A new year means countless new opportunities to explore new places, see new things and connect with more people. And what better way to do all of that than travelling on group coach tours? That way, you can tick off all of the destinations on our ultimate travel bucket list for 2025 without the hassle and while saving money!
Kick off a new year of travel by ensuring you add these exciting, trending or always unmissable destinations to your bucket list! Read on for the most exciting bucket-list experiences to tick off in 2025, and see why Expat Explore is your perfect partner in doing so.
Top 10 destinations that should be on your ultimate travel bucket list for 2025:
1. Morocco
Making the top of our list, Morocco is a travel destination steeped in rich culture and history. From desert landscapes to oasis-like beaches, and bustling bazaars to must-try cuisine, Morocco truly is a melting pot of exciting and life-enriching travel experiences.
From the iconic blue city of Chefchaouen to the Imperial city of Marrakesh, Morocco has plenty of famous sights to tick off. But what’s more, the country also has hidden gems like Essaouira, a coastal paradise founded in the 18th Century.
Related: Visit Chefchaouen on our Highlights of Morocco tour!
2. Costa Rica
Up next is a true South American gem for travellers interested in connecting with nature. Covered with luscious rainforests and dense jungles, this country is a paradise for photographers and leisure travellers alike.
If you’re looking for a coastal getaway, look no further! Costa Rica has Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. Plus, for the adventurous types, the country is home to a variety of dormant and active volcanoes. Some of these are open to the public in the country’s mesmerising National Parks such as the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Related: See an active volcano on our Costa Rica Escape tour!
3. Chile
Chile is an absolute paradise of must-see attractions, hidden gems and natural splendour. Visit cosmopolitan cities like Santiago (the country’s capital) and the Atacama Desert. It is considered one of the most picturesque places in this world and in fact, out-of-this-world according to many.
Be sure to add this trending travel destination to your bucket list! You won’t be disappointed by the Chilean culture, cuisine, history and scenery to experience.
Related: Explore Chile and the Atacama Desert on tour with Expat Explore.
4. Lithuania
Up next is Lithuania, a country rich in heritage and even richer in cuisine. Visit the UNESCO-listed Hill of Crosses in Northern Lithuania, which features over 100,000 crosses from across the world. Explore the magical Trakai Island Castle and wander through the capital, Vilnius, which honours its turbulent past through museums and art while celebrating its post-Soviet freedom with a vibrant, modern atmosphere.
When it comes to cuisine, in Lithuania, it’s all about potatoes! Try their potato dumplings, potato loaves and even potato pancakes! As a widely beer-loving country, Lithuania is also known for brewing its own beer, so give the traditional and craft Lithuanian brews a try on your vacation.
Related: Visit the Hill of Crosses and Vilnius on our Nordic & Baltic Escape tour!
5. Latvia
Enter Latvia: a must-visit travel destination in 2025 based on the east coast of the Baltic Sea. Visit this European gem between June and mid-September for the best weather and longer days!
While there, be sure to tick off some of the top attractions in its capital Riga. Discover the St. Peter’s church, the UNESCO-listed Art Nouveau centre, and the Latvian National Museum of Art. Riga’s old town is abuzz with culture as the streets are lined with restaurants and bars.
Related: Spend a night in Riga on our Helsinki to Warsaw tour!
6. Estonia
Located in Northern Europe, Estonia is a captivating country facing the Baltic Sea and is home to over 1500 islands. Picture landscapes like forests, mountains, lakes and coastlines, but all in one!
The capital city, Tallinn, is a medieval and modern architectural masterpiece filled with age-old architecture alongside art centres and world-class restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some of the more interesting local meals, such as marinated bear! Plus, with handicrafts and unique designer clothing items all around, it’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs like jewellery, spirits and textiles.
Related: Stay over in Tallinn on our Northern Explorer tour!
7. Sweden
Up next on our unmissable experiences of 2025, Sweden, the largest of the Nordic countries, brings us a country on most people’s bucket lists. Sweden is bordered by Norway and Finland and connects to Denmark via the bridge of Öresund.
Stockholm, the capital city, is situated on an impressive archipelago of 14 islands connected by 50 bridges! The Swedish Lapland in the north is also one of the best spots in the world to get a view of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), a dream experience for most travel enthusiasts.
Related: Enjoy a full free day to explore Stockholm on our Copenhagen to Helsinki tour!
8. USA & Canada
Who’s ready for the most epic road trip traversing some famous American and Canadian soil and ticking off some of the nation’s top attractions? From the monuments of Washington D.C. to the charm of Old Quebec, from the glitz of New York City to the astounding natural beauty of Niagara Falls, the USA and Canada offer boundless beautiful destinations that appeal to all types of travellers.
Whether you’re looking to see some of the most iconic sights like the Grand Canyon, go skiing in Whistler or want to take a deep dive into American politics and history in Washington, hitting the road in the USA and Canada is sure to reveal unmissable experiences and destinations.
Related: Tick Washington, Quebec and New York off your bucket list on tour with Expat Explore!
9. South Africa
Are you daydreaming of a South African adventure? Want to tick off as many as possible of the elusive Big Five animals on safari? Craving a tour of local wines in the Cape Winelands or a whale-watching trip along the southern coast? South Africa has that and more to explore. No wonder it’s a 2025 must-visit!
From Cape Town and the Garden Route to the luscious Tsitrikama (featuring a bungee for only the brave) and the ultimate Kruger National Park Safari, we can understand why so many travellers have added this vibrant and culture-rich country to their bucket lists.
Related: See the very best of our co-founders’ home country on our South Africa Escape tour!
10. Turkey
Turkey, now officially internationally recognised as Türkiye, is a must-see travel destination full of natural beauty, culture and history. From the bazaars of Istanbul to the battlefields of Gallipoli, travels to Turkey involve a rich blend of modern culture and rich history. Some unmissable historic sites include the Library of Celsus in Ephesus and Troy.
Once home to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires respectively, the country is a tapestry of must-see locations with different architectural styles. Plus, the fairytale destination of Cappadocia is bound to take your breath away with its fairy chimneys and skies filled with hot-air balloons.
Related: Admire fairytale Cappadocia on our Highlights of Turkey tour!
And there you have it; the top 10 travel destinations to tick off your travel bucket list in 2025! From leisurely island getaways to stunning city escapes, and awe-inspiring natural scenery to historic marvels, these destinations tick all of the travel boxes to ensure a trip like no other!
If you’d like to visit any of the destinations on our list, simply book a tour, start packing, and sit back for the adventure of a lifetime in the hands of expert guides running tried and tested itineraries.