A new study reveals the best warm-weather escapes for 2025

The Maldives took this year's top spot.

By Amanda Teague Published January 16, 2025 1:38 PM

Shoreline of Kelingking Beach, Bali — Kelingking Beach, Bali felfin felfin / Unsplash

Looking to trade the winter chill for sunshine? A new study by Arka has revealed the top ten warm-weather destinations for a perfect winter escape in 2025. The ranking was based on key factors including average winter temperatures, hours of sunshine, and sea temperatures to determine the best climates. It also considered popularity and affordability, using data on annual international visitors, hotel prices for luxury stays, and Instagram hashtags to gauge travel trends and social buzz.

The Maldives

The Maldives — SuzyT / Pixabay

The Maldives takes the number one spot with an impressive score of 91, thanks to its balmy average winter temperature of 81°F and its reputation for luxury. Though hotel rates average $726.30 per night, making it a splurge-worthy destination, it continues to attract high-end travelers seeking unparalleled tropical beauty. Visitors to the Maldives can enjoy a range of activities, from snorkeling and diving in coral reefs full of marine life to indulging in private overwater villa experiences.

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Phuket, Thailand

Phuket — Hoochuu / Pixabay

Phuket, Thailand, secures second place with a score of 90.6, attracting an impressive 36 million international visitors each year, the highest among the top destinations. Its inviting sea temperatures of 82°F and more affordable luxury stays, averaging $343.80 per night, make it a popular choice for sun-seekers. With 12.4 million Instagram hashtags, Phuket is frequently featured by travelers around the world.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali beach — Dimitri Dim / Pexels

In third place is Bali, Indonesia, with an overall score of 90.4. Bali stands out as the most Instagrammed destination on the list, with a staggering 74.3 million hashtags. Visitors can explore Bali’s rice terraces in Ubud, relax on beaches like Nusa Dua and Seminyak, or marvel at the iconic sea temple of Tanah Lot. Bali also offers excellent value, with luxury accommodations averaging just $130.10 per night.

The best warm-weather escapes: The full list

Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles — xoracio / Pixabay

The Maldives
Phuket, Thailand
Bali, Indonesia
Goa, India
The Seychelles
Boracay, The Phillippines
The Bahamas
Cape Town, South Africa
San Pedro, Belize
Maputo, Mozambique

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Destinations

Contributor

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…

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The world’s best beach for 2025 is in Australia — and it’s breathtaking

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Whitehaven Beach

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High-end shopping: Study reveals what luxury travelers buy around the world

This is what the wealthy buy when they travel

outside of a Prada store

Did you know that some luxury travelers spend millions on high-end purchases during their trips? A new study by Judaica WebStore takes a closer look at the luxury shopping habits of wealthy travelers, uncovering the most sought-after items and the destinations where high-end purchases thrive. From custom jewelry to rare wines, here’s a breakdown of the top luxury items travelers buy on vacation.
Top luxury purchases travelers make on vacation

Custom jewelry
Custom jewelry is a favorite buy among luxury travelers, with prices ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. New York City is a hotspot for engagement rings from Tiffany & Co., while Dubai’s Gold Souk is perfect for one-of-a-kind gold pieces. Paris remains the go-to for high-end jewelry, featuring names like Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier.
Fine art
Art lovers often find themselves in Paris, Florence, or New York, where fine art can range from $10,000 to $1 million. Paris offers iconic galleries and auctions, while Florence attracts buyers of Renaissance masterpieces. New York, with events like Art Basel, is a prime spot for rare finds.
Limited-edition handbags
Handbags, especially limited-edition ones, draw the rich to Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. The Hermès Birkin in Paris is legendary, while Milan offers exclusive Gucci and Prada collections. In Tokyo, Louis Vuitton offers bags designed just for Japanese buyers. Prices run from $1,500 to $150,000.
Exotic spices and gourmet ingredients
For foodies, Morocco, India, and Italy are top destinations. Morocco’s markets are filled with fragrant spices, while India’s Kashmir region is known for its prized saffron and Italy’s Piedmont region is famous for its white truffles. Prices for these items are typically between $50 and $1,000.
Antiques and collectibles
Collectors flock to London, Istanbul, and Jerusalem for antiques and unique religious and historical items. London’s Portobello Road, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, and Jerusalem’s Old City offer treasures ranging from $50 to $100,000.
Perfumes
Perfume is a classic luxury item, with Paris and Grasse offering bespoke options -- Fragonard in Paris and Grasse’s workshops let travelers put together their own fragrances. These luxury perfumes range from $500 to $10,000.
Luxury wines and spirits
When it comes to wine and spirits, travelers head to Bordeaux for private tours and tastings, Scotland, where collectors can find exclusive Scotch whiskies, and Italy’s Piedmont region, known for its coveted Barolo wines. Rare bottles can go for up to $10,000
Handcrafted leather goods
Florence’s Santa Croce district, Marrakech, and Paris are top spots for leather goods. From bags to belts, these handcrafted items range from $500 to $5,000.
Fine china and glassware
Vienna, Prague, and London are home to some of the world’s finest porcelain and glassware. Prices for these items range from $200 to $5,000, with each piece carefully crafted to appeal to collectors.
Luxury watches
Timepieces remain a timeless investment. Geneva and Zurich lead the way with iconic brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet, with prices ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million.