Destinations: San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel

Experts are saying that 2025 is the year that international travel makes its full-fledged, post-pandemic comeback – but the travellers themselves have changed. As the world continues to reset, travel trends indicate discerning globetrotters are recalibrating the whys behind their travel. They’re once again packing their bags with excitement and anticipation, but they’re doing it now with even more intention and purpose behind how and where they’re planning to go. With these sensibilities in mind, here are some of the top luxury travel trends for 2025 predicted to define the new year.

Travellers are more thoughtful than ever about their impact on the environment, mindful of their own carbon footprint and looking to stay at properties that embrace sustainable practices. This includes looking for accommodations that use renewable energy and practice water conservation, as well as offer more plant-based meals on their menus and the option to use bicycles for sightseeing instead of cars.

Built with all local materials and outfitted with solar panels that provide 80% of the property’s electricity, Naviva®, A Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México, offers sustainability with style. Designed to complement the area’s natural biodiversity, the Resort’s bungalow-style luxury tents and other structures were designed to fully integrate with the surrounding 19 hectares (48 acres) of forest and animal habitats so that they could continue to thrive. Here, you can connect to nature through experiences such as nocturnal forest bathing, a personalized temazcal ceremony designed to cultivate gratitude, and for the more adventurous, a three-day freediving breathwork workshop. Featuring just 15 secluded tents that blur the lines between the natural and man-made worlds, this adults-only resort invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure in a distinctly Four Seasons way.

Surrounded by an old coconut grove and other dense tropical greenery left in its natural state, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui has an environment-first philosophy that is part of its foundational belief system. Recycling and composting is a given; fish, fruit and vegetables are locally sourced and organically grown, boosting the local economy and keeping the transportation to a minimum; and the property’s in-house biologist works to conserve surrounding coral reefs and rehabilitate stranded crabs. Dive into the area’s turquoise waters and catch a glimpse of these stunning reefs for yourself or pay a visit to a nearby elephant sanctuary to learn more about local conservation efforts. Whether it’s just the two of you or the whole family, the Resort’s spacious villas and Private Residences provide idyllic seaside sanctuaries to take it all in.

Beyond simply sightseeing, zeroing in on what makes a particular place unique and experiencing it first-hand is a priceless souvenir. By forging relationships with those who live and work in the community, you can form lasting connections to a place and its people. This kind of experiential travel is at the top of the list for many modern travellers who want to go beyond what lies just at the surface.

Tucked into the city’s peaceful Higashiyama district, Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is itself a living part of the city’s history. The property’s stunning Shakusui-en pond garden, home to turtles, ducks and herons, was once part of a 12th-century villa created during the Heian period, the peak of Imperial Japan. Today, it’s the centerpiece of guests’ experiences at the Hotel. Wander its soul-inspiring, meandering paths on your way to the tea house for a private tea ceremony, or spend an evening sipping Kyoto sake on the terrace at Fuju as koi swim by. Elevate your experience even further with a private dinner by the pond or a tasting session to sample three kinds of sake or Japanese whisky.

From a fiery flamenco show to a relaxing, one-bite-at-a-time tapas tasting tour, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid shares the heart and soul of what makes the Spanish capital city special. Located in the Centro Canalejas near shopping, arts and historical districts, Madrid’s rich and vibrant history comes alive through private immersive tours for guests led by passionate, storytelling locals. And you don’t have to go far to experience the city’s acclaimed culinary scene: Michelin-distinguished chef Dani García’s namesake restaurant Dani Brasserie is located on the Hotel’s scenic rooftop, providing authentic and innovative Spanish cuisine along with unbeatable city views.

Intimate groups of like-minded friends or family members are travelling together more than ever, amplifying their travel experience with their own built-in community. They’re looking for incredible destinations with memorable experiences geared to small groups to make their trip feel curated and one-of-a-kind. As one of the biggest travel trends, travelling with a group can take a variety of forms, from outdoor adventures with friends to multi-generational vacations.

With seaside villas sized for families and friends, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam, is a beachy base camp well-suited to all of your group’s needs. Introverts can spend the afternoon on the sunny, private terrace or venture to The Heart of the Earth Spa for a relaxing Nam Hai Earth Song treatment, while those more active can kayak around the nearby Cham Islands or take a day trip to walk the lantern-lit streets of the nearby ancient river city of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Located on the Athens Riviera on the tip of the Vouliagmeni peninsula, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens offers that rare travel sweet spot: privacy and seclusion without sacrificing easy access to the area’s not-to-be-missed sights. Small parties can take a day trip to the Acropolis and Athens’ historic city centre, just a half-hour away; or take a luxury boat tour to nearby islands Hydra and Spetses, where they can all swim in the clear blue waters and then share plates of shrimp saganaki at a local seafood tavern. Whatever your group is interested in, the concierge team can help you plan an itinerary that will make everyone happy.

For those who have already seen it all, or who simply want to truly get away from crowds, travelling to destinations that aren’t on everyone else’s radar is becoming more popular, even if it means going that extra mile to get there. According to Skift Research, 70% of American millennial and Gen Z travellers report seeking out experiences that their family and friends have likely not thought of. In China, that figure rises to 90%.

Located on its own peninsula where the jungle meets the ocean, Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México, is a getaway that captures the spirit of wildness all around. With dramatic cliffs that drop into the ocean and pristine beaches lined with verdant jungle, the property is a magical private world waiting to be explored. With relaxing fishing trips with locals, whale watching excursions and private yoga sessions on the beach, this is the perfect place to slow down and do a natural reset. In such a secluded destination, Four Seasons offers an ideal home base.

Only 40 minutes from London, surrounded by hundreds of acres of tranquil English countryside, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire offers a serene escape that’s truly away from it all. Housed in an 18th-century manor, you’re invited to step back in time and into nature with activities such as fly-fishing, carriage rides and birdwatching for a peaceful retreat you’ll cherish forever. For a “Downton Abbey”-esque experience, you can even picnic in the Hampshire countryside after a boat ride through the Basingstoke Canal that runs through the Hotel’s grounds.

Purposeful, curated experiences catering to travellers’ special interests and passions will continue to grow in popularity, and the travel industry is taking on a more individualized approach to meet its guests’ needs. At Four Seasons, this tailored approach has been a cornerstone of the brand’s philosophy since the beginning.

Nature and animal lovers who want to really experience something unique will find a variety of once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the Serengeti. Located in the heart of a wildlife reserve adjacent to a herd of elephants’ favourite watering hole, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti offers unique opportunities to see these majestic animals from your private balcony. There are also daily game drives into the renowned Serengeti National Park to spot the rest of the Big Five animals – lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo – and sunrise balloon rides that float above the savannah, followed by a Champagne breakfast. Complement your time spent out on safari with a private dinner overlooking the watering hole or a treatment inspired by ancient local rituals at the Spa.

Culinary enthusiasts can learn about the nuances of Sicilian flavours and cuisine first-hand at San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel. Originally built as a convent in the 14th century on a rocky promontory, here you can sip Prosecco at Bar & Chiostro at sunset while taking in the magnificent, sweeping views of the Ionian Sea below. For something further afield, the Hotel can arrange for you to soar away in a helicopter for a private dinner in a vineyard in the shadows of the island’s famous volcano, Mount Etna.

In a flashback to the days of glamorous Pullman trains and white-glove service – when travel itself was a luxury – that same elevated spirit of “getting there is half the fun” has reemerged, with as much emphasis on the mode of transport as on the destination itself. And Four Seasons is leading the way.

With just four dozen buttery, handcrafted Italian leather seats that transform into beds and well-appointed common areas, plus on-board experts and the same impeccable service you expect on the ground, Four Seasons Private Jet Experience journeys provide the ultimate travel experience for discerning travellers ready to take on the world in high style and comfort. Upcoming journeys include the popular and recently re-imagined World of Adventures 2026 itinerary, with stops to see the elusive mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the souks of Marrakech and the remote Galápagos Islands, and the brand new Grand Horizons 2026, a 24-day journey landing in nine spectacular global destinations, from Mallorca and Lisbon to Napa Valley.

Set sail on an unforgettable voyage with Four Seasons Yachts, where life at sea transcends expectations. With roomy, well-appointed luxury suites and impeccable on-board dining, the fabulous ports of call found on each curated voyage – which dock in scenic places such as Monte Carlo, Positano and Valletta – feel like a bonus to an already perfect trip. A small number of passengers keeps the ambiance intimate and allows for a 1-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio to ensure every wish is granted.