The 10 Best Places to Travel in 2025: Destinations That Will Transform Your Soul and Satisfy Your Wanderlust

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As 2024 fades into memory, the horizon of 2025 beckons with irresistible adventures and once-in-a-lifetime journeys. While iconic metropolises like Paris and Tokyo will always allure, the coming year unveils a collection of captivating destinations that transcend the typical travel bucket list. From remote islands that are finally within reach to ancient cities stepping into a bold new era, these ten locations promise not only awe-inspiring landscapes and rich histories but also transformative experiences that speak to the soul of the modern explorer.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the 10 Best Places to Travel in 2025—destinations chosen not just for their beauty, but for the stories they’re ready to tell.

1. Greenland: A Wilderness Once Distant, Now Near

What was once unreachable is now just four hours away. Greenland is shedding its remote reputation with the opening of new airports, including one in the capital Nuuk, enabling the first direct flights from the U.S. and Europe. Starting June 14, United Airlines connects Newark to this icy wonderland—bringing you face-to-face with nature in its rawest form.

Imagine dog sledding under the midnight sun, watching whales breach in pristine Arctic waters, and escaping into a landscape that feels untouched by time. With spotty cell service and endless vistas, Greenland is the ultimate reset for the soul.

2. Marrakech, Morocco: Where Time Stands Still and History Breathes

Marrakech, Morocco’s radiant red jewel, has long captivated the senses—but now it’s easier to reach than ever. United Airlines has launched the first nonstop U.S. flights to the North African marvel, eliminating the hassle of connections.

Wander the storied streets of the ancient Medina, barter in bustling souks, and breathe in centuries of culture layered into every corner. This thousand-year-old city is where the past pulses alongside the present—mystical, magnetic, and now magnificently accessible.

3. Kanazawa, Japan: The Soul of Old Japan Without the Crowds

Japan’s best-kept secret is ready for the spotlight. While tourists flock to Tokyo and Kyoto, Kanazawa offers serenity, tradition, and elegance without the throngs. With Japan Airlines offering free domestic flights for visitors, getting here is easier than ever.

Marvel at Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Stroll through perfectly preserved geisha and samurai districts. And take a fairytale day trip to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO site blanketed in charm. In 2025, discover the Japan you didn’t know you needed.

4. Quebec City, Canada: French Romance Without the Jet Lag

Step into a European dream—no passport stamps required. Quebec City wraps old-world charm and culinary excellence into a North American package. And in 2025, the Michelin Guide will grace the city for the first time, putting its gastronomy in the global spotlight.

Behind the ramparts of Old Quebec, you’ll find cobbled streets, timeless architecture, and the iconic Château Frontenac rising proudly over the skyline. Romantic, walkable, and bursting with culture—Quebec City is the Francophile escape of the year.

5. Curaçao: A Caribbean Canvas Bursting With Color

This Dutch-Caribbean island may be small, but in 2025, it’s making big moves. As one of the first nations to adopt the brand-new Caribbean guilder, Curaçao is reintroducing itself to the world.

Colorful colonial buildings line the waterfront of Willemstad, where culture and relaxation harmonize perfectly. UNESCO heritage, turquoise beaches, boutique hotels, and a warm, multicultural vibe—this is paradise before the crowds. Come for the charm, stay for the serenity.

6. Seoul, South Korea: A City Where the Future Meets Flavor

Seoul is more than just a cultural juggernaut—it’s a city that never stops evolving. K-pop and Korean dramas have taken the world by storm, but nothing compares to experiencing its energy firsthand.

Taste the world's best fried chicken, lose yourself in the neon magic of Hongdae, hike through Bukhansan’s majestic peaks, and find harmony in ancient palaces shadowed by skyscrapers. Seoul in 2025 is a symphony of tradition and tech—loud, proud, and deliciously unforgettable.

7. Patagonia, Chile: Journey to the Edge of the Earth

If raw, untamed beauty stirs your spirit, Patagonia is calling. Stretching over 1,000 miles across southern Chile, this natural masterpiece boasts towering mountains, glaciers that groan with age, and wildlife that roams freely.

Now, with Silversea Cruises opening the world’s southernmost luxury hotel in Puerto Williams, even the most remote corners are becoming accessible. Whether you cruise to Antarctica or trek Torres del Paine, Patagonia will leave you forever changed.

8. Tucson, Arizona: A Culinary Capital in the Desert

Yes, Tucson. This desert gem isn’t just about cacti and sunsets—it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, the only one in the U.S., with a food heritage stretching back 4,000 years.

Taste tradition in every bite, where Native American and Mexican influences meet in culinary harmony. Visit the breathtaking San Xavier del Bac Mission, hike the Saguaro-lined trails, and discover why this under-the-radar city is suddenly on every foodie’s map.

9. Helsinki, Finland: The Happiest Place on Earth (Literally)

For the seventh year in a row, Finland has been crowned the happiest country in the world—and its capital, Helsinki, embodies that joy with quiet grace. Whether it’s the innovative architecture, the world-class healthcare and education systems, or just the clean, crisp air—something here just feels right.

Take a moment of silence in the famed Chapel of Silence, hop on a tram through picturesque streets, or join a heavy metal concert (yes, seriously). In Helsinki, you won’t just explore a city—you’ll witness a way of life the world should envy.

10. Bhutan: The Kingdom Where Happiness Reigns

High in the Himalayas lies Bhutan, a nation like no other. Known as the “Thunder Dragon Kingdom,” it is the only country with a Gross National Happiness index and the first to go carbon-negative. Now, visiting is a bit easier—its Sustainable Development Fee has been slashed from $200 to $100 per day through 2027.

Explore cliffside monasteries like the Tiger’s Nest, immerse yourself in Buddhist serenity, and discover a nation where the spirit is nourished as deeply as the senses. For those seeking meaning in their travels, Bhutan is not just a destination—it’s a revelation.

2025 Is the Year of Bold Travels and Beautiful Discoveries

These ten destinations offer more than photo ops—they offer perspective, connection, and wonder. Whether you're chasing history in Marrakech, silence in Bhutan, or tacos in Tucson, the world in 2025 is bursting with places that speak not just to your Instagram feed, but to your inner explorer.

Pack light. Travel far. Let 2025 be the year your journey truly begins.

LET FOOD WASTE SHINE: How a Filipino Student Turned Rotting Crops into a Solar Power Revolution

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world desperate for clean energy and solutions to mounting food waste, a young Filipino dared to see beyond what was discarded. Where others saw rotting fruit, Carvey Ehren Maigue saw radiant potential. While storms clouded the Philippine skies and city buildings blocked the sun, this visionary engineering student from Mapúa University imagined a future where even gloomy days could bring light—and power.

His invention, now known as AuREUS—short for Aurora Renewable Energy and UV Sequestration—isn’t just a technological feat. It’s a stunning story of sustainability, survival, and the boundless brilliance of Filipino ingenuity.

BEYOND SUNLIGHT: THE BIRTH OF A SOLAR BREAKTHROUGH

Traditional solar panels rely on visible sunlight, which means they're useless when the skies are overcast or blocked by high-rise buildings. But Carvey asked a radical question: What if we could harvest invisible light—the ultraviolet rays that still penetrate clouds?

The answer came from nature itself.

Carvey discovered that certain fruits and vegetables contain luminescent particles capable of absorbing UV light and converting it into visible light. This visible light, in turn, could be captured by standard solar cells and turned into electricity.

He experimented with nearly 80 crops and found nine with the right properties. From there, he developed a translucent resin panel that looks like colored glass—but acts like a power plant.

The magic? It works even without direct sunlight, making it ideal for urban buildings, shaded areas, and even indoor environments.

FROM FARM WASTE TO FUTURE POWER

AuREUS isn’t just a solar panel. It’s a circular economy in action. It takes agricultural waste—fruits damaged by climate change or unsellable crops—and gives them new life. What once rotted in landfills, now powers phones, homes, and eventually cities.

In Carvey’s own words:

“My device uses waste to generate energy, showing that there's value in what we throw away. It's about building a world that works with nature, not against it.”

The prototype—installed as a window panel in his home—was able to charge two phones, even on a rainy day. And that’s just the beginning.

A GLOBAL STAGE FOR A FILIPINO INNOVATOR

In 2020, Carvey Ehren Maigue became the first-ever winner of the James Dyson Award for Sustainability—beating out more than 1,800 entries from 27 countries.

Dyson founder Sir James Dyson himself praised Carvey’s resilience, noting that he had previously failed to qualify but came back stronger, refining his idea into something truly groundbreaking.

Carvey didn’t just win the prize. He won the admiration of the global scientific and sustainability community, proving that even in a country battered by typhoons and burdened by climate change, brilliance can bloom.

REIMAGINING OUR CITIES, REPOWERING OUR PLANET

Imagine skyscrapers sheathed in glowing panels that generate electricity from ambient UV rays. Picture homes, schools, and jeepneys with AuREUS windows. Visualize a future where every building becomes a silent solar engine, and every discarded fruit becomes a spark of change.

That’s the future Carvey envisions.

Unlike traditional panels that work only 15–22% of the time (during peak sunlight), AuREUS can remain productive up to 50% of the time. It works not just on rooftops—but on windows, walls, and even vehicles. It doesn’t need a field. It doesn’t need the sun to shine. It just needs our will to transform the way we see energy.

THE ROAD AHEAD

With his prize winnings, Carvey is now improving the material, scaling production, and collaborating with architects and engineers to deploy AuREUS across public infrastructure.

He’s also working to empower Filipino farmers, whose rejected crops can become raw materials for his panels—turning wasted harvests into sources of hope and income.

The goal is ambitious: a world powered by what we once threw away.

LET THE FUTURE GLOW

Carvey Ehren Maigue is no longer just an engineering student. He is a beacon of possibility for a generation looking to repair a broken planet.

His invention, born from the quiet observation of nature’s hidden talents, may be one of the most important solar breakthroughs of the decade. It’s poetic. It’s practical. It’s powerful.

And above all—it’s proudly Filipino.

So the next time the clouds roll in and the sun disappears, remember: the light is still there. It’s just waiting for someone like Carvey to unlock it.

Let food waste shine. Let the future shine.

Let us shine—together.

Journey to the Edge of Time: Discovering the Volcanic Wonders and Hidden Stories of Japan's Izu Peninsula

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the shadow of Mount Fuji, where ancient volcanic forces sculpted a peninsula of extraordinary beauty, lies one of Japan's most captivating secrets. The Izu Peninsula—a UNESCO Global Geopark that juts dramatically into the metallic-blue Pacific Ocean—holds within its rugged coastlines and thermal springs the echoes of samurai legends, international intrigue, and geological wonders that have been millions of years in the making.

This is no ordinary destination. Despite being a mere stone's throw from the pulsating heart of Tokyo's megalopolis, Izu exists in a realm apart—a place where time moves differently, where the earth itself tells stories of fire and water, and where every cliff face and cobblestone path whispers tales that shaped the very soul of Japan.

Where Fire Meets the Sea: A Landscape Born from Volcanic Fury

Step onto the Jogasaki cliffs, and you'll find yourself standing atop nature's most dramatic architectural achievement. These towering basalt columns, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, rise like organ pipes from the churning Pacific below. Each column is a testament to the raw power that once coursed through this peninsula, when molten rock met the cooling embrace of ocean spray.

The coastline here doesn't simply exist—it performs. Sweeping volcanic beaches stretch between rocky headlands, their dark sand gleaming like scattered obsidian. At Kawazu, pristine waterfalls cascade through emerald forests, their waters eventually joining the eternal dance between land and sea. This is geology as high theater, where every vista offers a front-row seat to Earth's most spectacular performance.

The Englishman Who Became a Samurai: Walking in the Footsteps of Legend

Among the most extraordinary chapters in Izu's rich tapestry is the story of William Adams—the English sailor whose shipwreck on these very shores in 1600 would transform him into one of history's most unlikely samurai. Adams, who inspired James Clavell's epic novel "Shogun" and its celebrated television adaptation, found himself not merely a castaway but a bridge between two worlds.

Walking the coastal paths that Adams once trod, travelers can almost feel the weight of history beneath their feet. Here was a man who arrived as a stranger and became advisor to the shogun himself, his Western knowledge of navigation and shipbuilding earning him a place in the highest echelons of Japanese society. The very beaches where his adventure began still echo with the sound of waves that carried his fate to these shores.

Black Ships and Turning Tides: When History Pivoted on Izu's Shores

The peninsula's role in shaping Japan's destiny didn't end with Adams. In 1854, the thunder of Commodore Matthew Perry's "Black Ships" reverberated across these waters, heralding the end of Japan's centuries-long isolation. The American fleet's arrival marked a seismic shift in Japanese history—a moment when the island nation was thrust onto the world stage, forever changing its trajectory.

Today, as you walk the clifftop paths overlooking the Pacific, it's impossible not to imagine those imposing vessels on the horizon, their steam-powered presence representing the inexorable march of a changing world. The very waters that lap against Izu's shores witnessed one of history's most significant diplomatic encounters.

Literary Pilgrimages and Mountain Passages: Following the Dancer's Trail

The peninsula's cultural significance extends beyond political history into the realm of literature and art. Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata immortalized these landscapes in "The Izu Dancer," his haunting tale of young love and fleeting encounters. The paths that wind through the peninsula—particularly the route through the famous Amagi Tunnel—have become literary pilgrimages, where travelers can literally walk through the pages of one of Japan's most beloved stories.

The tunnel itself, carved through mountain rock, serves as both a practical passage and a metaphorical threshold—a place where travelers leave the modern world behind and enter a realm where the past feels more present than the future.

Thermal Sanctuaries: Where Earth's Heat Becomes Heaven

No journey through Izu would be complete without surrendering to the peninsula's most soothing gift: its onsen hot springs. These natural thermal baths, heated by the same volcanic forces that shaped the landscape, offer more than mere relaxation—they provide a direct connection to the earth's living energy.

Imagine slipping into waters that have been warmed by forces deep beneath the earth's crust, while panoramic views of the Pacific stretch endlessly before you. These onsen experiences aren't just about physical rejuvenation; they're about finding harmony with the natural world, understanding your place in the grand geological story that continues to unfold beneath your feet.

A Seafood Paradise: Treasures from Pacific Waters

The same ocean that witnessed historic arrivals and geological drama also provides Izu with some of Japan's finest seafood. The peninsula's position, where warm and cold currents converge, creates ideal conditions for marine life. Local fishing ports bring in daily catches of buri yellowtail and ise-ebi spiny lobster, their flavors carrying the essence of these pristine waters.

In charming harbor towns that seem frozen in time, travelers can experience seafood so fresh it seems to capture the very spirit of the ocean. These bucolic fishing ports, with their weathered wooden buildings and gentle rhythms, offer a glimpse into a Japan that exists largely unchanged despite the transformations happening elsewhere.

The Ultimate Walking Adventure: Six Days That Span Millennia

Walk Japan's newest offering, the Izu Wayfarer, presents this remarkable peninsula not as a destination to simply visit, but as a story to be lived. This six-day, five-night journey transforms travelers into active participants in an epic narrative that spans geological ages, historical epochs, and cultural transformations.

Each day brings 12-18 kilometers of walking through landscapes that shift like scenes in an ever-changing drama. One moment you're traversing volcanic beaches where ancient lava flows met the sea; the next, you're following forest paths where literary legends were born. The route connects these experiences seamlessly, creating a narrative flow that mirrors the peninsula's own geological and cultural evolution.

This isn't merely tourism—it's time travel on foot. With comprehensive route guides and round-the-clock English support, adventurers can focus entirely on the experience itself, knowing that every practical detail has been anticipated and arranged.

Beyond the Tokyo Megalopolis: A Different Japan Awaits

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Izu Peninsula is its proximity to one of the world's largest urban centers. Less than two hours from Tokyo's neon-lit streets and bullet train stations, travelers can find themselves in a realm where the primary sounds are crashing waves, rustling bamboo, and the gentle bubble of hot springs.

This accessibility makes Izu Peninsula not just a destination, but a revelation—proof that even in our hyperconnected world, places of profound natural beauty and historical significance remain within reach of those willing to seek them out.

The peninsula challenges our assumptions about modern Japan, revealing layers of story and landscape that no amount of urbanization can erase. It reminds us that beneath the surface of any place lie deeper narratives—geological, historical, cultural—waiting to be discovered by those who choose to walk rather than merely pass through.

A Journey That Changes You

The Izu Peninsula doesn't just offer an escape from the everyday; it provides a fundamental shift in perspective. Here, surrounded by landscapes that have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the meeting of cultures, and the slow dance of geological time, travelers inevitably find themselves contemplating their own place in the grand continuum of existence.

Whether you're drawn by the promise of literary pilgrimage, historical discovery, geological wonder, or simply the call of pristine natural beauty, Izu Peninsula delivers experiences that linger long after the journey ends. It's a place where every step reveals new layers of meaning, where the act of walking becomes a form of dialogue with both history and the living earth itself.

In an age of virtual experiences and digital connections, the Izu Peninsula offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to engage with the world through your own two feet, to feel history in the stones beneath your soles, and to discover that some of life's most profound experiences still require nothing more than the willingness to walk forward into wonder.