With a new year just around the corner, here’s our quick read on our 2025 Hot List. Where would you like to go next year?
Lecce, Italy
Picture a charming city in the heart of Apulia that sits beside the blue waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas…this is Lecce! Regarded as the ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce is one of those ancient Italian cities you must visit in 2025. The city is most famous for its historic centre and Baroque buildings made from locally sourced limestone. The limestone has a beautiful off-white colour which only adds to the vibe of the city. When you’ve had your share of the city, head for one of its pebbly beaches for a dip, or cliff diving if you dare!
Oxford, England
An education hub for the British elite, Oxford is a tranquil city in England. With some of the oldest Gothic architecture in England, its nickname as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’ is fitting. Once you’ve enjoyed a leisurely punt on either the Cherwell or Isis River, and a cuppa at a cosy cafe or quintessential pub lunch, a stroll through Oxford University is a must. There is evidence that education began as far back as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Rothenburg, Germany
There are many gorgeous Bavarian towns to discover on the Romantic Road but Rothenburg is one of our favourites. This German town is like being in a fairytale with its half-timbered houses and enclosed medieval walls. In autumn and winter, Rothenburg really ups the ante with the changing of the leaves and the festive season. Make all your cosy season dreams come true by visiting a local bakery to buy a schneeballen. A ball of shortcrust pastry is deep-fried, then dusted with icing sugar or dipped in chocolate – a very Bavarian treat!
Ottawa, Canada
Have you ever had the opportunity to ice skate on an almost-eight-kilometre frozen canal? Lace your skates up to do so on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. Aside from the cold (Ottawa is the seventh coldest capital in the world!), there is plenty to experience during the other seasons. Ottawa attracts visitors by being at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement in Canada, as well as its incredible architecture. If you time your visit for May, don’t miss a sea of colourful blooms at the Canadian Tulip Festival.
Bordeaux, France
The city of Bordeaux is paradise for food- and wine-lovers. For the foodies – there are markets galore to peruse and sample local specialties like foie gras and canelés, cute cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants; for the wine-lovers, there are wineries a-plenty and La Cité du Vin, an interactive museum complete with wine tasting workshops. To work off all these Bordeaux delights, we recommend hiring a bike to explore. The city centre is car-free, which makes it easy to get around, or you may like to head out of the city and cycle along the Garonne River.
What’s on your 2025 hot list? Discover one of these amazing cities for yourself on a Globus or Cosmos tour, or an Avalon Waterways river cruise.
