Best Holiday Destinations for 2025

To inspire your wanderlust in the year to come, we have drawn together our expert tips and advice on the best holiday destinations for 2025.

From brand-new luxury trains and world-beating culture to majestic wildlife, white sands and hidden gems, wherever you're dreaming of, we can take you there.

Best for Wildlife: Ranthambore National Park

A vast sanctuary where royal Bengal tigers roam free, Ranthambore is one of our favourite wildlife destinations. In the heart of Rajasthan in northern India, heading out into this evocative wilderness in open-topped safari vehicles accompanied by expert local guides gives visitors the opportunity to see majestic animals in their natural habitat.

As well as mighty tigers prowling the landscape or basking in the sun, you could also see leopards, hyenas, crocodiles and jackals.

Experience Ranthambore on a tour of India's Golden Triangle: India's Golden Triangle, Tigers and Shimla

Best for Luxury: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Brand new for 2025, La Dolce Vita Orient Express embodies the Italian art of living well and all its beautiful traditions.

Recalling the golden age of Italian design and style from the 1960s, La Dolce Vita tailors unforgettable off-train experiences to celebrate your interests. From wine tastings in Tuscan vineyards and picture-perfect ports on the riviera to beautiful Venice and the magical town of Matera, these journeys are elevated by the exceptional onboard dining options, curated by a three Michelin-starred chef.

Be among the first to experience the astounding La Dolce Vita Orient Express: La Dolce Vita Orient Express | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Value: Cambodia

A beautiful country where handing over £5 can reward you with a tasty fish amok and a beer in a local restaurant, Cambodia is a favourite with budget travellers.

However, this southeast Asian gem backs up great value with spellbinding sights. As the gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has reinvented itself as a centre for wellness and Khmer culture. With tuk tuks whisking passengers from the world-famous jungle temples to the bustling markets around the riverside, Siem Reap represents authenticity while being perfectly equipped for unforgettable experiences.

Discover Angkor Wat and magical Cambodia: Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Sustainable Travel: St Johann in Tirol

Recognised by the United Nations as one of the best tourism villages, St Johann is an innovator when it comes to sustainability. Nestled amid Austria's Kitzbühel Alps, this historic village has implemented schemes to ensure visitors and residents alike benefit from tourism, with a focus on environmental responsibility and the preservation of local traditions.

At Great Rail Journeys, we work with locally run hotels and businesses to ensure our customers enjoy an authentic taste of this wonderful, year-round destination.

Explore the Austrian Alps from St Johann in Tirol: Austrian Alps All Inclusive Tour | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Art: Seine Cruise

Described by artist André Masson as bestowing 'absolute poetry on colour', Claude Monet's series of water lilies are instantly recognisable. A collection of around 250 paintings, Monet's late masterpieces were inspired by his garden in Giverny near the banks of the Seine.

From Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise to Eugène Boudin in Honfleur, this iconic river and its idyllic villages have influenced a glittering array of celebrated artists.

Sail through the landscapes of Impressionists on our Seine river cruise, new for 2025: Paris, Normandy and the River Seine

Best for Gastronomy: Japan

Speaking of art, the traditions and refinement of Japanese cuisine is a craft all of its own. It takes up to 10 years of training to become a sushi master (itamae), and learning knife technique is as important as the quality of fish.

From umami, the cornerstone of taste, to the significance of miso, Japanese cuisine places a huge prestige on balance and the calibre of ingredients. Presentation and formality are also ingrained in timeless tea ceremonies, a spiritual process providing harmony and inner peace to the participants.

Experience world-famous food and drink on a Grand Tour of Japan: Grand Tour of Japan Tour | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Relaxation: Puglia

Italy remains one of our customers' most-loved destinations and it's the southern region of Puglia that has been garnering the most attention recently.

With everything travellers to Italy could wish for - authentic cuisine, spectacular architecture, white-washed towns and sandy beaches - Puglia delivers on many fronts. Explorations of Lecce, Alberobello and nearby Matera can be further enhanced by returning each night to a hotel on the Adriatic coast.

Soak-up the laid-back lifestyle of the 'heel' of Italy on our Puglia All Inclusive holiday. Puglia All Inclusive - Undiscovered Southern Italy | Great Rail Journeys

Best for History: Wiltshire

Piercing the skyline of one of Britain's most historic cities, Salisbury Cathedral dates from the mid-13th century and contains an original Magna Carta.

However, Wiltshire's history stretches back much further - 5,000 years in fact. This beautiful county is filled with mystery and ancient sites, including the world's most famous Neolithic monument, Stonehenge. Unbelievably, Avebury stone circles are nearly 800 years older! Surrounding a picturesque village and containing a thatched pub, Avebury is the hidden jewel in Wiltshire's crown.

Uncover Wiltshire and enjoy an exclusive sunset experience in Stonehenge's inner circle: Ancient Stones & Treasures of Wiltshire | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Scenery: Jungfrau

Reaching the 'Top of Europe' is a delight in itself. Climbing to more than 11,300 feet above sea level, the Jungfrau Railway cuts through the north face of the Eiger enroute to the continent's highest train station.

At the summit, you emerge in a year-round winter wonderland and are treated to astounding views of snow-covered peaks and the winding Aletsch Glacier - the longest in the Alps. Leaving the iconic Sphinx viewing platform, you could delve into the otherworldly Ice Palace to admire a grand exhibition of sculptures carved into permanent ice.

Discover scenic Switzerland on the Jungfrau Express. Five-Star Jungfrau Express All Inclusive | Great Rail Journeys

Best for Landmarks: Machu Picchu

There's a real sense of adventure and accomplishment as you stand in awe in front of the lost city of the Incas while clouds roll in over the rugged Andes. Perched on a hilltop saddle high in the mountains, Machu Picchu is one of the world's most famous landmarks.

Shrouded in mystery, this 15th-century UNESCO World Heritage site is the focal point of Peru's Sacred Valley and is the South American country's most popular tourist destination.

Tick off this bucket list-topping destination on an exploration of Peru and the Andes: Machu Picchu and the Andes Tour | Great Rail Journeys