Top Trending Travel Destinations for 2025

After putting our ear to the ground for next year’s most popular travel destinations, we’ve collected a list of our personal favorites (in addition to Hilton Head Island, of course) and have included some brief, but helpful information about each city or region. Palmera Vacation Club members are able to book trips around the globe using two handy dandy tools offered with their membership, the RCI Exchange, and Quest Travel Club. Together, members have access to powerful tools to easily book accommodations using either points or cash, as well as booking everything from airfare, to rental cars, and activities.

International Destinations

Kyoto, Japan

Once Japan’s capital city for more than one thousand years, Kyoto, Japan showcases countless shrines, temples, and other iconic historic sites, 17 of which are considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Renowned for preserving Japan’s traditional culture, the city celebrates its heritage through lively festivals, stunning natural landscapes, and famed kaiseki cuisine–a multi-course dinner that is as much art as it is delicious dishes. Visitors love Kyoto for its blend of rich culture, contemporary attractions, and modern touches, its traditional experiences, and its seasonal beauty, making it a truly unforgettable destination for every traveler.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is a welcoming city that attracts travelers from across the globe because of its stunning beauty, well-preserved medieval architecture, festivals that highlight the region’s culture, as well as being one of the filming locations for the popular series, Game of Thrones.   Often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and because of its coastal location, visitors can often take day trips to nearby islands and enjoy beautiful beaches including both sandy and pebble shorelines. Dubrovnik’s Old Town is a must-see, especially for visitors interested in history and architecture, as the streets are lined with honey-colored limestone buildings and are surrounded by walls dating back to the 13^th century. The city’s cuisine consists of fresh seafood, and other dishes that are heavily inspired by Mediterranean and Italian flavors.

Geneva, Switzerland

This Swiss city is recognized on a global scale for bringing together diplomats, humanitarian organizations, scientific research, and more, and is widely known as “the Peace Capital”.  Due to its location in the southwestern corner of Switzerland, Geneva is considered a melting pot of cultures, with many languages regularly spoken such as French, German, and Italian. Geneva’s natural beauty and charming streets allows visitors to feel as if they’ve walked into a fairytale, especially when snow covers the landscape. One of the largest lakes in Europe, Lake Geneva welcomes visitors to immerse themselves in the idyllic landscape, where cruising through crystal-clear waters is a popular activity during warmer weather.  Explore Old Town’s cobblestone streets for great shopping and dining opportunities—you can’t forget to try some Swiss Chocolate!

The Cyclades Islands, Greece

While Greece as a whole has been an extremely popular travel destination for the past few years, we want to highlight the Cyclades Islands, a pretty large group of islands off the mainland that are known for their iconic architecture and beautiful, rugged landscapes. A great choice for a warm-weather destination in 2025, you’ll have many islands to pick from, such as the heart of the Cyclades, Mykonos, or other well-known islands like Santorini, Milos, Naxos, and more. Summer is considered the peak tourist season, so many visitors opt to visit just before or just after the season as the weather is beautiful and you’re more likely to find deals on accommodations.

Quebec City, Canada

While the providence of Québec is beautiful, we’re talking specifically about visiting its capital, Québec City. Some residents of the city speak English, but you’ll want to brush up on your French before you visit. You’ll be able to experience the French-Canadian culture from its cuisine, music, and traditions. For visitors traveling from the United States, this will be the closest taste of European charm without crossing the Atlantic, and the city’s walkability, vibrant cultural scene, and historical landmarks will leave you wanting to book a trip back! Check the city’s calendar to try lining up your visit with one of Québec City’s annual events, like the Winter Carnival, Fireworks Festival, and more.

United States Destinations

New York City, New York

There has already been a lot of interest in traveling to the Big Apple for 2025, and sources are even calling New York City the top travel destination for the New Year. You really can’t put your finger on just one reason why this is, but NYC has always been a popular destination for vacations for all types of travelers during all parts of the year. The city has made an official comeback from 2020, and visitors can’t wait to have their chance to live out their big city dreams. The best part? This city is a great year-round destination!

Orlando, Florida

A great family-friendly destination, Orlando, Florida, not only offers day trips to the beach and a lively downtown but is best known for having some of the best theme parks in the country, if not the world. From water parks to some of the biggest roller coasters you might ever go on, to theater shows and parades that bring your favorite characters to life, everyone wants to take a trip to Orlando. And that’s even more so for 2025 since Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe park is scheduled to open in late May.

Read our Destination Highlight on Orlando, FL

Charleston, South Carolina

This gorgeous Lowcountry getaway is perfect for families, solo travelers, couples, and friend groups—and as an added bonus, it makes a great day trip for those already visiting Hilton Head Island! This walkable city combines colorful, charming architecture with rich history that can be found with every turn, and plenty of award-winning cuisine to boot! Stay in the heart of it all, or find rest and relaxation across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, or Isle of Palms. Foodies, history buffs, curious kiddos, and couples looking for a romantic retreat will all love their time in Charleston.

Read our Destination Highlight on Charleston

San Diego, California

Deemed, “America’s Finest City,” San Diego is a gem of a travel destination on the west coast. Head here if you’re looking for some more fun in the sun during 2025, with San Diego’s beaches being some of the most beautiful you’ll find on the Pacific. The waters are clear, and while the water is cold, taking a swim, learning to surf, or even snorkeling to see the marine life will all be worth it. This is also a great place to visit for families, as there are plenty of fun kid-friendly activities, attractions, and museums. Plus, the city’s culinary scene is one of the main reasons that San Diego is said to be a popular destination for 2025.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon, is on our radar as one of the top trending travel destinations of 2025 because it’s the perfect blend of natural beauty and a fun, quirky vibe. Unlike anywhere you’ll ever visit, Portland is definitely for travelers who love nature and want to get outside and go exploring. Having one of the largest urban parks in the country, Forest Park, the city is eco-friendly and bike-friendly, offering visitors ample ways to get around during their visit with well-connected public transportation. The food varies from fun and experimental, to high-end dining, and is constantly winning foodies over with every visit they make.