15 Insider Tips for Travel in 2025
Look at the AI image I created! I asked Canva for a flying bus. Because that’s what flying is like these days.
Maybe you’ve made some resolutions to travel more this year. If so, then I am definitely your girl! Please let me know how I can help. It’s hard to believe we’re already half-way through January but here are my top tips for travel in 2025…
1. Forget about airline loyalty
After the recent Delta and British Airways downgrades, the new trend in travel is just to forget about airline loyalty and book the best flights for your itinerary and budget. Being a frequent traveler isn’t enough these days! Airlines are rewarding MONETARY SPEND, not loyalty. (You would have to spend about $33,000 to reach United Platinum 1K status.) So unless you are a kajillionaire, remember, that plane is just a bus in the sky. You don’t owe anyone anything.
2. Analyze your frequent flyer accounts and hotel loyalty programs
Sometimes I’m amazed by how many miles people are sitting on!! (Certain client sitting on 1.2 million miles, you know who you are.) Spend your miles. The valuations are only going to go down, not up, and some miles will expire too if you don’t use them! For United, American, and Delta, I can help you think about how to use these miles. I’m testing a new paid service this year where I review your frequent flyer and hotel loyalty accounts and help you use your points. Interested? Book a complimentary consultation here. (Do the best you can with the form in making this request.)
St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Imagine this scene but with thousands more people!
3. Know that it’s a Jubilee Year in Italy!
Every 25 years, Catholics who visit certain holy sites and participate in a rite of reconciliation are granted a plenary indulgence, which forgives sins! This means that Rome and other Italian sites of religious significance will be very busy with religious pilgrims. Book all your accomodation and tours in advance — especially in places like Rome, Florence, and Venice — or consider alternative cities.
Pickleball on the AmaMagna!
4. Into pickleball? Consider a cruise with pickleball courts
Pickleball around the world in 2025! For a European river cruise, check out the AmaMagna by AmaWaterways. Two of Regent Seven Seas’ newest ships offer pickleball courts: the Seven Seas Splendor and Seven Seas Explorer. Ten Celebrity Cruises ships offer pickleball – Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Summit. Let me know how I can help with your pickleball cruise needs. Book a complimentary consultation here.
5. Buy Apple Air Tags
If you haven’t heard me say this already…invest in Air Tags and put them in all your luggage. If your luggage goes missing, at least you will know where your bags are.
6. Solo travel is a vibe. Stop waiting for others!
Solo travel keeps growing and growing but this is the year it jumps the shark. I have a ton of ideas for solo travelers. You can travel alone, but never be lonely. Book a complimentary consultation here to talk more.
7. Check out the newer and lesser known cruise lines for some great values
Check out Explora (luxury), Azamara (longer port stays), Swan Hellenic (expedition), and Celestyal (Greek island hopping). Celestyal, in particular, can be a great value for a family vacation. As always, remember that it’s always better to book a cruise through a travel agent than direct. Travel agents like me can add onboard credits and other perks that you won’t get by booking direct.
8. Women, consider traveling with an anti-theft purse
There are bags on the market that are slash proof and have zippers that lock, keeping you safe from pickpockets. I love Pacsafe, Travelon, and Baggalini brands. Make sure you specifically look for bags that say “anti-theft.”
9. Book that trip to Thailand before February 16th!
White Lotus Season 3 comes out on February 16, 2025! We saw demand for Sicily skyrocket after White Lotus Season 2 so lock Thailand down now! Did you know that I’ve spent over 4 months hanging out in Thailand? I’ve been to Koh Samui, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi/Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and more.
10. Start using a password locker if you’re not already
Hackers are coming for your frequent flyer accounts and hotel points. Make sure you use strong, unique passwords for everything. To do this, use a password locker. At the very least, use Google Password Manager but for more security, use a third party application.
11. Book experiences, not just accommodations
Consider unique activities like cooking classes, wine tastings, and cultural tours to enrich your trip. I have so many amazing options for you. Check out my tour aggregators Project Expedition and Viator. I generally prefer Project Expedition more because if anything goes wrong, I have more backup.
12. Let me VIP your hotel stay in 2025
I am being very honest here when I say that you should never book a five-star hotel without a travel agent. You can’t VIP yourself, but I can. If you were a hotel, who would you upgrade? The guest whose travel agent sent a warm personal note introducing the client prior to arrival? Or the guest who booked through an online portal? If I can help you with a five star hotel stay coming up, book a complimentary consultation here to talk more.
13. Invest in travel insurance
Please protect yourself against unexpected events like flight cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Remember there are just so many things that are outside of your control. If you have travel insurance via your credit card, read the fine print because there’s a 99.8% chance that it does not include medical insurance. Run a quote for travel insurance with my partner TravelEx here.
14. Make 2025 the year you book a wellness escape
Life is stressful. You deserve a break! There are so many great health and wellness destinations. Check out these Virtuoso wellness resorts: Brenners Park in Baden-Baden Germany, Chiva Som in Thailand, and Rancho La Puerta in Mexico.
15. Traveling through or to the UK?
You’re going to need a visa! YES. Starting in 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) requires an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for American travelers. Read more here.
Summary
So…let’s make some travel plans in 2025! Ready to chat? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England, selling financial data. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.
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Ways I Can Help You
I can offer VIP perks and amenities at thousands of hotels around the world. Virtuoso perks are just the start. I can also VIP you at Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Four Seasons, and Rosewood properties…among others! (See my website footer for all the brands I work with And yes, you can double dip between your hotel status and mine, supercharging your VIP status!)
I have a huge storehouse of luxury cruises: I partner with all the major cruise lines…Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking, Ama Waterways, Tauck and more. I can add onboard credits and other perks that you cannot get by booking direct.
I have vetted villa rentals with concierge service all around the world
Private jets! Yes, I can do this for you.
All sorts of small group and private touring.
VIP on arrival and VIP on departure airport services. (Get met at the plane door!)
Travel insurance. Don’t leave home without it!
