Where to Go in 2025

Words Vidula KotianDate 06 December 2024

The reasons we travel are as varied as the destinations we choose, yet they all share one common thread: our desire to connect—with people, places, and the spark of joy, curiosity, and wonder that keeps our journeys alive.

This universal need for social interaction and a sense of belonging is at the heart of our Further Forecast 2025, where we explore the travel movements shaping tomorrow. The rise of micro-communities reflects our collective craving for connection, as seen in creative hubs thriving in Baltimore, San Diego, and Udaipur—cultivated by our newest gems. Our first hotel in Guatemala enriches both guests and locals by reinvesting profits into education and skills training, creating a ripple of shared growth. Meanwhile, our new destinations in Lithuania, Cyprus, Spain, and Switzerland focus on fostering well-being through authentic social connections and meaningful engagement with nature.

Across eight destinations, we see how travel can inspire, transform, and unite. This is the essence of 2025—a future built on meaningful connections and the timeless human spirit of discovery.

Lithuania

Lithuania, recently named the world’s second-best travel destination by Lonely Planet, has transformed from a hidden Baltic gem into a bucket list destination. The country’s investment in its cultural and natural treasures is paying off, with fragrant pine forests, untouched beaches, and medieval gems like Trakai, soon to feature a wabi-sabi inspired lakeside retreat opening in 2025.

Its cultural renaissance is equally enticing, with chefs reclaiming its rich culinary heritage and a blossoming wine scene featuring apple ice wines, ciders, and berry vintages, expertly curated at Hotel Pacai. Vilnius, set to become the European Green Capital in 2025, underscores the nation’s sustainable ethos.

On the coast, Klaipėda offers white-sand beaches, pine forests, 100 kilometers of scenic bike paths, eco-friendly transport, and landmarks like the Dutchman’s Cap and the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit. Year-round, visitors enjoy buzzy street festivals, seaside saunas, and Old Town’s talking sculptures, all anchored by the sultry new Reja hotel. “Klaipėda exemplifies Lithuania’s sustainable, welcoming spirit,” says Lukas Kuraitis, the visionary behind Reja. “With lively bars, warm locals, and vibrant events, it’s a destination full of energy and heart.”

Baltimore, USA

Home to influential creatives like Amy Sherald, Joyce Scott, and Marian Glebes, the city thrives on collaboration. “Baltimore’s design scene is all about connection,” says Shawn Chopra, the creative force behind the city’s beloved design retail space and Guesthouse by Good Neighbor, now our newest member hotel. Rooted in local craftsmanship with thoughtful design, Guesthouse’s interiors are a celebration of Charm City’s artistry—with pieces available online. Events like their week-long Design Camp bring together filmmakers, graphic design gurus, plant stylists, and more in unexpected ways.

Baltimore’s food and drink scene is on fire, with spots like Clavel and Charleston earning nods from The James Beard Foundation and Bon Appétit raving about the inventive cocktails at The Coral Wig, housed in our quirky, vintage-packed Hotel Ulysses. Jazz nights, holiday markets, and a tight-knit community make it a modern classic in a storied neighborhood. At the same time, the city is reimagining its Inner Harbor, weaving in green spaces and paying homage to its port-town grit and history.

San Diego, USA

San Diego is shaking off its surfer-town reputation, emerging as a design and culture hotspot shaped by Mexican roots and cutting-edge architecture. From Louis Kahn’s iconic Salk Institute, designed to be “worthy of a visit by Picasso,” to William Pereira’s genre-defying Geisel Library, the city is a masterclass in innovation. Venturi Scott Brown’s unfairly maligned postmodern addition to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego further cements its status as a design destination.

The city’s interior design scene is stepping up as well—exemplified by Granger Hotel Gaslamp Quarter, our newest guest-only private retreat. With sultry, bold design, custom furniture, and playful nods to its quirky past as a temporary zoo animal haven, it’s a treasure trove of high-end craft and vintage charm. Add to that a thriving Baja-Med culinary scene, with gems like Fish Guts, Kiko’s Place Seafood, and the Mariscos Nine Seas Seafood food truck, and San Diego is solidifying its status as a world-class destination far beyond its famous theme parks.

Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua, once overshadowed by Guatemala City, is stepping into the spotlight. Nestled among three volcanoes, its cobblestone streets and pastel homes exude colonial charm, now complemented by a wave of upscale businesses like Good Hotel Antigua.

Housed in a former mansion, the hotel blends sustainable design with purpose, using locally sourced materials and working with artisans on bespoke furnishings. Staying true to its “Sleep Good, Do Good” mantra, it reinvests profits into local education and hires from the community. “We believe in human potential,” says founder Marten Dresen.

Antigua’s culinary scene is also thriving, with top chefs and restaurants from Guatemala City hosting pop-ups and opening hotspots like Wild Daughter, Suelo, and Nana. With its blend of thoughtful design, local impact, and a buzzing food scene, Antigua is a destination on the rise.

Costa Brava, Spain

Costa Brava is shedding its past as a package holiday hotspot and stepping into a new identity. Just north of Barcelona, its coastline is dotted with charming seaside villages, rugged hiking trails, and hidden swimming coves. In Cadaqués, with its pebble beaches, cobalt-blue waters, and wild Cap de Creus, you’ll find traces of Salvador Dalí, who built his eccentric home nearby—now the Casa Museu Dalí. Dalí himself described the region as “the most beautiful place in the world.” The region’s artistic energy lives on through galleries like Santa Rita, L’Atelier Natalia Tomas, and Gallardo.

Finca Victoria in Sa Riera channels this creative spirit. Once a gathering place for artists and politicians, the hotel now occupies a beautifully restored Catalan masia with a cloister and sea views. It’s the ideal gateway to explore Sa Riera’s hidden gems, including secluded beaches like Cala Aiguafreda, Cala S’Alguer, and Cala del Pi; the picturesque “Camí de Ronda” trails; and the charming historic villages of Begur, Pals, and Peratallada.

Nicosia, Cyprus

Often overlooked, Nicosia (or Lefkosia) is curious mix of vibrant street life and a rich history shaped by division. The city’s fusion of diverse influences and its dynamic cultural scene highlight its unique charm. The Old Town is a treasure trove for design lovers, where centuries-old landmarks like the Famagusta Gate and Archbishop’s Palace meet modern icons like Zaha Hadid’s Eleftheria Square and Jean Nouvel’s Tower 25.

Just steps from these historic landmarks, Amyth of Nicosia—sister property to Almyra in Paphos—is a soulful retreat in a listed building, tapping into the city’s creative energy. The hotel immerses guests in the local art scene with curated experiences like art walks, street art tours, and visits to galleries such as Is Not Gallery, Diachroniki, and Tehnis Dromena. It also offers thoughtful explorations of the border along Ermou Street, connecting art with history. Dive into the cultural undercurrents of one of the world’s most ancient cities.

Buchs, Switzerland

Alpine nature takes center stage in this northeastern Swiss treasure, where the Margelchopf mountains give the Matterhorn a run for its money. Nestled in the canton of St. Gallen near the Liechtenstein border, Buchs offers postcard-perfect trails to Lake Werdenberger, the Rhine River, and the adrenaline-lined Oberschan Mountain bike route. And then there’s Werdenberg, Switzerland’s only wooden medieval village.

At the heart of this alpine idyll is Gasthaus Traube. Once a 200-year-old restaurant and barn, it’s been transformed into a boutique hotel by locals Kathrin Schertler-Secli and Ivan Secli, whose deep expertise in wine shines throughout the experience. Traube radiates community spirit, from its bright Garden Room to the Brewery, where centuries-old beer traditions are revived. Enjoy expertly curated wine dinners in a historic ice cellar or relax in the cozy Traube Hall with carved paneling and murals. Traube doesn’t just welcome you—it enchants you.

Udaipur, India

Dubbed the “City of Lakes,” Udaipur is a sparkling gem in Rajasthan’s royal crown. With its Mughal-Rajputana fusion architecture, the sprawling City Palace—built over generations—is a kaleidoscope of courtyards, terraces, and gardens, offering breathtaking views of Lake Pichola and its floating marvels, Lake Palace and Jag Mandir. Beyond its palaces, every lane of Udaipur’s walled city whispers tales of Rajputana splendor, where time seems to stand still.

But Udaipur isn’t just about preserving the past—it’s reviving it with a fresh, creative pulse. The city is at the forefront of a craft renaissance. Spaces like Ambrai restaurant unite local artisans, breathing new life into time-honored techniques, while Parampara highlights this revival with exquisite artistry in silver, brass, and teakwood. Soon, our newest outpost in India will open in Udaipur, transforming a historic listed building into a stunning modern retreat that stays true to the city’s heritage. In Udaipur, the past inspires the future at every turn.