original one that itself has two existing theme parks, a water slide park, and eight more hotels, for a new total of nearly 11,000 rooms. Universal’s visitorship is already within striking distance of Disney, your grandma’s favorite theme park brand, which is fighting a tarnishing reputation as a declining value for money. Once the gates open at Epic Universe, the first Orlando theme park designed with modern guests in mind, Universal could very well snatch Disney's crown as America’s favored multiday amusement brand for younger vacationers. Universal has played second banana to Mickey's market dominance for 34 years, but now it’s on like Donkey Kong. —Jason Cochran

The Caribbean island of Barbuda is often overlooked for its sibling, Antigua (together the two make up a single nation). In fact, Barbuda's relative seclusion was a major reason why Princess Diana, on the run from the paparazzi as usual, vacationed on Barbuda with sons William and Harry near the end of her life. She was hoping to get a little privacy. Yes, of course there's paparazzi footage.

Lately, Barbuda has returned to the spotlight, thanks to several high-profile projects that have either been newly finished or are nearing completion. Early 2025 could be travelers' last chance to experience the island's laid-back living before the place enters a whole new chapter.

One factor is the October 2024 opening of the $14 million Barbuda International Airport. At the moment, the new facility is being used primarily by private jets and regional carriers, though the number of airlines serving the airport is expected to increase "significantly" in the next few years, according to Caribbean Journal. (For the time being, the easiest way to reach Barbuda is still the 90-minute ferry ride from Antigua.) 

Chief among the island's new hotel developments is the hotly anticipated, long-in-the-works Nobu Beach Inn, a luxury property backed by Robert De Niro that's expected to open in 2025 on Princess Diana Beach. The island is also getting an 18-hole golf course—despite the concerns of environmentalists worried about nearby coral reefs and other ecosystems—at the recently opened Barbuda Ocean Club. And "for the first time ever, Barbuda will see 23 luxury cruise ship calls bringing 5,039 cruise passengers" this winter, announced the country's tourism minister, Charles Fernandez, at the new airport's opening. 

If all that sounds like too much fancy-schmancy hubbub, take heart. It's still possible—for now at least—for a relaxed visit to Barbuda involving time spent lazing on pink-hued beaches (pictured above), snorkeling in tranquil ocean waters, and watching red-breasted frigate birds nesting in mangroves at the world's largest sanctuary dedicated to the species. 

You won't be hounded by paparazzi just yet, but fair warning: The word is out. —Zac Thompson

This once hard-to-reach Arctic island is becoming more accessible than ever, thanks to the expansion of Nuuk International Airport, which will allow larger aircraft to land in Greenland’s capital for the first time. That means direct flights from Europe and the United States will at last become available. From the New York area, United Airlines leads the way in summer 2025, with two weekly flights that will get Americans to Nuuk in about 4 hours.

What will they find upon landing? About 80% of the world’s biggest island is blanketed by a thick layer of ice, which intrepid travelers can experience while snowmobiling, camping, hiking (pictured above), or heli-skiing, among other adventurous pastimes. Outfitters such as Natural Habitat Adventures lead groups to especially rugged spots you can only reach by helicopter and chartered private boat, while Hurtigruten’s expeditions offshoot, HX, has new cruise itineraries encompassing the towering icebergs of Ilulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The remaining, non-icy fifth of the island features lush meadows, black-sand beaches, and fjords. As surprising as the wild landscape is a culinary scene that includes dishes made with musk ox, reindeer, and a Greenlandic favorite, boiled seal meat. Wildlife you might see off the plate: narwhal, Arctic foxes, and the occasional polar bear.—Sarah Sekula

Bruges is one of Europe's popular cities, but with 8 million visitors pouring in every year, that perfectly preserved time capsule of the Middle Ages is being loved to death. Travelers who want to escape the crowds but soak in the same medieval atmosphere—and savor one of the world’s most important Western art treasures—only need to hop on a train for the half-hour trip to Ghent.

The quays of what was once one of Europe’s busiest ports are still lined with the handsome headquarters of the guilds: associations of grain-weighers, stonemasons, and other tradesmen who helped the city flourish as early as the 13th century. Gothic St. Bavo’s Cathedral rises high above the gabled rooftops and houses the 15th-century Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, better known as the Ghent Altarpiece (pictured above), which recently emerged from a multiyear restoration.

Art lovers who come to Ghent to admire the rich-hued scenes painted by the van Eyck brothers can also glide along the pleasantly uncrowded waterways that lace the city and flow past Gravensteen Castle, the formidable stronghold of the counts of Flanders. Then, for the perfect follow-up, sit down to enjoy waterzooi, a vegetable-and-fish-rich Flemish stew that is said to have originated on the city piers, accompanied by a glass of Gruut or other locally brewed beer. —Stephen Brewer

With the yen weakening to record lows, Japan is rising on many travelers’ lists. And in 2025, much of their talk will be about Osaka, host of the World Expo, an Olympics of culture, technology, art, and craftsmanship that could attract close to 30 million visitors between April and October. The theme for the Expo, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” is broad and timeless, but one that works in concert with another new addition to the city: Grand Green Osaka, a handsome stretch of parkland and mix-use skyscrapers recently opened next to Osaka Station. Pritzker-winning architect and Osaka native Tadao Ando has been funneling his creative powers into the redevelopment—which has already given the area a much-needed facelift and will continue to be iterated upon until 2027.

These are extra incentives to visit a city that too many first-timers whiz through in a few hours. That's a mistake, because Osaka has manifold virtues: It's edgier, trendier, more laid-back, and friendlier than its city peers. Even the local dialect is shorn of platitudes and conversational pretense. Osaka is Japan's soul food capital, a city of kuidaore (eating oneself bankrupt), where casually hopping between bars, okonomiyaki (savory Osaka pancake) joints, kushiage (deep-fried meat-and-veg skewer) restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall takoyaki (battered octopus balls) spots is what locals do on a Saturday night. Some areas, like the warren of alleyways in Tenma, are particularly conducive to wandering—you’ll want to bring a phrase book, a second stomach, and an iron liver.

A bonus trip: Take the 85-minute Shinkansen (bullet train) to Hiroshima, a once-ravaged city that now inspires visitors with its commitment to peace. In 2025, it will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb atrocity on August 6, 1945. —David McElhinney

Tourism is still a new concept in the Marshall Islands. Situated in the central Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia, the chain gets only about 10,000 international visitors a year, making it one of the least visited countries in the world. 

That translates to empty beaches, pristine scuba diving sites, and legendary waves not yet crowded with surfers. The Bikini Atoll, a coral reef notoriously used for nuclear bomb testing in the 1940s and ‘50s, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with conditions considered prime for experienced divers. Though experts say the risks of radiation exposure are low these days, you can still see aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers dotting the ocean floor. 

Learn the art of wave piloting in traditional canoes (pictured above) at Waan Aelõñ in Majel. Go deep-sea fishing for marlin and swordfish. Snorkel among puffer fish and coral reefs. And when offshore winds are just right from October to mid April, surf some of the world’s best breakers at the 45-acre Beran Island Resort. 

Countrywide, residents are noted for being warm and welcoming, English is widely spoken, and the local currency is the U.S. dollar. Be prepared, however, for the occasional loss of internet or electricity, and drink bottled water during your stay. Flights are available from Honolulu.—Sarah Sekula

In 2025, Tucson turns 250 years old, which is one year older than the United States. The city is planning commemorations of all sorts for every month of the year, culminating in a grand pachanga (a party, in the Spanish spoken here) with plenty of dancing to the sounds of traditional Mexican music, on August 23 at the Presidio de San Agustin in the heart of historic downtown. An official calendar has been created to keep track of all the happenings, and more events will be added throughout the year.

A few Tucson celebrations involve another anniversary: A decade ago, Tucson became the first U.S. city to be named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, an honor recognizing the 4,000 years of food culture here (the land was originally settled by farmers known as the O'odham people), and today's rich mix of Mexican and Native American culinary traditions. In September, Sonoran Restaurant Week brings specially priced meals to restaurants across the city; October 3–6 is the 51st Tucson Meet Yourself (pictured above), a festival with dozens of food stands and trucks representing every corner of the world. For a schedule of culinary events throughout 2025—and there’ll be many, including mid-April’s Indigenous-themed Pueblos del Maíz (Peoples of Corn) Festival—visit TucsonFoodie.com for the full rundown. —Gregory McNamee

Gregory McNamee is an author of the Frommer's guide to Arizona and the Grand Canyon.

For cozy mountain charm, it's hard to beat Brixen, the oldest town in the South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost region, where the first language is German and the culture is more Austrian than Mediterranean. With its manageable size, low crowds, and year-round calendar of festivals, including a traditional Christmas market, Brixen is about as far from Rome and its Jubilee Year swarms as you can get and still be in Italy. 

Two rivers rush through the pastel-colored town center, and the Dolomites are close by. Brixen is a snug base for exploring the surrounding mountains, where you’ll find wineries, castles, wineries in castles, lakes, museums, and other Tyrolean attractions. New design hotels, gastro-focused eateries, and independent boutiques ensure that this little mountain town feels just big enough.

Don’t bother renting a car to get here—bikes (pictured above) and public transit are the main forms of transportation in this eco-minded burg. Arrive by train, zip around with a free local transit pass, and refill your water bottle at one of 20 fountains in town. —Elizabeth Heath 

Elizabeth Heath is an author of the Frommer's guide to Italy. 

Sandwiched between Cleveland and Akron in northeastern Ohio, the 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park turns 50 in late 2024 and will celebrate that milestone throughout 2025. Established as a national recreation area in December 1974, Cuyahoga graduated to a national park in 2000—the only national recreation area to make that move so far. 

With its gorgeous waterfalls (like Brandywine Falls, pictured above), thick forests, paddle-friendly Cuyahoga River, historical landmarks, and more than 140 miles of trails, Ohio’s only national park often lands on lists of underrated federal preserves. But word is clearly spreading: The site attracted nearly 3 million visitors in 2023. 

You can hike, bike, kayak, take a scenic train ride, spot 250 bird species, and even visit a farm or winery within park boundaries. All year long, golden anniversary events such as lectures, concerts, and art exhibits will showcase previously untold stories—ranging from the valley’s Native American heritage to the pioneering women who helped shape the region—as well as the ways the landscape has inspired local artists and musicians.—Veronica Stoddart

Grand Cayman, a popular stop for day-trippers on multinight Caribbean cruises, is giving travelers more reasons to linger longer. The largest of the three Cayman Islands is experiencing a hotel boom, benefiting anybody looking to anchor a vacation along Seven Mile Beach, a stretch of white sand widely heralded as one of the world’s best beaches. Following the recent opening of Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, the island is getting its first Grand Hyatt in 2025 as well as Kailani, a Curio Collection by Hilton property geared toward wellness seekers and business travelers alike. 

With nonstop flights from U.S. cities to Grand Cayman increasing in recent years, the island has become more accessible, too. Those who venture beyond beachfront cabanas can swim with stingrays at Stingray City (pictured above), snorkel among sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Centre, explore the Cayman Crystal Caves, and dine at some of the 300 restaurants that have earned the Cayman Islands the nickname of “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.”—Erica Bray

If your idea of the Australian island of Tasmania (lutruwita in the local Aboriginal language) involves exiled convicts or an antic Looney Tunes character, your preconceptions are way overdue for an update. Hobart, the island’s capital, will catch you up to speed. Take the ferry to reach the edgy, subterranean Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), which displays several centuries’ worth of subversive works; visit during the museum’s Dark Mofo festival in June for a full slate of music and arts events as well as rituals and general debauchery. 

Stay at renowned hotel The Tasman to be within strolling distance of the city’s harbor and its fish-and-chip restaurants and Maritime Museum chronicling Hobart’s deep connection to seafaring and Antarctic exploration. Also close by is the weekly Salamanca Market, where you can sample Tasmanian gin, vodka, whiskey, cheese, chocolate, and ice cream. 

To see some of the region’s wildlife, such as wombats (pictured above), quolls, roos, and, yes, Tassie devils, head to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Continue on to Risdon Cove for a Palawa Kipli tour on sustainable bush tucker and herbal medicine led by Indigenous guides. —James Bartlett

Mumbai isn’t just an entry point for those heading further afield in India. Once known as Bombay, it's a modern, buzzing metropolis with something for every traveler, whether it’s the stunning architecture (it has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings beyond Miami), its vibrant music scene, or its cocktail scene, championed by bartenders who pay homage to local ingredients such as Nepalese pine leaf (as seen at Ekaa, in the hip Fort area).

Mumbai’s nightlife is legendary, and recently a new/retro type of hangout popped up: vinyl listening lounges, where music fans gather around turntables to listen to their favorite artists. And then there are the big hitters—places such as the towering Gateway of India (pictured above), built in 1911 to commemorate King George V’s visit to the city; the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (almost 1,500 trains pass through this station, built in 1887, every day); and the Elephanta Caves, a cluster of cavern temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. You’ll find them on Elephanta Island, and it takes less than an hour to get there on the ferries that chug from the jetty beside the Gateway of India.

Finally, Mumbai is also getting much easier to explore. The underground Metro 3 line, which will connect Colaba, Bandra, and SEEPZ, will be fully operational by early 2025, and in early 2024, the 14-mile Mumbai Trans Harbour Link sea bridge opened, slashing journey times between Mumbai and the airport. We reckon 2025 is Mumbai’s time to shine. —Tamara Hinson

After decades of gang violence, crime has dropped dramatically in El Salvador due to the small Central American country’s wildly popular, autocracy-friendly president, Nayib Bukele, the self-billed “world’s coolest dictator.” In exchange for finally feeling safe enough to stroll the streets at night, law-abiding citizens are evidently willing to support a regime that has suspended civil liberties and locked up multitudes of suspects without due process. 

Course, El Salvador isn’t the only American country with a government putting the rule of law through the wringer in 2025 (ahem). "I always feel depressed when I go into a country under dictatorial rule," our founder, Arthur Frommer, once wrote. But the complicated outcome of El Salvador's power shift has been a precipitous drop in homicides, and for the first time in many years El Salvador has opened a door to tourism. Now there are previously inadvisable ways to experience the country's considerable natural, cultural, and culinary charms. 

Go on the challenging hike to the top of the Santa Ana (aka Ilamatepec) Volcano, where a turquoise-green pool sits in a crater of black rock. Spend a beach day in the bohemian surf town of El Tunco, taking breaks from the breakers to eat your way through a warren of seaside shops selling fresh seafood and pupusas made by hand. And in the Centro Histórico of capital city San Salvador, learn about the country’s history and appreciate its most impressive architecture at sites such as the National Palace, Metropolitan Cathedral, and El Rosario Church, a concrete barrel of a building with a rainbow’s worth of stained glass windows along an arched roof that creates a dazzling display of color and natural light inside. But, as Arthur Frommer once wrote about visiting countries under authoritarian regimes, "do so as an intelligent observer and not as an innocent dupe." —Zac Thompson

The long-simmering issue of overtourism boiled over in parts of Europe last summer. The problem is complex, unevenly distributed, and often exacerbated by discontent with local infrastructure. Yet those of us tied to school vacations—we who would love to visit in the off-season but cannot—are still able to find appealing alternatives to the tourism headliners. 

Valencia, Spain, has a similar city-by-the-sea vibe as Barcelona, 3 hours away by train, but with fewer crowds. It’s also the birthplace of paella. To dodge the masses in Greece’s Cyclades, look beyond Santorini and Mykonos to Tinos, Crete (see above), or Milos for your Aegean dream without an influencer in sight. Small Northern and Central European cities, from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Lübeck and Regensburg, Germany, and Kutná Hora, Czechia (pictured above), deserve attention as much as their more famous neighbors.

Issues around overcrowding even sparked debate in Japan. The solution there? Head north from Tokyo instead of west. The blossoms arrive later, but just as spectacularly in Tōhoku, from Fukushima Prefecture all the way to Aomori. You don't always have to travel far to escape the crowds. Often it's just a case of choosing the next town over. The locals will thank for you for it. —Donald Strachan