The New York Times names top 5 places to visit in 2025

The New York Times has published a rating of the best travel destinations in 2025. They are perfect for both lazy tourism and active recreation and exploration of a new culture

Journalists presented a wide list of places consisting of 52 positions. OBOZ.UA will tell you about the top 5 of them. The full list can be found on the website.

England

The rating is headed by the southwest of the country, where the famous writer Jane Austen was born and lived. The year 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of her birth. On this occasion, experts advise visiting Hampshire, which was a source of inspiration for the novelist. An exhibition is open in Austen's house and themed festivals are held frequently. In Steventon, a village fair will see the light of day in July, and in Southampton, Austen's desk will be exhibited and Pride & Prejudice* (sort of) performances based on the famous novel will be shown.

In Winchester, in 2025, literary gatherings and guided walks will be held, including to the writer's grave. And in Bath, you can attend balls and a Regency-style costume promenade. Moreover, fans of Jane Austen will love the locations where movies based on her novels were filmed.

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Travelers are invited to appreciate the spectacular ecosystem and colorful views. However, for the first time in 26 years, the cost of visiting the Galápagos National Park has doubled for tourists aged 13 and older. Now you can get to this fabulous place for $200 (about 8.5 thousand hryvnias).

According to Matt Kareus, executive director of the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association, the price has been increased as additional funding is needed to preserve the fragile ecosystem - tourism causes great damage to the islands.

Museums of New York

In 2025, the city celebrates its 400th birthday. Local authorities have prepared several surprises for art lovers. In April, the Frick Collection, which presents old Western European paintings, will be opened on 5th Avenue in Manhattan after a five-year reconstruction.

In May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will open the renovated Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, which will feature more than 1,800 works from Africa, Pre-Columbian America, and Oceania. In the city center, you can appreciate contemporary art at the New Museum, and in the fall, the Harlem Studio Museum, which has been closed since 2018, will open.

Assam, India

Travelers are invited to visit ancient burial mounds in a corner of the country that is often overlooked. Assam is a hilly state located near the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. The remote, culturally distinctive and relatively sparsely populated region has long been considered the gateway to Northeast India.

In 2024, the Charaideo Moidams, or Pyramids of Assam, were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The mounds were built during the Ahom dynasty between the 13th and 19th centuries AD. Tourists are offered to learn about the royal heritage and spiritual essence of the region. You can also visit the world-famous tea gardens and the Kaziranga National Park, home to endangered one-horned rhinos.

Samui Island, Thailand

The last season of the popular HBO series The White Lotus was filmed in this very place in the Gulf of Thailand. The island is known for its endless beaches, crystal clear waters, and jungle. This corner of Thailand is expected to attract a record 40 million foreign tourists in 2025.

The government has recently expanded the visa-free entry program for citizens of more than 90 countries, and several airlines, including Hong Kong Airlines, ITA Airways, and British Airways, have expanded their flight schedules to the country.

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