Jetsetter’s Must-Visit: Top 5 Global Gems for Your 2025 Travel Bucket List!

I have devoted much of this year to exploring various regions, beginning in South America and journeying through Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. However, there are only five locations I would consider revisiting in 2025.

These span from a relatively obscure tropical isle to a serene university town along the Baltic coast. And if you had informed me last year that I would wish to return, I likely would have been skeptical.

I author a nationally syndicated travel column, and I don’t merely drop in on these locales. I immerse myself in the culture. I interact with locals. I shop at the grocery stores and roam the streets.

Here are the five locations you must experience in 2025 — and the one essential activity to engage in while you’re there.

An exhibit at Berlin’s Futurium, a museum dedicated to the future. (High-resolution version.)

Berlin

The German capital is barely reminiscent of its past – the somber, Cold War city of the 1970s that I first encountered or the construction zone I observed in the 1990s post-reunification. And that’s the fascinating aspect of Berlin: it’s in a state of perpetual reinvention and continually gazes towards the future. I resided in a Blueground apartment close to Charlottenburg during the summer and found the city to be vibrant and inviting.

Berlin ranks among the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Europe. The sidewalks are notably wide, which allows you to stroll without concerns about sharing the walkway with cyclists, motorbikes, or even vehicles. (Don’t chuckle — if you’ve traveled to Croatia, you understand this is no laughing matter.) Additionally, Berlin is an incredibly multicultural and global city boasting some of the finest shopping and dining experiences in Europe. Best of all, it isn’t overrun with tourists like other famous European capitals, affording you a more genuine atmosphere.

Don’t miss: The Futurium, a complimentary museum adjacent to the Bundestag, challenges guests to contemplate the future through its exhibits. Just like Berlin.

Dublin

Ireland is a beloved destination among Americans, and predictably they flock to Dublin. Wise choice. I lived in the capital for two months in an Airbnb overlooking one of Temple Bar’s most iconic pubs, and I can assure you that timing is crucial. If you visit in late summer, just as tourists begin to depart, you can experience a quieter and more laid-back Irish ambiance. I mean strolling along the River Liffey to Phoenix Park, devoid of the masses waiting for the hop-on, hop-off buses.

Dublin, akin to other European capitals, is abundant in culture. It offers complimentary museums such as the expansive National Museum of Ireland, directly across the river from the Guinness Storehouse. There’s shopping along Grafton Street and a vibrant dining and theater scene in the Docklands. However, what distinguished Dublin for me were the locals. Regardless of the persistent rain — and it truly poured most of the time — the residents I encountered were cheerful and appeared genuinely delighted to see me.

Don’t miss: The National Gallery of Ireland, which is also free, features an extensive array of Irish art and Renaissance masterpieces, and offers a superb spot to dry off when the rain just won’t let up.

Grenada

I spent nine weeks in the Caribbean researching a series of articles focused on sustainability and tourism. It didn’t take long for me to understand that I didn’t belong to the target audience. I’m not fond of lounging on the beach all day, and I easily tire of resorts that offer all-inclusive packages, cruises, or timeshare options.

Then I arrived in Grenada, often referred to as the Spice Island. Yes, the island has its share of beaches, but it also boasts remarkable scuba diving in an intriguing underwater sculpture park and endless hiking opportunities in Grand Étang National Park — not to mention chocolate. However, these alone are insufficient for me to advocate for Grenada. It is the individuals you meet there that truly make it exceptional. There exists an authentic warmth and hospitality that genuinely stand out among other Caribbean islands.

Don’t miss: Explore Belmont Estate to observe how they cultivate cocoa beans, harvest them, and produce chocolate.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lake? Affirmative. Breathtakingly beautiful Alps? Affirmative. Medieval structures? Affirmative. Lucerne has it all. But many other Swiss cities have similar offerings. So what makes Lucerne distinctive? It encompasses all the elements that make it a nearly irresistible tourist magnet — it is regarded by some as Switzerland’s most picturesque城市 features.city — yet it lacks just one aspect. The individuals I encountered in Lucerne did not possess the confidence of those in Zürich or the somber attitude of the Genevois. They appeared delighted to share their city with me, in a manner I had never experienced throughout Switzerland.

Lucerne isn’t for the budget-conscious, but if you have the opportunity to explore for a weekend, seize it. Stroll along the northern edge of the lake, locate a bench, and relish one of the most stunning vistas you will witness in your journeys.

Don’t overlook: A journey to the summit of one of the mountains on any of the numerous cogwheel trains, like the Vitznau-Rigi Kulm railway. Ascend to the mountain’s peak and savor the scenery.

Turku, Finland

You won’t spot Turku on numerous tourist maps, which is unfortunate. This university town may be the ideal spot to escape everything during the summer. It boasts a vibrant cultural atmosphere, excellent dining options, and one of the finest farmers’ markets in Europe. Most notably, it’s relaxed. While the rest of Europe battles rising temperatures during the increasingly warm summers, Turku remains refreshingly cool.

This location is also a starting point for adventures into the incredibly beautiful Finnish archipelago, a series of islands stretching over the Baltic toward Sweden. Yet once again, the true attraction wasn’t the locale, which is gradually earning recognition as one of the most sustainable cities in Europe — it’s the locals. Finns are often quiet and reserved compared to, well, Americans. Nevertheless, the individuals I met in Turku consistently communicated how pleased they were that I had taken the time to visit their frequently overlooked region. I hesitate to mention Turku, as I fear it may turn into another Amsterdam.

Don’t overlook: A drive along the Archipelago Trail from Turku to Naantali, a 155-mile loop exploring these remarkable islands. You’ll encounter farms, historic towns, castles, and an abundance of wildlife along the journey. There’s nothing quite like it on Earth.

Whether it’s conquering the Alps in Lucerne or trekking along the Finnish coastline, 2025 is the year to expand your horizons. My favorite destinations aren’t solely picturesque; they also possess an intrinsic quality that makes them worthwhile to revisit.

Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He established Elliott Advocacy,, a nonprofit organization dedicated to resolving consumer issues. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news platform focusing on customer service. If you require assistance with a consumer issue, you can contact him here or email him at [email protected].