If the thought of battling crowds at famous attractions fills you with dread, you’re not alone. According to travel experts, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of “slow travel” – favoring lesser-known locales over bucket-list icons. After years of missing out on big trips, many travelers went all-in on major destinations in 2022 and 2023. But the trend for 2025 is all about discovering hidden gems off the beaten path.
Remember FOMO – the fear of missing out that fueled our desire to see the world’s most famous sights? Well, say hello to JOMO – the joy of missing out. Savvy travelers are embracing the thrill of exploring overlooked places that most tourists pass by. Why battle the masses at the Trevi Fountain when you could wander the medieval alleyways of Reims, France? According to data from Expedia, this little-known gem tops the list of rising flight searches for 2025.
Overtourism has become a major issue, with popular destinations struggling under the weight of too many visitors. The solution? Discover second cities and smaller destinations that offer a more authentic taste of local life. Booking.com data reveals lodging hot spots like Trømso, Norway, the Brazilian beach town of João Pessoa, and the Spanish seaside village of Villajoyosa.
Even bucket-list countries like Italy are seeing a shift, with travelers venturing beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice. The port town of Trieste, for example, is surging in popularity as visitors use it as a base to explore miles of hiking trails, medieval hill towns, and the sparkling Adriatic coast.
Of course, part of the allure of these underrated destinations is the sense of pioneering adventure. After all, how many of your friends can rattle off facts about Canmore, Canada or Fukuoka, Japan? These places top Expedia’s list of emerging travel hotspots, promising a departure from the well-trodden tourist trail.
Some might call it the joy of missing out. We call it the thrill of discovery. Why follow the herd to overpriced, overcrowded attractions when you could blaze your own trail to the hidden wonders of the world? Embrace the spirit of the slow travel movement and uncover the magic of the road less traveled in 2025.
Thanks for stopping by! To read more about the up-and-coming destinations in 2025, read the reports from Expedia and Booking.com. Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here. To see inside my camera bag, check out my Gear Page.