The introduction of trains in the 19th century revolutionized the way we travel. They made it possible to transport people and goods over long distances at faster speeds than ever before. Like trains themselves, the first railway stations originated in the United Kingdom, and many date back to the first half of the 19th century. Many began as simple platforms and later developed into iconic landmarks that welcome millions of passengers annually. Here are nine of the oldest stations that are still in use today. 

Flinders Street Railway Station – Melbourne, Australia

Year opened: 1854

The oldest train station in Australia, Flinders Street Railway Station started life in 1854 as a collection of simple weatherboard train sheds. As train travel increased in Melbourne, demand grew for a larger and more efficient station. Two employees from Victoria Railways won a competition held in 1899 to redesign the entire terminal. Today, it’s a striking blend of Edwardian baroque and French Renaissance architecture. Flinders Street is notable for its yellow-hued facade, red brick, and green copper dome. A row of clocks (once operated by hand) above the main entrance display departure times for the various train lines that serve the station. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – Mumbai, India

Year opened: 1853

An architectural marvel in Mumbai, India’s second-largest city, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is one of India’s oldest operational train stations. Trains first started rolling out of here in 1853, and the station now handles around 3 million passengers daily. 

The station’s current design, for which it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the result of a 10-year redevelopment project that began in 1878. British architect Frederick WIlliam Stevens designed the terminal with the help of skilled local tradesmen. It’s a blend of classic Indian temple architecture and Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival styles. Notable features include the stone domes, castlelike towers, and carved medallions. Crowning the central dome is Progress, a marble statue portraying a woman holding a torch and spoke wheel that represent knowledge and progress. 

London Paddington – London, England

Year opened: 1838

Plans for London Paddington station were first conceived in the 1830s. Civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Bruneul was tasked with building the London terminus of the Great Western Railway, which connected the British capital to Bristol. Due to rising costs, the original plan was scrapped and a temporary station was built in June 1838. 

The project started up again in the 1850s, and in 1854 Brunel unveiled a majestic three-span iron and glass roof covering 13 platforms. This was expanded in the early 1900s to increase the number of platforms to 16. Paddington today is vital to London’s transport network and also has an underground station served by four lines. It’s famous in popular culture for being the place where Paddington Bear was found. 

Vitebsky Railway Station – St. Petersburg, Russia

Year opened: 1837

Vitebsky Railway Station, originally called St. Petersburg-Tsarskoselsky, was the first train station built in the Russian Empire. In October 1837, a steam engine called Provorny departed on the country’s maiden rail journey. It took passengers from the city to the former royal residence of Tsarskoye Selo (Catherine Palace). 

The station’s original wooden building has been refurbished twice. First, a two-floor stone structure was added; then, in 1902, came today’s magnificent Art Nouveau building. It’s characterized by grand staircases, ornate ironwork, and ceiling frescoes. Decorating the main hall are panels that tell the story of the Tsarskoye Selo Railway, the first public railway line in Russia. 

Gare Saint-Lazare – Paris, France

Year opened: 1837

Built during the reign of King Louis-Philippe I, Gare Saint-Lazare is synonymous with the opening of French railroads. It was the departure point for the country’s first passenger line, the Paris-St. Germain Line. 

Several expansion projects have taken place over the years. In the 1840s, architect Alfred Armand and engineer Eugene Flachat added the station’s classical facades, glass canopy, and glass-roofed gallery. The station was immortalized in a series of oil paintings by Claude Monet, which are visible at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and several other art museums. 

Liverpool Lime Street Station – Liverpool, England

Year opened: 1836

Opened in August 1836, Liverpool Lime Street Station lays claim to being the world’s oldest still-in-use mainline station. Throughout almost two centuries of operation, the busy terminal has grown from a basic shed to an 11-platform station, including one metro platform. 

Fronting the station is an elegant Renaissance Revival-style building that once housed the historic North Western Hotel, which opened in 1871. During reconstruction works carried out between 2016 and 2018, workers unearthed three stone slabs from the original platform. They were engraved with a message about their historical significance and displayed on platforms No. 1, No. 3, and No. 5.

Deptford Station – London, England

Year opened: 1836

London’s oldest railway station still in use is Deptford Station, which dates back to February 1836. Upon opening, it served as one of the stations on the London and Greenwich Railway between the neighborhoods of Bermondsey and Deptford. While it was initially a station with minimal features, streetside turrets inspired by the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens were added in 1840. 

A waiting room was built the following year, although passengers could only access it by walking across the tracks. Closed from 1915 to 1926, the station has since been demolished and rebuilt twice. It’s now popular for its location close to the shops and restaurants of Deptford Market Yard. 

Hexham Railway Station – Hexham, England

Year opened: 1835

The first trains left Hexham Railway Station in 1835 as part of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway. This historic station in northeast England was refurbished several times between 1835 and 1901. The station features a striking canopy supported by cast-iron columns and a footbridge with a lattice parapet rail. The ticket office has two Gothic-style windows, and the waiting room has an original fireplace. Regular daily services operate from the station to major cities such as Carlisle, Newcastle, and Whitby.

Broad Green Station – Liverpool, England

Year opened: 1830

The oldest train station still in operation is Broad Green Station, which opened in September 1830. (The oldest existing train station is Liverpool Road Station in Manchester; it closed in 1975 and is now a museum.) Located in the Liverpool suburb of the same name, Broad Green Station was built as part of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. It began to appear on timetables in 1831. 

Despite the station’s age, the present-day buildings are from 1972. They were erected by the London and North Western Railway. Around the same time, the station was reduced from four to two platforms following the construction of the nearby M62 highway. Since 2015, electric trains from Merseyrail have been connecting the station to Liverpool and Manchester city centers. 

When traveling throughout the United States, you’re likely to pick up a few souvenirs along the way. Maybe it’s a mug from your favorite national park or a T-shirt from a delightful local eatery. However, the list price you see typically isn’t what you’ll end up paying — when you go up to the cash register, you’ll be charged a state sales tax (and other local taxes) on top of that. This can range anywhere from an additional 2.9% in Colorado to 7.25% in California — the state with the highest sales tax in the country. But the good news is that there are five U.S. states that don’t have a statewide sales tax.

Delaware

America’s “First State” is also one of the last few holdouts without any state sales tax. But unlike the other states without any statewide tax, there are no local sales taxes in Delaware, either. Whether you’re in Wilmington buying a ticket to the storied Delaware Art Museum or patronizing shops in the 17th-century-era settlement of New Castle, you won’t pay a penny above list price for goods and services.

The only exception applies to Delaware-based business owners, who are subject to a gross tax based on total sales. But for the average visitor, there’s no better state for affordable souvenirs than Delaware. (In all five sales tax-free states, however, be aware that if you travel there to purchase expensive goods such as a car sans sales tax, you may be subject to a use tax back in your home state.)

Alaska

Whether you’re perusing the gift shop at Denali National Park or enjoying delicious locally sourced salmon, you won’t have to worry about paying state sales tax in America’s largest state. However, while there’s no statewide sales tax, there are a few local tax rules travelers should be aware of. 

For example, 107 of the 165 municipalities in Alaska levy a general sales tax between 1% and 7% on purchases such as seafood, hotels, liquor, and fuel. In Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, a 5% sales tax is charged on goods purchased within the city limits. Other cities such as Anchorage, however, pride themselves on their lack of any sales tax, and encourage visitors to shop for Indigenous crafts, tasty fare, and other local wares without paying extra in taxes.

Montana

While there’s no statewide sales tax in Montana, many popular resort areas charge local sales taxes within their jurisdiction. Notable examples include the 4% resort tax levied within the Big Sky Resort Area District, a popular ski destination in the southern part of the state. There’s also a 3% fee levied by the town Whitefish, which lies next to the Whitefish Mountain Resort and is a short drive to the stunning Glacier National Park.

Similarly, a 4% local tax is imposed in the town West Yellowstone, which sits on the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. So, keep in mind that if you plan to visit these popular Montana tourist areas, you may be subject to small taxes on goods. Statewide, you may also be subject to a services or use tax of 4% on accommodations, campgrounds, and rental vehicles.

New Hampshire

If you’re considering a move to New Hampshire, be aware of the fact that their 2.09% average property tax rate is one of the highest in the country. But if you’re just traveling through the Granite State, then you likely won’t need to spend a single dime on taxes, as there’s no state sales tax or even a general sales tax in local municipalities. There are, however, a few select goods that are subject to taxes: a 23.83 cent tax on each gallon of gasoline and a $1.78 tax if you’re purchasing cigarettes. Other than that, you can shop for souvenirs ’til you drop without paying taxes on the majority of goods sold statewide.

Oregon

The fifth and final state without a statewide sales tax is Oregon, the Beaver State. As you travel throughout Oregon, you might notice that there’s one municipality in the state that levies a local tax: the city of Ashland. Here, expect to pay a small tax if you buy any food or beverages. Outside of that example, there’s no sales tax levied on any item sold in Oregon.

However, there’s a specific tax law to be aware of if you purchase a vehicle out of state and plan to register it in Oregon — expect to pay 0.5% on the retail price as part of a vehicle use tax. Otherwise, the state makes up for the sales tax revenue it misses out on by collecting sizable personal income and property taxes instead.

Here’s something you’ve heard on every flight you’ve ever taken: “Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright and locked position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed beneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartments.” In all likelihood, you’ve happily complied with those instructions every time a flight attendant has given them. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the reasoning behind them? Here’s why your airplane seat has to be upright for takeoff and landing. 

Safety, Safety, Safety

The simple reason why these instructions exist, as with most aspects of flying, is safety. As per part 121 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, “No certificate holder may take off or land an airplane unless each passenger seat back is in the upright position.” In this case, “certificate holder” refers to the air carrier, and passengers have to follow the law just as much as they do.

As for why it’s safer, the most important part of that ubiquitous instruction is the word “locked.” When your seat is secured, it’s better prepared to withstand any impact that could arise from turbulence or bumpy landings. Because airplane seats are unlocked when reclined, a change in speed or an abrupt stop could hurt you or the passenger behind you — you could go flying forward or their knees could get crushed, depending on the situation.

Evacuation factors into it as well. As anyone who’s ever flown in economy knows, having the person in front of you recline their seat limits your movement when you get up to use the restroom or stretch your legs. Having unobstructed access to the aisle in the event of an emergency is considerably more important, which is also why seats in front of the exit row either don’t recline or recline less than other seats. Even the tray tables in the exit rows on some planes are configured so that passengers don’t unintentionally unlock them during an evacuation.

Why Takeoff and Landing Are So Critical

It’s no coincidence that you have to do this during takeoff and landing, whereas actual flight time is fairly relaxed. Takeoff and landing are indeed the most dangerous parts of flying, though statistically they’re still quite safe. 

A study by Airbus confirmed that the vast majority of all accidents occur during those phases. “Approach and landing are highly complex flight phases, which place significant demands on the crew in terms of navigation, aircraft configuration changes, communication with Air Traffic Control, congested airspace, and degraded weather conditions,” per the study. Boeing’s research had similar findings. 

Though there’s no cause for alarm — flight remains the safest way to travel by a considerable margin — there are plenty of reasons to listen to the cabin crew when they tell you to return your seat to its full upright and locked position.

Small towns, stargazing, and tennis matches are topping the list of 2025 travel trends, according to a new survey conducted by Priceline. The post-pandemic “revenge travel” trend is out the window, and a new era of “intentional travel” has been ushered in, marked by savvy spending and personalized itineraries. If you’re looking for fresh travel inspiration, check out the industry’s eight emerging trends for 2025. 

Embracing Local Lifestyles

In 2025, travelers are expected to forgo tourist hot spots in favor of local flair, giving them insight into what life is really like in their destination. They’ll do this by visiting smaller neighborhoods, eating at local gems, and even visiting the corner grocery store. These travelers believe it helps them create a stronger connection to the destination, giving them a more authentic experience. 

The top U.S. neighborhoods that 2025 travelers surveyed in the report are most excited to visit include the French Quarter of New Orleans, the Capitol Riverfront in Washington, D.C., Miami’s Wynwood, and Boston’s North End. These neighborhoods are all tied to larger cities but have their own distinct culture, making them more appealing than the hustle and bustle of downtown tourist traps. 

Even international travel is trending toward quaint locations. Searches for Vanves, France — a Paris suburb known for its flea market — have increased by 407% this year. Other lesser-traveled international cities on the most-searched list include Algarve, Portugal; Tbilisi, Georgia; Field, Canada; Penang, Malaysia; and Querétaro, Mexico. 

Making Friends

Some 2025 travelers, especially the younger crowd, are searching for ways to make friends while traveling, and it is directly impacting where and how they vacation. Many Gen Z travelers are hanging out in hotel bars or going on cruises, signaling a surge of interest in communal travel spaces (and possibly a decrease in interest in private vacation rentals). 

These travelers will also head to social hot spots at their destinations, including cultural events, music festivals, nightlife, beaches, parks, and other public spaces. To make these connections in 2025, Gen Z travelers are heading to major cities with plenty of social opportunities, like Las Vegas, Houston, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Tokyo, Cancun, London, Paris, and Toronto.

Stargazing

In 2024, many people around the globe traveled to see astronomical events, including a total solar eclipse and the northern lights. In 2025, travelers, especially younger generations, are expected to continue that trend by trekking to areas with low light pollution, particularly International Dark Sky Places, to see meteor showers, eclipses, super moons, or planetary alignments. 

Of the travelers polled, 35% said they would travel to see the northern lights, which are predicted to be visible again across North America in 2025. The most-searched destinations for viewing the northern lights are Whitehorse, Canada; Fairbanks, Alaska; Mackinaw City, Michigan; Medora, North Dakota; and Bayfield, Wisconsin. 

These aren’t the only trending places with epic celestial views, either. Urban Night Sky Places — such as Querétaro, Mexico, and American Fork, Utah — will also be popular for viewing astronomical events, because they’re more accessible than remote towns. 

Getting Physical

Travelers aren’t just vacationing to relax on the beach with a good book. They’re signing up for marathons, playing tennis and pickleball matches, enjoying golf, and pursuing new hiking trails or surf spots. Activity-based travel is predicted to draw in high numbers of tourists in 2025, with the location being dependent on desired sports. 

This is especially popular with younger travelers, such as millennials, who are 80% more likely than the average traveler to plan a vacation around playing tennis, for instance. Not only will these travelers hope to play sports during their trips, but they’ll also travel to watch them. Priceline has seen a surge in travel searches for tennis tournaments in early 2025, namely the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California; the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia; and the Miami Open in Florida.

Exploring New Career Paths

The 2025 travel trends report also revealed that Gen Z travelers are 3.3 times more likely than the average traveler to try out a new job at their destination. This creates fun, new experiences but can also result in lasting, lifelong skills they can leverage in their current jobs or utilize in a career change. 

According to Priceline’s survey, Gen Z has an eclectic list of destination jobs they dream about trying or experiencing. These include candlemaking in Hong Kong; knitting in Oslo, Norway; shoemaking in São Paulo, Brazil; pineapple farming in Bacolod, Philippines; wool farming in Geelong, Australia; and baking in Paris, France. 

Running to New Destinations

While all sports travel is surging, running is making major headway. Athletes and casual runners alike are traveling to experience their sport in a new environment. These travelers say running is the perfect way to explore a new city and discover new neighborhoods, restaurants, or shops off the beaten path. 

While vacationing, partaking in local running clubs also helps younger travelers make new friends, as they’ll find like-minded people at local clubs. This means travelers will look for hotels or accommodations near city parks or trails, especially in running-friendly areas like Cherry Creek in Denver or Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, for example. The top trending 2025 marathons for travelers include the Chevron Houston Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Toronto Marathon, and Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando.

Searching for Small Towns

While some travelers will flock to major cities to make new friends or run a marathon, others are heading to small towns for a more laid-back vacation. Small-town travel inquiries are surging across all generations — from baby boomers, who feel it’s the most relaxing way to travel, to Gen Zers, who appreciate the authenticity of a small town, which might remind them of their favorite comfort movies and television shows. 

Around 31% of travelers surveyed in the Priceline report want to visit a small town in 2025. The top trending U.S. small towns are Three Rivers, situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California; Panguitch, near southern Utah’s national parks; Bretton Woods in New Hampshire’s largest ski area; South Yarmouth, a coastal town on Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts; and Ouray, Colorado, touted as the “Switzerland of America.”

Parents Seeking R&R

There’s one group of travelers you may not see running marathons during their next vacation: tired parents. This exhausted group of vacationers is more focused on catching up on rest during their 2025 getaways. Citing mental and physical exhaustion, these travelers are ready to unwind at resorts or destinations with self-care activities and services — and comfortable beds. Among the most popular activities for weary parents are rage rooms (businesses where you can smash a room full of objects to relieve stress), in-room spa services, moon rituals, art classes, yoga, and enhanced sleep services. 

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who only boards a plane when it’s time for a vacation, aviation industry safety is something we should all be aware of. Modern aircraft benefit not only from the latest technology but also decades of learned experience, making accidents exceptionally rare when we place them in the context of the number of hours flown. But have you ever given much thought to how pilots in the flight deck navigate at night? Here’s how flying an airplane when it’s light out compares with navigating after dark.

Night Flights Tend To Experience Less Turbulence  

Turbulence can be concerning to passengers. Even though most instances pass without incident, few passengers can honestly say they enjoy a flight when it’s bumpy and unpredictable. At night, however, the chance of encountering low-altitude turbulence actually drops. Often, turbulence is associated with pockets of warm air, so when the air is cooler at night, there’ll be less chance of turbulence. 

Turbulence forecasting service Turbli analyzed more than 25 million flight measurements and concluded that it was safer to fly at night, concerning the prevalence of turbulence specifically. However, the company also noted that once a plane reached its cruising altitude, the difference was minimal, so this factor really only comes into play on short regional hops or during takeoffs and landings.

The Impact of Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are the natural changes to our physical and mental state that we experience as we go through a 24-hour cycle. They impact our cognitive function, ability to deal with stress, and energy levels. As a result of the irregular schedules, long working hours, and the impact of traveling through multiple time zones within a single shift, pilots and other members of the flight deck and cabin crew are impacted by disruptions to their circadian rhythms. 

Dealing with the resulting exhaustion and fatigue is one reason why working in commercial aviation is a challenging career. As passengers, however, we can be reassured that flight crew training is rigorous and many regulations are put in place to ensure those flying the plane are competent to do so — day or night. 

The Importance of Instruments

The instruments pilots rely on in the flight deck are crucial to ensuring they can safely navigate, no matter what time of day they are flying. Pilots undergo hours of training that gives them the necessary skills and knowledge to equip them for night flights. Modern navigation systems, weather radar, autopilot capabilities, and communication with personnel in air traffic control towers each play a vital role during a commercial flight. Visibility can be affected by numerous factors, including light levels and the amount of cloud cover, so day or night, the flight crew rely on the aircraft’s instruments to ensure they can take off, land, and fly safely — whether there’s good visibility or not.

The Role of Lighting

One essential aspect of safe flight navigation is adequate lighting. Each type of lighting at an airport plays a specific role, preventing collisions, enhancing visibility for ground personnel, and supporting flight crews. For example, white approach lights indicate to the pilot the direction of the runway, while taxiways are illuminated by blue lights. Lighting systems such as Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) are standard across the industry. They ensure that a pilot knows what the correct line is on approach and whether they are coming in at the appropriate height for a successful landing. 

Rules and Regulations

At the end of the day, the aviation industry is one of the most heavily monitored on the planet. Governments, aviation authorities, and airlines worldwide must adhere to a strict set of rules and regulations that cover every aspect of air travel. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Authority oversees and regulates civil aviation, tasked with maintaining a safe airspace and operating effective air traffic control systems. It doesn’t matter whether you fly during the day or at night, as these standards are meticulously enforced. Nothing is left to chance — not least headings, altitudes, and air speeds — as there is too much at stake. 

Ultimately, flying at night is unavoidable in our global economy, as consumers demand that goods are delivered in a timely fashion and travelers want as many flight options as possible. Fortunately, flying during the night is no less safe than doing so in daylight, so whenever you board, buckle up, relax, and enjoy the ride. 

It’s nearly the end of 2024, which means it’s time to start planning your 2025 travel itinerary in earnest. And while you might not need anyone’s help to put places like Paris or Tokyo on your radar, other cities and countries that are well worth visiting require a bit more thought. Luckily, in the upcoming year, once difficult-to-reach destinations are becoming easier to visit, others are marking the occasion with exciting new attractions, and a select few remain relatively untouristed gems — for now. Here are our picks for the 10 best places to go in 2025.

Greenland

If you think the world’s biggest island is simply too hard to get to, think again. Greenland has three new airports in development, the first of which is set to open soon in the capital of Nuuk. This means that in 2025, direct flights will finally be offered from Greenland to the United States and Europe for the first time. 

United is the first U.S. airline to introduce service, with flights from Newark/New York commencing on June 14. The nonstop flight will take just over four hours, making it a convenient getaway from the East Coast. Despite Greenland’s own tourism website featuring a page called “Why Greenland May Not Be For You,” adventurous travelers will find a lot to love in this autonomous territory of Denmark. There’s epic whale watching, the midnight sun, dog sledding, and a chance to truly get away from it all in an unspoiled natural paradise — complete with spotty cell service.

Marrakech, Morocco

Speaking of first-ever direct flights from the U.S., now’s your chance to fly to Marrakech, Morocco, without an overseas connection. In October, United launched nonstop flights from Newark that will operate three times a week, becoming the first U.S. carrier to serve the North African city. 

One of Morocco’s four imperial cities alongside Fez, Meknes, and Rabat — all of which have been its capital at one point in time — Marrakech (also spelled Marrakesh) is famous for its red walls and historic Medina. Walking through the old city, you can still feel Marrakech’s centuries of history — it’s nearly a millennium old, in fact — as well as its importance to Morocco itself, which derives its name from the Spanish and Portuguese names for Marrakech. 

Kanazawa, Japan

Though there’s certainly no bad time to visit Japan, with its cherry-blossom springs and snow-capped winters, 2025 is an especially good time. The exchange rate has been highly favorable for U.S. travelers as of late, even in the three most popular cities of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. For something a bit off most tourists’ radars, though, try Kanazawa. (And score a free domestic flight from Japan Airlines while you’re at it.) 

At the top of any itinerary to the city of half a million would have to be Kenroku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, which dates back to the 17th century and has nearly 9,000 trees to its name. There’s also a castle that has burned down and been rebuilt several times, an incredible selection of museums, and one of the country’s best day trips: Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Quebec City, Canada

There’s no Canada like French Canada, especially Quebec City. Being there feels like being in Europe — without a transatlantic flight — and it’s about to be even more of an essential stop for foodies when Michelin releases its first-ever guide to Quebec in 2025. 

The city’s ramparts, which surround Old Quebec and were built in 1690, are the only fortified city walls in North America north of Mexico that still stand — part of the reason the area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The city is so lovely in such a distinct way that you won’t want to leave, but it’s still nice to know that the 3-mile wall has many exits for when you do have to head home.

Curaçao

Currency enthusiasts, get thee to Curaçao. Along with neighboring Sint Maarten, the island nation is launching the world’s newest currency, the Caribbean guilder, next year. Tourism has been booming in the Dutch Caribbean this year, with 2025 looking to be even busier — but not so much that you’ll feel crowded. New hotels, colorful architecture in the capital city of Willemstad, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site are just a few of the reasons to visit the small-but-gorgeous island. Another is so you can say you did so before everyone else realized what a singular destination it is.

Seoul, South Korea

While it’s theoretically possible that another city has better fried chicken than Seoul, it seems unlikely — and there’s certainly no better place to eat Korean barbecue. South Korea’s capital is among the world’s premier food cities, with tucked-away restaurants on nearly every block enticing passersby with appetizing scents and flavorful dishes. 

Then, there’s everything else about the city that earns it a spot on our list of best places to go in 2025 — from the youthful nightlife of Hongdae and the glorious views from Bukhansan National Park to the many palaces and even a “Gangnam Style” statue (yes, really). K-pop, Squid Game, Parasite, and other cultural exports have made South Korea more relevant than ever, but Seoul’s appeal feels timeless.

Patagonia, Chile

If you’ve been holding off on visiting this famously beautiful region because it didn’t feature the world’s southernmost hotel, you’re officially out of excuses. Silversea Cruises is building a new 150-room luxury hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile, to accommodate guests about to board one of the company’s cruises to Antarctica. 

While that’s certainly a bucket list voyage for many travelers, there are plenty of reasons to stay on land. Chilean Patagonia stretches more than 1,000 miles from north to south and is an absolute haven for outdoors-inclined travelers, with spots like Torres del Paine and the country’s many fjords and glaciers deserving a place at the top of your 2025 travel list.

Tucson, Arizona

You might not think of Arizona’s second-largest city as having a rich food history, but UNESCO, at least, disagrees. The organization named Tucson a City of Gastronomy in recognition of its culinary heritage, which dates back 4,000 years and is based on both Native American and Mexican traditions. No other U.S. city has received that distinction. 

Plus, there’s the fact that Tucson is simply a wonderful place to visit, especially during the cooler winter months. Make sure to stop by the stunning San Xavier del Bac mission, which was founded in 1692, as well as Saguaro National Park, where a 78-foot-tall cactus once grew.

Helsinki, Finland

Finland has been named the world’s happiest country an amazing seven years in a row. Why not visit its capital city in 2025 and find out why? Perhaps it’s the unusually large concentration of heavy metal bands, the ever-serene “Chapel of Silence,” or the adorable (and highly efficient) tram system? Well, that and the health care and education systems, most likely. 

Though former Prime Minister Sanna Marin acknowledged earlier this year that Finns “are not perhaps the most cheerful people in the globe,” they have “a good nation and we have a good society.” Juhana Vartiainen, Helsinki’s mayor, agreed, adding that the Nordic countries are happier in general because they “combine material wealth with a social consciousness.” Perhaps a visit to the city should include a pen and paper to take notes on which aspects of Finnish culture the rest of us should be emulating.

Bhutan

Bhutan has only been open to foreign visitors for 50 years, making the South Asian country, in its own way, one of the world’s most exclusive destinations. And while tourism is still regulated in keeping with its “high value, low volume” philosophy, a trip to the Thunder Dragon Kingdom (its actual nickname) is well worth it — especially since it’s gotten cheaper. The country charges a daily tourism fee that goes toward sustainable development, but it’s been cut in half from $200 USD to $100 USD through 2027.

It’s still a pricey place to visit, but there’s simply no other place like Bhutan, which stands as the only country on the planet with an actual Gross National Happiness index, the only Buddhist monarchy, and the only country contained entirely within the Himalayas. If you’re an eco-minded tourist, you’ll appreciate that Bhutan is the world’s first carbon-negative country, too.