Welcome to 2025—a new year brimming with exciting possibilities and new travel potential! This is the perfect time to set new goals, develop new habits, and explore new corners of the world. Simultaneously, it's an excellent opportunity to build on the past year's highlights, including the growing trend of group travel.
Group travel emerged as one of the hottest trends of 2024, and for good reason. Creating and travelling with your custom group of 10 or more people is one of the best ways to travel the world on more meaningful, personal, and intimate adventures with the people you care about the most. It's also an excellent opportunity to make a few extra dollars as a group leader!
But while group travel continues to thrive, 2025 offers a chance to venture beyond the well-trodden paths and discover the up-and-coming group destinations, devoid of crowds but full of character and unforgettable experiences. These rising stars of 2025 promise the opportunity for you and your group to create lasting memories together while exploring new destinations.
Brazil
Brazil promises exciting and unique experiences for your group, boasting a diverse climate and landscape suitable for year-round travel and perfect for catering to tailor-made group travel experiences.
In Rio de Janeiro, your group will enjoy stunning views from Sugarloaf Mountain, relax on the iconic Copacabana Beach, experience the action of Carnival, and indulge in delicious Brazilian cuisine. Iguassu Falls and the Amazon rainforest are two of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, with the latter full of unique wildlife and Indigenous cultures. Groups are also escaping to lesser-known regions like Ceará state, where 600 km (370 mi) of otherworldly coastline highlight the untapped wonder Brazil proudly offers to the most dedicated globetrotters.
Colombia
Colombia's rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty are quickly becoming one of South America's most compelling attractions for groups of all kinds. Globetrotters interested in nature, cultural exploration, adventures, gastronomy, and luxury will find plenty of things to love in Colombia.
The UNESCO-listed capital, Bogotá, sits high in the Andes Mountain Range and is packed with cultural and culinary experiences. Meanwhile, Cartagena, recognized by UNESCO, offers fascinating pre-Columbian history and stunning Caribbean scenery. Coffee enthusiasts must visit the Coffee Triangle in the Andes, which is said to be the home of some of the world's best coffees.
Suggested group vacation package: Colombian City Splendour
India
India is a destination catering to all senses, no better illustrated than by the cultural, culinary, and historical experiences in India's Golden Triangle—Deli, Agra, and Jaipur. Exploring India as a group is an excellent way to navigate and experience the country's complex natural and cultural landscapes.
Delve into historic landmarks like the India Gate and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Delhi before exploring Agra's Red Fort and the Taj Mahal. Jaipur's City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory highlight the city's rich heritage, while Varanasi offers a chance to immerse your group in India's most spiritual city.
Suggested group vacation package: India's Golden Triangle with Varanasi
Malta
Despite its small size, Malta offers an impressive array of natural diversity and historical appeal, and it's easy to see why it's quickly becoming one of Europe's most exciting emerging destinations for group travel. With a history spanning over 8,000 years and a temperate Mediterranean climate year-round, Malta is the perfect setting for your group to unwind in luxury steeped in history.
Malta's UNESCO-listed capital, Valletta, is an open-air museum featuring stunning medieval Baroque architecture and beautiful waterfront views. Gozo offers serene countryside, beaches, and historical sites like Calypso's Cave from Homer's Odyssey. Enjoy group cooking classes, snorkelling, scuba diving, and hiking on this captivating archipelago.
Suggested group vacation package: A Taste of Malta
Morocco
Ancient cities, breathtaking coastlines, historic architecture, and rich cultural heritage all cement Morocco's reputation as the Jewel of North Africa. They also guarantee endless discovery and exploration for your group, whether you're embarking on a multi-generational family reunion, faith-based vacation, educational trip, or any other adventure.
Marrakech's winding alleys will lead you to lively markets full of colourful textiles, pottery, jewellry, and aromatic spices. The coastal city of Casablanca showcases incredible architecture reflecting the city's French colonial history, while its abundance of beaches is perfect for relaxation or water sports. With its UNESCO-listed Medina, Fez offers a journey back in time through its ancient streets, artisanal workshops, and stunning Islamic architecture.
Suggested group vacation package: Majestic Sights of Morocco
Panama
Panama combines the diverse natural beauty of Costa Rica with its own rich culinary traditions, historical depth, and vibrant culture, making it an emerging destination worthy of your attention. While famous for the Panama Canal, this compact country bridging Central and South America promises a wealth of historical treasures and cultural experiences most of the world has yet to explore.
Panama City showcases the country's modern innovation and historic origins in a bustling metropolis. Stroll through Casco Viejo, the city's charming historic district, where stunning colonial architecture contrasts beautifully with the backdrop of towering skyscrapers. Savour exquisite cuisine at top restaurants before taking a short flight to Boquete to explore award-winning coffee plantations or unwind on the postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches of Bocas del Toro.
Suggested group vacation package: Flavours of Panama
Scandinavia
Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden are the perfect setting for group travel, regardless of how you wish to explore this unique region. Copenhagen, Denmark's colourful capital, is full of centuries-old attractions like the Glyptotek Art Museum and the 17th-century Nyhavn waterfront. Norway's majestic fjords promise unforgettable journeys on the Flåm Railway, while Bergen and Oslo offer deliciously fresh seafood and a blend of medieval and contemporary Nordic architecture, respectively. Stockholm's world-class museums and iconic sites, like the Vasa Museum and Old City Hall, showcase Sweden's heritage with immersive architecture and culture. Forest bathing, a historic sauna culture, cycling, and Arctic adventures are just the tip of the Scandinavian travel iceberg.
Suggested group vacation package: Scandinavia Encompassed
Slovenia & Croatia
While both Croatia and Slovenia deserve individual recognition, combining them on a group vacation allows you to seamlessly experience the best of Central and Southern Europe, maximizing your time without compromising on comfort.
Travel easily from Croatia's capital, Zagreb, to Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, in a single day, enjoying enough time to explore both city's storied pasts told through the medieval, Baroque, and neoclassical architecture. Half covered in forest with the Alps cutting across the north, Slovenia offers a serene alpine atmosphere, highlighted by the beautiful Lake Bled, compared to Croatia's warm Adriatic coastline. Venture beyond the capitals, and you'll discover a wealth of hidden gems, including the enchanting Postojna Caves and delicious wine and prosciutto in Slovenia's Karst region. Meanwhile, Dubrovnik's ancient, fortified walls and the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park await in Croatia.
Suggested group vacation package: Hidden Gems of Slovenia and Croatia
French Polynesia
Traditionally a romantic haven, French Polynesia is emerging as a fantastic destination for group travel. Whether you're with friends, family, or even colleagues, the archipelago's iconic overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, soft-sand beaches, and friendly island hospitality are the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable group experience.
Go island hopping from Papeete's sidewalk cafés and cascading waterfalls to Moorea's verdant peaks and Bora Bora's world-renowned coral reefs. Culinary fans, nature enthusiasts, beachgoers, and adventurous travellers will quickly lose themselves amidst French Polynesia's unparalleled island beauty as they indulge in fresh seafood, hike volcanic peaks, or snorkel with tropical fish. The perfect destination for your group to reconnect with themselves and each other.
Suggested group vacation package: Tahitian Dream
Vietnam
Vietnam's combination of captivating ancient traditions and contemporary history, beautiful landscapes, deliciously unique gastronomy, and budget-friendly prices make Vietnam an ideal group destination where everyone will find something to enjoy.
History buffs will find solace in the capital, Hanoi, where they'll have the opportunity to explore Hanoi's Old Town and the courtyards of Vietnam's first national university, the Temple of Literature, dedicated to the philosopher Confucius. Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam is equally intriguing, with the historic underground Chu Chi City—the intricate tunnels built during the Vietnam War.
The ancient city of Hoi An is undoubtedly one of the best places in the country to share a delicious banh mi, a Quang noodle dish, or a chicken rice meal from lively street food markets or upscale restaurants. Is there anything better than sharing a delicious meal with your group while travelling? An overnight cruise in Halong Bay? That's for your group to decide!
Suggested group vacation package: Best of Vietnam
Born to two parents who met travelling, Sael has always wanted to travel the world. Sael has hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, visited blue-footed boobies on the Galapagos Islands, stood on both hemispheres of the equator in Ecuador, climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hiked the base of Uluru, surfed Pacific Ocean waves in Mexico, and skydived over the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Meeting new people and sharing stories are some of Sael's favourite parts of travelling, and he hopes he can help ignite this passion for discovery in others.
Get Inspired
Travel Stories to Inspire You.
Newsletter
Unlock Even More
Sign up to our newsletter to unlock travel Specials, Inspiration, and Expert Guides right to your inbox.
