Looking to get away in 2025? To help you along, we’ve gathered some expert travel advice shared by travel advisors Ola and Hope. They’ve got their finger firmly on the pulse of the travel world, and have some predictions for the year ahead. From visa requirements to trending destinations, here’s authentic and valuable travel advice to set you up for a new year of adventures.
What’s the latest news on visa requirements for travel to Europe and the UK in 2025?
Hope: ‘Things are changing regularly in the area of travel documentation. New electronic travel authorization requirements are expected to become active in both the UK and the EU in 2025. It is very important that individual travelers check their specific intended destinations well in advance of their planned travel dates to make sure they understand the requirements for their specific situation. Travel agents can often assist in this process, but individual backgrounds (citizenship status, and currently held passports) can often be relevant and the traveler must be involved.’
Ola: ‘Also, on the Canadian side, Canadians now need an ETA to enter the UK. Sometime in May, assuming there are no further delays, they’ll also need an ETIAS for most countries within Europe in the Schengen Zone.’
Which destinations in Europe are going to be the most popular?
Ola: ‘I’m expecting the classics to be very popular: Paris, London, Rome, Venice, and Athens, along with some rising stars including Portugal and the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro).’
‘So far Portugal is leading the way in popularity but we’re finding Scandinavia is starting to creep up in popularity for this coming season as well’
Where can I travel to embrace the ‘JOMO’ trend (the Joy of Missing Out)?
Hope: ‘My advice for clients pursuing a “less is more” travel strategy is to focus on destinations which embrace smaller towns and with more emphasis on outdoor experiences. These include some of the more rural sections of well-known countries like Spain, France, Italy, and the UK, along with even more far flung destinations like Patagonia, Galapagos, Egypt, the smaller coastal islands of the Adriatic, Iceland, Norway, and even Antarctica.’
Post not found.What’s good travel advice for me to see the most destinations in a single trip?
Hope: ‘A guided tour is always the most effective and efficient way to check off many destinations in one trip. All the logistics are taken care of, the most efficient ways of traveling are already arranged and as the traveler, you have very little to think about except enjoying your holiday.’
‘Depending on the target destinations, and the style of travel the client prefers, my experience has been that carefully curated overland coach tours, and port intensive smaller ship cruise itineraries are both excellent choices for maximizing access to lots of new venues without some of the more difficult logistics challenges associated with independent travel.’
Will Spain still be a good destination to visit in 2025?
Ola: ‘Yes, I expect Spain to continue to be a very popular destination in 2025. There have been some challenges with crowds in some gateway cities for sure, but the blend of history, landscapes, food, and a welcoming culture continue to make it one of my favorite destinations.’
‘Spain is always a good idea. And with Portugal so high on the radar for many travelers, for anyone that has a bit more time to spare, it is a perfect regional pairing!’
What’s your personal favorite destination to travel to?
Ola: ‘The Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Alps (Switzerland, Austria, and Italy), Antarctica, Norway, Egypt, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands are among my favorites.’
I’m on my own but don’t want to travel solo. What are my options?
Hope: ‘As a solo traveler myself for many years, I absolutely loved touring. Because although you are traveling solo, you are never alone when traveling on a guided tour. You instantly have a group of friends who automatically have a shared interest as everyone chose the same destination at the same time! Not to mention it is more and more common to travel solo so it not unlikely that there will be multiple other solo travelers too!’
‘Both coach tour companies and the cruise industry are broadening options for solo travelers. Both are great options for travelers who want to blend social opportunities with the ease of having a lot of the transit planning done by the tour company.’
I’ve heard about the Jubilee in Italy. Will 2025 still be a good year to visit?
Ola: ‘Although it will be a very busy year in Rome and by default for Italy, it also opens to opportunity to see Rome like never before. With a variety of pilgrimages and celebrations this is also a once in a lifetime opportunity. With proper planning and guidance it will be a bustling time to visit Italy!’
Hope: ‘Italy is always a good choice. It is true that because of the special circumstances surrounding the Jubilee schedule you should expect large crowds in some locations and around certain holidays. If your goal is to avoid those, careful planning for city touring is important, but there will also be many venues around the country which will be less traveled.’
What are the benefits of choosing a tour?
Hope: ‘A carefully selected tour combines a number of advantages: the ability to focus your time on the sights rather than the planning and travel logistics, access to knowledgeable guides, the opportunity to meet like-minded travelers, and they often prove to be the most cost effective way to see several things in one trip.’
‘The simplicity of planning, all of the logistics taken care of, not having anything to think about while you’re traveling and knowing everything is seamless, meeting new friends, having exclusive experiences, getting of the beaten path – There are endless reasons!’
How can a travel advisor help you save time?
Ola: ‘Travel advice from the help of an advisor can make planning travel much less time-consuming, and less intimidating if you are new to a destination. They can help you find providers which suit your travel goals, including time available, budget, and destinations of greatest interest. In some cases, they can also offer personal insight on a destination or travel provider, based on their own experience and those of previous clients. People are also often surprised to find out that working with a travel advisor can save them money because they are typically aware of promotions and special offers introduced by providers at various times of the year.’
Hope: ‘A travel advisors’ role is to take the guesswork out of planning travels. From sourcing great options that will be the best fit for your travel style and budget, to ensuring everything is booked correctly and that you have all the right documentation for travel. Their extensive experience with a variety of operators and destinations, allow them to easily pair the right product for you without scrolling through endless options that exist online.’