Looking ahead to 2025, we’ve rounded up current luxury travel trends to catch your eye. Sustainability remains high on the agenda, while solo travel is on the up. The desire for unique and authentic moments that stand apart from the everyday has never been higher and the ‘wellness sabbatical’ is making headlines. To keep your finger on the pulse, here are some of the most important, intriguing, and surprising travel trend predictions for 2025, with insights from our travel experts.

For travel inspiration, take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys for 2025 and beyond.

1. Top Trending Destinations

“Luxury travel means something different to everyone. It may be an extended stay in an 11th century Irish castle, exploring Egypt’s monuments in VIP style or taking a luxurious cruise on Croatia’s crystal waters,” says Ulla Hefel Böhler, Chief Operating Officer for Luxury Gold and its sister brands at The Travel Corporation. “Whatever your destination, the desire for personalization, customization and exclusivity remains constant. We consider Luxury Gold guests amongst the most discerning of high-end travelers, and it is interesting to see how they are influencing the travel sphere. 

“For Luxury Gold travelers in 2025, Europe remains a perennial favorite, particularly France with its timeless allure. The capital Paris is a huge draw, with guests eager to see the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, and then soak up the romantic charm of Nice and St Tropez on the French Riviera. A country at its most exquisite when seen through a local lens, other highlights of our journeys to France include a chauffeured 2CV experience in Provence, a traditional French cooking class with a Michelin-star chef and a private cruise in Calanques National Park. 

“Scandinavia is also an increasingly in-demand destination, with its cosmopolitan cities and awe-inspiring mountains and fjords. Winding through snow-covered peaks on the Flåm Railway, sustainable fine dining at Stockholm’s Fotografiska restaurant and an unforgettable hotel stay overlooking Norway’s spectacular Geirangerfjord all combine for a sought-after luxury Scandinavian vacation.  

“In South America, the mystique of Machu Picchu, the vast wilderness of Patagonia, and the vibrant energy of the tango all continue to attract luxury seekers, driving increased demand for exquisite escapes to Peru, Chile and Argentina. 

“Vietnam and India are also high on the list of popular destinations, each offering a rich array of experiences. From cruising through the iconic limestone formations of Ha Long Bay to discovering the grandeur of the Taj Mahal, both countries boast exceptional hotels, deep historical significance, and an abundance of cultural treasures.” 

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 2. Sustainable Travel Remains A Priority

As we are seeing every year, the thirst for sustainable travel continues unabated. In the Luxury space this is taking the form of a rise in supply and demand of eco-friendly accommodations – responsible travel without a compromise on comfort, and an increased focus on regenerative travel. This is travel that goes beyond minimizing negative impacts; it actively seeks to improve the destinations traveler’s visit.

Luxury Gold’s Sustainability Manager Lucie Dalilah explains, “Access to lesser known, yet fascinating places is a fundamental aspect of luxury travel. Authentic connections with local cultures have become increasingly cherished, enriching the travel experience in ways that go beyond mere indulgence.

“Through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, included on every journey, guest leave a positive impact and contribute to the future of the communities they visit. Whether dancing flamenco in Seville, Spain or meeting New Zealand’s kiwis, these experiences take you into the heart of your destination, with exclusive behind-the-scenes access. The feeling you get is priceless and the memories last forever.”

Bookmark for later: This New Zealand Forest Retreat Combines 5-Star Luxury with Sustainability

3. Solo Travel Is On The Up

Empowering you to explore the world on your own terms, solo travel for many is a transformative experience. Ever more popular amongst the luxury set, solo travel is now making up over 10% of bookings, an increase year on year. Not completely surprising, as reported by Infinity Business Insights, the solo travel market is expected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% between 2023 and 2030. This makes it the largest growth segment in the global leisure travel market.

Whether you see it as means of fostering self-discovery, an impetus to step outside of your comfort zone, or simply as a way to personalize your vacation and spend some valuable me time, there is much to be said for traveling by yourself at any time in life.

However, going solo does not have to mean going it alone, with luxury group travel offering the perfect blend of comfort, security and independence. In fact, according to leading solo travel website Solo Traveler, 9 out of 10 solo travelers prefer to take tours all or some of the time. With the freedom to do your own thing, alongside like-minded people, with 5-star hotels and top-rated dining, why not hop on board this 2025 trend?

You may be interested to read:  7 Reasons Why Solo Travel Is The Ultimate Form Of Self-Indulgence

4. Thinking Ahead is Back

In 2024, many travelers were known for their last-minute planning, but for 2025, the trend is shifting back toward advance preparation. 35% of bookings are now being made more than 13 months in advance, indicating that travelers are eager to secure their future luxury getaways well ahead of time. In contrast, those who opt to book within the 0 to 7-month window currently represent only 15% of total bookings. This resurgence in proactive planning reflects a growing desire among travelers to thoughtfully plan their experiences and ensure they don’t miss out on desirable destinations and places to stay.

5. Cruises Are High On The Wishlist

Analysis of search data reveals that ‘cruises’ are experiencing a 21% year-on-year increase, a significant feature in the luxury travel market. “The ease and indulgence of a luxury cruise never goes out of style,” says Luxury Gold’s Travel Experiences Manager EMEA, Karen Gower. “Fine dining on deck, sumptuous suites and a dazzling itinerary of stops and activities, what’s not to love!

“There are some destinations that simply must be seen from both water and land, to be fully appreciated, Croatia being a great example. The stunning Dalmatian Coast lends itself perfectly to cruising, with sparkling waters, golden sands and numerous beautiful islands to stop at and explore. Whilst on land the national parks and ancient cities are also not to be missed, so combining a cruise with a land tour portion also gives the best of both worlds on our Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast journey.  Guests can also enjoy a fabulous cruise in Egypt on our Elegance of the Nile.”

Discover what it is like on a Luxury Gold cruise:  Beauty Beyond Words: Past Guest Sal On Cruising Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

6. Spa Holidays Drive Wellness Tourism

With wellness firmly atop the agenda still, searches for ‘spa holidays’ are up 52%. Not altogether surprising as wellness tourism continues to be one of the fastest-growing travel segments, with the global wellness economy projected by the Global Wellness Institute to reach $8.5 trillion by 2027.

Now less an add-on and more a focus of travel, combining luxurious accommodations with the ultimate pamper-fest is the way to go. Alongside this, the conventional perception of sabbaticals (think backpacking and budget hostels) is also undergoing a transformation. Luxury sabbaticals are now becoming increasingly popular, emphasizing immersive experiences that prioritize wellness and personal growth, and making the most of some sensational hotels and wellness facilities.

You may also enjoy: Skip The Jacuzzi and Brave the Ice Bath: Industry Insider Joanna Moran Reveals Her Top Spa Secrets

Other Luxury Travel Trends In The News:

7. Increased Desire For Comfort In The Skies

More people are paying for higher grade air seats – people are showing an increasing willingness to pay for more comfort and a better experience in airplanes. To minimize time spent in uncomfortable or crowded areas, those looking to avoid long waits are increasingly booking access to private lounges or choosing the latest and most luxurious lounge options available at airports worldwide, according to a recent Smartflyer report.

Bookmark for later: Flying First Class: The Luxury Gold First-Timer’s Guide

8. Capturing EVERY Moment In High Quality

A new report from Virtuoso and Globetrender spotlights ‘Memoirs in Motion’ as a key trend set to shape the luxury travel landscape in 2025. Luxury travelers are increasingly casting themselves in their own personal documentaries, generating demand for professional film crews who can accompany them on special journeys and expeditions.

They describe how this trend “reflects a growing desire for personalized storytelling and the preservation of memories in dynamic and visually stunning formats, elevating travel experiences.” One to consider extending the budget for!

If these luxury vacation trends have inspired you to think about your next journey, take a look at our worldwide collection of limited-edition tours.

Among the many high-end touches to Luxury Gold’s journeys, from fine dining to ultimate-access cultural experiences, guests can expect to stay in exceptional hotels. In Portugal’s untapped Alentejo region, in the central part of the country, this might look like staying at an enchanting convent – now a luxury hotel – with roots as far back as the 1300s AD.

Convento do Espinheiro in Evora, Portugal, was for centuries the home of monks belonging to the order of St Jeronimo. Now it welcomes culturally curious guests, who can tour its labyrinthine, whitewashed chapels, explore idyllic grounds and gardens and even eat in the monks’ old cafeteria. Guests will enjoy a stay here on Day 10 of our Spain & Portugal in Style journey. Concierge Ricardo walks us through some of the highlights.

The cloisters at Convento do Espinheiro Portugal

It started with a vision

“The spiritual origins of the church of Our Lady of Espinheiro date back at least to the 14th century,” explains Ricardo. “In the small chapel where the main altar is found, were documents that prove the existence of a religious cult here since 1365. Legend has it that, years before this, a shepherd had seen an image of Our Lady above a thorn bush (‘espinheiro’) here, which was on fire but not consumed by the flames – it’s reminiscent of the archetype of the burning bush, which Moses found in the desert. 

“Convento do Espinheiro was founded with the authorization of the Pope in 1457, and handed over to the monks of the order of St Jerome. A religious community of 12 monks settled here on 2 September 1458, once the physical works on the monastery were complete.”

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Exquisite chapels

“The church is rich in works of art, especially in the side and main chapels,” ays Ricardo. “As well as the paintings, many by Frei Carlos – a Flemish monk who professed here – the church is also rich in azulejo tile panels, which tell the life story of St Jerome. In the Capela do Senhor Morto, you’ll see some empty frames, which once held paintings by Frei Carlos which were sacked during the French invasions.

“The choir loft was where the monks gathered to sing psalms, and beside it is the organ – one of the most magnificent pieces in the Alentejo region. It was produced by the famous Italian organ maker Pascoal Oldovino around 1757. The same year, an agreement was made with the monks: annual payments in exchange for an organ concert before community festivities. The payment was 20 bushels of wheat each August, a pig and a cartload of firewood.”

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The monks’ refectory

“Here the two most awaited feasts were held annually, on Ascension Day and 29 September, the day of the patron saint Jerome. A cook was hired especially for these occasions, fresh fish and shellfish were ordered from the port of Sesimbra, and the best chickens and game killed and prepared. Desserts were prepared using plenty of eggs and sugar. These days were exceptional, because the monks mainly lived by the rule of abstinence.

“Taking a tour of Convento do Espinheiro’s kitchens today, you can see the great chimney where all of the ingredients were cooked, especially beef. This is one of the best-preserved 16th-century monastic kitchens in all of the country, and its vault is one of a kind. It has a bread-baking oven where our guests still witness the tradition of Alentejo baking.”

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A very royal scandal

Portugal’s historic royalty and noblemen have stories bound up in Convento do Espinheiro, too, Ricardo explains. “Not only the Portuguese royal family, but also many noble families are buried here, as was their wish. You can explore the chapel of Garcia de Resende, [a great poet and storyteller in Portugal] who designed his own tomb here before his death in 1536. 

“Spain’s Princess Isabella of Aragon also spent a night at the Convento after she was brought to Portugal to marry the country’s Prince Afonso. On the eve of the royal wedding, the princess was visited by a party from the Portuguese royal court – or so writes Garcia de Resende. He tells us that the bride and groom met in her room at the convent, and on the same night a storm caused one of the building’s battlements to fall onto the roof of the couple’s room  – a sign of displeasure from the heavens. The monks immediately took this as a sign of misfortune. A few months later the prince was actually killed as the result of a fall from his horse in the Santarem region.”

Touring the building

During a stay here, a historic tour from in-the-know staff will give you a fascinating overview of the historic golden era of this monastery. A guided tour by one of the hotel’s concierges is included in your stay, available at 5.30pm each evening. “In the ancient cistern, we see King John II’s coat of arms above the door, under the vaulted ceiling, as well as a pelican which was his personal symbol. The construction of a water cistern was one of the first works done in the monastery. 

The gardens are also a highlight, says Ricardo. “The convent’s estate is a vast area of grounds with extensive farmlands and olive groves – one of them over 1,000 years old. It has witnessed a great amount of history and still produces olives. We annually pick the olives from which our olive oil is made.” Even the ancient cellar is utilised. “The monks’ ancient cellar is where wine and olive oil were produced and stored in large clay pots like the ones found here. Today it is our main restaurant, Divinus, where the delicious flavors of Alentejo gastronomy may be savored.”

Eco-savvy trips don’t have to mean compromising on glamour, luxury, or comfort, especially when you choose an eco luxury hotel. In fact, many of the world’s sustainable hotels are made even more indulgent by their environmental credentials, with locally-sourced produce and cutting-edge, energy-efficient technology coming as standard for sustainable stays.

From spa treatments infused with fresh florals foraged from the hotel gardens to outstanding conservation efforts that grant guests the opportunity to help preserve local wildlife, these eco luxury hotels offer a planet-friendly way to travel – coupled with the unparalleled excellence and service Luxury Gold guests expect with a five-star retreat.

Read more: how we’re setting the Gold Standard for sustainable luxury travel

Sani Resort, Halkidiki

 

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For the fourth year running, Greece’s pioneering Sani resort on the shores of the Halkidiki peninsula won the World’s Leading Luxury Green Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2023. The Sani Green program is implemented across the five energy-efficient hotels at this dreamlike beach resort – despite its huge scale, it has been running on 100% renewable energy since 2019, and in 2020 Sani became Greece’s very first carbon-neutral resort. 

Commitment to sustainability continues in Sani’s carefully-crafted guest experiences, from eco excursions exploring the 1,000-acre wetland and nature reserve next door, to taking part in wild dolphin surveys and replanting local olive groves. 

Six Senses Svart, Norway

Wellness specialists Six Senses are opening a new base at the foot of a Norwegian fjord later this year; and, in true Scandi sustainable style, it’s hoped that the Six Senses Svart will be the world’s first energy-positive hotel. Not only is the ring-shaped hotel building itself intended to be completely off-grid and self-sufficient thanks to solar and geothermal energy: the supply and transfer boats that dock at the hotel will be too.

Staying at this eco luxury hotel is a lesson in Earth-conscious comfort. Zero-waste dining with farm-to-table ingredients is a given, while sp treatments also utilise locally-foraged produce: think wild Norwegian herbs pounded into soothing body scrubs.

Discover Fotografiska: Stockholm’s delectable plant-based bistro

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania

 

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Set in the spellbinding Tasmanian wilderness, Saffire Freycinet is one of Australia’s most sustainable hotels. It’s guided by two core principles – protecting healthy sites and healing damaged ones. The hotel stands on the land of a former campsite, where the land had been ravaged by passing vehicles; however, Saffire Freycinet has replanted 30,000 native flora species since it opened in 2010. Charming embellishments – from knitwear to cuddly toys – designed by locals and displayed in the lobbies and rooms keep the hotel’s carbon footprint low, and guests can even take part in a Tasmanian Devil conservation program.

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The Brando, French Polynesia

 

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French Polynesia’s paradisiacal islands look as if they have barely been touched by man – and the exclusive Brando private island getaway hopes to keep it that way. Inspired by Marlon Brando’s keenness to preserve sanctuaries for future generations, the understated yet uber-luxe energy-efficient hotel is mostly powered by 4,700 photovoltaic panels. Plus, all food waste is transformed into compost within 24 hours so the next generation of hotel-grown crops can flourish. 

The Brando also works with a Polynesian non-profit, the Tetiaroa Society, to operate the island’s very own Eco-Station – where scientists monitor biodiversity and other crucial aspects of the island’s ecosystem.

Park Hotel Pickering, Singapore

 

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Eco luxury hotels in cities can be harder to find than sustainable rural boltholes, but the Park Hotel Pickering in Singapore bucks the trend. This ‘hotel-within-a-garden’ set along the banks of the Singapore River is literally covered in greenery, with 15,000 square metres of exterior planting, roof gardens and even waterfalls on the walls transforming this five-star hote into a true urban jungle. 

The sustainable credentials continue  inside, too, with tempting pure plant-based menus in the restaurant and electric vehicles used for all guest transfers. No wonder it’s been named the “World’s Leading Green City Hotel” at the World Travel Awards three years in a row.

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Gaia Hotel and Resort, Costa Rica

Certified by the Costa Rican government as 99.6% sustainable and currently the World’s Leading Green Hotel (at the World Travel Awards), Gaia prides itself on ‘5-star barefoot luxury’ – you’ll feel connected to the glorious rainforest around you within moments of stepping through the door. 

Light-filled rooms are equipped with special sensitive glass, which reduces the need for both artificial heating and cooling. In the grounds, tours of the sustainable luxury hotel’s own nature reserve introduces guests to the resident scarlet macaws, as Gaia hopes to spearhead the reintroduction of the species into the adjacent Manuel Antonio National Park.

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