With upscale travelers contemplating journeys for the new year ahead, the advisors of invitation-only luxury marketing group The Affluent Traveler Collection are proposing their favorite trips of a lifetime for 2025.
Luxury travel is skyrocketing in demand globally: a $1.38 trillion industry growing by 7.9 percent a year, according to Grand View Research. Upscale travelers are highly motivated to explore new places and cultures. A recent survey of ATC-affiliated advisors found bucket-list travel is the leading emerging trend for 2025, with personalized experiences and authentic travel rounding out the top three.
Here are the five must-do trips for 2025 from ATC advisors:
"Antarctica is a true bucket list destination that offers an exclusive experience like no other. Travelers will enjoy activities like kayaking among icebergs and guided wildlife excursions to see penguins and seals. Antarctica has become increasingly popular as it satisfies the opportunity to experience amazing excursions and visit a destination that is at risk due to climate change."
—Ann Osten, President/Owner, Sadie’s Global Travel Ltd.
"A visit to Kyoto during cherry blossom season in April is a truly iconic Japanese experience. Strolling through the historic streets of Gion or the serene gardens of Maruyama Park under a canopy of blooming sakura is an unforgettable sight. Travelers can experience Japan’s timeless beauty, traditional tea ceremonies and festivals in full bloom."
—Mandee Migliaccio, CEO, Stepping Out Travel Services
"South Africa is a must-see destination, with its incredible array of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. A private safari tops many travelers’ bucket lists. They can search for the Big Five of lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and Cape buffalo at iconic reserves like Kruger National Park. South Africa’s wine country beckons travelers to sample world-class vintages paired with gourmet cuisine. Adventurers can soar to new heights on hot-air balloon rides at sunrise or sunset, or try shark cage diving along the country’s dramatic coastline."
—Michelle Duncan, CEO/President, Odyssey Travel Inc.
"Switzerland is ideal for a winter or summer getaway for luxury travelers, including couples and families. For winter, St. Moritz is perfect, as it’s celebrated for its stunning scenery, luxury ski resorts and fine dining. For summer, the beautiful Park Hyatt Zurich is a wonderful base to explore art museums, dine at top restaurants, shop along the world-famous Bahnhofstrasse or discover the medieval Old Town."
—Michele Chubalashvili, Owner, Vitas Travel Service
"India offers a wealth of immersive cultural experiences. The country is rich in master craftsmen, who use skills passed down for generations. Travelers can discover how block printing on fabric is done in the northern state of Rajasthan. Then, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, they can create their own Athangudi tiles, which is a 500-year-old art form. Travelers can also converse with the craftsmen, who provide insights into their way of life."
—Usha Rao, President, Rao Travel
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