This year is already shaping up to be another momentous one for international travel, likely even to break the records set in 2024. While Western Europe is still incredibly popular—especially so now, given the dollar’s historic strength against the euro—the most-booked countries for 2025 WOW trips range from Japan and Chile to Cambodia and New Zealand (scroll down for the full list). 

For intel on the smartest travel choices to make for the coming year, watch our WOW Wednesday Travel Talk below (recorded on February 5, 2025), and read on to learn where and when to travel this year.

Fast-forward the video to 1:30 to skip the preamble.

Wondering how to avoid the tourist masses, crowds, and lines that 2025 will no doubt bring to many beloved places, especially in Europe?  Besides working with well-connected local travel fixers who are able to expedite you past all crowds and lines and ensure unique private experiences (but such arrangements can get expensive!), here’s what you can do:

EUROPE: 

• Go in the off-season. Keep in mind that what is low season or shoulder season has changed in the past few years. May through September is now peak season; March and November have joined April and October as the new shoulder season.  The only low season is January and February (and remember, winter in Europe has its own advantages, not least of which is seeing the northern lights). 
• In the most popular countries, choose off-the-beaten-path areas. Take Italy, for instance. It’s the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year, which will bring an estimated 35 million visitors to Rome. Maybe you skip Rome and head instead to Emilia-Romagna or the Piedmont. Rather than Tuscany, consider Umbria. In place of Lake Como, think Lake Orta or Lake Garda. Instead of the Amalfi Coast, head for Puglia, Basilicata, or Calabria. We’ve pointed travelers to hidden gems all over Europe.
• Walk just a few blocks off the main streets. In Venice and Dubrovnik last year, Wendy was able to leave the crowds behind simply by detouring two minutes from the most trodden routes, and by choosing hotels in more residential areas. 
• Choose under-the-radar countries and islands.  Malta and Gozo, for instance, are two of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets. (See that private seaside picnic on our video above? That was Wendy’s lunch in Gozo last October.)  Less-touristed countries in mainland Europe that are spectacularly beautiful and fascinating include Slovenia and Romania.

SOUTH AMERICA: Get it all close to home. Colombia, long a sleeper of an all-around fabulous destination—incredible biodiversity, welcoming people, great food and coffee, and sophisticated cities—is finally coming into its own. The country’s beaches haven’t been particularly accessible to travelers, but now that’s changing with new hotels and resorts opening on the Rosario Islands. Plus, there are new nonstop flights from Chicago and Houston. Since Chile is among our travelers’ most-booked destinations in 2025, consider Argentina instead, or even buzzy Uruguay. Read WOW South America trip reviews.

CENTRAL AMERICA: Warm, beachy vibes with good bang for your buck. Central America is known for its wildlife, lush rainforests, barrier islands, and value for dollar. This year, new nonstop flights are making it more accessible to a greater number of U.S. cities. Costa Rica—known for its surfing, volcano hiking, and coffee and chocolate farms—has new nonstop flights from Boston, San Francisco, and Seattle. Belize offers a mix of land- and water-based adventures and has a new direct flight from San Francisco. Read reviews of WOW trips to Costa Rica and Belize. 

ASIA: Find alternatives to the hottest destinations. Japan remains extremely popular and quite expensive. If you’re wishing to see the cherry blossoms, why not leave the crowds behind and head to Korea, which has the very same species of cherry trees blooming in spring, but far fewer crowds. Thailand has long been hot and will only get more so, with the latest season of The White Lotus showcasing the Four Seasons Koh Samui. Consider Laos instead, which is a bit like Thailand was 50 years ago, but with its own distinct culture and landscapes—plus a new high-speed train that makes it much easier to get around the country. China, which has long required U.S. travelers to apply for a visa, recently announced visa-free layovers of up to 10 days for U.S. travelers, as long as you are then headed on to a third country. Read WOW Asia trip reviews.

Nonstop flights: Major airlines are adding 35 new routes overseas in 2025, up 4% from last year and 10% from 2019. Delta and United both announced their biggest year ever for new transatlantic routes. Check out our continually updated list of nonstop routes from U.S. cities to interesting international locales, including lots of new flights to Italy and a first-ever route to Greenland. If a connection or two are essential for getting to your final destination, choose one of the smartest airports for making connections in, and get as close to your destination as you can, as quickly as you can. (In other words, if you’re flying to Croatia and have to connect somewhere, do it in Europe rather than in the U.S.) If you must make a domestic connection to an international flight, consider overnighting at the connection point. (For instance, if you’re flying to Africa via JFK, missing your connection could seriously disrupt your safari plans, so consider spending the night in New York.)

Places to stay: For travelers who like a wide range of accommodations, depending on the character of the region, there are more choices than ever before.  WOW Listers are constantly turning up authentic, small properties in their areas of expertise—from a Finnmark dogsledding farm that blends into the snowy forest, to Japanese ryokan with onsen. As changes in local ordinances keep altering the way property rentals are permitted, new creative options continue to arise—from homestays and agritourism to treehouses and glamping yurts. The return of Starwood Hotels is also exciting for those who loved both the brand’s properties and its loyalty program.

Find the right “where and when” for you. Our travel personalities change over time. If you’re a parent or grandparent stuck traveling over the busy school-break periods, check out our compilations of the best trips for spring break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Year’s. If now is the time to be active while you still can, get inspiration from these reviews of sporty trips. Going solo? It’s a huge trend among our travelers, who love how easily they can drop into local culture with the help of the right destination specialist. Don’t want to miss out on a destination that could soon be off-limits to U.S. travelers? We’ve got advice on how to get to Cuba—legally—this year.

Buy travel insurance and evacuation assistance. It can protect your financial investment, cover any medical expenses, and give you peace of mind. If you’re sick or injured, the right travel insurance policy will cover your care at the nearest appropriate facility; you need a second layer of protection if you want to be treated at home.

These are the most popular countries in 2025 for our travelers:

1. Italy
2. United Kingdom
3. Tie: Japan and Norway
4. France
5. Spain
6. South Africa
7. Vietnam
8. Botswana
9. Tie: Cambodia, Chile, New Zealand, Portugal, Zimbabwe
10. Australia

Links to Useful Resources

Just Back: Reviews of our Travelers’ Recent Trips

Where To Go When: Ideal Destinations For Each Month of the Year

Nonstop Flights To Make Your Travels Easier

Insider’s Guide to 177 Destinations Around the World

The WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts

Ask Wendy: Get a Personalized Trip Recommendation

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