Metro Vancouver travellers looking to explore new places in 2025 have numerous options.
Whether they are looking to kick back on a breathtaking, powdery shore, explore a city with rich history, discover a new culture, or dine in top restaurants, I've rounded up some of the best destinations to visit in the new year.
Have a look at the top spots to check out from Metro Vancouver.
Turks and Caicos
Home to seemingly endless stretches of sparkling white sand beach and hypnotically teal waters, Turks and Caicos is one of the world's top vacation destinations.
Providenciales is considered the gateway island to the Caribbean destination and home to popular resorts and hotels.
Travellers looking to explore might be interested in visiting Middle Caicos and North Caicos, which are home to "lush green woodlands, the biggest cave network in the Caribbean on Middle Caicos, cottage pond and flamingo pond in North Caicos and a vast range of plant life and bird life," according to the tourism board.
While kicking back and getting a suntan on a beautiful beach might be at the top of your to-do list, there are countless places to explore and activities to enjoy.
People who love fishing can enjoy several opportunities in South Caicos, where most lobster and conch come from. They can go on fishing tours or visit the Cockburn harbour and the natural phenomenon of the boiling hole.
Additionally, boat tours depart from several islands and take customers to watch the sunset or snorkel in key hot spots.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a foodie's dream destination, offering everything from historical teahouses to upscale modern fusion concepts to traditional outdoor dai pai dong (big license stall in Cantonese) and much more.
It also has a rich history, with several museums and ancient temples to explore and cultural tours to join. For example, the Taoist Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon, with its striking ornate features and perfectly maintained garden, juxtaposes the city's bustling pace.
Known for shimmering skyscrapers soaring among the highest in the world and densely populated streets with bustling markets and eateries, Hong Kong might not strike you as a hiking, rural, or beach destination.
But the former British colony offers some of the most diverse landscapes anywhere in the world, featuring historic fishing villages, uninhabited islands, breathtaking hikes, a massive Buddha in a thickly forested area, and several white-sand shores.
The Dragon's Back has been voted the best urban hike in Asia numerous times and I would be astonished if there was a better contender. As a born-and-bred British Columbian, I've experienced several awe-inspiring hikes. However, this urban trek offers a magical experience that takes a second to absorb-it strikes you with beauty a few minutes into the excursion.
Mazatlán, Mexico
Mazatlán is a colonial city on the Pacific coast of Mexico, with 12 miles of shoreline, making it ideal for travellers interested in a relaxing beach holiday packed with rich history.
Travellers looking to save money on their vacation will find prices in the port city are significantly lower than other top beach destinations in the country. Even stays in high-end resorts cost less there than in places such as Cancún or Los Cabos.
Top attractions to visit in Mazatlán include the National Whale Museum (Munba), the new Shekinah Beach Club, and the Grand Aquarium of the Sea of Cortés.
Visitors take a funicular ride up the steep hillside to reach the 1873 Observatory. The cable railway system offers scenic ocean views that are breathtaking day and night. Once you reach the top, a whopping 75 meters above sea level, you can explore Cerro del Vigía, which was built as a military observation post for spotting incoming enemy vessels and pirate ships.
New York City
The Big Apple is considered one of the world's top travel destinations, brimming with seemingly endless places to dine, drink, shop, and explore.
From a boat ride past the Statue of Liberty to the view from the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, a Broadway Show to the Museum of Modern Art, visitors will find it difficult to visit every place they want to explore on a short trip - but careful planning can make it more manageable to see top spots.
New York is also known for some experiences that don't require admission. Simply soaking in the awe-inspiring lights of Times Square has an impact on anyone's first visit to the bustling metropolis. Similarly, strolls through sprawling Central Park or Little Italy, across the Brooklyn Bridge or in Chinatown can take up the larger part of a day.
Thailand
From its vibrant, bustling city streets to its achingly beautiful beaches, Thailand offers some of the best places to soak in local culture, enjoy a wild night out, or lay back on a sparkling white sand shore.
Bangkok is a great place to explore ancient shrines and taste a variety of street food, boasting sprawling "eating streets" that you'd be hard-pressed to make a considerable dent in.
Cost-conscious travellers can find places to lay their head starting at under $10, although they shouldn't expect a lavish stay. On the other end of the spectrum, the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok offers a lavish oasis in the heart of Bangkok starting at upwards of $400 for a night's stay. The five-star hotel offers a luxurious spa, Thai-inspired fine dining with modern elements, and elegant rooms.
Floating markets are one of the most popular attractions in Bangkok, bringing locals and tourists together to shop from passing boats in the rivers.
Phuket, one of Thailand's most popular vacation spots, is a lush, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea. It offers some of the country's most breathtaking beaches with sparkling turquoise waters.
Japan
Tokyo is the largest city in Japan and offers seemingly endless things to see and do. From breathtaking temples and shrines to elevated dining experiences, exciting nightlife to peaceful gardens, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The city has a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, and many locals don extravagant styles on its streets. For instance, the Harajuku style includes a variety of brightly coloured clothes, garish costumes, teased hair, and sky-high shoes.
Visitors may also explore Mount Fuji, the Ghibli Museum, the Zao Fox Village, Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant, and much more.
If you are a Disney aficionado, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea should be high on your "must-visit" list.
"The Kingdom of Dreams and Magic consists of seven themed lands, each offering fun attractions in line with its theme, as well as a variety of unique shops and restaurants," according to Disney.
Cuba
Cuba is one of the most popular destinations for Canadian travellers, offering everything from sun-soaked, sparkling white-sand shores to vibrant city centres with brightly painted houses and streets filled with old-fashioned cars.
Visitors can also explore several of Ernest Hemingway's favourite haunts, get a tan on one of the country's 430 beaches, or visit one of Cuba's multiple rum or cigar factories.
Varadero is considered one of the world's top beaches, touted for its powdery white sand, warm, turquoise waters lush palms and other flora dotting the resorts behind it.
If you visit Varadero without taking at least a day trip to Havana, you are missing out.
- Related: How to spend the perfect three days in Havana, Cuba: A guide for Metro Vancouver travellers
In Havana, visitors can enjoy live music in numerous venues, both indoor and outdoor. A couple of renowned ones include the captivating Buena Vista Social Club tribute and La Fábrica de Arte Cubano - an art gallery with several clubs inside of it that functions as a space for all things creative to unfold under the cloak of night, including a variety of talented bands and singers.
Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter.
Want to learn more about a specific destination or simply have a travel concern or idea that you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about.
