📍25 Fun & Exciting Ideas For Deciding Your Next Travel Destination & Activities. Where To Go In 2025!

LOOKING FOR IDEAS TO HELP PICK YOUR NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATION?

Have you ever found yourself dreaming of a new adventure but stuck in a loop of indecision about where to go or what to do? It’s easy to fall back on familiar places and routines, but the magic of travel lies in stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring the unexpected. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or planning your very first getaway, the world has an overwhelming abundance of outstanding opportunities waiting to be discovered.

But don’t just book that trip. Use the forthcoming experience to challenge yourself to venture beyond the big cities and the typical tourist trails and dive deep into things you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do at home like discovering hidden gems, small towns, or offbeat activities that’ll give you a fresh perspective and new appreciation for this culture you’ve immersed yourself in and the world in general.

So whether it’s a short getaway or a minimum month-long adventure, if you’re stuck selecting where your next travel destination will be, here is a lengthy list of fun and exciting ways to help you pick your next travel destination and activities. From using a random country selector to take the hard work out of deciding for you to basing your trip on unique accommodations or animal hotspots, these suggestions will inspire you to think outside the box, ignite your wanderlust, and uncover a side of travel you’ve never considered. (Bonus points for combining a few of them.)

🌍1. Randomly Pick A State Or Country You’ve Never Explored.

If you’re up for anything and have the budget for it, the quickest and easiest way to conquer any indecision is by letting fate decide your next travel destination!

There is the classic act of “throwing a dart at a map”, or using your finger to stop a spinning globe, provided the place it lands is not smack bang in the middle of the ocean (unless that ocean has an island nearby.)

However, if that’s too archaic (after all not many people own a paper map or physical globe these days), the internet is more than happy to help with this exciting roulette. Searching the world wide web for “random country/state generator” or “random travel generator” yields plenty of results that will unbiasedly choose a nation, state, territory, or even a city for you with the click of a button. It’s all about relinquishing control and letting curiosity and fate lead the way, which is such an exciting and intrepid way to go about things, especially if it’s a place whose name or culture you have never or seldom heard about.

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✈ 2. Or Use Google Flights For The Cheapest Option.

While picking somewhere random is great for spontaneity, it’s not exactly the most feasible option for most people. Whether it’s because that destination is too far away, too difficult to get to, involves too many interchanges or too expensive for how much time and money you have to spend, it’s just not always doable. (Not to mention other factors such as political instability or a high risk of terrorism.)

If you still want to keep it random, but more budget-friendly, Google Flights is a fantastic website for this application. It is essentially an aggregator that congregates all the world’s commercial airlines in one place, offering you a huge selection of flights, destinations and routes to choose from.

The best way to get the most out of it is to use the map feature and start off being flexible with your travel dates, then follow these steps:

• On the homepage, it should already be set to your home destination but if it’s not, set it to the nearest city that you know has a commercial airport. DO NOT SELECT where to location or a departure date, simply click the map.

• On the map page, click the date, select flexible dates, and alternate between one and two weeks. This shows you the flights to many destinations which also includes ones that have layovers. Narrow that down further by clicking the non-stop filter, which will then only show you direct flights, perfect for finding the cheapest, most budget-friendly and most time-efficient routes. Then randomly pick one of the places within your price range and Boom! You’re done!

Imagine discovering a hidden gem of a country you hadn’t considered or an overlooked state a few hours away because you didn’t know how affordable it was to visit!

🛶 3. Conquer Your Fears With An Adventure Activity.

Sometimes the best travel inspiration comes from facing your fears head-on. Why not use your next trip as a chance to conquer an adventure activity you never thought you’d try? It’s certainly my favourite thing to look up to do whenever I go anywhere. Imagine paramotoring near the world-famous steep limestone karst islands of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam or ziplining through the jungles of Vanuatu with views over the sparkling ocean.

If you’re not sure where to start in the hunt for unforgettably insane ways to incorporate adrenaline into your trip, websites like Viator and Get Your Guide are treasure troves for finding adventure activities across the globe, with detailed reviews and options to push your limits to the extreme.

Meanwhile, in Australia are platforms like Adrenaline, Red Balloon, and Experience Oz, which specialize in taking things to the exhilarating extreme in the Land Down Under, giving you plenty of are heaps of avenues to find everything from aerobatic flights in a Red Baron aircraft over Sydney or in a Yak 52 Russian warbird over the glittering Gold Coast to snorkelling with majestic whale sharks at Exmouth, WA.

There’s certainly no shortage of heart-pounding experiences to tackle. The only question is “Are you brave enough to take on the challenge?”

🥾 4. Challenging Yourself With A Physically Demanding Adventure.

If you’re looking for an experience that is as physically demanding as it is visually rewarding, then a rugged wilderness adventure is the immensely rewarding challenge you’re looking for.

From canyoneering down a series of waterfalls in the Blue Mountains of Australia to trekking through the Himalayas to the Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal and rope climbing along sheer cliffs in China or venturing out on your own, these trips are designed to take you to some of the most remote and breathtaking places in the world that few people see to experience in that unique capacity while also pushing you to your physical, mental and physical limits, allowing you to discover a strength and resilience you didn’t know you had.

👬5. Make Friends On A Multi-Day Tour Group.

Travel is not just about discovering new destinations; it’s also about connecting with people who share your passion for adventure. So if you’re looking to make new life-long friendships with people who have like-minded interests, a multi-day tour group is an incredible way to explore the world while forming lasting friendships. Whether you’re trekking through the Andes, exploring Europe’s hidden gems, or island-hopping in Thailand, there’s no better way to turn strangers into lifelong companions than shared stories and unforgettable experiences like the ones you’ll get with these tours, especially if you’re travelling by yourself.

For younger, companies like G Adventures, Intrepid, and Contiki are renowned for their social, fun-filled tours that foster a sense of community. Meanwhile, for the older demographic, others like Flash Pack specialize in small-group adventures designed for solo adventurers who are less about parties and drinking and are seeking like-minded companions who enjoy more authentic and intimate experiences.

🧳6. Pack A Weekend Bag & Embark On A Spontaneous Getaway.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t plan, making packing a weekend bag and heading off on a spontaneous getaway the perfect way to add excitement and freedom to your day-to-day

Flight and hotel packages are great for taking trips on short notice while road trips are superb for that true last-minute escape – just pick a direction and drive. Meanwhile, you can also jump aboard a local train and book a hotel somewhere near a station or see if one of the luxury train companies has a few seats left.

But whether it’s a quick drive to a charming coastal town, a train ride to a nearby city, or a last-minute flight deal or hotel combo package, these trips are great for breaking out of the routine and giving yourself a quick, much-needed mental break.

🚋 7. Change Up Your Primary Mode Of Transport.

One of the simplest ways to level up your travel experience is to change the way you get around. Whether it’s switching this trip to a different default or just for a particular leg of the journey, it’s a great way to experience a country or place in a much more unique and memorable capacity, especially when it’s imbued with the destination’s culture, or perhaps even more so when it’s not, as it allows you get out your comfort zone to see these places from a fresh new perspective.

Think sailing between the magnificent islands of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, traversing through the spectacular Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer or flying over the breathtaking wilderness expanse of the world’s last true wilderness with Antarctica Flights.

If you prefer making your own way, getting around Australia and New Zealand in a campervan is a great way to explore, while kayaking through Norway’s rugged fjords, and motorbiking along Vietnam’s scenic Van Hai Pass are just more fantastic ways to see these places under your own steam allowing you to further immerse yourself in the scenery and atmosphere.

⛱ 8. Visit A Little Known Territory.

Instead of hitting up the major destinations that millions of people visit every year, a fantastic change of pace is to veer a sharp left off the well-worn beaten path and explore a remote territory of your favourite country.

Even if you have visited the mainland extensively, these places usually offer a vastly different experience thanks to their own distinct culture and language developed throughout the centuries, a unique blend of their native traditions and architecture interweaved with that of their sovereign nation that is found nowhere else in the world.

Plus, as they are often so far away and isolated, many are also blessed with magnificent jaw-dropping scenery, while the difficulty and expense of getting to these virtually unknown places mean that you can enjoy its customs, heritage, nature and wildlife far more peacefully and authentically.

Some perfect but vastly different examples are places like the Cocos (Keeling) Islands or Christmas Island, which belongs to Australia, and has pristine beaches, incredible wildlife and outstanding snorkelling opportunities and the Faroe Islands, part of the Kingdom Of Denmark, which has staggering mountainous islands are perfect for travellers seeking raw, unspoiled beauty in unforgettable places few have heard about and even fewer have the privilege to experience.

🏨 9. Stay Somewhere Unique.

Where you stay can be just as memorable as where you go, and with some incredibly unique and creative accommodation options available across the world, basing your next travel destination on spending a few nights, or even a whole trip at one of these places can elevate your entire trip, adding a whole new level of fun and immersion.

And there are some truly unforgettable ones. From Vietnam’s gorgeous Mercure Danang Sunworld Ba Na Hills set in an architecturally faithful French Village, to Sweden’s freezing Icehotel, where everything from the beds to the bar is intricately carved from solid blocks of ice to watching the auroras borealis from Finland’s striking Kakslauttanen glass igloos, and camping off a vertical cliff face in Colorado, U.S.A or the Peruvian Andes.

These unconventional places add so many layers of magic that they end up being some of the most memorable experiences.

🚤 10. Unwind With A Multi-Day Cruise.

If you’re looking for a stress-free way to explore while enjoying luxurious amenities, a multi-day cruise is the perfect option. These relaxing trips offer the convenience of unpacking once while waking up in a new place every day.

Take on vast stretches of ocean with one of the larger cruise line companies like Royal Caribbean, P&O, Princess and Carnival Cruises, which take you to exciting several worldwide destinations, whilst providing plenty of onboard activities and entertainment, such as pools, live shows, and world-class dining while country or island hopping. Meanwhile, smaller cruise lines such as Viking and Athena offer a more personalized and intimate experience, tackling the places the big ships can’t go, such as the famous Rhine River where castles and cathedrals await and breathtaking Ha Long Bay, where rugged mountainous islands greet you each day.

📚11. Plan A Trip Around A Movie, TV Show Or Documentary You Love.

Another fantastic idea for picking your next travel destination is to use movies or TV shows as inspiration. Epic fantasies and historical dramas that rely heavily on real-world locations as their set pieces are particularly phenomenal for giving you places to visit as they typically feature the most breathtaking landscapes and architecture to tell their immersive stories, which makes scavenger hunting these locations so much fun.

For fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Rings Of Power, a trip to Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand, which is the actual set they built for the original movie series and features the lush green hills of the Shire and Bilbo’s Baggins hobbit hole, is the perfect way to start an adventure in New Zealand before venturing off to see the many rugged landscapes that Frodo and his fellowship traverse on their journey to Mt Doom.

If you’re a Harry Potter enthusiast, head to the UK to visit iconic filming locations like the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London or the stunning Alnwick Castle, which served as Hogwarts in the films.

As for me, I’d love to thoroughly explore Vancouver and see all the places where my favourite show Supernatural was filmed, plus head to some of the incredible destinations that the Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond eras or Top Gear and The Grand Tour Went.

You can also source inspiration from historical or nature documentaries and learn more about human history and the environment first-hand, such as the heartbreakingly sombre Auswitch Concentration Camp in Poland, and the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest marine ecosystem.

12. Pick A Direction & Stick With It.

If you’ve got a place in mind or are starting from home, and are presented with a tonne of opportunities to for riveting things to do, but not enough time to plan or do them all, instead of meticulously planning every detail of your trip, a fun way to overcome the hand wringing is to just pick a direction — north, south, east, or west—and see where the journey takes you? Whether it’s by road, rail, air, sea or a fun combination of these heading in a single general direction is a great way to discover more of a country, rather than fpcus one place.

🌊 13. Plan Trips Centred A Natural Wonders & Landmarks.

Few things rival the awe of standing before a breathtaking natural wonder or an iconic landmark, which is what makes planning a trip around one of these places one of the best ways to select where to go for your upcoming vacation. Whether it’s one of the most famous and recognisable places on the planet or something equally as breathtaking that flies under the radar, there is absolutely no shortage of magnificent landmarks to discover.

Whether its Australia’s Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains or Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, Chile’s Torres del Paine or Iceland’s Gullfoss Waterfall, basing a trip around Earth’s most spectacular landscapes will no doubt be the most visually spectacular way to appreciate a country’s breathtaking environment and the awe-inspiring process that continue to shape them.

🏞️ 14. Visit As Many National Parks, Nature Reserves Or Conservation Parks As Possible This Year.

In our hyper-connected world, there’s nothing more rejuvenating than disconnecting and immersing yourself for a few days, so a fantastic challenge to undertake is to explore as many different landscapes and terrains as possible within a year, and any other time frame you set.

National parks, nature reserves, or conservation parks are the best way to go about it as these protected areas often harbour the most incredible and untouched places, offering countless rugged outdoor adventures. From hiking, paddling, biking, snorkelling, climbing, abseiling and caving, each place has different outstanding opportunities to see and experience these pristine places.

Some of my favourites in Australia include Kosciuszko, Capricornia Cays, Kakadu & Litchfield, Namadgi and Auburn River National Park, while further afield, Thingvellir in Iceland, and Banff in Canada all look magnificent.

15. Reconnect With Nature By Going Remote.

Taking things up a few notches, there’s nothing more rewarding for the adventure-seeking nature lover than going out back and beyond to a place where there is nothing but raw and untamed landscapes as far as the eye can see. It’s a phenomenal way to experience the world, especially when what you’re amongst is often some of the most breathtakingly beautiful terrain you’ll ever come across. Plus, it has the capacity to push your mental and physical capabilities, giving you a tremendous sense of achievement.

And it doesn’t have to be something difficult like hiking to Everest Base Camp or up Mt Kilimanjaro either. Many of my favourite remote experiences would be classified as easy, such as overnight hiking to the summit of Mt Kosciusko and camping for a week at Lady Musgrave Island and ten days at North West Island snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. They were just phenomenal places to disconnect and appreciate nature.

16. Go Somewhere Where There Is A Known Natural Phenomenon.

Another great idea for deciding where to holiday next is to travel somewhere where a known natural phenomenon exists, as these rare and unique experiences tend to leave you with the most indelible memories that’ll stay at the forefront of your memory forever.

Whether it’s the ethereal glow of the revered aurora borealis in Scandinavia or australis in Tasmania, Australia, the gorgeous bioluminescently blue bays of Puerto Rico or Vietnam, or the sunset-illuminated Horsetail Falls, these incredible, environmental magic tricks are awe-inspiring in behold.

However, with most of the phenomena that happens, careful pre-planning is required as they typically only occur at certain times of the year and/or require certain conditions. But even when things seem like they are all aligned, there can just be something slightly off and it’s a no-show, particularly with the auroras which are one of the hit-and-miss ones, so give yourself a few days to open up that window of opportunity and increase your chances of witnessing it.

17. Venture To Wildlife Hotspots & Spot Their Signature Animal/s.

Who doesn’t love animals?! Seeing them is always a treat, especially when they are running wild in their natural environment. It’s a very special moment, especially if the encounter is not too far away and friendly. But rather than leaving that to happenchance, make them the priority of your next trip.

There are plenty of places around the world that are so population-dense with creatures that the chances of you seeing them are very high! In Australia, Great Barrier Reef is abundant with small colourful fish, friendly reef sharks, curious sea turtles and giant manta rays, while across the other side of the country, Ningaloo Reef, near Exmouth is famous for its whale sharks. There’s also K’gari (Fraser Island is famous for its wild purebred dingo population.) and the Top End and Far North Queensland with their crocodiles to name a few.

Elsewhere across the globe, the Galápagos Islands a known for being home to the only marine iguanas on the planet, while several places across Africa, such as Kruger National Park and Rift Valley are renowned for their safaris which allow you to see some of the biggest most majestic and fearsome creatures in all the animal kingdom, such as lions, elephants, leopards, zebras and rhinos.

18. Plan A Trip Around An Animal Migration Or Breeding Season.

For even more chances to see wild animals, and maybe even some baby ones, organising a trip around an animal migration or breeding season is a great alternative. These are excellent because they allow you to encounter them in a different way or place where they aren’t always at.

Two of the best that I’ve witnessed in the Land Down Under is turtle nesting (Oct-Dec) in the Southern Great Barrier Reef camping on Lady Musgrave and North West Island, and with the Mon Repos Turtle Centre nightly tour (You can also see freshly hatched babies making their way to the see in Jan-March) and the whale migration that takes place all up and down the oceans along the eastern and western coasts of Australia where they often come right up to the boats in the winter months typically between June & October. In the second half, they are accompanied with their equally curious babies!

🏕️ 19. Find A Dark Sky Park To Camp In & Observe The Galaxy.

If you love observing the universe and pondering about the mysteries of life, you could just drive out into the countryside, or you could make an adventure out of it. Research Dark Sky Parks, which are certified places that have very little light pollution and therefore provide unparalleled opportunities to observe constellations, meteor showers, and the Milky Way in all their glory.

It’s even more enticing if you use it as a reason to travel to another hemisphere to see a completely different sky. Binoculars and telescopes are recommended. You can also include a trip to an observatory to learn even more about the cosmos or time your trip during a lunar eclipse or for when the auroras are expected to show.

Some great destinations include the USA’s Bryce Canyon National Park, famed for its pristine skies, or Australia’s Warrumbungle National Park, the Southern Hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park in New South Wales and Bunya Mountains National Park, Queensland.

🌱 20. Stay At Eco-Friendly Accommodations.

For those who love to stay amongst nature will love that there are plenty of outstanding eco-accommodation that allows guests to uninterruptedly immerse themselves in the ambience and atmosphere of the different outstanding ecological gems they reside within.

They have each committed to incorporate themselves into their surrounding and have put measures and infrastructure in place in their ongoing efforts to reduce their environmental impact. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has no shortage of outstanding options that allow you to snorkel directly off its beaches, such as Heron Island and Lady Elliot Island, while countries like Africa offer magnificent open-aired, elevated platformed “star beds” allowing you to sleep under the universe to the uninterrupted sounds of the wild animals doing their nocturnal thing.

🐢 21. Volunteer In Animals, Environmental & Humanitarian Causes.

A more impactful way to travel is by volunteering your time to look after animals going through rehabilitation, causes that aim to restore or maintain habitats, or humanitarian efforts, such as building infrastructure to improve the quality of life for poor communities, combining meaningful work with adventure.

These programs typically require a commitment of time and willingness to learn, but the reward is incomparable as volunteering not only supports conservation and culture but also deepens your appreciation for the animal kingdom, the natural landscape and the human spirit.

🖼️ 22. Base A Trip Around A Museum Or Cultural Heritage Site.

The world is full of colourful cultures and incredible relics and ruins from the tens of thousands of years of human history, so if you have any curiosity about the past and what our species has endured and triumphed over, from the sombre to the celebratory, travelling to a site, city or country that is home to a key moment in time is well worth devoting your trip to.

For those drawn to the mysteries of ancient civilizations, places like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt offer some of the most jaw-dropping architecture out there. But that’s only part of their magnetic allure as not only have these massive and intricate structures stayed in miraculous condition for thousands of years but they were built unlike anything else of magnitude that no one has been able to figure out or replicate, even with modern tools, which adds an incredible amount of intrigue to their incredibly precise construction and the capabilities of the people who created them.

🎨 23. Visit A Country With A Cultural Craft You’ve Always Wanted To Learn.

Travelling doesn’t have to always be about seeing the sights, learning about the culture and history, exploring the terrain, going on guided tours and buying travel gifts. It can also include some form of traditional craft. Whether it’s something creative, like making pottery using age-old methods, or learning how to create artworks using ancient techniques, which make great hand-made souvenirs or something that uses physical prowess, like learning martial arts, or how to dance.

Not only are they a fun and memorable activity, but you’re learning from the masters who have the cultural ancestry of these crafts in their DNA, which makes the experience so much more special and immersive. Plus, it’s quite often a community affair, with other like-minded travellers also giving it a go, meaning it’s a great opportunity to make friends as you all laugh at each other’s fails as you hilarious learn to overcome the rookie mistakes.

🗣️ 24. Base A Trip Around A Language Or Accent You Love.

One of the most unconventional ways to decide on where to travel next can be by going to the country where your favourite language is spoken or accent comes from. This way, along with everyone’s voice being music to your ears, it’ll encourage you to dive deeper into learning how their dialect, so you can communicate with them beyond more than just the basics before you go.

And then when you get there, you have the perfect people to practice your new conversational skills, that won’t make you seem like you started learning it on the plane ride over, which they will appreciate. You can also see if they have classes to further your language skills. Either way, It opens up more opportunities to make friends, and of course, makes it much easier to travel around in general.

🤝 25. Attend A Local Festival, Music Concert Or Event.

The elevated atmosphere and the community of people, the display of talent! Festivals, concerts and events are the perfect reason to jet set off to a location. You can really get a compelling feel for the culture, traditions, creativity and vibrancy or a nation by attending these unforgettable immersive experiences.

One of the biggest parties in the world is Brazil’s intoxicatingly joyous Carnivale, which is an exciting kaleidoscope of samba, costumes, and energy, while in Australia, Brisbane’s enviable riverside lifestyle is on full display during its spectacular Riverfire event which involves roaring military jets flying extraordinarily low over the CBD before an explosion of fireworks erupt over its iconic river, while the Gold Coast Airshow in a jammed packed 3-hour show full of outstanding flybys and aerobatic manoeuvres from a huge number of aircraft that truly does redefine the airshow, as its tagline says.

Holidays are also the perfect occasion to head somewhere to experience the day as it’s done elsewhere. For example, I’ve never had a white Christmas, so I’d love to head over to spend the day somewhere where there’s lots of festivities, lights, displays, ice skating and of course, plenty of snow.

Travel is about more than just seeing new places—it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing the unknown, and discovering the stories and connections that make our world so extraordinary. So, whether you decide to throw a dart at a map, base your trip around a cultural landmark, or journey in a single direction, let curiosity and spontaneity guide your way.

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