10 must-have travel experiences for your 2025 bucket list
Looking for new ways to explore the world in 2025? Whatever destinations are on your 2025 bucket list, there's an array of exciting and immersive travel experiences you can add to them - and many that go beyond the famous sites and tourist traps.
Whether your plans involve returning to a place you know and love, or exploring somewhere new, you'll want to keep scrolling to discover the unique and unforgettable travel experiences you can have along the way.
Adding a special travel experience to your holiday can help introduce you to the local culture and give you a better understanding of the destination.
These could be foodie experiences, like cooking classes and farm-to-table dining, or perhaps a tour with local expert to an off-the-beaten-track location that many tourists don't know about.
These travel experiences can quickly immerse you in a new destination, helping you to learn more about the countries and cities you're visiting, or give you a new appreciation for a place you've visited before. What's more, they'll help you create wonderful new memories, especially if you're travelling with your other half, your favourite girlfriends or on a mother-daughter holiday.
So if you're looking for inspiration to book a holiday with a unique travel experience, you'll want to know our favourite ideas for 2025. These bucket list experiences can be had with Good Housekeeping Holidays and range from an atmospheric lighting ceremony in one of Venice's most beautiful buildings, to a wander around Dracula's castle in Romania.
A ride through Europe on the glamorous Venice Simplon-Orient Express
When it comes to bucket list railway experiences, there's not much that can trump a ride on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. This is the very height of glamour, with meticulously restored 1920s carriages whisking you back to the golden era of rail travel. Throughout the 20th century, the train held a distinguished role in the art of continental travel, carrying its guests, who included spies, authors, ambassadors and royalty, to tour Europe and her finest cities.
There are several routes available on the train, and we particularly love the one-night Venice to Paris experience. You can enjoy a luxurious trip on board, with champagne flowing in Bar Car ‘3674’ and fine dining in the beautiful dining cars, as well as free time at each end of your journey to enjoy two of Europe's most culturally significant cities.
Good Housekeeping has a very special trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice to Paris. You'll be joined on board by rail enthusiast and journalist Michael Portillo.
A gaze at the constellations in the UK's standout dark sky spot
As far as special travel experiences in the UK go, it doesn't get much better than a stargazing staycation in Northumberland's Dark Sky Park. This is the region of the UK with the most pristine dark skies and the lowest levels of light pollution, so you're bound to get a good look at the dazzling constellations that twinkle in the skies above.
A stargazing trip is a great way to gain a new appreciation of the beauty of northern England, and seeing the skies glow above the wild and wonderful Northumberland landscapes is a truly memorable travel experience. To get a closer glimpse, you can pay a visit to one of the region's observatories, like Kielder Observatory to get a better look at the starts with telescopes learn about the stars with special talks and hands-on activities.
See the beauty of Northumberland's skies on Good Housekeeping's astronomy tour. You'll visit two observatories and have the company of expert astronomer Richard Darn who'll give talks about the galaxies.
A sunrise or sunset visit to the majestic Taj Mahal
A visit to India offers so many chances for unforgettable travel experiences. From visits to local spice markets to cruises along the Ganges, the country's sacred river, there's no lack of ways to learn about the culture and history of the country. Of course, a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal is on most people's India wish lists.
To make a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site even more jaw-dropping, you can visit at sunrise or sunset. Seeing the golden light glowing as it bounces off the white marble mausoleum as the building itself is mirrored in the tranquil reflecting pool is a truly unforgettable travel experience. Before the sun sets, or after it has risen, take the time to wander around the site and appreciate the intricate carvings and perfect symmetry of this impressive work of Mughal architecture.
Witness both sunrise and sunset over the Taj Mahal on Good Housekeeping's epic 18-day India tour. The holiday includes a tour of the Golden Triangle as well as a Ganges River cruise.
A stroll around Madeira's spectacular subtropical gardens
Keen botanists looking for new horticultural experiences must head for the Portuguese island of Madeira. Nestled in the heart of the Atlantic, the unique island, which has been named the 'Hawaii of Europe,' is a plant-lover's dream, with a subtropical climate allowing a whole variety of wonderful flora to bloom. There are several delightful gardens to explore, but chief among them are the Madeira Botanical Gardens and Palheiro Gardens.
At Palheiro Gardens you'll find orchid nurseries and beautiful waterlily lakes located at about 500 meters above sea level in the hills to the east of Funchal. The Madeira Botanical Garden is home to more than 2,000 exotic plants from all over the world and is nestled between mountains in to the north and the ocean in the south. Exploring these gardens is the perfect way to appreciate the biodiversity of Madeira and the beauty of its flowers.
Celebrate all things flowers on Good Housekeeping's springtime Madeira trip. The eight-day tour includes visits several gardens including Funchal Botanical Gardens and the Quinta do Arco Rose Garden and a day at the Madeira Flower Festival.
An exclusive out-of-hours visit to one of Venice’s most impressive attractions
Venice is a magnet for tourists, who flock to visit its atmospheric canal-lined streets, grand churches and elaborate Gothic architecture. Despite its popularity, there are still plenty of hidden gems and interesting ways to discover the city that will allow you to avoid the crowds.
One of the best ways to see the city in peace must be with a private, small group tour of St Mark's Basilica at night, after it's closed to the general public. This way you'll be able to see the cathedral's incredible artworks up close without feeling rushed. A guide will take you inside the basilica as it lies in darkness, before the lights are turned on one by one, gradually revealing its glorious, golden, Byzantine mosaics.
On Good Housekeeping's Venice cruise you'll witness the lighting ceremony at St mark's Basilica, get VIP access to the Doge's palace, tour Torcello's basilica with an art historian and enjoy events with MasterChef judge Monica Galetti.
The out-of-hours tour is also included on another foodie cruise with acclaimed chef James Martin, who'll join you on board for one day to give a talk, Q&A and book signing, and craft and cook a mouthwatering gala dinner one evening.
A wander around Dracula’s dramatic castle
If you're looking for a unique European getaway, consider a visit to Romania. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy a trip into Transylvania, a region of rugged, snow-capped mountains dotted with spectacular medieval castles. It's no wonder this is the home of the legend of Dracula. In fact, one of these castles, Bran Castle, is said to have strongly inspired the fictional home of Bram Stoker's terrifying vampire.
It's the most iconic medieval castle in Romania, and you can learn about the history of this spooky yet beautiful building while walking around its many carefully preserved rooms. The castle was once the favourite residence of Queen Maria of Romania, who turned it into a summer retreat and constructed the castle’s modern outbuilding, the Tea House, which is now a restaurant serving with local dishes and teas.
Good Housekeeping's Transylvania break takes you to Bran Castle where you'll discover the history of this intriguing monument and learn about the legend of Dracula.
A classical music concert from a legendary tenor in Tuscany's hills
Tuscany offers so many special travel experiences, especially for those with a love of art and music. Florence, the capital of this central Italian region, is the epicenter of Italian Renaissance art, packed with world-class art museums like the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries. Music was another important aspect of the Italian Renaissance and Tuscany is a hub for classical music.
The region is home to Italian opera legend Andrea Bocelli, who puts on a spectacular open-air concert every summer in a purpose-built amphitheatre in his hometown of Lajatico. Witnessing the maestro and other stars of music and dance perform in this open-air theatre with views of the Tuscan hills should be on the bucket list of any classical music lover.
Join Good Housekeeping for a special Tuscan break to mark the 20th anniversary of Bocelli's concerts at the Teatro del Silenzio. You'll attend the spectacular open-air concert and meet a member of the Bocelli family during wine tasting at the family's restaurant.
An epic journey on one of Switzerland's iconic red trains
A good rail journey is an excellent way to discover a new destination. Train journeys are a more relaxing way to really take in a new place in a short period of time, allowing you to soak in the views of your destination as you travel from A to B. Although there are wonderful railway experiences to enjoy all over the world, Switzerland is particularly blessed when it comes to scenic rail travel.
A ride on the Bernina Express is one of the best travel experiences you can enjoy in the Swiss Alps. The UNESCO-listed panoramic railway runs from Chur and St Moritz in Switzerland before crossing the northern Italian border to Tirano. It's rightly considered one of the best train holidays in the world, taking you along the highest railway line in the Alps so you can admire the best of Switzerland's pristine lakes and stunning mountain tops.
Hop on board the Bernina Express with Good Housekeeping for a day trip to elegant St Moritz, enjoying an afternoon in Switzerland's premier Alpine resort town.
A peek inside a private country retreat loved by the Royal Family
Norfolk is a favourite destination for a UK holiday, especially a classic British seaside break. You can eat fish and chips in Cromer, see the seals at Blakeney, and follow the coastal footpaths for wonderfully scenic walks. And of course, in the summer months nothing is better than relaxing in a deck chair with an ice cream. But the county has plenty to offer if you're looking for something more than a typical seaside holiday.
This is where the royals have their country retreat at the exquisite Sandringham Estate. Visiting the estate and the Jacobean country house makes a memorable UK travel experience, especially if you take a tour of the interiors, where stunning artefacts like Meissen porcelain are on display, along with exquisite furniture and historic tapestries. Wandering around these rooms with an expert guide gives you a real insight into the history of the Royal Family.
On Good Housekeeping's Norfolk holiday you'll discover Sandringham and hear exclusively from historian Lucy Worsley about the estate and the modern monarchy.
A close-up view of a picturesque Scottish loch
A good Highlands holiday is all about breathtaking landscapes, from the rocky coves and white-sand beaches of the west coast to the towering glens and tranquil lochs of the region's national parks. Loch Katrine lies in the Trossachs area of the Scottish Highlands and is surrounded by wildlife-rich woodlands and moorlands.
For over 180 years, visitors have been enjoying steamship cruises on Loch Katrine, and this experience remains one of the best ways to take in the wild and wonderful scenery. The SS Walter Scott is now the only surviving passenger steam ship in Scotland. Named after the writer Walter Scott, who set his 1810 poem Lady of the Lake around Loch Katrine, the boat carries passengers over the loch's tranquil waters several times a day.
Good Housekeeping has a Highlands adventure that includes a cruise on Loch Katrine on the historic steamship SS Sir Walter Scott. You'll also enjoy a ride on the Jacobite Railway and hear from Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood.
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