If you’re like me, you are already planning your adventures for 2025. I was lucky enough to visit a few bucket list icons this year so I wanted to share my honest opinions about which are worth a visit and which are not, as well as a few tips for the ones that are worth it. Here are my personal recommendations for 5 iconic places you should visit in 2025. (And yes I have been to all of them on this list recently!)
1. The Pyramids of Giza, Cairo
Without a doubt, my favorite trip of 2024 was to Egypt, and the Pyramids of Giza stole the show. Standing at the base of the Great Pyramid, I was completely captivated by its sheer size and grandeur. It felt surreal to be in the presence of such iconic history. The magic of these structures is complemented by the intriguing stories of the pharaohs and the civilization that built them. Every moment spent around the pyramids was awe-inspiring, making it an unforgettable highlight of the year. Stay tuned for a complete series on tips around visiting Egypt and the Pyramids coming in a few weeks!
2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
While visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, I discovered that the charm of this iconic landmark lies in its quirkiness. Yes, it’s a bustling spot filled with tourists, but that crowd only adds to the fun! Taking those classic photos of me pretending to hold up the tower was a lot of fun because I wasn’t taking it too seriously (you have to accept that there will be others in your photos!). Beyond the photos, the architecture is stunning, and the surrounding area, including the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli, makes it an exciting stop. This is like a 2 star Michelin restaurant, worth a detour! We drove about 30 minutes out of our way on a trip to Tuscany this summer and I am so glad we did!
3. Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge, for me, was like a one-Michelin-star restaurant—worth a visit if it’s on your route, but not necessarily a destination on its own. Yes, there’s an undeniable aura to these ancient stones, and I appreciated the opportunity to see them up close. However, if you’re going out of your way to visit, you may find that the experience doesn’t quite match the reputation. Check out my reel that I just posted that shows what a visit really looks like.
4. The Colosseum, Rome
I have been on tours inside the Colosseum twice and I loved every second of each. And I have walked by the outside of it many times when I was on study abroad in Rome, this is a sight that you have to see and if you have time do the tour of the inside as well. Walking through this massive amphitheater, I could almost hear the cheers of ancient crowds. I particularly enjoyed learning about the gladiatorial games and the various spectacles that took place here. My major tip, book tickets well in advance.
5. The Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is 100% one of the iconic places to visit anytime, and if you can, visit at night! Seeing Paris illuminated from the tower is a magical experience I won’t forget. The view, combined with the twinkling city lights below, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. It used to be a lot easier to visit the tower unfortunately, when I went up we booked the tickets the same day, but nowadays you need to books weeks in advance most of the time. But trust me, do it once, it will be a lot of fun! (Just make sure you book elevator tickets to the top, it can be confusing as there are also tickets to just the second level.
Hope you enjoyed my personal recommendations for 5 iconic places you should visit in 2025! Happy new year!
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