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In the wide world of travel possibilities, you might be asking, “Where to next?” Perhaps winter’s chilly temperatures have you craving a toe-in-the-sand, rum-cocktail-in-hand beach retreat. Or, maybe the thrill of a city with a thriving culinary scene and memorable landmarks is just the trip you need in 2025.
I spend most of my free time planning trips in my head. When life feels heavy, travel is the buoy that keeps me afloat. Immersion into the sounds, flavors and traditions of a place inspire me and broaden my perspective.
Below are six destinations that left a lasting mark on my travel memories. I hope they’ll do the same for you.
Vancouver, British Columbia
If you’re a big city resident like me, Vancouver serves as a wonderful middle ground for both cosmopolitan energy and peaceful corners of respite. Step into Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre oasis that claims the title of one of North America’s largest urban green spaces. Waterfront vistas hug a verdant interior of forested trails, two beaches and a beautiful outdoor teahouse. At Grouse Mountain, soar 4,100 feet above sea level on a gondola ride with panoramic mountain-top views.
In its interior, Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood is a shining example of the city’s diverse residents and cuisine, with 10 restaurants listed on Vancouver’s MICHELIN guide. My favorites include Anh and Chi, owned by siblings Vincent and Amélie Nguyễn, who carry on the flavors and resoluteness of their refugee Vietnamese parents to create modern takes on traditional dishes like Gỏi Bắp Chuối Cua Lột, a soft-shell crab salad, and Bánh Xèo, a vegetarian turmeric crêpe with organic mushrooms and tofu. The brother-sister duo also just opened the trendy cocktail bar, Good Thief. Nearby, Suyo packs a full house with Peruvian dishes that include a wide selection of ceviches and perhaps one of the most flavorful steaks I’ve ever had. For retail therapy, Mount Pleasant’s Soap Dispensary leads in sustainability, with zero waste items and nearly 80% of their products are available to customers to refill themselves.
If You Go: Situate yourself on Vancouver’s waterfront at the 367-room Fairmont Pacific Rim, where unobstructed mountain and harbor views and a pool sundeck offer vistas of a city immersed in nature. For a central location to museums and other landmarks, their sister property, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, is a good option, with a memorable afternoon tea after a day of exploring.
Sonoma, California
At least twice a year, I make my way to Northern California for a wine-fueled sabbatical through Sonoma’s vineyards. Here, more than 425 wineries are spread across 18 wine regions, with restaurants offering farm-to-table cuisine and hotels ranging from quaint bed and breakfasts to sprawling luxury hotels. My spot of choice for a short trip is Healdsburg, a northern Sonoma town with a concentrated number of tastings in arms reach. Start at Jordan Vineyard & Winery, ranked #24 in the 2024 World’s Best Vineyards Top 100 list. The 1,200-acre estate offers European-style wines like Bordeaux blend-inspired Cabernet Sauvignon and culinary events to complement their wines, like olive oil paired with seasonal bites on their terrace. Nearby, Valette celebrates Sonoma’s talented farmers and winemakers with an unforgettable menu – don’t miss the scallops en croute. Two of my other favorite wineries in Sonoma include The Donum Estate, where towering open-air sculptures liven up the 200-acre winery, and Corner 103, located in downtown Sonoma. Here, owner Lloyd Davis creates a casual tasting experience with stellar wines like a velvety Petit Verdot that I always take home. Visitors come to Sonoma County not just for wine, but for activities that connect them to the diverse land. From guided hikes through redwoods to farm tours followed by cooking classes with local chefs that utilize locally grown ingredients and products — it’s truly an exciting time to be in wine country.
If You Go: Experience the decor of a French countryside retreat at Jordan Vineyard & Winery’s Chateau Guest Suites, with extra touches like a fireplace and French doors that lead to a balcony overlooking bucolic vineyards.
New Orleans, Louisiana
My grandmother was born in New Orleans, and I’ve been fortunate to experience the best of the city over the years, from the beautiful traditions of the second line, where birth and death are equally celebrated, to the explosion of flavor across restaurants in one of the best food cities in the world. Come hungry and start your day at Atchafalaya, where low-country shrimp and grits and a duck confit hash can be enjoyed for brunch in a traditional Creole cottage. At MaMou, owner and executive chef Tom Branighan brings the joie de vivre of a French brasserie to the heart of New Orleans. Menu highlights include a gulf fish with bearnaise, and risotto with bacon, pepitas and shrimp — all served alongside a stellar wine program from co-owner and celebrated sommelier Molly Wismeier.
Don’t miss a tasting menu at Dakar NOLA, which won Best New Restaurant of 2024 at the James Beard Awards for chef Serigne Mbaye’s thoughtful takes on Senegalese food created with local ingredients and Gulf seafood. The city just hosted the Superbowl and will soon see always lively Mardi Gras season, with other annual events that are just as thrilling (and delicious), including the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival, Beignet Fest and Tales of the Cocktail.
If You Go: Escape the noise of the French Quarter and check into a 75-room retreat at Hotel Saint Vincent, located in the city’s Lower Garden District. A number of social spaces make this property especially appealing, including a private pool for hotel guests, an Italian restaurant called San Lorenzo, a chapel-turned-nightclub, a classic Southern wraparound porch and a buzzing bar scene.
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena had been on my travel bucket list for years, and I finally celebrated my birthday in this vibrant South American city a few months ago with friends. From its sparkling Caribbean coastline to the labyrinthian cobblestone streets of the walled Old Town, there’s plenty to explore. Behind the walled city, shaded courtyards and pastel-colored historical façades sit alongside trendy cafes and clothing boutiques. Restaurants are plentiful, too. My favorites included the Italian-focused Norma Restorante and the inventive small plates at gastropub Mar y Zielo.
Colombia is celebrated for having some of the best coffee in the world. You can try it first-hand at places like Época Café Bar and Café San Alberto, which have immersive experiences like a coffee and rum pairing. View other landmarks around town like Puerta del Reloj, a historic clock tower that serves as the entrance to the walled city, and Plaza de San Diego, where you can people watch and buy traditional Colombian snacks. Venture beyond the walled city to the neighborhood of Getsemaní, an artist enclave filled with street art and vendors. For a water excursion, Jacada Travel offers boat adventures to the cerulean waters that surround Rosario Island. They can also coordinate a champeta dance class, a great way to learn more about Cartagena’s rich Afro-Colombian culture.
If You Go: Create your home away from home in the heart of the Old Town at the beautiful Marriott Homes & Villas’ Colonial House, with daily breakfast and rooftop pool views of the 16th-century terracotta domed Basilica Santa Catalina de Alejandría. With 7 bedrooms and a gorgeous, foliage-filled courtyard, you could easily make it a private stay with friends or rent a room and enjoy the company of other guests. After a long day of sightseeing, this was my favorite place to end the day, especially with an always helpful staff ready to answer any questions.
Brazil
From the teeming valleys of the Amazon to the pulsating rhythm of Carnival on streets across Rio and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil instantly drew me into its palatable energy. In Rio, I spent the day watching beachgoers enjoy the famous golden sands of Copacabana. The next day, I was whisked away on a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, with rewarding panoramic views of Rio’s lushly forested areas and city streets. Just an hour north via plane in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil’s deep ties to Africa are ever-present, from the not-to-miss dance performances of Balé Folclórico da Bahia to the roots of Carnival that are on full, colorful display at Caso do Carnaval. Often described as Rio’s more serious business counterpart, São Paulo is worth a visit for its bustling art scene and impressive hotels. These components combine at Rosewood São Paulo, home to over 450 works of art from Brazilian artists that you can learn more about during an informative tour. At the lively Chez Claude, French and Brazilian cuisine draws crowds to watch the magic in an open-air kitchen serving up colorful dishes like a seafood papillote with palm oil and lamb carbonara. At Capim Santo, enjoy an outdoor lunch in a foliage-filled courtyard with dishes from one of Brazil’s most celebrated chefs, Morena Leite.
If You Go: Make your way past the driveway draped in plants to the low-lit, wood-toned lobby of Rosewood São Paolo. First opened in 2022, this architectural jewel in the city’s Bela Vista neighborhood puts Brazilian art and culture at the forefront of its design inspiration. An infinity pool offers sweeping views of São Paulo during the day, and, at night, Rabo De Galo bar is the place to be for live music and mastery in mixology on display.
Sicily, Italy
Surrounded by a coastline and diverse interior that could easily inspire a month-long itinerary, Sicily certainly lives up to its growing popularity among travelers to Italy. I spent a week on this Mediterranean island this summer, and my tastebuds were never disappointed. A number of cultures have influenced Sicilian food over the decades, including Arab, Spanish, Greek and Jewish residents. The result? An introduction of olive trees and vineyards in the region alongside the rich spices and fragrant fruits that bring streetside and fine dining bites to life. Head to the 124-year-old Caffè Sicilia in the town of Noto for a flavorful example of Sicily’s multicultural cuisine. Here, fourth-generation owner Corrado Assenza creates world-famous cannoli and interesting gelato flavors like saffron and strawberry tomato. Noto’s more crowded northerly neighbor, Taormina, was catapulted into the public eye with the popular HBO show White Lotus. The hilltop town is an easy base to take day trips to towering Mt. Etna – the most active stratovolcano in the world – or, the tiny island of Isola Bella, home to a beautiful Italian-style baroque garden.
If You Go: In Taormina, indulge in luxury without pretense at the five-star Four Seasons San Domenico, also made famous in HBO’s White Lotus, but worth a visit alone for its picturesque views of Mt. Etna and the Ionian Sea.
And an added bonus destination — one of my favorites!
Martinique
If you’re looking for a Caribbean retreat to defrost the winter chill, head to Martinique. You won’t find the run–of-the-mill all-inclusive hotels or overcrowded cruise ports on this French West Indies island. Instead, you’ll discover buildings blanketed in bougainvillea, tropical gardens that teem with fauna, and white sand beaches flanked by palm trees that sea turtles call home. Martinique’s neighbors include St. Lucia and Dominica, though once you land, it’s easy to feel like you’ve reached the shores of southern France. The European country still calls the island its territory, and that influence is apparent, from charming streetside boulangeries to French being the primary language spoken. But even if you don’t speak the language, you can still certainly enjoy Martinique’s beauty. Beaches like Grand Anse and Plage de Salines put the ocean’s aquamarine hues on full display. At the botanical garden Jardin de Balata, thousands of native species plants sprout along dramatic mountainsides and ponds filled with lily pads. After leaving, you’ll understand why Martinique is called the “Isle of Flowers.” At La Salle Habitation, you can take an informative tour to learn more about what makes Martinique’s rum some of the best in the world. For a taste of Martinique’s flavors, Le Petibonum serves Martinican gourmet food like the national dish, Colombo, and Chef Yadjo Zami’s Galanga Fish Bar is a stellar tribute to the island’s local agriculture and bounty of seafood. Every year around the Catholic holiday, Lent, the island comes alive with the magnetic energy of Carnival, a cultural celebration that celebrates the resiliency of the island’s formerly enslaved population through satire and colorful costumes. People of all ages gather to celebrate during this time, and it is easy to immerse yourself in this beautiful, important tradition.
If You Go: Check into one of 17 comfortably chic suites at Hotel French Coco, located on the edge of Presqu'ile de Caravelle Natural Reserve off the Atlantic coast. Rustic wood tones and lush foliage surround an intimate pool, and, when you’re ready to splurge, book an
Have you been to any of the above places? Let us know in the comments below.
