Top Destinations for 2025.

With the festive season behind us and the new year causing its own chaos, many are now desperately seeking the perfect escape for 2025.

Here are our top 6 destination recommendations (because who doesn't love a list?).

Dubai, UAE

Ah, Dubai. The city that’s more extra than your mate who insists on bringing out the karaoke machine at every party. Brits are flocking to this glitzy desert metropolis in 2025. Why? Because it’s got sunshine, luxury, and experiences you won’t forget – or afford to forget, considering the price tag. Perfect for those winter sun escapes when you’ve had it up to here with the British drizzle.

Where to stay: Raffles the Palm, Dubai

Nestled on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island, Raffles the Palm is basically a palace masquerading as a beach resort. With 369 rooms, suites, and villas, it’s got more options than a Netflix binge session. Fancy a 24-hour butler? Sure, why not. Feel like being pampered? Head to the Cinq Mondes Spa with its 23 treatment rooms, hammams, and yoga classes. You’ll leave feeling like royalty.

A luxurious hotel with beige domed rooftops and classical architecture, surrounded by tall palm trees, under a bright blue sky with some clouds. In the foreground, a large swimming pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Elegant hotel lobby with ornate gold and white detailing, chandeliers, marble columns, red velvet chairs, and floral arrangements.

Porto, Portugal

Porto is like that friend who’s always up for a good time but doesn’t need to make a big fuss about it. With daily flights from the UK, it’s a breeze to get to. Early spring is the sweet spot, with temperatures that won’t make you sweat through your shirt. Explore the city’s history, architecture, street art, and galleries without the crowds. Plus, the wine. Oh, the wine.

Where to visit: The Cultural District, WOW

WOW is one of Porto’s top attractions, offering museums, dining, and views over the Douro River that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy. Stay at The Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia for wine-themed luxury – because why just drink wine when you can live in it? Michelin-star dining and a wine-themed spa? Yes, please. You’ll be so relaxed, you might just roll back to the airport.

Night scene of a building with colorful light projections on its exterior walls, with people gathered in an outdoor plaza, some sitting at tables with umbrellas and others standing and walking.
Sunset over a city with a river, featuring a curved terrace with modern seating and umbrellas in the foreground.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos is the poster child for that idyllic Greek holiday you’ve been dreaming of. Visit in late spring or early summer to dodge the crowds and still enjoy the island’s charm. Wander through whitewashed streets, dine at waterfront tavernas, and soak up the atmosphere without feeling like a sardine in a tin. The sea’s warm, the nightlife’s buzzing, and the sunsets are to die for.

Where to stay: BILL & COO

Just minutes from Mykonos Town, BILL&COO is a boutique hotel that’s all about intimate luxury. Overlooking Megali Ammos Beach, the rooms are sophisticated and minimal – because who needs clutter when you’ve got views like these?

Balcony with hot tub overlooking the ocean, with white buildings on cliffs in the background, blue shutters on the door, and outdoor furniture including a gray cushioned chair and a small table with a vase and glasses.
Outdoor dining area with round table set with glasses and small floral arrangements, surrounded by cushioned chairs, overlooking a body of water at sunset with scenic islands in the distance, and a stone column and part of a building in the foreground.

Costa Esmeralda, Sardinia, Italy

Costa Esmeralda is where the celebs go to escape the paparazzi – and where you can pretend you’re one of them. July and August are prime time to explore hidden beaches, coastal tracks, and the glitzy lifestyle of fine dining, beach clubs, and luxury boutiques. It’s all about eco-friendly practices and sustainable tourism, so you can feel good about your holiday footprint.

Where to stay: Hotel Luci di la Muntagna

A stone’s throw from Porto Cervo and its famous boutiques, Hotel Luci di la Muntagna offers stunning pools and terraces overlooking the Marina. Dine at the iconic Lucina restaurant, where traditional Sardinian cuisine gets a creative twist. It’s like eating art, but tastier.

Sunset over a coastal resort with white buildings, a swimming pool, and a marina filled with boats.
Close-up of a pizza with basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and herbs.

Ostuni, Italy

Ostuni is your go-to for an autumn escape with fewer crowds and more charm. Known as the "White City" for its whitewashed buildings, it’s perfect in September and October. Wander through its streets, explore historic landmarks, and enjoy views of olive groves and the Adriatic Sea. It’s harvest season, so get ready to indulge in local wines, fresh olives, and Puglian cuisine.

Where to stay: Vista Ostuni

Opening in early summer 2025, Vista Ostuni is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel in a renovated 19th-Century palazzo. Just steps from the centre of Ostuni and a short drive from the Adriatic beaches, it offers private gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, two restaurants, and a panoramic rooftop. It’s like stepping into a postcard, but with better food.

A luxurious outdoor pool area at a resort with lounge chairs, parasols, a stone deck, lush greenery, and a large beige hotel building in the background, on a sunny day with a clear sky.
Living room with pastel and wooden furniture, abstract face artwork, blue curtains, large window with view, staircase, and modern chandelier.

Saas-fee, Switzerland

Saas-Fee is the Swiss Alps’ best-kept secret – a car-free village surrounded by 18 peaks over 4,000 metres. It’s a skier’s paradise with a snow-sure season from July to late April. Plus, it’s all powered by renewable energy, so you can feel smug about your eco-friendly holiday.

Where to stay: The Capra

The Capra is an intimate alpine lodge with 38 suites and rooms, blending chalet-style elegance with modern comforts. Awarded two Michelin Guide Keys in 2024, it’s a haven for seclusion, wellness, and unparalleled snow. The Peak Health Spa offers personalised treatments, so you’ll leave feeling like a new person – or at least, like you’ve had a really good nap.

Snow-covered mountain landscape with a group of people skiing or snowboarding in the foreground.
Indoor pool area with wooden ceiling, stone pillars, and lounge chairs along the wall. Pool has underwater lighting and a handrail. Cozy lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere.

Istanbul, Turkey

A city where East dances with West, Istanbul dazzles with its treasure trove of history and buzzing modern vibe. Roam through the ancient wonders of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, or treat yourself to luxury shopping and waterfront dining along the Bosporus.

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul

Smack dab in the city’s heart, The Ritz-Carlton flaunts 239 swanky rooms and suites, with a whopping 90% gazing out over the Bosporus. Dining options are top-notch, with Nobu Istanbul dishing out world-famous Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, while Atölye serves up modern Anatolian flavours. Newcomer Limore tempts with Italian fare, and The Roof is the ultimate summer hangout with an infinity pool, DJ sets, and open-air cinema nights. Prices start from £327 per night (accommodation only).

A large mosque with multiple minarets and a central dome, set against a clear blue sky with some clouds and trees in the foreground.
A tall modern building with a gold-colored reflective facade and a logo at the top that reads 'The Ritz-Carlton'. In the background, a body of water with boats and a hilly island with buildings and trees. The foreground shows a mix of greenery and low-rise buildings.

Sintra, Portugal

Tucked away in the Sintra-Cascais Nature Reserve, Sintra is a mesmerising UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its spellbinding palaces, undulating hills, and enchanting forests. Sintra’s quirky microclimate and rich tapestry of history make it a top pick for culture vultures, heritage buffs, and nature lovers alike.

Where to stay: Penha Longa Resort

Boasting a history that stretches back to 1355, Penha Longa Resort offers guests a delightful blend of heritage and luxury. Penha Longa Resort features 187 freshly refurbished rooms that marry historic charm with modern elegance. The resort is a culinary haven with seven dining venues, including the Michelin-starred LAB by Sergi Arola and Midori, Portugal’s first Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant. The 1,500m² spa is a sanctuary with a Zen garden, meditation labyrinth, and a plethora of treatments inspired by the surrounding nature. For golf enthusiasts, the 27-hole course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. is a standout, weaving through ancient ruins and lush landscapes.

Ready to be enchanted? Sintra and Penha Longa Resort await your arrival.

Colorful castle with yellow, red, and gray sections, surrounded by lush green trees, set against a distant cityscape.
A large, pink, multi-story resort or hotel with red tile roofs, surrounded by lush greenery and a forested hillside in the background. Features include balconies, a swimming pool, outdoor seating, and well-maintained gardens.