7 Bucket-List Destinations For 2025
As wanderlust dreaming kicks up a gear for the year ahead, KATIE BERRINGTON rounds up seven extraordinary destinations to add to your at-least-once-in-a-lifetime wish list
Island life: Mallorca
The many charms of Mallorca make the Balearic island an eternally beloved getaway. While the capital of Palma thrums with history and nightlife, and the rugged countryside to the north boasts dreamy bucolic farmhouse stays, it is the creative hotspot of Deià – where magnificent mountains meet cerulean sea views on the west coast – that reveals the creative heart of the island. Belmond’s legendary La Residencia is a masterpiece of a hotel, which pays homage to the bohemian nature of the village – there is a resident artist who offers art classes, the walls are adorned with a storied art collection, and a short wander from the lush gardens will take guests to the often-open doors of local craftspeople. Moreover, La Residencia has recently unveiled a sublime reimagining of its three-bedroom, standalone Villa Robert Graves (named after the poet who called Deià home for five decades) by Studio Ashby, which celebrates the soulful spirit and spectacular panoramas of the property.
A stargazing oasis: Chile
If thrilling, otherworldly exploration is on your 2025 agenda, look no further than the ethereal landscape of northeastern Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama – which spans from salt flats and arid desert to volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. Within this spellbinding plain, Our Habitas Atacama is an impeccably designed oasis, with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and terrace; and rooms, suites, villas and communal spaces that are all adorned with local textiles and furnishings. The restaurant and bar are both highlights, designed to encourage connection with fellow explorers and serving seasonal ingredients – including herbs that honor the tastes of the desert – and championing wood-fired cooking. Adventurous pursuits include hiking, biking, mountaineering and paragliding, but the most mesmerizing of all the opportunities on offer is simply stargazing under the astonishing spectacle of the night sky.
An unexpected idyll: Japan
Japan’s major cities have long topped travel bucket lists, but its islands hold equal allure and showcase the country’s vacation versatility (the ultimate might just be a combination trip of city break and beachside escape). A short flight from Tokyo, the Okinawan archipelago pairs crystalline waters with vast swathes of silkily pristine sand. On the dream-worthy island of Miyako, Rosewood Miyakojima is soon to make its Japanese debut, with an ultra-luxury resort that melds into the stunning locale on an out-of-the-way peninsula. The 55 villas will have their own private pools, landscaped gardens and horizon-reaching ocean outlooks – while the hotel’s restaurants maximize on the natural wonder of its setting, celebrating laid-back, beachfront vibes.
The luxury train journey: UK
With slower, scenic travel an ever-increasingly tempting way to vacation, a train journey doesn’t get more indulgent than a trip on a beautiful Belmond train, such as the British Pullman or Royal Scotsman. In summer 2025, the brand will debut the first-ever luxury sleeper train through England and Wales, named the Britannic Explorer, with three routes departing from London – via glorious bucolic scenery to Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales. British creativity is celebrated across the design and cuisine on board, with London studio Albion Nord behind the enchanting and plush interiors, and chef Simon Rogan overseeing the dining experience. The Grand Suites – Elder, Valerian and Juniper – are the most opulent of the accommodation options, each individually designed to evoke an English country garden, similarly entrancing as those whizzing past the windows.
The front-row wildlife experience: Rwanda
For nature aficionados, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda offers a once-in-a-lifetime immersive experience with the regal creatures that give the property its name. Located in the foothills of Volcanoes National Park, the resort allows guests to get close to mountain gorillas amid the astonishing natural beauty of the region, with guided treks through their habitat of misty bamboo forest. Encircled by eucalyptus trees, this outpost of One&Only embraces the spirit of adventure, with individual free-standing treehouses and suites making up the impeccably designed accommodation, which houses local Imigongo art, a library of books, and binoculars for close-ups of your awe-inspiring neighbors.
The secluded escape: Indonesia
On the enthralling, remote Indonesian island of Sumba, Cap Karoso is an exquisite recent opening where you can immerse in extraordinary surroundings. Celebrating the rich history and natural beauty of the location, this passion-project retreat from French adventurers Fabrice and Evguenia Ivara is designed by Gary Fell’s GFAB Architects to blend into the backdrop, with Sumbanese antiques and contemporary Indonesian art adorning the hotel. Social spaces are created with a sense of open communality, including the chef’s-table restaurant, alfresco cinema and beach club. It’s a perfect base to experience this blissful locale: from learning about the long-preserved culture in local villages, to snorkelling in the peaceful lagoon and hiking the sublime landscape.
The majestic hideaway: India
In the hills below Rajasthan’s Aravalli Mountains, Anopura is a glorious, under-the-radar spot enveloped by lemon groves, frangipani trees and marigolds. An hour’s drive northeast of Jaipur, it is a sanctuary to escape the city’s bustle within exquisite villas, boasting large rolltop baths and beautiful countryside views. Traditional Rajasthani cooking can be delivered straight to guests’ accommodation, while the most exciting of excursions is a chai-fueled night safari tracking leopards, Indian foxes, striped hyenas and spotted owlets.
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