Air passenger traffic will hit a brand new record in 2025, a testament to our shared and unquenchable thirst to explore the world.
With this in mind, I hope to do something here in 2025 – and what cultural experiences I might most wish to experience in each location.
Egypt
After unforgettable trips to Morocco, Zambia and Rwanda in recent times, I'm excited to see more of the African continent where I used to be born and raised. Next up: Egypt.
Of course I might visit the famous Pyramids of Giza and the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. But from Cairo, I might head to Aswan, a city on the Nile in southern Egypt, to go to Nubian villages that dot the western bank and are known for colourful murals, blue and orange-painted mud houses, riverside cafes, and native food markets.
On the island of Agilkia, I finished on the temple of Isis, the goddess of magic and fertility who played a central role in Egyptian mythology, and continued to Abu Simbel, home to very large statues and temples built by Ramses II . After all of the adventures, it could be a worthwhile leisure to pamper yourself at Hotel Al Moudira in Luxor.
The cultural experience I most need to try: a day trip to the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center within the village of Harrania in Giza, where I might observe and learn from women artisans who create colourful hand-woven tapestries. The grounds also look beautiful and offer the chance to take home a novel souvenir or gift.
Greece
The Greek islands caught my attention mainly because I actually have a friend in Athens, although the considered having fun with juicy mezes, gyros and baklava does motivate me.
I really like the thought of skipping Santorini and Mykonos and choosing low-key Paros, as my Pursuits colleagues suggest. I'm drawn to the photographs of rocky beach coves on the Aegean Sea, but additionally to exploring the local tavernas and the village of Lefkes in central Paros, with its car-free streets and Cycladic architecture with whitewashed partitions and blue shutters.
But truthfully, I might also like a protracted weekend trip to Athens with a stay on the nearby Athens Riviera. United Airlines has a sturdy “summer” transatlantic schedule from Newark, New Jersey, to the Greek capital starting March 6. Combine that with latest hotels on the coast only a half-hour drive away, and you may easily plan a city and beach trip in a single fell swoop before the height season crowds flock to town.
The cultural activity I might most wish to try: a pottery workshop with Volto, a design and art space in Antiparos village where guests can learn in regards to the history of pottery and learn basic techniques. Before the workshop ends, you may paint and finish a chunk to take home as your very own souvenir.
Japan
In college, I took enough Japanese classes to have the opportunity to write down and speak confidently. But I've never been to the country before and it's long overdue for a refresher course.
October could be the perfect time to go to – it offers the chance to marvel at Japan's spectacular seasonal foliage, which is as prized by locals because the cherry blossoms. I might even be attending Expo 2025, which is able to give attention to sustainability innovation.
Activities like tasting sushi at Tokyo's fish markets and staying overnight at a conventional Japanese inn are on every newbie's must-do list. I might undoubtedly do each. But one other attraction is taking the Shinkansen bullet train to Kyushu for a stay in the favored hot spring resorts of Beppu or Yufuin, where I might also enjoy onsens and take a look at Fukuoka Tonkotsu Ramen. I'm salivating just eager about it.
The cultural activity I'd most wish to try: a self-guided walking tour of central Kyushu, starting in Beppu, which incorporates routes along scenic bays on Omyijuma Island and an evening on a rural farm, all planned by established community tourist- focused tour operator Oku Japan.
Seychelles
I actually have my eye on this stunning archipelago, 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, partly since it is evolving and quickly becoming a robust competitor to the Maldives. Take Bernard Arnault's prestigious hotel brand Cheval Blanc, which opened on Mahé on December 1st. But the world's attention may even turn to the Seychelles as it’ll host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the primary time from May 1 to 11. This event is heading to Africa. My favorite sport combined with spectacular island scenery and Creole culture appears like an excellent time.
Home to a majority Creole population, the Seychelles population also includes many descendants of European, Indian, Chinese and Arab immigrants. I'm excited to learn more about this multicultural heritage – perhaps through a food tour and a visit to the market in Mahé. Island hopping would even be a must, whether you visit the forested Curieuse to come back into contact with giant tortoises or explore the Vallée de Mai nature reserve to marvel at an unlimited forest of sea coconut palms. (Did ? Sea coconuts consist entirely of meat and no water and only grow on a number of islands within the Seychelles.)
The cultural experience I'd most wish to try: The Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts has introduced activities geared toward preserving the culture of the islands. I might try Grandma's Savoir Faire, a day-long workshop hosted by Le Domaine de Val de Près, a Creole cultural village in southern Mahé. Throughout the day, you'll find out about different Seychelles traditions, from making coconut baskets to cooking Creole seafood dishes. It also features a Moutya folk dance class – a hip-swinging tradition accompanied by live drums that was dropped at Seychelles by enslaved Africans within the 18th century.
Brazil
Duolingo helps me learn basic phrases in Portuguese – I'm traveling to Brazil in February and wish to feel prepared! My top priority is a private mission that I actually care about: recreating a photograph of my parents posing in front of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Her snapshot sat in our front room for years and was the muse for my love of traveling.
But after that, I plan to participate in Rio's epic Carnival celebrations with its full of life costume performances and energetic dance parties, and if I can construct goodwill with the locals, they may invite me to affix in and pick up some samba moves.
The cultural experience I'd most wish to try: The Rio Little Africa walking tour highlights Rio de Janeiro's African roots and its connections to the transatlantic slave trade. It's a part of a trend I reported on in 2024, when Brazil began pushing black heritage travel for the primary time ever.
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