Looking for inspiration for your travels in 2025? IF you want to discover a new cultural destination for your next upcoming adventure, you can -hopefully – find inspiration and help with planning from my travels this year.
In 2024, I travelled to 9 countries, whereof 5 was new to my travel list! One part of Europa is on this year’s travel list 3 times! The list includes bucket-list dream places, cultural newcomers and even a beach destination.
You might not feel the same way about these destinations, but we all have a own separate experiences. I hope you find some inspiration on where to go – and where not to!
I’ve ranked the countries from worst to best for a cultural traveller!
HAMBORG, GERMANY
Hamburg in Northern Germany is an old Hanseatic city. This always means old houses and a long tradition of trade using the waterways. Still today, you can take a boat tour along the now very modern harbour, which is an attraction in itself.
Hamburg is very close to Denmark, and I’ve been several times. So why was I there again this February? Because of an art exhibition on painter Casper David Friedrich – one of my absolute favourite artists. You definitely recognize his Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer. The large exhibition was organised for his 250th birthday and worth travelling for (as I recommended in last years’ list).
What to do? Hamburg has UNESCO-listed architecture, great beer, a busy harbour, a few old houses, good places to eat and the surprisingly fun Miniatur Wunderland. My favourite part of Hamburg though is the Christmas markets. Get in the Christmas mood in Top 3 Christmas Markets in Hamburg, Germany.
FINLAND
It was not so long ago, that only few travellers had been to Finland. But lovely images of winter wonderlands, the unique Sámi culture and sauna traditions have put the country on the map.
I’m a quarter Finnish, so this should be pretty popular travel destination for me. But I love to explore new destinations, and so Finland didn’t crawl high up on the list. Also, it was a work trip, and to top it off, I got sick. But my other home country is definitely worth a visit.
What not to miss: Helsinki is the odd one one out of Nordic capitals, but I think it’s more interesting than Oslo. The large cathedral dominate the skyline and you gotta have a reindeer kebab from the old market hall.
You can read my recommendations for the most quirky Nordic capital Exploring Helsinki: A Unique Nordic Capital.
ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE
Istanbul is the city of cities for a history lover. Of course, the old town is UNESCO-listed and you have to see the highlights of Hagia Sophia, the blue mosque and the palace. They are highlights for a reason. Also take a commuter ferry to the Asian side for a cheaper and less touristy experience.
Istanbul is one of my favourite places. But I’ve been 3 times now, and it’s just getting more expensive.The reason why that the city is not at the bottom of my list (like in 2022) is because this time around was my first visit with my husband. When he turned 60, I gave him a weekend trip here (our first without our son in over 10 years!)
What not to miss: Imagine yourself in a 500 year old hammam, wrapped in a towel after you got a complete body scrub and a rest on top of a marble slap. Despite it being more expensive, you can still have A Luxury Weekend in Istanbul, Türkiye on a Budget
CROATIA
Croatia is probably the most visited country in the Balkans. And no wonder, since the Adriatic country has amazing food, stunning nature AND ancient ruins. I first visited in 2012 and many years and 2 visits later, Croatia has become a lot more expensive and crowded. But you can still find nice places beyond Dubrovnik and Split.
The capital Zagreb is ideal for a weekend, but not necessary to visit twice. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Plitvice Lakes National Park has some of the most spectacular and stunning nature in Europe – even more than lake Bled in Slovenia. Spend at least one day hiking the park with time just to take the colours in.
You can combine a visit to the park with a trip to the famous, turquoise Adriatic coast and the UNESCO-listed city of Zadar with its Venetian defence works. Along the way from the lakes to the coast, you also pass the UNESCO-listed National Parks of Velebit and Paklenica. Croatia has plenty of sights, so no wonder almost everyone have been already.
It would most likely be a totally different experience today, but my favourite place in 2012 was Split: Live Like an Emperor in a Roman palace in Split!
VILNIUS, LITHUANIA
I finally got to explore Vilnius as I recommended for 2022 travels and also included in my ranking of 10 budget-friendly cities in Europe. I expected Vilnius would resemble the other Baltic capital Riga, but the Lithuanian capital seems different. The old Medieval capital feels in some parts like old East Berlin – in a good way – with houses that has seen better days and cool drinking spots for hipsters. It has so many churches, great places to eat, a young population – and a mini republic Užupis. Not to mention delicious Georgian food!
Lithuania share some background story with the other Baltic states, but especially the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth – beginning in the Middle Ages and ending around 1800 – gives the country a different background. Maybe that’s why it seems different.
My favourite thing to do in Vilnius was to take the a short train ride to Trakai and visit Trakai Castle. The picturesque medieval castle on a small island in a lake is the symbol of Lithuania.
BELGRADE, SERBIA
As you might have discovered by now, I like the Balkans. Unfortunately, my first visit to Serbia only included the capital Belgrade. But luckily, it’s a great city. Explore the fortress, the church and the fish restaurants by the river or climb the tower for great views at village/suburb of Zemun. If you’re a dark tourist like me, you can visit the mausoleum of Tito.
If you have more time to explore Serbia, take the train to the second largest city, Novi Sad, that was European Capital of Culture in 2022 and has a lot of sights to offer the cultural explorer.
UAE
I knew the UAE wouldn’t be my favourite destination, but I didn’t expect it to be this high up the list. One important reason is that it was a new country for me. The second reason is that the emirate of Abu Dhabi actually has sights to offer the cultural explorer, who wants to dive deeper into the cultures of the world. UAE also has so many migrants work here making the food scene very diverse – and don’t we love that.
The UNESCO-listed area of Al-Ain has an oasis, old fortress, camel markets and is walkable. Interested in the cultural sites of UAE? Abu Dhabi & Al Ain; the Underrated Oasis in UAE
ALBANIA
It’s not without reason Albania was on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2023 and that same year had a record number of visitors. Bordering Greece and located by the Adriatic coast, the country has all the ingredients for a perfect summer spot. Albania has some of the best beaches in Europe!
As a bonus you can take the ferry and be in Corfu after 30 min (not counting the long lines at custom (EU vs NON-EU)).
You know how many families explore new places each summer? Well, my husband and son prefer the same beach, same hotel and same restaurant on Crete. But I convinced them to go somewhere else just as long as it is similar and this year, it was finally Albania. It seems like everyone went to Albania in 2024.
But it wasn’t always like that: From 1975 to 1991, Albania was the most isolated country in Europe, if not in the entire world. The Republic of Albania was proclaimed on 29 April 1991 making the country a pretty new one.
My favourite thing to do was wandering around Butrint as I’m a sucker for old stones. I do not recommend staying at Sarandë – Yikes a mass tourism town. But I definitely want to go back and explore the capital Tirana.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE, INDIA
Since I was a child, I’ve dreamt of visiting the world’s 3 great attractions: The Great Wall, The Pyramids and Taj Mahal. I climbed the wall in 1999, and this year I finally gazed upon the white wonder of Taj Mahal.
The Golden Triangle is golden for a reason. 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a national park with tigers and decent infrastructure between the cities makes this the go-to-trip of India for cultural immersion.
Sure, there are a lot of people, traffic, smells, burning trash piles and annoying monkeys, but also very friendly locals, some of the best food in the world and a spirituality in the daily life. India don’t leave you untouched.
My favourite thing was 2 things: Seeing Taj Mahal AND a tiger (although not at the same time)
In 2025, plans are already made to re-visit to Vienna for work, Southern France and my family’s favourite island: Crete, but also hopefully discover a few new countries. Maybe Algeria and Singapore?
What was your best trip in 2024?
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