After a turbulent few years, the passion for travel has well and truly returned. Here are some of the highlights and trends shaping the year ahead...
New flight routes
Virgin Atlantic
New routes to Cancun and Riyadh, plus the return of flights to Toronto.
Aer Lingus
Launching Dublin to Nashville in April 2025. With connecting UK flights, you can clear US immigration in Dublin, making arrival much smoother.
Jet2
Highlights include summer flights to Bergen and winter routes to Tallinn and Gdansk – ideal for an authentic festive break and your Christmas market fix.
EasyJet
21 new routes from the UK, including Cape Verde from Gatwick for the first time.
Lesser known gems
Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, spoke at the Travel Counsellors conference about how travel has evolved post-pandemic and specifically in response to capacity issues and climate change.
These are a few destinations worth considering...
“Coolcations in Europe”
Nordic and Baltic countries are seeing a rise in visitors seeking adventure and cooler summer climates. With long summer days, destinations further north are particularly appealing.
Switzerland in summer
Beyond its winter charm, Switzerland’s mountains are stunning in summer, offering hiking, cycling and iconic train journeys. Pleasantly warm weather also makes lake swimming a refreshing alternative to Mediterranean beaches.
The Goods by Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel has curated 25 new trips exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Adventure travel isn’t just for the young – Intrepid’s average age is mid-40s, and premium trips attract travellers aged 60+. They’re also family-friendly – having experienced one myself, I know they make destinations that seem daunting feel effortless for a two-week holiday. (Look out for my blog on this later in the year!)
The rise of solo travel
Solo travellers aren’t lonely or lacking companions – they’re choosing to fulfil personal travel dreams rather than waiting for others to join.
Stolentime by Rendezvous
Leading the way with no single supplement on rooms. Check out my client Sue’s experience in St Lucia.
G Adventures’ Solo-ish Tours
These Solo-ish Adventures are designed for independent travellers who still enjoy shared experiences and the comfort and safety of travelling with others. These tours balance group camaraderie with plenty of "me time."
I can see solo travel booming even more in 2025. Sometimes, escaping daily routines and taking time to reset can be the most rewarding experience of all – I’m not averse to it myself!
More experiential travel
There’s a growing trend towards destination and experience-led travel, with less emphasis on the hotels clients stay in.
Bucket list trips remain popular, but they’re now about seeking authentic, meaningful experiences rather than just ticking boxes. Many clients are travelling for longer, exploring multiple destinations and using local guides to immerse themselves in the culture and support the communities they visit.
I work closely with providers like Intrepid, G Adventures, Explore!, and Not In The Guidebooks, all of whom use local experts to create unforgettable small group or private tours.
Where will 2025 take you? Now’s the perfect time to get in touch to plan your next adventure!
