This year’s selection invites you to travel from the dark islands of Indonesia to less exotic locations like Idaho. The choices reflect more unusual destinations, far removed from typical tourist spots.
According to the editors, the emphasis was placed on “locations where visitors feel welcome and support the environment and local community.”
The 2025 list, curated by renowned travelers and international contributors to Nat Geo, includes a mix of stunning, emerging destinations and timeless places offering something new and exciting, from a new climbing sanctuary in India to the lesser-known paths of Stockholm.
As always, the selected “getaways” span the globe, from Australia’s Murray River to Florida’s Ocala National Forest.
“I like to think of the BEST OF THE WORLD as National Geographic’s annual invitation. Our goal is to encourage the world to explore the incredible diversity of places and experiences available worldwide,” said Nathan Lump, editor-in-chief of National Geographic.
Here’s the detailed list from National Geographic:
- Los Angeles, California
- Ocala National Forest, Florida
- Senegal
- Boise, Idaho
- Barbados
- Cerrado, Brazil
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Antigua, Guatemala
- Kanazawa, Japan
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden
- Cork, Ireland
- Outer Hebrides, Scotland
- Brasov, Romania
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia
- Cenobitic Monasteries, Italy
- Greenland
- Tunisia
- Suru Valley, India
- Northland, New Zealand
- Eastern and Oriental Express, Malaysia
- Murray River, Australia
- Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
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