As we look ahead to 2025, we’re thrilled to introduce some fresh and exciting travel experiences that are perfect for both seasoned travelers and first-time explorers. With new itineraries, new locals to meet, and new sustainable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, this sneak peak to what’s coming is sure to inspire your next trip.
New tours:
Charms of the Southeast USA
We’re releasing a new tour next year, where you’ll be able to take a journey through the charming cities of the Southeast U.S. This 7-day tour takes you through Charleston, Savannah, and Jekyll Island, seamlessly blending history, culture, and coastal beauty. You’ll stay at the historic Hotel Indigo Savannah, a beautifully restored 19th-century building that embodies the essence of the city’s rich past. This tour comes with a great Be My Guest experience, where you’ll meet food celebrity and Emmy-nominated TV host Jesse Blanco for an authentic local dining experience. You’ll also Dive Into Culture with a captivating Gullah Geechee song and dance performance on Jekyll Island, offering a deep understanding of the island’s unique cultural heritage. Not forgetting the amazing chance to meet and interact with sea turtles on a unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience which takes you behind the scenes at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Alaska Winter
For a breathtaking winter escape, keep an eye out for our new Alaska itinerary which is coming next year. Spend 7 Days and 6 nights in the ‘Last Frontier’, experiencing rugged beauty in the heart of winter. Meet Aurora Dora a professional photographer, for a personal lesson on capturing the mesmerizing Northern Lights. Visit a Musk Ox Farm, where you can create your own unique keepsake from Musk Ox qiviut, one of the finest natural fibers available. You’ll have plenty of chances to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®, like your visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center where you’ll learn about indigenous traditions and support SDG #11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities). You’ll also get to take a guided tour of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to contribute to SDG #15 (Life on Land). You’ll stay in some pretty amazing locations, particularly Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, where you’ll have stunning views of North America’s tallest peak and maybe even the Northern Lights if you’re lucky.
Best of the Pacific Northwest
This new itinerary showcases the breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant cultural scenes of the Pacific Northwest, spanning from Seattle to San Francisco. There’s a Be My Guest experience, where you’ll spend time at Terra Vina Wines Vineyard, a family-owned winery where you can immerse yourself in the art of winemaking. You’ll also visit the Blue Ox Millworks in Eureka, a hub of traditional craftsmanship where you’ll get hands-on experience with a print press. The itinerary also includes a visit to TMK Creamery, a farmstead, dairy producer and distillery which stands as a prime example of responsible consumption and production, contributing to SDG #12 (Responsible Consumption & Production). Your unique stay on this trip is the Beacon Grand in San Francisco, a historic 416-room hotel which first opened in 1928, offering a unique connection to the city’s rich and storied past.
Highlights of Germany
We’ve taken the Best of Germany tour and distilled it into a compact, week-long adventure perfect for those seeking a quicker escape. Our new “Highlights of Germany” tour, running from Friday to Friday, focuses more on the best known and most iconic cities in Germany. It also spends more time in in Southern Germany’s stunning regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, showcasing their breathtaking landscapes, picturesque towns, and rich cultural heritage. Plus, the tour ends in Munich on a Friday, making it the perfect for combining with the Imperial Europe tour, which starts the same day, creating an extended journey through Central and Eastern Europe.
Colours of Sicily: Winter Edition
Our popular Colours of Sicily tour is now available in winter. While Sicily’s summer sun are hard to resist, winter brings a whole new beauty to the island – plus lower prices and fewer crowds. Imagine exploring snow-capped Mount Etna, strolling through historic towns, and indulging in world-class Sicilian cuisine, all while soaking up the winter atmosphere. It’s got a lovely serene atmosphere, with uncrowded views of volcanic landscapes and historic sites. This 9-day tour offers a relaxed, immersive experience with three two-night stops, allowing you to truly soak in the island’s unique charm at a slow pace. With a year-round appeal, including a special winter version, you can explore the island’s extraordinary history, architecture, and landscapes in any season.
New experiences:
Learn to make Caipirinhas in Brazil
On our newly updated Impressions of South America tour, we’ve added an exciting culinary experience to your evening. During dinner, you’ll enjoy a lively mixology demonstration where you’ll learn the art of crafting a caipirinha, Brazil’s iconic national cocktail. Discover the perfect balance of cachaça, sugar, and lime, while a Local Expert shares the drink’s cultural significance and tips for making your own. This hands-on experience is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Brazil’s vibrant flavors and traditions, adding a memorable new highlight to your South American adventure.
Taste Gelato in Parma
When you tour Northern Italy & Cinque Terre, you’ll now stop by Parma and visit Giacomo at his family-run gelateria, which originally began as a chocolate shop all the way back in 1879. He’ll show you the tricks of the trade of gelato-making, including how he creates natural flavors using traditional techniques like grinding pastes. Giacomo also highlights his commitment to sustainability and quality, especially with his bean-to-bar chocolate. After the engaging presentation, you’ll get a tasting of his delicious, handmade gelato.
Post not found.Learn about the beauty of Biodiversity at the Cliffs of Moher
On Irish Highlights, we thought your visit to the Cliffs of Moher would be even better with a little guidance from Local Experts and environmental educationalists Oonagh and Marie. Get ready for an engaging MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and tour of the Cliffs of Moher Geopark, led by knowledgeable guides who will share insights into the site’s geological significance and rich history. You’ll discover diverse wildlife, including nesting seabirds, and learn about the flora that thrives in this unique ecosystem. You’ll also hear local stories that highlight the culture and traditions of the area’s farmers. Emphasizing the importance of conservation, this experience aims to inspire guests to appreciate and respect these delicate landscapes. By participating, you not only gain valuable knowledge about the local environment but also support the work of these two dedicated professionals.
New experiences on Pioneer Adventures of the Old West
Pioneer Adventures of the Old West takes you on a journey through the iconic landscapes of the U.S. National Parks: get ready to see Sedona, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon.
Two exciting new experiences have been added to this tour:
Visit the Museum of Northern Arizona for Prehistoric Pottery
Dive into the fascinating history of the Ancestral Puebloan people by exploring ancient pottery. You’ll see the evolution of their techniques over time, as well as contemporary Indigenous pottery. You’ll also get hands-on, creating your own clay pot or sculpture to take home, using either traditional or modern tools.
Enjoy a Red Heritage Lunch and Show
Enjoy a culturally rich lunch at the Red Heritage Theater, where Navajo performers showcase powwow dancing, flute music, and drumming. Alongside the entertainment, savor a buffet of Southwest-inspired dishes, including traditional frybread, chili, and sautéed vegetables. This experience is part of TreadRight’s MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® initiative, promoting sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
Visit a local all-woman Brewing Company in Tucson, Arizona
On the America’s Great Desert National Parks tour, we’ve added a stop by Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson, a hidden gem with a unique twist—its beer production is run entirely by women. Led by Head Brewer Ayla Kapahi, who is committed to promoting diversity in the craft beer industry, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process. Ayla, also a co-founder of the Pink Boots of Southern Arizona, a non-profit supporting women in fermentation sciences, will guide you through a tasting flight of four of their signature beers. After the tasting, enjoy a Southwest-inspired meal featuring loaded tachos, a fresh salad, and a taco platter with carne asada, shrimp, and veggie options, alongside traditional sides like beans, with vegetarian choices available.
Visit a sustainable bakery in Paris
To make your Paris Explorer city break even more chic, we’ve added a visit to an organic boulangerie. Founded by two friends, Copains focuses on gourmet food, healthy eating, and eco-responsibility. They prioritize organic flours, homemade products, and recyclable packaging, aiming for zero waste through limited production. You’ll get to enjoy a tasting session with the team, with either Nicolas or a colleague talking you through the bakery’s mission. By utilizing green electricity and ethical co-financing, Copains actively supports ecological and social transitions, promoting responsible agriculture and consumption.
Presentation about Montana’s Local Tribes
On Wild West, Cowboys and Buffalos and National Park Wonders, we’ve added a unique cultural evening at the Billings Depot. Upon arrival, hosts from Billings Depot and 406 Native Roots will introduce you to the rich heritage of Montana’s Native American tribes through an engaging presentation. You’ll then get hands-on by learning how to construct a tipi using traditional techniques from Native tribes and braid your own sacred sweetgrass, a meaningful element in smudging ceremonies. You can even take your sweetgrass creation home as a memento. Afterward, enjoy a dinner crafted by award-winning Chef Stephen Hindman from Stacked, a Montana Grill, paired with drinks from BarMT, a local favorite. The evening wraps up with a delicious serving of Native American fry bread topped with apples and cinnamon.
Field to Fork Farm
On Best of the Canyonlands and Scenic Parks Explorer tours, you can now uncover local agricultural secrets during a visit to Field to Fork, an organic farm specializing in heritage fruits and vegetables. Owners Jessica and Scott will warmly welcome you and share their passion for organic farming, explaining the farm’s history and sustainable practices. After a walking tour of the farm, including the greenhouse and barn, you’ll gain insight into their methods for growing organic produce. The experience concludes with a delicious meal featuring fresh crudités, salad, pizza topped with farm-grown ingredients, and a dessert made with seasonal local fruit.
LA Graffiti tour and workshop experience
On Western Discoverer, we’ve added a Dive Into Culture experience where you’ll explore the dynamic and colorful murals that decorate the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. As you stroll through the urban landscape, you’ll discover the stories and social messages behind these stunning works of art, each mural reflecting the diverse culture and creativity of the city. Afterward, you’ll participate in a private, hands-on workshop led by a talented local graffiti artist, connecting with LA’s artistic heartbeat.
Learn about urban beekeeping in Prague
While touring Prague, Vienna and Budapest, your visit to the Czech capital will be even more special with this unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Here, you’ll meet Jindřiška, a Prague local your guide for learning about the #rooftopbeescz project. Here, you’ll hear all about urban beekeeping, the complex relationship between honey bees and flowers, exploring blooming seasons, pollen color charts, and the various ways bees communicate and sense their surroundings. She will delve into the foraging habitats of bees within urban environments, comparing the green spaces of Prague with those in other European cities. Jindřiška will also cover the healing properties of honey bee products while addressing the effects of global climate change on bee health, including the challenges posed by diseases and the invasion of Asian hornets in Europe. Through her insights, you’ll discover the natural beauty and historical significance of Prague’s surroundings, all while sipping a cup of herbal tea with honey from the hardworking bees. Ideal.
Which experience are you looking forward to trying the most in 2025? Let us know in the comments below…