European destination named top holiday spot for 2025 is so close you can you reach it by ferry
A FRENCH region has been revealed as one of the must-visit places for next year – and a ferry from England can get you there in just over five hours.
Brittany in France has made the list of trending destinations for 2025, with distinctive culture, coastal scenery, and miles of seaside walking paths on offer for visitors.
The list of places was put together by American Express based on card member travel bookings and expertise from its global network of travel consultants.
France’s northwestern most region has been growing in popularity in recent years, particularly because of its beautiful sandy beaches, secluded coves, and rocky formations.
One beach that’s proven popular among holidaymakers because of its long stretch of sandy beach, stunning views, and tranquil waters is Plage de Tahiti.
Backed by pines, the beach is wide enough to feel spacious even in the busiest seasons.
And the sand is soft, very nearly white, with sea that often sparkles turquoise.
Brittany is also a popular destination for walking and hiking, with over 10,000 kilometres of signposted routes.
The GR34 is the most famous walking route – a 388-mile trail that runs along the north coast.
Also known as the Customs Officers’ Path, it features cliffs, beaches, fishing villages, and seaside resorts.
It’s suitable for moderately fit walkers and the best time to hike it is in late Spring and early Autumn.
Known as the jewel of southern Brittany is the Quiberon Peninsula, with wild coastline that stretches over 30 kilometres.
The peninsula has around 19 beaches, including Fort Neuf beach, Porigo beach, Saint Pierre-Quiberon beach, Castéro beach, and Saint Julien beach, and it’s one of the best places to enjoy water sports.
Sea fishing, sailing, sand yachting, sea kayaking, and kite surfing are all popular here.
But if you prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of walking and cycling routes to enjoy.
Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the region’s most famous attractions, located in the bay shared by Normandy and Brittany.
There’s a medieval abbey with striking architecture and panoramic views of the bay, and the village’s narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
One of the best ways to get to Mont Saint-Michel is by ferry, from the Saint-Malo or Granville ferry terminals.
Ferry is a popular option for travelling to Brittany from the UK – although the time it takes to travel depends on the route and ferry you take.
Brittany Ferries travel from Plymouth to Roscoff in 5 hours and 15 minutes and Portsmouth to St-Malo 10 to 12 hours overnight.
Or you can travel on Condor Ferries from Poole to St-Malo in 6 hours and 20 minutes.
Amex’s Trending Destinations list was put together with Millennial and Gen Z travellers in mind.
A study conducted by the company found 72 percent of Millennial and Gen Z travellers are more likely to book hotels that offer credit card rewards and 70 percent are interested in a credit card with a collection of hotel benefits across the world.
As such, American Express Travel has added new benefits and expanded its Hotel Collection to include more properties in destinations Card Members are visiting.
The collection includes upscale hotels located near city centres, popular tourist attractions, great restaurants, and active nightlife.
2025 Trending Destinations list
Brisbane, Australia – located between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane offers excellent museums as well as vibrant dining and nightlife.
Brittany France – Distinctive culture, coastal scenery and miles of seaside walking paths like the GR34 trail top the list of reasons to visit the Brittany region.
Franschhoek, South Africa – Franschhoek, the mountain-ringed gem in the Cape Winelands region, is an ideal add-on to a safari vacation with nearly 50 wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and hiking.
Koh Samui, Thailand – 88-square-mile Koh Samui offers a dreamy combo of lush jungle, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters, perfect for active travelers or those looking to relax. The island will be featured on a popular TV show scheduled to air next year and is sure to inspire set-jetting travelers.
Macau, China – Though The Historic Centre of Macau enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status, and the local Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine is a must-try for foodies, the supersized casinos are the reason this densely populated peninsula, known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” boasts a number of award-winning restaurants.
Moab, United States – As the gateway to Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, Moab is a perfect starting point to explore the American Southwest. Travelers come for world-class rafting, mountain biking, and canyon hiking – or simply to bask in the red rock scenery.
Nikko, Japan – This tucked away mountain retreat in mostly rural Tochigi prefecture blends elements of Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, with photogenic waterfalls and abundant hiking trails.
Paros, Greece – Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many with a vibrant cultural scene and rocky coastline studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves.
São Paulo, Brazil – This multi-ethnic city is one of the great cultural destinations of South America and home to rich architectural heritage and some of the continent’s best museums, street art, and homegrown fashion.
Sun Valley, Idaho, United States – With fewer crowds than other Western ski resorts, Sun Valley appeals to premium travellers and everyday outdoor enthusiasts alike. During the summer months travellers can enjoy trout fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and more.
Additionally, when Gold and Platinum Card Members book two or more nights at these hotels through Amex Travel, they are eligible to receive a room upgrade upon arrival, 12 PM early check-in, and late check-out up to 4 PM (all subject to availability and certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade).
These benefits are in addition to a complimentary credit valued at $100 (around £76) to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges (eligible charges vary by property).
For more details, visit the Amex website.