Where are you going next? If you travel a lot, you’ve likely been asked this question many times in your life. You come back from a great trip and people immediately turn from asking about your last trip to asking about your next one. Some of us have a clear answer to this question, but most of us don’t. We have to think about it for a moment and wonder, where do I want to go next? Do I want to check something off my bucket list and contend with other travellers wanting to do the same? Or should I venture to a country just on the cusp of stardom where I can do something that deserves to be a bucket list experience, if only more people knew about it? I don’t know about you, but I would love to do the latter, exploring emerging destinations that deserve every bit the attention that the more famous countries do.
As we start the year by sharing our best of 2025 lists for travel, we're showcasing those destinations that will soon soak up their share of the limelight. They’re not quite on the main stage yet, but mark our words: in a few years' time, these places will be mainstays on the global travel scene. If you want to be a trendsetter and beat your friends to the next big destinations, then check out our list to find the answer to “where are you going next?”
Ahmedabad, India
In 2017, the western city of Ahmedabad became India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, listed as such for its 15th century historic architecture, thriving textile industry, and surplus of cultural landmarks. In the years since 2017, the city has only grown in interest as more travellers head to India but want to venture beyond the Golden Triangle of Jaipur, New Delhi, and Agra. People are visiting Ahmedabad to tour its magnificent mosques, including the Jama Masjid which dates to 1424, the Sabarmati Ashram, which was home to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1930, and the Calico Museum of Textiles, which houses one of the best collections of textiles in India. The city is a cultural delight for any traveller lucky enough to visit.
The Baltics
They’re not Scandinavia; they’re not Eastern Europe; they’re their own unique wonder: the Baltics. Ask someone who has been to Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania what they liked about the country, and you’ll see their face light up with excitement. There’s a lot to love in these compact nations in northeastern Europe. The capitals Tallinn, Vilnius, and Riga have astounding architecture and comfortable cafe cultures. The national parks offer beautiful and surprising landscapes, from the wetlands of Lahemaa National Park in Estonia to the sand dunes of Curonian Spit National Park in Lithuania. It’s easy to get around the countries and appealing to combine all three on a single trip, making for a truly memorable experience in a part of the world more people are starting to explore.
Brisbane, Australia
The fastest growing city in Australia sees no signs of slowing down. Increased international air routes make it an easy start or end point for travellers. It’s also conveniently located about midway up Australia’s East Coast, making it easy to head north to the Great Barrier Reef, or south to the familiar charms of Sydney. But Brisbane isn’t just an increasingly popular gateway city. It’s a spectacular destination with an emergent food scene, popular attractions such as the Australia Zoo and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and a gorgeous natural setting with lots of nearby beaches.
Cook Islands
People who visit the Cooks love the Cooks. The country seems to be something of an open secret in the South Pacific, but with more air connections, including new flights between Tahiti and Rarotonga, and more international exposure, it’s only a matter of time before the secret truly gets out. The Cook Islands offers an authentic Polynesian experience with big, sandy beaches, uncrowded resorts, a laid-back lifestyle, and idyllic weather. The Cook Islands is also home to some of the most welcoming locals you’ll find in any country in the world.
Laos
Laos has often been something of the silent sibling in Southeast Asia; people know it’s there, but that’s about it. This is starting to change as more travellers go beyond Vietnam and Thailand to this gorgeous inland nation. The introduction of high-speed rail in recent years has made it more accessible than ever so people are starting to discover the local Buddhist culture in Luang Prabang and the gorgeous natural landmarks such as the Kuang Si Waterfall. Laos is also a great stop on a Mekong River cruise, pairing nicely with Cambodia and Vietnam, so more travellers than ever are extending the journey and ensuring a Laos vacation is in their travel plans.
Nicaragua
A trip to Nicaragua brings with it the sort of opportunities for wildlife, sunshine, beaches, and comfortable resort accommodations that people expect of the region, but it’s also very much its own destination, with a fascinating cultural history, established infrastructure, and some of the most unique geography in the region. Travellers can sand surf down volcanoes, tour chocolate plantations, and explore Ometepe Island, located on Central America’s largest freshwater lake. The colonial towns are beautiful bases from which to explore, especially San Juan del Sur, which has the added benefit of great beaches. It’s also easy to get to Nicaragua by driving over the land border via Costa Rica, connecting from the airport in Liberia, so you don’t have to worry about direct air routes to enjoy a Nicaragua vacation.
Slovenia
Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks might have made the nation famous on the basketball stage, but it’s the country itself and its abundant natural highlights that are increasingly attracting travellers from across the West. Nestled between Croatia and Italy on the Adriatic coast, Slovenia splits the difference between South European and Balkan cultural appeal. The local food scene is dazzling in cities like Ljubljana, but it’s the natural landscapes that take the cake here. Few places are as overwhelmingly beautiful as Lake Bled, with its small island topped by a picturesque church in the centre of the lake. Slovenia also takes sustainability seriously with its local infrastructure and tourist offerings, so you can travel with peace of mind while exploring an unsung corner of Europe.
Sri Lanka
This island nation to the south of India in the Indian Ocean is making a remarkable comeback as newfound political stability and increased tourism infrastructure has led to a revitalized interest. It’s time to get acquainted with Sri Lanka’s blend of national parks, safari experiences, gorgeous beaches, tea plantations, and historic treasures, including the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Tavellers who want a taste of South Asia without heading to the subcontinent itself will be well suited to head to Sri Lanka to experience a starting amount of geographic and cultural diversity within a compact island landmass.
Takayama, Japan
Tokyo and Kyoto are firmly ensconced near the top of the most travel lists, but that doesn’t mean that the entirety of Japan is as well-known by the average traveller. Luckily, people are increasingly going beyond the main cities of the island of Honshu to explore some of nation’s mountain regions, including Hida and the Japanese Alps. Takayama is in Hida district a few hours north of Nagoya and it’s just about a picture-perfect vision of a mid-sized Japanese town. It’s nestled in a mountain valley, surrounded on all sides by attractive peaks and flourishing forests. Its old town is home to historic sake distilleries and traditional restaurants located in old wooden buildings evoking the samurai era. The local cuisine is renowned for its regional wagyu beef, which is delectably marbled, and there are many charming hideaway bars and cafes lining the river. It’s also a great base for exploring nearby cultural highlights. Drive less than an hour northwest of Takayama to reach Shirakawa-go, the UNESCO-listed thatched roof farmhouses that showcase life in the Hida region in centuries past. For a slice of Japanese life that seems fit for a Studio Ghibli movie, head to Takayama. Soon enough, it’ll be as famous as Totoro.
Tunisia
In the years immediately after the Arab Spring, travellers were hesitant to explore the North African nations stretched between Egypt and Morocco. Thankfully, we’re noticing this trend is a thing of the past, as travellers are starting to rediscover the highlights of Tunisia, one of the region’s most stable countries and a historical treasure trove. The capital Tunis and surrounds is popular as a beach getaway for Europeans, and North Americans are finally catching on. Furthermore, the nation boasts an embarrassment of historical riches. You can explore the ruins of Carthage and learn the stories of Roman conquest, where the Roman army literally salted the earth of the ruined city. You can tour the amphitheatre of El Djem, one of the best preserved and largest Roman amphitheatres outside of Italy. You can explore the desert and the troglodyte homes of Matmata, familiar to movie lovers as the Lars Homestead on Tatooine in Star Wars. Tunisia is as magical as a planet in a galaxy far, far away. Luckily, it doesn’t take a flight on the Millennium Falcon to get there. A tailor-made tour package for a reasonable price will get you on your way to a memorable Tunisian vacation.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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