For those whose job is to think about travel all day, the true feeling of being on vacation often comes in that quiet moment when we can sit down and sift through the wealth of information, imagery, and stories we’ve absorbed, chasing the ones that resonate most. While the T+L editors are usually on the other side of the conversation — fielding questions about the best destinations or the latest luxury resorts — planning their own travel can sometimes be the hardest decision.
The big pro? Their choices are well-informed — thanks to the constant ‘information exposure therapy’ that comes with the job — and incredibly fascinating, offering a glimpse into what inspires even the most seasoned travellers. And to kick off what we hope will be a great year of travel on a high note, here are the places and experiences T+L editors are meticulously planning for in 2025 — from journeying across Spain to feeding the bowing deer of Nara, Japan.
If you plan to add ‘chasing more sunsets’ to your travel bucket list, take inspiration from the locations where T+L editors experienced the world’s most beautiful ones.
What T+L editors plan to check off their travel bucket lists in 2025
An equestrian adventure through the Mewar region in Southern Rajasthan
Making your way across rural Rajasthan on a horse safari can offer a different perspective on the state, and, in this case, quite literally. This year, Akshita M. Bhanj Deo, Editor-in-Chief at T+L India and South Asia, plans to experience the same with Bijaipur Horse Safaris. The stables at Castle Bijaipur are home to exquisite Marwari horses, offering treks from hours to multi-day journeys on paths inaccessible to vehicles. “Riding through the rustic, scenic landscapes of Rajasthan, exploring charming villages, and immersing myself in the vibrant local culture — all with an adventurous twist — feels like the ideal way to reconnect with nature and history,” she elaborates.
T+L travel tips: Northwest India boasts three prominent indigenous horse breeds: Marwari, Kathiawadi, and Sindhi. Marwari horses from Rajasthan are prized for their adaptability to harsh terrains. Cities like Jodhpur and Udaipur are popular starting points for palace-to-palace horse riding tours, retracing old routes through the forests of the Aravalli Hills and over the sand dunes of the Thar Desert.
Also read | Beyond Forts And Palaces – Visit These Offbeat Places To Explore The Heart Of Rajasthan
A scuba-focused trip to Maldives
Just the phrase “scuba diving in the Maldives” is enough to evoke images of travel documentaries, where divers discover pristine marine ecosystems during thrilling dives into the treasures of the Indian Ocean. While it’s a bucket list staple for many, Priyaja Bakshi, Digital Writer at T+L Southeast Asia, combines a lifelong obsession with the ocean with the dream of becoming PADI-certified one day. “The water villas (in an ultra-luxury resort), where the infinity pool is connected to the ocean by a slide and the glass floors allow you to see the aquatic life in its natural habitat” is precisely the experience she has on her 2025 bucket list — and it’s certainly one worth stealing.
Also read | Beach Luxe Or Rich Natural Diversity? Decoding The Maldives Vs Malaysia Debate
T+L travel tips: Dive in the Maldives between January and April for the best visibility and warm, dry weather. Plan your trip between August and November for manta rays and whale shark sightings. A wide selection of luxury and ultra-luxury resorts offer scuba programmes. For PADI certification, you can find more information about their courses at padi.com.
A first-ever trip through Spain
Having grown up studying and teaching French, France was the only European country that captivated Samreen Tungekar, our Managing Editor, for years. But it was through friends who shared her love for travel that she discovered how much its neighbouring Schengen country, Spain, has to offer. “It just took my sibling moving to Barcelona for me to book my tickets finally. I will spend two weeks in Spain in March this year, exploring Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Girona, and Granada,” she shares. This will be her first European trip, and we know she’s already off to an exciting start.
T+L travel tips: Spain, one of the most Instagrammable cities in Europe, has 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Córdoba. Plan your dates around festivals like Las Fallas in Valencia, correfocs in Catalonia, La Tomatina in Buñol, and Batalla de Vino in Haro to watch the local communities do their thing. Alternatively, being a great year-round destination, you can explore a few of its 621 Blue Flag beaches anytime.
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Feeding a bowing deer in Nara, Japan
Bowing to and feeding the deer in Nara is an experience Nishtha Grover, Senior Editor at T+L Southeast Asia, has long wished to include in her travel plans. A trip to Japan with her brother has been in the works for years, making it all the more meaningful. Nara’s park is home to around 1,200 deer, which are considered semi-wild and once seen as sacred messengers. These deer have adapted to bow to visitors, a behaviour they use to request food.
T+L travel tips: There is no entry fee for the park, but you can purchase shika senbei (deer crackers) from vendors in the park and join in on the interactive experience. A pack of 10 will cost around JPY 150 (HKD 7). Keep any expensive accessories or cameras tucked away, as sometimes the deer can nudge or headbutt you when feeding.
Also, read our guide to the best places to visit and things to do in Nara.
Hiking the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail in Japan
As a Digital Writer at T+L Southeast Asia, I have long dreamed of Japan, too, but a different part of it, almost 300 kilometres from Nara. The Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Shikoku Henro, is a 1,200-kilometre circular route across Shikoku dotted with 88 official temples, each with a distinct personality and story. I plan to hike the path to see them all this year, even if it means that’s the only experience in Japan I can make time for.
T+L travel tips: When hiking the trail, you only need two essential items in your bag: a wide lens and comfortable shoes. You should also take a detour to other sacred sites linked to the 9th-century Buddhist priest Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi). While many take on the journey for religious devotion, it is, to say the least, indeed one of the most enlightening and reflective breaks from daily life.
Also read | The Most Scenic Road Trips To Take In Japan
Exploring the royal world of ruins in Greece
Esha Dasgupta, Senior Digital Writer at T+L Southeast Asia, has dreamed of visiting Greece since childhood. It’s not just the wallpaper-like azure sea or the Greek cuisine, but the allure of leisurely walking on cobbled streets and tracing locations she’s read about, just as it is putting faces to the names of people we have known but never met before. From the Labyrinth of Crete to the Sanctuary of Delphi, whether it’s this year or next, Esha plans a 10-day Greece itinerary to immerse herself in history, with Santorini as a potential stop, time permitting. Still, her heart is firmly set on exploring the ruins first.
T+L travel tips: The Sanctuary of Delphi, dedicated to Apollo, is an ancient religious site famed for the Oracle of Delphi. Accessible via a day trip from Athens by car or tour, visitors can explore the Temple of Apollo, the Sacred Way, and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. The site also hosted the Pythian Games before declining with the rise of Christianity.
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A trip to Mashiko and learning more about Kolkata
A town famed for its pottery workshops, Mashiko is on Arnab Hota’s radar for 2025. A Content Trainee at T+L Southeast Asia and an aspiring potter during his free time, Arnab looks forward to honing his craft and learning from local potters here. Known for producing the finest strawberries in Japan, “the town also has a sake brewery, so there’s no shortage of things to see and experience. It’s a wonderful place to explore,” he adds.
Kolkata is the second destination on Arnab’s list. He is drawn to its heritage and old architecture, which have always fascinated him.
T+L travel tips: Mashiko, home to 20,000 people, is known for its pottery culture worldwide, influenced by the Mingei craft movement. Visitors can explore the art and its associated history in-depth by visiting the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. If in Tokyo, you can reach Mashiko by taking a two-hour train journey via the Utsunomiya and Moka Lines. For an architectural adventure in Kolkata, book a guided tour with Calcutta Walks or from other providers like Viator or GetYourGuide to trace the emergence of Victorian-style architecture from the British Raj era.
Grow comfortable with swimming
Himanshu Dutta, a Content Trainee at T+L Southeast Asia, is determined to learn how to swim in 2025. Having grown up in the mountains without access to swimming, he views it as an essential life skill and something that would help him not miss out on activities like jumping off boats in Ha Long Bay and staying close to shore at the beach. While he hasn’t finalised his plans yet, he hopes to get comfortable in open water and eventually head to Koh Tao, Thailand, to secure his PADI Open Water Diving certificate.
T+L travel tips: The PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course includes underwater navigation, night diving, wreck diving, and more, with the option to tailor learning to your interests, such as fish identification or buoyancy control. In two days, with five dives, you’ll advance your diving skills and dive up to 30 metres. Alongside the training, you can see the HTMS Sattakut wreck and enjoy a fun time splashing around with a like-minded team.
Offroading and camping in Kaza
Rubi Borgohain, Senior Editor for Subbing and Quality at T+L Southeast Asia, plans to swap city lights for starry nights this summer as she travels to the Spiti Valley and neighbouring towns like Kaza. She looks forward to off-roading through its stunning landscapes, camping beneath the stars, and embracing the valley’s tranquil silence in 2025.
T+L travel tips: The best time for stargazing in Spiti Valley is from May to July when you can not be freezing and enjoy the clear skies, which means excellent visibility. Head to Kibber, Chandratal Lake, to lose yourself in indescribable views of the Milky Way. If you are on a more extended trip, do not return without visiting the monastery and making pit stops at Kaza and Chandratal.
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A yoga and surfing retreat in Indonesia
Surfing in Indonesia has made its way up there with ‘hiking Machu Picchu’ or ‘watching the Northern Lights’ in recent years — a feat that speaks volumes. “While eating my way through Spain and embarking on tea trails in Sri Lanka rank high, my top travel goal of the year is to sign up for a yoga and surfing retreat somewhere in Indonesia,” shares Yashita Vashishth, Senior Digital Writer at T+L Southeast Asia.
“My husband and I love the ocean, and catching waves under the guidance of a good surf school is long due on our holiday vision board,” she adds.
T+L travel tips: Head to Uluwatu, Bali, between March and September to learn and enjoy the best local surf culture at spots like Outside Corner and Racetracks. For a more beginner-friendly experience, Kuta Lombok is often frequented for quieter waves and rustic surf shacks. Another destination in Indonesia boasting the best surf vibes is the Mentawai Islands, closely rivalling Canggu’s relaxed beaches and surf schools like Canggu Surf School on Bali’s south shore.
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(Feature image credit: GeoJango Maps/Unsplash)
Related | 25 Top Travel Places To Inspire Your 2025 Wanderlust
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
