Extraordinary Journeys, a renowned luxury travel operator known for its bespoke adventures, unveiled a list of seven water-themed destinations for 2025. These carefully selected locations—ranging from Laos to Zimbabwe—focus on water’s profound impact on landscapes, cultures, and spiritual connections. The company emphasizes the transformative essence of water, from tranquil rivers to vast coastlines, as a key driver of travel in the coming year. These destinations offer travelers opportunities to connect with nature in extraordinary ways.

Water as a Cultural and Spiritual Connector

The company’s CEO, Elizabeth Gordon, expressed how water’s currents and waves shape not just landscapes but the very cultures and ways of life of the regions chosen. She highlighted the emotional and physical ties humans have with water, underscoring how these places invite exploration of both nature and culture. For Extraordinary Journeys, water isn’t just a backdrop for adventure; it’s the heart of the experience.

• Transformative Water Experiences: Water’s role in shaping both nature and human culture.
• Cultural Significance: Water as a cultural, physical, and spiritual connector.

Expanding Horizons for 2025

Extraordinary Journeys continues to evolve its portfolio, offering clients experiences beyond traditional African safaris. The company’s growth has seen it branch into South America and Southeast Asia, providing new opportunities for travelers to explore remote and lesser-known destinations. The new destinations, which include Laos, Madagascar, and Chile, show the company’s commitment to diversifying the travel experience.

For the 2025 season, the company has made efforts to identify off-the-beaten-path alternatives to popular tourist spots, which aligns with a growing trend in the travel industry. As global tourism faces the challenges of over-tourism, destinations like Quy Nhon in Vietnam and the Skeleton Coast in Namibia offer fresh alternatives.

• New Global Expansions: Incorporating unique global destinations to cater to an evolving travel industry.
• Alternative Experiences: Seeking alternative destinations to mitigate over-tourism.

Seven Water-Themed Destinations

1. Luang Prabang, Laos

Located where the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers meet, Luang Prabang offers a peaceful escape, surrounded by mountainous landscapes and rich spiritual history. The UNESCO World Heritage city has become a hub for cultural exploration, offering serene activities such as joining the daily almsgiving ceremony or hiking to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Travelers can embark on a luxurious river cruise along the Mekong to Northern Thailand, offering them a deeper connection to the region’s history and traditions.

Impact: With growing demand for culturally immersive experiences, Luang Prabang will appeal to travelers seeking both adventure and spirituality.

2. Kerala, India

Known for its tranquil backwaters and lush tea plantations, Kerala is an idyllic destination for travelers. Extraordinary Journeys recommends eco-friendly houseboat cruises through Kerala’s serene backwaters or trips to wildlife reserves like Periyar, where travelers can spot tigers and elephants. Visitors can also rejuvenate with Ayurvedic treatments, experiencing wellness rooted in Kerala’s cultural heritage.

Impact: Kerala’s rich natural beauty and cultural experiences continue to attract travelers seeking nature and wellness tourism.

3. Madagascar, Southeast African Coast

Madagascar’s wildlife is like no other. Home to 90% of species found nowhere else, including lemurs and baobab trees, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts. The Mandrare River Camp allows guests to observe lemurs in their natural habitat, while the Miavana sanctuary offers luxurious stays with opportunities for diving and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

Impact: Madagascar’s unique biodiversity is a strong draw for eco-tourism and wildlife adventures, offering a distinct alternative for travelers.

4. Rapa Nui, Chile

Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, is a remote destination with iconic moai statues scattered across its landscape. With few tourists due to limited flights, the island is increasingly seen as a peaceful retreat. Guided hikes and visits to historical sites like the Rano Raraku quarry, where the moai were carved, allow visitors to uncover the island’s deep mysteries.

Impact: Rapa Nui offers a blend of adventure and history, appealing to travelers looking for quiet, uncrowded places steeped in culture.

5. Quy Nhon, Vietnam

Quy Nhon, located in Binh Dinh province, is a serene alternative to Vietnam’s more tourist-heavy locations. The quiet coastal town is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in local fishing communities or explore deserted beaches. Extraordinary Journeys encourages cycling tours through the countryside, while stays at luxury resorts like Zannier Bai San Ho ensure a seamless connection to nature.

Impact: Quy Nhon represents a growing trend of travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path coastal destinations with a slower pace of life.

6. Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Known for its stark desert landscapes and eerie shipwrecks, the Skeleton Coast is a true adventure destination. Despite its remote, inhospitable appearance, wildlife thrives here, with elephant, giraffe, and brown hyena adapted to the extreme environment. The Shipwreck Lodge offers an exclusive experience to explore this raw, wild stretch of land.

Impact: The Skeleton Coast appeals to the increasing demand for authentic, rugged experiences in nature, away from crowds.

7. Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Mana Pools National Park, carved by the Zambezi River, offers adrenaline-fueled safaris where travelers can see elephants, lions, and hippos up close. The proximity to the water attracts diverse wildlife, and the park’s remote location ensures a truly intimate safari experience. Staying at the luxurious Ruckomechi Camp adds comfort to the adventure.

Impact: Mana Pools exemplifies the growing trend in wildlife tourism, where travelers can experience nature in its most raw and unfiltered form.

Shaping Travel Trends in 2025

Extraordinary Journeys’ carefully curated list of destinations for 2025 highlights a growing trend toward immersive, nature-focused travel experiences. As the world moves toward a deeper connection with the environment, water-focused destinations like those in Laos, India, and Zimbabwe will increasingly appeal to travelers seeking adventure, cultural insight, and relaxation in serene settings. The continued expansion into less-visited locations also responds to the global demand for sustainable tourism practices, allowing destinations like Madagascar and Namibia to emerge as leading alternatives to over-crowded tourist hotspots.

As more travelers yearn for authentic, transformative experiences, destinations shaped by the presence of water—whether rivers, lakes, or oceans—are likely to gain further prominence in the travel industry, ultimately reshaping how future generations explore the world.

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