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How do I sum up my travels in 2025? Enjoyable, intense, and punctiliously deliberate, with an eye fixed towards more and more intense adventures sooner or later.
This 12 months, I’ve been feeling extra of an urge to go to new locations, and particularly new international locations. However I’ve additionally been drawn towards extra intense and adventurous journeys. Madagascar was precisely what I wanted — a tough and wild journey stuffed with surprises. I would like extra of that!
In 2025, I visited seven new international locations — Mauritius, Madagascar, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Dominica. That takes me to 96. My purpose of 100 is in hanging distance!
(And don’t neglect to take a look at my best travel moments of 2025 and my worst travel moments of 2025! These two are must-reads!)
So what made the record of my favourite new locations of 2025?
In 2012, I selected locations like Iceland, Montenegro, and South Africa.
In 2013, I selected locations like Japan, Berlin, and the Scottish Highlands.
In 2014, I selected locations like Sri Lanka, New Orleans, and Skellig Michael, Eire.
In 2015, I selected locations like Nicaragua, Albania, and Chicago.
In 2016, I selected locations like Puerto Rico, Alsace, and Western Australia.
In 2017, I selected locations like Ukraine, the Florida Keys, and St. Petersburg, Russia.
In 2018, I selected locations like Antarctica, Hokkaido, and St. Croix.
In 2019, I selected locations like Newfoundland, Georgia, and Lake Orta, Italy.
In 2020, I selected locations like Mexico Metropolis; Viñales, Cuba; and Vis, Croatia.
In 2021, I selected locations just like the Aeolian Islands, the Berkshires, and Valle d’Aosta, Italy.
In 2022, I selected locations like Naples, Martha’s Winery, and Guanajuato, Mexico.
In 2023, I selected locations like Ischia, Patagonia, and Perast, Montenegro.
In 2024, I selected locations like Bhutan, the Basque Nation, and the San Blas Islands, Panama.
As regular, I’m solely together with locations that I visited for the primary time in 2025 — in order that excludes locations that I’ve visited earlier than, together with Kraków, New Orleans, and in every single place I visited in Mexico this 12 months.
One exception: the Second Time Round award.
Madagascar
Going into 2025, I knew Madagascar could be essentially the most intense, uncommon, and visually beautiful vacation spot of the 12 months. And it delivered in nearly each path doable.
Extra lovely than anticipated. Extra hardcore than anticipated. Extra irritating than anticipated. Extra shocking than anticipated.
Madagascar shouldn’t be for many vacationers. It’s tough and complex and the journey infrastructure is restricted. The roads? Wild. The plumbing? Fairly often nonexistent.
However should you’ve been craving a REAL journey, and also you’ve felt such as you’ve been taking part in it protected too typically in your travels currently — Madagascar is the place for you.
Think about climbing throughout the roof of a rock forest, clipping your self out and in. Think about getting up near lemurs and swimming with big turtles. Think about visiting tiny villages, chatting with locals and children holding your arms wherever you go. Think about watching a sundown over baobab bushes. Think about visiting a rustic almost proof against overtourism.
As a result of Madagascar is a tough place to journey, I all the time knew I might not do it not solo, however as a gaggle journey. I joined the Rock My Adventure Madagascar trip and WHAT A GREAT DECISION THAT WAS! An extremely enjoyable journey with a lot journey, good locations to remain, and the whole lot organized so I wouldn’t need to cope with all of the malarky.
(Nicely. There was a little bit of malarky. We received caught up in unrest within the capital, received teargassed, have been caught ready for days because the airport was principally shut down. Shortly after all of us left, the protests culminated in a army coup. Sure. Significantly. And the journey was nonetheless MASSIVELY price it.)
Visiting Madagascar felt like I used to be a younger backpacker once more. It was so good to expertise this new nation, but in addition join with my previous self on the similar time.
The subsequent Rock My Adventure Madagascar trip is in October 2026. You may get $100 off any Rock My Journey journey with the code KATE100.
The best way to get to Madagascar: Your solely possibility is to fly in; there aren’t any worldwide ferries. Air France has common connections to Antananarivo from Paris. You can even fly into Antananarivo from Réunion on Air Austral (which I did) or Mauritius on Air Mauritius, and there are just a few different connections inside Africa. Ethiopian Airways appeared to be the one airline working reliably when the whole lot was getting shut down throughout the protests.
There’s an airline referred to as Neos that has numerous random connections from Nosy Be to European cities like Milan, Verona, and apparently subsequent 12 months, PRAGUE. (Man, might I’ve used that this 12 months!!)
Finest Factor to Do in Madagascar: The most important journey of the journey was the three-day boat journey down the Tsiribihina River, only a tough and wild journey that was so off the overwhelmed path and received us up near rural life in Madagascar. However I’ll shortly notice that’s not everybody’s cup of tea, so my second advice is climbing the Grand Tsingy, which is dramatic and delightful and actually leaves you feeling achieved.
The place to Keep in Madagascar: We stayed at nice motels all through the journey, and I particularly advocate Maison Ylang Dive Center in Nosy Be (excellent end-of-trip splurge with SUPER good rooms, nice employees and meals, candy canines who stay on the resort, AC), Soleil des Tsingy (unimaginable infinity pool which is JUST PERFECT after a hike on this super-hot area), and Chez Maggie in Morondava (so welcoming with nice meals, good rooms with doorways that separate two beds, and AC).
Crete
It took me 40 years to make it to Crete, and wow, was it ever well worth the wait. That is one in every of my favourite new islands on the planet, and this journey kick-started my new love affair with Greece. I already appreciated Greece, however now I wish to go EVERYWHERE in Greece!
Lots of people plan Crete as a part of an island-hopping itinerary in Greece, particularly in the event that they’re coming from abroad. However belief me — Crete is THE vacation spot, Crete has EVERYTHING, and you may spend your complete journey in Crete and be happy.
As a result of sure, Crete has plentiful seashores, GORGEOUS seashores. And there are forests within the inside. Chania is a superb metropolis the place you could possibly simply keep every week or longer. You may hike one of many many gorges. And there’s SO a lot implausible meals; many Greeks suppose Cretan meals is the very best in Greece!
However what I keep in mind most is how extremely pleasant the individuals in Crete have been — so gregarious and energetic. After each tour or exercise, it felt like we and our guides parted as mates. And talking of excursions, I used to be so impressed with the top quality of each single tour we did. They actually have it found out in Crete.
Truthfully, Charlie and I liked Crete a lot, we began planning our subsequent journey earlier than we even left.
The best way to get to Crete: You may simply fly into Crete’s airports of Chania within the west and Heraklion within the east, and each have connections all through Europe. Crete can also be well-connected by ferries (although Athens is a protracted 8-10 hour ferry journey). In case you’re visiting each Santorini and Crete in the identical journey, it is sensible to take the ferry between them (2-4 hours).
Neatest thing to do in Crete: Oh, it’s so exhausting to slim it down to 1 factor as a result of I liked it ALL!! However I actually liked our cooking class in the mountains near Chania. A extremely enjoyable night with the nicest, most welcoming individuals; the vacation spot was downright idyllic; and we discovered to make so many scrumptious dishes.
The place to remain in Crete: We stayed in nicer locations than we normally do on this journey. Nival Luxury Suites is completely situated within the coronary heart of Chania city and has tremendous good rooms with little kitchenettes; ours had an enormous terrace, too! Minos Beach Art Hotel in Agios Nikolaos is among the nicest seashore resorts I’ve ever stayed in. It was so luxe, the property was attractive, and the breakfast buffet was the most effective I’ve ever seen anyplace.
The Grenadines
My new favourite Caribbean nation is St. Vincent and the Grenadines — but it surely’s the Grenadines specifically that stole my coronary heart! I selected our Star Clippers cruise for its in depth itinerary via the Grenadines, and on our journey I used to be fortunate sufficient to go to Union Island, Tobago Cays (Mayreau and Petit Rameau), and Bequia.
THESE ISLANDS are the Caribbean that you simply dream of. None of them have any huge resorts or vacationer crowds. Simply quiet seashores with just a few little shacks the place locals dish out rum punch or freshly grilled fish.
Is there a lot to do right here? No. However that’s the purpose. Come right here on a catamaran for the day (as so many individuals do), or keep for just a few nights and benefit from the peace and quiet.
That’s all you want.
The best way to get to the Grenadines: There are flights to Kingstown, St. Vincent, and from there you’ll be able to hop on the ferries between the Grenadines. You can even ferry-hop from Grenada to Carriacou, then onward to the Grenadines. Among the islands have tiny airports.
Neatest thing to do within the Grenadines: Spend a day at Princess Margaret Seaside in Bequia. Swim within the water, admire the picket structure, relaxation within the shade beneath the bushes, and drink super-strong $5 rum punches.
Finest place to remain within the Grenadines: Truthfully, I couldn’t let you know, as we got here right here on our Star Clippers cruise. However after spending time within the archipelago, I might most prefer to spend just a few nights on the island of Bequia. And I might SO love to go to the island of Mustique, too!
Curaçao
There are such a lot of islands within the Caribbean — however just a few occur to march to my beat completely. Curaçao, a rustic throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is a kind of islands — and I’m so glad that we selected to begin our huge four-week Caribbean journey right here.
I really feel like Curaçao is the right measurement — the drive from the capital of Willemstad to the seashores of Westpunt is about an hour — and it’s not overdeveloped. Lots of Caribbean islands are lined with resort after resort, however Curaçao seems like individuals truly stay right here. You may truly get to seashores simply, and lounge chairs are inexpensive.
I’m positive a giant a part of that is that Curaçao has primarily catered to European vacationers for many years, whereas the resort-filled Aruba has primarily catered to American vacationers. However locals are saying issues are altering, and Curaçao is attracting extra People currently.
On high of that, Willemstad is a shocking metropolis, stuffed with brightly coloured Dutch-style buildings, and the seashores are house to a few of the brightest blue water I’ve ever seen. This island is completely lovely, and it’s unattainable to not get good images right here!
In case you’re searching for a pleasant Caribbean island to go to for every week or so, the place you’ll be able to see quite a bit however gained’t really feel like it is advisable rush round to see the whole lot, Curaçao is a superb selection.
The best way to get to Curaçao: Your solely possibility is to fly in, as there aren’t any ferries. You will discover direct flights from a handful of North American cities, together with Miami, New York, Chicago, and Toronto; from Amsterdam and Brussels in Europe; and from just a few different locations within the Caribbean, South America, and Central America.
Neatest thing to do in Curaçao: Lease a automotive and spend a day exploring the seashores round Westpunt, the western space of the island. Playa Lagun and Grote Knip are two good ones. Take within the view from the bar above Playa Laguna, and swim within the brilliant turquoise waters wherever you go.
The place to remain in Curaçao: I stayed at Atelier Skalo in Willemstad, which was an ideal slot in each means apart from one: there was no sizzling water. The water maxed out at lukewarm, which is nice if you’re sizzling and sweaty however not good in any other case. However the rooms have been good, the situation was excellent (brief stroll from the middle of city), the employees have been good, and and there was free parking.
Réunion Island
The one vacation spot that stunned me essentially the most and delivered thus far past my expectations was Réunion Island! This small island within the Indian Ocean is technically a part of France, and it’s in contrast to anyplace I’ve ever been.
This island has insane geography — volcanoes, seashores with glowing sand, sharp cliffs with crashing waves, multi-tier waterfalls, tiny hamlets surrounded by jagged mountains. Every thing was so inexperienced, so clear, so superb. And since it’s France, you may have boulangeries with contemporary croissants, flowers blooming in every single place, and produce circumstances stuffed with wine within the supermarkets.
One other spotlight? The driving. I’m a little bit of a nervous driver ordinarily, particularly with regards to driving in utterly new elements of the world, however there was nothing to concern. The driving was BUTTERY SMOOTH. The highways have been in immaculate situation.
I used to be simply head over heels in love with the whole lot I used to be seeing on this island. And I solely had two actual days to discover!! I really want to return and do the island correctly.
The best way to get to Réunion Island: You’ll must fly in, as there aren’t any ferries right here. You may fly from CDG or Orly in Paris on Air France or Air Austral, or you’ll be able to fly direct from Mauritius, Antananarivo, Nosy Be (I flew between Réunion and all three of these, LOL), and another locations overseas.
Neatest thing to do in Réunion: Go to Cilaos. I completely liked my go to to this village deep within the mountains, so attractive and remoted. You would drive there your self; I selected to rent a driver as a result of I used to be nervous concerning the slim, switchback-filled mountain roads. I employed a beautiful French-speaking driver named Anthony via La Conciergerie de la Réunion, which gave me the very best worth (300 EUR, a particular September price marked down price from their regular 350 EUR; most different firms quoted me 500 EUR or extra).
The place to remain in Réunion: I stayed at Le Tournesol in St. Gilles and didn’t find it irresistible. Whereas it was a easy house in a fairly first rate location, it was tough to search out, the important thing saved sticking, and the host despatched all the house info by way of Reserving.com messages, which made it a problem to search out any info. If I had the funds, I might have stayed on the LUX* St. Gilles, the nicest resort on the island. However subsequent time I’d prefer to spend just a few nights in Cilaos and some nights elsewhere.
Excessive Tatras, Slovakia
For my forty first birthday this 12 months, I needed one thing totally different than my huge get together in Croatia the 12 months earlier than. One thing quiet, in nature, accessible by practice, with a GREAT resort. And so I selected the Excessive Tatras of Slovakia — one of the vital beautiful locations in Central Europe!
Only a few days of climbing and spa time — and it was excellent. This area is completely beautiful. We stayed within the city of Štrbske Pleso, which is called for its lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains and has a beautiful strolling path round it that I loved day-after-day.
So far as the hikes went, you need to know that hikes in Central Europe are typically graded a bit simpler than they’d be within the US. That stated, there actually are hikes for each stage right here, and the mountain surroundings is simply beautiful. The mountains listed below are craggy and lined with pine forests.
This was the right place for an escape from the town for just a few days, and I hope I get to return right here quickly!
The best way to get to the Excessive Tatras: The Excessive Tatras are fairly simple to get to by practice or bus from Prague, Kraków, and even Budapest. Poprad is the principle “metropolis” on a serious practice line, and there are smaller trains that criss-cross the area. We took the practice from Prague, which took about seven hours.
Neatest thing to do within the Excessive Tatras: Spend your morning climbing the path of your selection, seize lunch at a hut, and spend the afternoon stress-free within the spa on the Grand Kempinski Excessive Tatras as you watch all of the hikers circle the lake.
The place to remain within the Excessive Tatras: If in case you have the funds, the Grand Kempinski High Tatras is THE greatest place to remain on this space! A extremely lovely place to splurge, and also you get entry to the spa day-after-day. If it’s out of your worth vary, at the least do a day go to to the spa.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia has lengthy been the Caribbean island I’ve needed to go to essentially the most — and I’m joyful to say that it paid off! I solely visited St. Lucia on a single day on my Star Clippers cruise, however I’m so wanting to return and see extra of the island.
The Pitons, the 2 conical inexperienced mountains within the south of the island, are the image of St. Lucia. And so they made an unimaginable backdrop for the Royal Clipper, its sails unfurled at golden hour.
Charlie and I booked an tour that took us from Marigot Bay to Soufrière, displaying off the plush inexperienced hillsides and the well-kept houses that make up St. Lucia.
We visited the botanical gardens of St. Lucia and discovered about all types of pure cures (which we totally intend on attempting out once we get house, together with mixing nutmeg and vinegar to sooth sore muscle groups, and letting cloves dissolve in your mouth to stop diabetes).
However greater than something, I loved staring on the Pitons. I would like to return again to this island and stare at them some extra.
The best way to get to St. Lucia: St. Lucia is healthier linked by air than I believed! They’ve direct flights from a number of North American cities, together with New York, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta, and my hometown of Boston, in addition to London.
Neatest thing to do in St. Lucia: Simply get your self someplace with a view of the Pitons and benefit from the view, whether or not that’s on the sand, on the water, in a luxurious resort — anyplace! Oh, and I loved the botanical gardens, too!
The place to remain in St. Lucia: The primary resort the place I wish to keep sometime is Jade Mountain, essentially the most luxurious resort on St. Lucia, the place all suites have three partitions and an open view of the Pitons, in addition to non-public plunge swimming pools and jacuzzis. SOMEDAY I’ll keep there!
Langhe, Italy
Piemonte is a area of Italy that I’ve visited twice and love — however till this 12 months, I had by no means visited the Langhe. The wealthy wine-growing area within the south of Piemonte is house to Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d’Alba. And an autumn weekend was the right introduction.
Imaging little hill cities perched on infinite hills lined with vineyards. Excellent eating places cooking up elevated variations of hyper-local delicacies. Even the cities, like Asti and Alessandria, have quite a bit to supply. After all, the wines are excellent. And should you go to in October, you may get white truffles shaved on absolutely anything.
However what I actually loved was that the Langhe felt like an grownup getaway. Maybe most wine areas are. However whereas typically it looks as if youngsters are completely in every single place in Italy, that is one area that feels extra like an grownup playground. A REFINED grownup playground.
My solely criticism — the meals received a bit repetitive at occasions. And nonetheless don’t get why the Piemontese insist on serving super-thin tajarin pasta with meat sauce. You want a thick noodle to carry the meat!
The best way to get to the Langhe: You may fly into Torino or Milan Malpensa, lease a automotive, and discover the panorama. There are additionally numerous trains criss-crossing the area, and I believe the town of Asti would make a pleasant base.
Neatest thing to do within the Langhe: My favourite factor was a wine and chocolate pairing experience that we did at Costa di Bussia vineyard close to Monforte d’Alba. This wasn’t merely, “This wine is nice with white, this one is nice with darkish” — each chocolate was painstakingly chosen and paired GORGEOUSLY. Extremely advocate it.
The place to remain within the Langhe: We loved our keep within the tiny city of Monforte d’Alba, apart from one factor — neither wifi nor cellphone sign labored, due to the thick stone partitions! A pleasant spot, however greatest should you don’t should be linked.
The Second Time Round Award: Warsaw
I all the time like to provide my second time round award to a spot that I didn’t actually vibe with on my first go to, however had a greater time on the second go to. This 12 months, that vacation spot is Warsaw!
I solely visited Warsaw for an in a single day again in 2016 — and because it got here proper after magical Kraków, it suffered by comparability. This time, I got here for the Kendrick Lamar and SZA live performance and stayed just a few days.
Since I used to be in the midst of 75 Arduous and needed to do at the least one 45-minute out of doors stroll per day, I ended up taking a number of lengthy walks round totally different areas of the town, giving me views I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Warsaw is an rising metropolis that’s altering on the velocity of sunshine. (Usually not for the higher. I’m listening to housing prices are massively rising, whereas wages are extra stagnant. Which is the case in lots of locations.) Elements of the town jogged my memory of Buenos Aires or Mexico, with the high-rises in opposition to the inexperienced parks.
And the meals was actually scrumptious and well-priced — not solely Polish meals, however I additionally ate nice Greek and Italian meals right here. There have been so many nice cafes, too.
I don’t see myself operating to Warsaw regularly, however I’ll in all probability be there once in a while for a live performance or one thing. And I do know I’ll take pleasure in myself there.
The best way to get to Warsaw: Warsaw could be very well-connected by air, practice, and bus.
Neatest thing to do in Warsaw: I wish to be considerate and say one thing cultural — however truthfully, I used to be all about consuming pierogis and consuming the bitter rye soup. I might genuinely eat these each day-after-day and be joyful.
The place to remain in Warsaw: I truly stayed in a non-public room in a hostel, Safestay Warsaw. It was VERY easy and sparsely furnished, however a non-public ensuite in an ideal location for an honest worth.
My Journey Needs for 2026
I’m hitting my subsequent main journey milestone in 2026 — it appears to be like like I’ll be visiting my a hundredth nation! Listed here are a few of the upcoming journeys on my schedule.
My pal Cailin and I are going to Egypt for simply over every week in March. We’re doing a tour with Intrepid Journey, and we will’t wait to go to all of the monuments and take a felucca down the Nile!
In Could, Charlie and I are going to see the cheese-rolling competition in Gloucestershire, England! Ever since we watched a documentary on this loopy occasion, we’ve needed to attend!
I’ll be visiting my household in Massachusetts in June. I would add on Nantucket. I STILL haven’t been there, and it’s my largest Massachusetts oversight.
In July, Charlie and I are attending our mates’ wedding ceremony in Provence, and turning it right into a street journey across the area. (Sure, we’re conscious that it will likely be sizzling. We’ll make it work.)
After which August brings a giant journey in Africa! Charlie and I are becoming a member of a Rock My Journey journey to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe! Earlier than the journey, we’ll be spending just a few days in Cape City, and after the journey, my mother will fly into Victoria Falls and we’re happening safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana!
Across the holidays, Charlie and I are visiting my household collectively, and like most years, we’re pondering of including on a aspect journey someplace. Perhaps someplace new within the Americas. Perhaps someplace in Asia? Who is aware of?
What was your favourite new journey vacation spot of 2025?
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