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16 minutes readContents
- Maldives
- Paris, France
- Bali, Indonesia
- Glacier National Park, Montana, US
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- London, England
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Rome, Italy
- Petra, Jordan
- East Africa (Kenya-Tanzania Safari)
- Tokyo, Japan
- Swiss Alps, Switzerland
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Top 15 must-visit vacation spots in 2025
This top 15 list caters to different target audiences, from history geeks to urban globetrotters, architecture lovers, foodies, and winter sports enthusiasts. Vacation destinations in idyllic islands are perfect for clients seeking sandy beaches and pristine waters.
Here are the best places to travel in 2025:
1. Maldives
- Where to stay: Ocean Grand
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $215
Maldives is a dreamy tropical vacation spot in the Indian Ocean, with over 1,000 islands. Although this remote country is isolated and hard to reach, it attracted 1.88 million tourists in 2024. Why is Maldives one of the best places to visit in the world?
Photo by Rayyu Maldives on Unsplash
Why is the Maldives unique?
Maldives is the embodiment of the perfect getaway spot. Its islands offer thatched-roof villas suspended over blue waters along white sandy beaches.
Spectacular sunsets dipping into the horizon enhance this picture-perfect, romantic setting.
With this atmosphere and private bungalows, it’s no wonder Maldives is popular with honeymooners. The island nation attracts adventurers seeking scuba diving and snorkeling excursions in pristine Indian Ocean waters. Maldives also offers wellness retreats and budget-friendly vacation packages, perfect for families, groups, and solo travelers.
Cultural and culinary journeys
The Maldives was a trading post and stopover for merchants plying the ancient Spice Route that linked Eastern Africa, the Middle East, India, and East Asia. Its culture blends customs from India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, and the Arab world. Tourists can learn crafts like lacquerware, pottery, and mat weaving. They can also engage in Bandiyya Jehun and Boduberu dances with Indian and African roots. Maldivian traditional cuisine is also influenced by different cultures. However, tourists can find other foods like Norwegian salmon and Japanese wagyu.
2. Paris, France
- Where to stay: Villa Pantheon
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $263
Dubbed City of Light, Paris is the dream travel destination for many people. It attracts over 20 million tourists annually. Why is this city so enticing?
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
Things to do
Paris is known for the world-famous Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
These iconic attractions draw hopeless romantics, architecture lovers, and art connoisseurs.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci has attracted tourists to the Louvre since 1797. This oil painting overshadows the museum’s vast art collections. It is also home to Versailles Palace, centuries-old churches, and architectural marvels. Fashion lovers can shop for designer products on the Champs-Elysées and Le Marais. There is no shortage of things to do in this French city.
Culinary offerings
Paris entices foodies with traditional and fusion dishes. Many restaurants serve French staples like très bien, French onion soup, croque-monsieur, steak frites, and coquilles St-Jacques. If your clients crave sweet desserts, they can indulge in macaroons, pastries with vanilla cream and caramel sauce, chocolate croissants, or crêpes. Other pairings include baguette sandwiches with café crème, hot chocolate, or local Parisian drinks.
3. Bali, Indonesia
- Where to stay: Visesa Resort
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: from $143
Dubbed the “Island of the Gods,” Bali is a lush Indonesian paradise devoted to Hinduism and tourism. The island attracted 15.14 million tourists in 2023, including 9.87 million domestic tourists and 5.27 million from outside Indonesia. What makes Bali unique?
Photo by Geio Tischler on Unsplash
Attractions
Although Bali is a small island, it offers something for everyone. Tourists can find the white sand beaches in the south and breathtaking waterfalls in the north. Bali also has scenic Hindu temples and volcanoes under lush green canopies.
Many visitors explore the famous Mount Batur or experience vibrant nightlife in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
These resort towns offer trendy beach clubs and world-class surfing.
Culinary offerings
Bali blends its Indonesian cuisine with Chinese and Indian elements. Tourists can sample the island’s traditional dishes, including nasi goreng (fried rice with egg and chicken), gado-gado, babi guling (turning pig), mie goreng (fried noodles), and bebek betutu (slow-roasted duck). The islanders cook most foods with gede paste, combining spices like garlic, red chilies, nutmeg, turmeric, coriander, ginger, and shrimp paste. Tourists can also find upscale hotels with international cuisine, including Japanese, Indian, Mexican, and Italian.
4. Glacier National Park, Montana, US
- Where to stay: The LARK Bozeman
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $207
Glacier National Park is a North American natural jewel on the Canada-Montana border. In 2023, the park attracted 2.9 million tourists, making it one of America’s top 15 most visited national parks. Why?
Photo by David Morris on Unsplash
Glacier National Park is Montana’s crown jewel, featuring scenic snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and azure lakes.
It has over 700 miles of hiking trails and 13 designated camping grounds.
Tourists can snowshoe and ski in winter or swim in Lake McDonald and engage in whitewater rafting on Flathead River in summer. Drive through the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile National Historic Landmark, to witness the park’s spectacular views.
5. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Where to stay: Villa Yrondi
- Rating: 3 stars
- Price per night: from $187
Bora Bora is a small, 12-square-mile South Pacific island in French Polynesia. Its council started limiting daily cruise arrivals to 1,200 in 2019 to focus on luxury tourism. In 2023, 217,998 tourists stayed on land in French Polynesia, up from 176,140 in 2022. This figure doesn’t include excursionists. Why is Bora Bora unique?
Photo by Tomas Gonzalez de Rosenzweig on Unsplash
Attractions
Bora Bora is an excursionists’ paradise with breathtaking tropical beauty. Mt. Otemanu, a 727m dormant volcano, rises at the island’s center and fans out into a lush jungle before reaching picturesque beaches.
A coral reef protects a turquoise lagoon and sand-fringed islets, creating the perfect conditions for scuba diving.
Tourists can snorkel with manta rays and explore aquatic ecosystems along coral reefs or the boutiques and markets in Vaitape. Bora Bora’s high-end luxury resorts offer beautiful overwater bungalows with decks where guests can watch the sunset.
Culinary offerings
Bora Bora’s menus heavily feature seafood, such as poisson cru (raw tuna marinated in lime juice and coconut milk). Visitors can find fresh tropical fruits and fine dining around Vaitape. Beachside roulottes offer cheaper, authentic dishes, perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
6. London, England
- Where to stay: One Hundred Shoreditch
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $308
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, with a history stretching back to Roman times. It blends historical landmarks with modern-day attractions. In 2023, it was the most visited UK city, with 20.3 million international tourists. Why?
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash
Things to do
London is home to the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben clock tower, and Westminster Abbey. First-time visitors can join all-in-one tours to iconic sites like Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern art institution, the Tower of London, Borough Market, and the British Museum. The observation wheel offers panoramic views of the entire city across the Thames River. Then, go to Shakespeare’s Globe or Sam Wanamaker Playhouse to sample Bard’s works and modern plays.
Fashion lovers can stroll and window shop along the posh Mayfair and Chelsea streets.
This two-millennia-old city also offers over 3,000 parks with gardens. After hitting all hotspots, participate in British traditions — classic afternoon tea or a few beers at a local pub. Tourists who don’t drink tea or beer can find coffee shops to help them relax and unwind.
Culinary offerings
While the British are ridiculed for their uninspired menu items, London is a foodie mecca. It is a melting pot of cuisines from different cultures globally. Tourists can sample traditional British combos like fish and chips, sausages and mashed potatoes, and minced meat pies. Or,find restaurants specializing in their favorite foods, like Indian, Italian, and Malaysian cuisine. This city also offers fine dining in celebrity establishments like the three-Michelin-star-rated Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
7. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Where to stay in Cairns: Shangri-La the Marina
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: from $174
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the original Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It spans over 1,800 miles along Australia’s Queensland coast, from Cape York to Bundaberg. In 2023, the Great Barrier Reef attracted 2.2 million visitors. Why?
The Great Barrier Reef has 2,900 coral reefs, 600 islands, and over 1,500 fish species.
It is the go-to destination for divers, snorkelers, kayakers, and marine enthusiasts. Tourists can find the closest reef to the mainland in Cairns and other attractions, such as the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Cairns Botanic Gardens. Nature lovers can tour Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures and the Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas in the reef’s northernmost section. Then, they can travel down the coast to tour Townsville, Hamilton Island, and Whitehaven Beach. Those seeking to avoid crowds can check the Whitsunday Islands.
Photo by Daniel Pelaez Duque on Unsplash
Other hotspots along the Great Barrier Reef include the Capricorn Coast and Airlie Beach on Fraser Island. Tourists can also sample Queensland’s diverse dining scenes and seafood staples like fish and chips, seared tiger prawns, and grilled lobsters.
8. Rome, Italy
- Where to stay: Napoleon Hotel
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $168
Rome is Italy’s capital, known for its ancient landmarks and modern attractions. It attracted 35 million tourists and recorded over 28 million international overnight stays in 2023. Why is Rome one of the world’s best places to travel?
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
Attractions
Dubbed the “Eternal City,” Rome brims with ancient history. It attracts tourists seeking to check off world-famous landmarks from their bucket lists.
Visitors can tour the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Ostia Antica, Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel.
Rome is also home to several museums, art galleries, and boutiques. Janiculum Hill provides immersive panoramic views of the city.
Culinary offerings
Rome offers a peek into Italy’s food obsession and culinary prowess. Foodies can enjoy pasta, gelato, and the splendid Italian fare. Roman specialties include artichokes and Cacio e Pepe (pasta flavored with Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper). Carbonara is Cacio e Pepe with smoked pork jowl and egg. First, visitors can find trattorias to sample dishes from family recipes spanning generations. Then, they can reserve a seat at one of Rome’s fusion restaurants to indulge in the latest culinary trends. Rome also offers access to Italy’s world-renowned wines.
9. Petra, Jordan
- Where to stay: Grand Mercure
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: from $185
Petra is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. The “Rose City” was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom. In 2023, Petra attracted a record-breaking 1.2 million visitors. Why should you offer Petra to your clients?
Photo by Jorick Roels on Unsplash
Petra is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. It dates back to around 300 B.C., offering a peek into a bygone era.
Visitors wind through a narrow canyon (the Siq) to reach the magnificent Treasury, a 45m-high Al Khazneh temple with an ornate, Greek-style façade.
This well-preserved, intricate mausoleum blends ancient Middle Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture. Petra’s street of facades, monastery, and royal tombs are skillfully carved into pink sandstone cliffs. It is a treasure trove for architecture and history geeks seeking to learn about ancient trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.
10. East Africa (Kenya-Tanzania Safari)
- Where to stay: PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: from $209
East African countries are Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each country has several unique tourist attractions. In 2023, East Africa received 12 million international tourists. Why is this region enticing?
Photo by Bibhash (Polygon.Cafe) Banerjee on Unsplash
What makes it unique?
East Africa is known for its spectacular safaris, offering once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Africa’s Big Five – lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. Tourists flock to Maasai Mara in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania from June to September to witness the Great Migration, when millions of animals move across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem searching for food and water. This natural phenomenon is one of the world’s most stunning wildlife spectacles. East Africa has magical lakes and scenic landscapes along the Rift Valley, pristine white sandy beaches, and resorts in vacation spots like Mombasa and Zanzibar on the Indian Ocean coast.
Adventurous souls can climb Mount Kenya, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Ruwenzori in Uganda, or Mount Elgon on the Kenya-Uganda border.
Visitors can also tour Uganda to experience Africa’s natural beauty and wildlife. Rwanda is perfect for tourists seeking to interact with majestic gorillas. East Africa has something for everyone, making it one of the top 10 places to visit in the world.
11. Tokyo, Japan
- Where to stay: KOKO Tsukiji Ginza
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $193
Tokyo is a global tourist hub offering ultramodern and traditional attractions. Japan’s busy capital received around 19.54 million international visitors and 474.66 million domestic tourists in 2023. Why is Tokyo so enticing?
Attractions
Tokyo is perfect for exploring neon-lit skyscrapers, Japanese traditions, and historic temples in one destination.
It offers several museums specializing in different genres, including the Tokyo National Museum for classical art and the Edo-Tokyo Museum for kabuki theater.
This city is also home to the opulent Imperial Palace and Meiji Shinto Shrine. As a travel agent, advise your clients to visit Tokyo in autumn or spring to experience the vibrant colors of blooming cherry blossoms.
Culinary offerings
Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants globally, with 239 Michelin stars across 194 eateries. Japanese establishments dominate the top five, with Kyoto and Osaka in third and fourth. Many Tokyo chefs practice shokunin by specializing in one dish and perfecting it. Foodies can sample Tokyo’s fresh sushi, hearty ramen, tempura, yakitori, sakitori (charcoal-grilled chicken skewers), and unagi (steamed, seasoned, and grilled eel). Some restaurants serve kaiseki, a multi-course dinner of seasonal small plates, allowing guests to taste several local dishes in one sitting.
12. Swiss Alps, Switzerland
- Where to stay: Antika
- Rating: 3 stars
- Price per night: from $323
The Alps is Switzerland’s largest geographical region, stretching from Lake Geneva to the Swiss-Austrian border. Switzerland attracted 20.8 million international tourists in 2023. What makes the Swiss Alps one of the world’s top-rated places to vacation?
Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash
Swiss Alps is a winter wonderland with snow-capped mountains, scenic valleys, and flower-strewn meadows. The region has several charming towns, including Zermatt, St. Moritz, Chur, Crans-Montana, Ascona, Martigny, Leukerbad, and Verbier. Take a luxury tourist train to explore the Swiss Alps. Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, while Bernina Express links Chur to Tirano, Italy. Both trains deliver the Swiss Alps’ natural beauty and panoramic views in luxury and comfort.
The Swiss Alps is the top bucket list destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Its resorts offer world-class skiing, snowboarding, and après-ski fondue in winter. Your clients can also take a few days in the Swiss Alps in summer to hike through the verdant valleys of Swiss National Park.
As an agent, book Glacier and Bernina Express train tickets and quality accommodations with RateHawk for your clients to tour the Swiss Alps.
13. Machu Picchu, Peru
- Where to stay: Wyndham Costa del Sol
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $156
Machu Picchu is a UNESCO-listed wonder built by the Incas in the mid-15th century. It attracts over 900,000 tourists yearly? Why is Machu Picchu one of the world’s most famous places?
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
A trip to Machu Picchu is a once-in-lifetime adventure. However, it isn’t for the faint-hearted. This Incan citadel sits high in the Andes Mountains in Peru at 2,430 meters above sea level in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. Most people get to Machu Picchu by train from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo.
Visitors can also hike for four days along the iconic Inca Trail from Aguas Calientes town to this citadel above the Urubamba River valley.
Its sophisticated dry-stone walls highlight the Incas’ 15th-century construction techniques. Visitors can explore intriguing buildings with astronomical alignments and panoramic views in a stunning setting. They can also learn about Inca’s agricultural methods and religious beliefs.
14. Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Where to stay: Melia Chiang Mai
- Rating: 5 stars
- Price per night: from $145
Chiang Mai is the gateway to mountainous northern Thailand. In 2023, this city attracted 6.38 million visitors. What makes Chiang Mai unique? Chiang Mai has a long, illustrious history, dating back to its founding in 1296. It was the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until 1558.
Tourists can learn about Chiang Mai’s history by exploring the walls, moats, and ruins in the Old City.
Then, visit hundreds of elaborate Buddhist temples, including 14th-century Wat Phra Singh and 15th-century Wat Chedi Luang.
Photo by Colton Duke on Unsplash
Chiang Mai also offers cooking classes to introduce visitors to the region’s ingredients and dishes. Its location and laid-back environment contrast the bustling Bangkok and provide easy access to scenic mountainous landscapes and Doi Inthanon National Park. Tourists can shop for handicrafts at a local night market.
15. New Orleans, Louisiana, US
- Where to stay: Hyatt Regency
- Rating: 4 stars
- Price per night: from $237
Nicknamed the “Big Easy,” New Orleans is a vibrant Louisiana city on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico. It received over 40 million domestic and international tourists in 2023. What makes New Orleans one of the best vacation spots in the world?
Photo by Aya Salman on Unsplash
Attractions
New Orleans is known for its vibrant live music scene, nightlife, European-style architecture, and spicy, singular cuisine.
The city’s landmarks and dishes reflect its history as a melting pot of French, African, and American cultures.
Music plays a central role in the backbone and spirit of New Orleans. Many travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to experience good music, floats, and merriment. First-time visitors can join a French Quarter walking tour to learn about the colonial era. Then, visit the city’s popular architectural sites.
Culinary offerings
New Orleans is a foodie paradise, offering many traditional Southern flavors. Its unique Creole and Cajun cuisines combine French, Spanish, Italian, and African cooking elements. Visitors can sample traditional New Orleans dishes, such as red beans and rice, po’boys, Cajun and Creole jambalaya (a rice dish made with meat, vegetables, and spices), and gumbo. Beignets (sugary pieces of fried dough) pair nicely with coffee. Foodies can book a food tour or attend festivals like the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, and COOLinary to sample mouth-watering cuisine.
Book quality accommodations with RateHawk
This top 15 list covers the best places to visit globally, from bustling cities to breathtaking islands, stunning winter wonderlands, majestic national parks, and UNESCO heritage sites. Analyze each destination and choose the best options to meet your client’s needs in 2025 and beyond. As an agent or advisor, you can rely on RateHawk to book high-quality hotel rooms in or around the best travel destinations.
At RateHawk, we help travel agents, advisors, and agencies satisfy clients’ needs. Our platform offers train tickets and over 2.6 million hotels, flights, transfers, and car rentals. To deliver stunning vacation places to your customers, join RateHawk today!
Cover: Photo by CreativeDesign32 on Freepik
