As we head into 2025, Selling Travel‘s in-house team are already planning their bucket list breaks. Find out highlights from 2024, as well as winning picks for the year ahead.
Charlotte Flach, Editor
“Last year was an incredible year for me in terms of travel. I visited my favourite country in the world, Italy, three times, which included exploring the Aufguss rituals of South Tyrol, staying at the iconic Borgo Ignazia in Puglia and sipping Aperol beside the dreamy canals of Venice. I also squeezed in a trip to increasingly popular Oman, the lesser-known Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis, the Punta Skala peninsula in Croatia and a wellness-focussed retreat in Mallorca, which was the destination that impressed me the most.
“Although I’ve yet to book in anything concrete for 2025, I’m planning to go skiing for the first time (yikes!) in Innsbruck, which is one of my favourite cities, ringed with panoramic mountains. I also hope that this is finally the year I get to see the destination which has been at the top of my list for years, Japan. I’ve already planned out an extensive itinerary of food, sightseeing and karaoke – I just hope my wallet can keep up!”
April Waterston, Digital Editor
“With my first baby due in early March, relaxing beach holidays and fast-paced city breaks may be off the cards for the foreseeable. That said, I’m determined to make the most of the free flights before baby turns two, and I’m hoping he’ll inherit the travel bug from his mum.
“I’m toying with the idea of a small Canadian road trip in autumn, somewhere in the east to keep flight times to a minimum. I’d like to visit a friend who is moving to Halifax in a few months, so perhaps Atlantic Canada will be our first family adventure.
“I’m also in dire need of some vitamin D, so a sunny European break appeals. Italy is always a go-to for me, but I’d also like to try somewhere new, like Montenegro.
“But, who knows – maybe a trip to the local supermarket will feel like enough of an adventure for the first year!”
Bev Fearis, Group Editor
“My sister has recently moved to Austin in Texas. It sounds amazing, especially the vibrant live music scene. It’s definitely top of my bucket list for 2025, although I think I’ll wait until after the summer as I’m not sure how I’d cope with temperatures above 40 degrees Celcius! Apparently the best time to go is October, when it’s slightly cooler and when the city hosts the City Limits Music Festival.
“This summer, I’m hoping to spend a week or so in the Alps. We’ve never been to the mountains in the summer before, but a travel journalist friend took her family last year and said it was the best holiday they’ve ever had, especially with active teenagers.
“My husband and 15-year-old son are both into mountain biking and I love walking. If we plan ahead (and sort out a pet certificate), we can also take our dog Flo. We’d have to drive with the dog, of course, but I like the idea of doing a road trip and stopping off along the way. We’ll make sure we’re staying by a lake so we can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding, too.
“For work, I’ll also be going to Malta in May for the Advantage Travel Partnership Conference. The last time I went to Malta, I was just 19 and on a last-minute package holiday. It cost us £89 each for the week, including flights!”
Stuart Forster, regular contributor
“Morocco reported record tourism numbers in 2024 and I was one of them, experiencing a Marrakech city break before Christmas. With flights from airports across the UK, I can see why it is a popular destination for people seeking winter sunshine beyond Europe and might be tempted to travel elsewhere in North Africa.
“I’m based in North East England, so I think it’s great news that Norwegian Airlines will begin operating flights between Newcastle and Copenhagen in May. As a foodie and history aficionado, Denmark has long been a place that I’ve wanted to visit.
“I’ve also been talking with my partner about visiting Sicily, either in the springtime or autumn. We both love good food, wine and experiencing local culture and heritage. The big question seems to be whether to self-drive or join a guided tour.”
Steve Hartridge, Editorial Director
“I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience last year, when I watched the total eclipse from a mountaintop at Jay Peak Resort in Vermont. As the skies started to darken the whooping and cheering morphed into gentle chatter and then total silence as we gazed at the awesome spectacle that was unfolding. Totality lasted three minutes, the darkness punctuated only by a burnt orange glow that coloured the distant mountains. The memorable afternoon was topped off by a band in the resort village playing songs such as Dark Side of the Moon and Here Comes the Sun.
“I also returned to Vancouver, surely one of the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities, before taking the Via Rail train – an authentic and historic-feeling journey on 50-year-old carriages – to Jasper in the Rockies. I spent the day wildlife watching, white-water rafting and taking a scenic helicopter ride. The town was badly damaged by fire just a month later.
“I am a big fan of river cruising and enjoyed a summer cruise with AMAWaterways on the lesser-travelled Lower Danube, taking in five countries – Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Hungary. Although it was mid-summer, at times it felt like we had the Danube to ourselves. The Duoro in Portugal is next up on my list of rivers.
“In September I was lucky enough to play on the Bethpage Black Golf Course in Long Island, New York State. There’s a sign on the first tee that says, more or less, “If you can’t play golf very well, you might consider turning back now”. Four hours later, I fully understood the warning. I will be watching this year’s Ryder Cup in September with interest, which is being held on the course – particularly the 14th hole, where I managed a birdie 2!
“In 2025 I would like to see the Canadian Arctic. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do this in northern Manitoba after May’s Rendez-Vous trade show in Winnipeg. Tasmania is the one Australian state I am yet to visit, and this will be high on my list after Brisbane’s ATE trade show in April.
“After enjoying a three-day city break in Budapest last December, I am keen to explore more European cities, with Tbilisi, Georgia; Tallin, Estonia; Gdansk, Poland; Helsinki, Finland and Seville, Spain on my wish list.”
Sheena Adesilu, Editorial Assistant
“I concluded last year by spending Christmas in Austria. The Christmas markets were incredibly picturesque dusted in snow. Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake with fruit compote) and Glühwein (German mulled wine) are staples to keep warm on a chilly evening. Mirabellgarten in Salzburg is a must-see for fans of The Sound of Music, too. I’d love to visit more Alpine countries, such as Monaco and Switzerland.
“This year, Denmark is on my bucket list. As a bit of a history buff, I’m keen to visit Viking monuments. Danish baked goods sound delicious, from the Frøsnapper (a twisted pastry with a marzipan or custard centre, sprinkled within poppy seeds) to Hindbærsnitte (raspberry slices). I’d love to rent a bike and pedal alongside the locals around Copenhagen.
“Japan is high on my list, too. I’m keen to visit Uji, a region in the Kyoto prefecture that is considered to be the birthplace of matcha tea. As a fan of anime, the Ghibli Museum is a big draw. Plus, seeing a geisha or maiko perform would be an unforgettable experience.”
Sally Parker, Publisher
“With a little bit of trepidation, I plan to hit the slopes again this year. I hadn’t skied since 2019 but, while on a fam trip around California last year, I did half a day of skiing in Mammoth Mountain. It reminded me of the wonders of a winter holiday and what it’s like to hurtle down a black run with a trail of powder in your wake. Although my time will most likely be spent falling over on red-runs, I have booked a holiday with a bunch of friends to Club Med la Plagne 2100 in the French Alps.
“Summer will be mainly in the UK, taking the camper van on weekends away to visit friends, as well as head to the coast, countryside and festivals. Last year, we used the super speedy Le Shuttle service to head to France and had a great time exploring beautiful, historical French villages. We’re hoping to take it over the water again this year. I’d love to drive Ireland’s spectacular Wild Atlantic Way, too.
“Flights are already booked to Cancun in the autumn, which calls for a bit of beach time. But the main plan is to travel around and explore the Yucatán Peninsula. I’m looking forward to swimming and snorkelling in the cenotes, the natural sinkholes filled with fresh water, which can be found throughout the region. Last year I was lucky enough to go to Costa Rica, but as central and south America have so much to offer, I think they might be on my bucket list for many years to come.”
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