Recently updated on February 24th, 2025 at 11:18 am
Make 2025 the year that you miss out on the biggest concerts, festivals, and cities. That’s right: it’s time to forget FOMO (the Fear of Missing Out) and embrace its trending counterpart: JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out).
JOMO doesn’t mean actively avoiding travel; quite the opposite. Instead of planning trips to popular places, travelers are seeking out crowd-free experiences in nature. From exploring the quieter sides of your favorite iconic destinations to finding serenity in spaces new to your passport, join the JOMO trend and discover what you can miss out on with these back to.
1. Snowdonia National Park | Wales, UK
Even though Wales only has three national parks, these greenspaces amass nearly 20 percent of the country’s land. Also called Eryri, this sprawling space has the highest British mountains south of the Scottish border. It’s the largest and oldest national park in the country; one that beckons visitors to wander into the mountains where peaks like Cader Idris and Tryfan often grant you supreme silence and solitude. Ride the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway or visit the National Slate Museum while exploring Snowdonia National Park on our 10-day Castles and Kilts tour.
Read next: Bun, barm or bap? Master these common mistakes when visiting the UK
2. Sossusvlei and Deadvlei | Namibia
Venture into the Namib Desert and marvel at how absolutely stunning Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are. Those that find their way into Namib-Naukluft National Park sit stunned into silence by the rust-red sand dunes that surround Sossusvlei’s famous salt pan. Some of the world’s tallest sand dunes stand proudly in this vast desert, though it’s the petrified trees in the nearby white clay pan of Deadvlei that often steal the show. See these dead camel thorn trees — and take unforgettable photos — on a scenic drive through Sossusvlei and Deadvlei on our 13-day Namibia Adventure.
3. Los Glaciares National Park | Argentina
Stretching across Argentina’s Austral Andes and across Chile’s southwestern border, Los Glaciares National Park is absolutely breathtaking. Multiple glaciers lend the park its name and each is as jaw dropping as the next. Tall granite peaks, milky glacier-fed lakes, and sub-Antarctic forests bring even more ecological wonder to Los Glaciares; the petroglyphs found on Cerro Chaltén and the igloo icebergs in Lake Argentino are equally astounding. Hike to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park on our Wonders of Patagonia tour.
4. The Appian Way | Italy
When in Rome, do as the Romans do — but with a little JOMO on the side. The ancient Appian Way stretches 600 km from Rome to Brindisi, a route that is best enjoyed by bike to maximize sightseeing. See a few of Rome’s landmarks then chase less-crowded ruins like the Circus of Maxentius and the Tomb of Cecilia Metella. The farther from Rome you venture, the more of this famous road you get to yourself. Take a day trip to stroll a segment of the Appian Way during free time in Rome on our 13-day Best of Italy tour.
5. The Pilgrim Path | Sweden
While the Northern Lights lure travelers across the Arctic Circle, you can find solitude in the Scandinavian wilderness farther south along Pilgrimsleden. The Pilgrim Path is a 100km trail in Dalsland that is split between low-impact country roads and the slightly more challenging countryside. The route stretches between Edsleskog and Vänersborg, giving you an opportunity to explore an area of Sweden many miss despite being close to Gothenburg. Visit in the cooler months and you’ll see wildlife in the woodlands; come in the summer with a swimsuit and enjoy refreshing swims in picturesque lakes. Lake Vättern is one of many stops on the Pilgrim Path, as well as a place you’ll visit en route to Stockholm on our Scenic Scandinavia & its Fjords tour.
6. Picos de Europa National Park | Spain
The wild limestone Cantabrian Mountains craving across Spain’s Atlantic Coast welcome you into Picos de Europa National Park. It’s not exactly a dupe of the Dolomites, though through your camera lens you’ll spy similar dramatic scenery. Iberian wolves and brown bears call Picos de Europa home, though you’re more likely to see the cattle and sheep wandering their pastures. Walk the rocky trails and cross the Cangas de Onis Roman bridge as you head into Picos de Europa National Park on our 18-day Northern Spain tour.
7. Schouten Island | Australia
The little penguins of Schouten Island are the personification of JOMO. While other species — and a great many travelers — spend their Aussie adventures in Sydney and Perth, Tasmania tempts visitors to miss out on the mainland to discover the stunning Freycinet Peninsula. This remote island is lined with sea caves and pink granite cliffs. Dolphins, whales, seabirds and more roam on, above, and just off of this rocky coast, knowing that any moments spent in Wineglass Bay will never make you feel like you’re missing out on Australia’s immense, diverse beauty. Sail around Schouten Island on our 13-day Perfect Tasmania tour.
8. Meteora | Greece
To be fair, Greece is a difficult place to embrace JOMO: exceptional archaeological sites in places like Athens and Olympia inspire you to follow the crowds. Thankfully, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora lets you get out into nature without missing out on Greek landmarks. Ancient rocks jut into the skies, some with centuries-old monasteries perched atop or carved into their faces. Six of the 24 original monasteries are still active, so while you won’t be alone exploring these once isolated cliffs, you can wander the hiking trails during our Best of Italy and Greece tour which will lead you to the most secluded parts of Greece’s largest archaeological site.
9. Todra Gorge | Morocco
You don’t have to go to a galaxy far, far away to find JOMO: just head to North Africa where blockbuster movies like Star Wars were filmed. Morocco’s Todra Gorge is an otherworldly place known as the Grand Canyon of the Sahara. Seeing the gorge from the dried riverbed is astounding, but scaling its walls is as exciting as it is extreme. This popular part of the High Atlas Mountains has well-maintained trails, though its remote area still feels like quite the departure from the bustling medinas. Make your way around the Sahara with a trip into the Todra Gorge on our 11-day Best of Morocco tour.
10. Ranthambore National Park | India
In 2025, aspire to roam like the elusive tigers of Ranthambore National Park. They are too preoccupied exploring the lakes and palace ruins within this former private hunting ground that they’re not concerned of what they’re missing out on in Jaipur. Join an expert naturalist on a safari in search of the black stripes on our 11-day Best of India tour.
