In 2025, travelers reluctant to abandon overcrowded hotspots like Barcelona and Lisbon and take advantage of proximity to Eurodollar parity are making travel to Europe more affordable for visitors But we balance it out by booking quieter 'Detour Destinations'. : Lesser-known locations close enough to take side trips from popular cities.
Reims, France (near Paris) and Brescia, Italy (one of 52 locations this year) were among the most popular detour destinations with increasing searches on Expedia. European travel agents have also seen an increase in bookings for Montserrat. Another 52 location, an hour train ride from Barcelona. Normandy in Paris. Sintra from Lisbon.
After another year of record heat, the summer “cool” trend continues to grow, with hot southern European destinations like Greece and Portugal set to be replaced by milder climates in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The number of travelers who are doing so is increasing.
“Nighttime” or nocturnal travel is another trend that stems from the desire to escape the daytime heat and a growing interest in other celestial events such as stargazing and sightings of the Northern Lights.
“We are calling 2025 the year of Iceland,” said Jennifer Schwartz, co-managing partner of Authingic Explorations, a New York-based travel company specializing in Europe. “The next full solar eclipse won't be until 2026, but people are paying attention because of the cool weather and ideal location for starry skies.”
Tromsø, Norway is another prime destination to witness the Northern Lights, which is trending in Booking.com searches.
Rail travel continues to grow as an alternative to air travel within Europe, especially among environmentally conscious travelers and those looking to travel at a slower pace.
Railway Headquarters, a travel company specializing in train holidays, says 2025 will be the year of 'tailored train travel', with people looking for customized itineraries and experiences.
“Rail travel has grown in popularity over the past few years and is increasingly seen as not just a mode of transport, but an integral part of a holiday,” said Frank Marini, Managing Director of Railbooker.
Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, France and Ireland are among the most popular European destinations this year, the group said.
