Skip to main content

These are the hottest vacation destinations for 2025, according to VRBO

Where you should head for spring break, July 4, and more.

Maui
BKD / Pixabay

VRBO has just unveiled its 2025 Vacation Guide, offering travelers expert recommendations on the best places to visit and when to book their trips. From sunny beach retreats to busy city escapes, these top destinations are set to be the most popular travel spots for 2025 during certain holidays.

Spring break

A view of the beach in Clearwater, Florida.
Photo by John Coletti / Getty Images

Spring Break is just around the corner, and VRBO has some hot recommendations. Florida’s Gulf Coast spots like Clearwater, Rosemary Beach, and Miramar Beach are top picks, but you’ll need to book early. By February, 80% of beach houses in Clearwater are already reserved. If you’re into winter fun, head to Arizona’s Phoenix and Scottsdale, or hit the slopes in Colorado’s Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, or Keystone.

Recommended Videos

Memorial Day

Panama City Beach
Gabily / Pixabay

For Memorial Day, VRBO suggests heading to the Florida Panhandle – think Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach, or Rosemary Beach, for the perfect beach getaway. If you’re craving southern charm, Charleston, South Carolina offers history, culture, and beautiful coastal views.

July 4

A view of the pier in Nags Head, North Carolina (Outer Banks).
James Willamor / Flickr

If you’re traveling over July 4, VRBO recommends classic spots like the Outer Banks, North Carolina, Hilton Head, South Carolina, Gulf Shores, Alabama, Delaware beaches, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. With July Fourth shaping up to be the busiest travel week of the year, VRBO suggests booking your beach or lakefront rental at least three months in advance to secure the perfect spot for your summer celebration.

Winter break

Breckenridge
Noahshore / Pixabay

For Winter Break, VRBO offers two great options: go tropical or hit the slopes. If you’re dreaming of the sun, Maui, Hawaii is the perfect escape. For snow lovers, check out Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Breckenridge, Colorado, or Park City, Utah, all offering gorgeous winter landscapes and plenty of activities.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
The best places to chase the northern lights without setting foot in Iceland
No Iceland required
Lapland, Finland

Iceland may be one of the most famous spots to witness the northern lights, but it's far from the only option. For travelers looking to experience this natural wonder as part of a mainland European getaway or a Canadian adventure, there are plenty of breathtaking alternatives.

According to global travel booking platform Omio, there are five must-visit destinations where you can catch the aurora borealis – without needing to fly to Iceland. From the Arctic landscapes of Norway and Finland to the remote wilderness of Canada, these locations offer opportunities to see the dancing ribbons of green, purple, and blue light that make the northern lights one of the most unforgettable sights in the world.
Norway

Read more
This travel platform lets your emotions choose your next adventure
Let your feelings pick your next trip
Black Tomato

Not sure where to go on your next trip? Let your feelings decide. Luxury travel brand Black Tomato has just launched Pursuit of Feeling (PoF), a groundbreaking platform that redefines how we choose our travel destinations. Rather than booking based on budget, seasonality, or traditional must-see lists, PoF taps into travelers' emotions, helping them discover destinations that match how they want to feel.

With as many as 40% of Black Tomato’s clients unsure of where to go, PoF offers a fresh, AI-powered solution. By inputting emotions like “I want to feel untethered” or “I want to feel awe like never before,” travelers receive personalized trip recommendations designed to spark those exact sensations. This industry-first, vibe-driven approach brings Black Tomato’s original philosophy to life: “You may not know where you want to go, but you know how you want to feel.”
The new emotion-driven itineraries

Read more
Casa Xixim’s ecolux villa is an off-grid escape in lush Tulum, Mexico
An exclusive tour of Casa Xixim's property and villas
a photo of the pool and main living area at casa xixim

My most memorable stays are the ones that can't be put into words - you need to experience them to understand their magic. Casa Xixim, an exclusive eco-lux villa nestled in Tulum's Soliman Bay, firmly fits into this category. It's an instant addition to our list of the best Tulum hotels, but to limit its definition to a hotel does a disservice.
Not quite a resort, not quite a bed and breakfast, Casa Xixim feels like a home away from home - and quite frankly, I wasn't yet ready to leave this home upon checkout. I'll recap my dreamy weekend at the villa, from my stellar meals to on-site amenities and all of the property's joyful nuances in between.

What to know about Casa Xixim

Read more