The best Travel Experiences of 2025

With no more trips on the horizon for 2025, I can already crown the year’s highlights, subjectively and unapologetically.

1. Best Cruise: Viva Cruises River Journey in the Netherlands and Belgium

Viva’s quality dazzles in every possible way. This year, we sailed through the rivers and canals of the Netherlands and Belgium, wrapped in that signature Viva comfort.

2. Best Garden: Keukenhof

The world’s finest spring garden, without question. We were lucky enough to visit at the exact moment when the tulips were at their breathtaking peak.

3. Best Economy Flight: Turkish Airlines

Outstanding service, delightfully old-school full meals, and proper drink service—even on shorter European routes. Turkish Airlines continues to redefine what economy can be.

4. Best Hotel: Sivatel Bangkok

A boutique city-center hotel with sweeping skyline views, attentive service, and spacious suite rooms. Technically, I stayed here just before the turn of the year, but I’m counting it as part of this travel season.

5. Best Scenery: The Caucasus, Georgia

Our tour of Georgia involved many hours in a minibus, but when the landscapes are this rugged and majestic, there’s no place you’d rather sit and gaze.

6. Best Hotel Breakfast: Grand Hansa Helsinki

A Michelin-worthy hotel breakfast that easily competes with the best morning spreads in any major city around the world.

7. Best Cinnamon Roll Bakery: Canela Bakery, Warsaw

The tastiest surprise of our Warsaw trip was stumbling upon this cinnamon-roll bakery within walking distance. The experience was perfect from start to finish, even the queue went by in a flash while watching the bakers at work.