
Guided by emotions: How to pick the right holiday in 2025
It’s not just a holiday, it’s a feeling – whatever you hope to feel on holiday this year, luxury travel specialists Carrier can suggest the right experience for you
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Why do we travel? Answers will differ from one traveller to the next. Yet, the most straightforward answer, the fundamental reason we all book a holiday, is simple. We travel in order to feel. To experience new places, new cultures and new people. Or, to revisit those with whom we’ve formed an emotional connection in the past.
When we travel, we embark on an emotional journey. Various studies have found that by boosting our mood, travel has the power to enhance our emotional wellbeing. Doing what we love, in environments that are new, exciting and inspiring, helps us foster better relationships, reduce stress levels, improve our outlook on life, and even lessen the chance of developing certain metabolic diseases, including Type 2 diabetes.
In fact, so noticeable are the emotional benefits on getting outdoors, that in January 2022 doctors in Canada began prescribing travel as a type of treatment by issuing free annual passes to the country’s national parks. What’s more, a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that the psychological benefits of a holiday – the way they make us feel – can last for up to five weeks after we return home.

Aware of the emotional benefits of holidays, it is the aim of the luxury travel specialists at Carrier to help prospective travellers feel every moment of their trips. Whether you’re seeking tranquillity on a sun-soaked beach, or chasing thrills on an African safari, Carrier understands that the transformative potential of travel is tied to the emotions that travel stirs within us.
How ever you’re hoping to feel on your next holiday – exhilarated, enriched, indulged, inspired, reconnected or rejuvenated – Carrier has handpicked a selection of in-demand hotels and exciting twin- and multi-centre itineraries designed to gratify your senses. Make the most of the year ahead in destinations that spark connections and places that provoke poignant reactions. Read on for some soul-stirring travel suggestions for 2025, and how to make every second of your next holiday count…
Exhilarated

If you’re a thrill-seeker, then physical, adrenaline-filled trips are almost certainly a guaranteed route to finding happiness on holiday. Extreme sports, elusive wildlife, mountain scenery – this year, prioritise whatever form of holiday gets your blood pumping.
If it’s the idea of a breathtaking Icelandic cruise that gets your heart going, then an expedition with Seabourn offers not just awesome landscapes to look at, but the chance to walk on Greenland’s largest ice cap, or go underwater in custom-built submarines. There’s also polar bear spotting from sea kayaks and helicopter rides over Arctic mountains – all while staying onboard a vessel that delivers discovery and luxury in equal measure.
Continuing with the mountain theme, come winter, there’s one glaringly obvious opportunity for adrenaline junkies – the siren call of the snow. High in the Swiss mountains, The Chedi Andermatt offers access to more than 180km of linked slopes as well as the Gemsstock glacier. The hotel itself is home to no fewer than 200 fireplaces, an extensive spa, and both a 35-metre indoor and 12-metre outdoor swimming pool. To experience the best of Switzerland, and for a change of scenery, twin your trip with a stay at the Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa in Lucerne. As well as its own award-winning spa, suspended 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock has five restaurants covering every cuisine, five swimming pools, tennis courts, a golf course and panoramic views over the lake below.
Across the Atlantic, Canada is roughly the same size as the United States, but with eight times fewer people. Visitors to this sprawling nation are met with magnificent landscapes and famously hospitable people. To experience the best of the country embark on a rail trip through the spectacular Canadian Rockies – the Rocky Mountaineer offers what is routinely voted the most spectacular train trip in the world. During the journey, gape and gasp at the lakes, prairies and magnificent glacier clad mountains that flash past – and above – thanks to glass-dome ceilings providing 180-degree views. Pause only to fortify yourself with five-star dining and talks by knowledgeable on-board hosts.
Enriched

Everyone needs the occasional breather from the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life. When we do reward ourselves with a break from the everyday, when we book a holiday to a far-flung destination, often the most enriching experiences are the result of throwing ourselves into new encounters and new experiences.
In Sicily, it’s difficult not to feel enriched by the man-made and natural wonders of the Mediterranean’s largest island. From Greek temples, to Norman cathedrals, to Byzantine mosaics, to Europe’s largest volcano, Sicily throws up more human history and geographical marvels than perhaps any other equally-sized piece of land on the planet. Given that there’s so much to see, it pays to have an expert plan your road trip with you.
For a completely different, but no less enriching experience, a Tanzanian safari invites you to fall in love with the delights of the savannah. But what’s better than a Tanzanian safari? A Tanzanian safari that factors in the magic of flight. SkySafari will fly you between some of Tanzania’s most luxurious accommodation on a plane that seats just eight people. Now, that’s how to safari in style.
When it comes to enriching, off-the-beaten-track charm, the Caribbean can be hard to beat, chock-full of unexpected gems and serendipitous quirks. The beaches, towns and forests of Grenada are ripe for exploration thanks to a terroir that comprises rainforests, waterfalls and powder sand beaches, where you’ll find some of the finest nutmeg and cocoa in the world. St Lucia, meanwhile, is populated by charming towns and villages, and offers eye-opening itineraries covering everything from majestic mountains to jazz performances. The capital, Castries, is a throwback to a bygone era with bustling weekly markets. These islands are brimming with possibilities – you just need to know where to look.
Indulged

Great holidays indulge all our senses: powder-soft sand between toes, the exotic scent of frangipani flowers, the taste of mysterious local ingredients, the soothing rhythm of waves. One type of holiday promises to excite the senses more than most: a cruise. And if you want to experience true opulence at sea, it’s a good idea to choose to cruise with the ‘world’s most luxurious fleet’.
A Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyage is an experience like no other. The six ships that sail under the Regent banner are pure luxury, rivalling five-star hotels with their à la carte fine dining, oversized suites with plush king-sized beds, walk-in closets, and Picasso lithographs lining the walls. Regent’s world-class vessels travel to all corners of the globe, from Africa to Arabia, and from Alaska to Australia.
With majestic mountains, undulating dunes, pristine sands and swirling oceans, the Gulf of Oman has spent recent years cementing itself as a luxury travel destination. Largely undiscovered by travellers until recently, there is so much more to this country than desert – although that does cover four-fifths of the land. Feast your eyes on dramatic mountain scenery, Omani architecture, beautiful beaches and cities filled with the clamour of life.
Elsewhere, foodies will appreciate the restaurant policy at The Nautilus in the Maldives, where there are no opening or closing times, allowing guests to eat what, where and when they desire. See also: the guided farm tours and cooking classes at Hermitage Bay in Antigua, whose Tree Bar is set under the canopy of an ancient tree with wicker chandeliers hanging from its branches (the perfect place to enjoy a rum punch); and the Caribbean Sea views at The Cove Restaurant at Blue Waters Resort & Spa, also in Antigua, punchy flavours combine with classic French fare in dishes including five-spiced duck breast and pan-fried snapper.
Inspired

Some holidays have transformative qualities, seeing us return as different, more inspired people. These types of holidays light the fire of curiosity and the promise of possibility within us, which can burn long after the trip itself is over.
Take an island-hopping trip around Greece’s Cyclades Islands, for example. At the centre of the archipelago is the tiny island of Delos, a World Heritage site in the middle of the Aegean. Delos is encircled by the Cyclades, which each have their own unique stories to tell; an island-hopping holiday can reveal their secrets and be tailored to take in what inspires you most, whether that’s art, history, fine dining, hiking, boat trips or all of the above.
If wildlife is your thing, then Kenya is renowned as the ‘kingdom of the safari’, home to the famous Big Five. Yet visitors to its spectacular savannah landscapes will bring home tales of much more, from sustainable initiatives to fascinating local culture. The Borana Conservancy, at 32,000 acres, boasts the highest density of lions in the world. Here, you can arrange a horseback safari and take a tour of Pride Rock – yes, Simba’s rock.
Thailand is home to a host of natural and cultural wonders, with an allure that stretches from city to coast. For those who want to see the famous sights and hidden treasures of its bustling capital city, Bangkok, but don’t want to miss the joys of exploring paths less travelled, a tour of the country can’t help but open the eyes, and mind. From the Golden Triangle and charming Chiang Mai in the north, to Buddhist temples and beautiful beaches in the south, many a traveller has been transformed by a trip to Thailand.
Reconnected

Holidays offer the perfect chance to reconnect with loved ones. There is nothing more special than spending precious time in an extraordinary place with your favourite people, celebrating milestones, making forever memories. And few things have the same power to connect as food.
In Dubai, dining matters. Not just the menu and its artistry; a unique atmosphere and special company are as vital in a land where food is the language of love. At Atlantis, The Palm, this is conjured up by the gastronomic wizardry of Nobuyuki Matsuhisa (of Nobu fame) and the tasting menu at FZN by Björn Frantzén. At nearby One&Only Royal Mirage, guests can dine with loved ones on the moonlit sands of a secluded beach; while at Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort theatrical, open-air Arabian dining experience has a supporting cast of dancers, musicians and camel riders.
Like cookies and cream or Timon and Pumbaa, some things are just better together. In the case of South Africa, that means a visit to Cape Town twinned with a game reserve safari. Hike Table Mountain, trek to Maclear’s Beacon, cycle the city’s Sea Point Promenade, then head into the wilderness for a stay in some of the country’s best safari accommodation and the chance to see some of the continent’s most iconic animals.
Alternatively, reconnect with loved ones a little closer to home at Corfu Imperial, A Grecotel Resort to Live, where, unexpectedly, Italian lakes grandeur is the order of the day; or go long-haul and visit Cambodia’s Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild. Here, a zip line entrance sets the tone for things to come, in a hotel that acts as proof that conservation and luxury hospitality can work in harmony.
Rejuvenated

The concept of ‘wellness’ is difficult to define. Broadly, it refers to the pursuit of good health – be it mental, physical, emotional, spirital or environmental. To be rejuvenated is to be nourished through exercise, nutrition and rest. It is to feel at peace, miles from the anxieties of everyday life. How to achieve this higher plane? Close your laptop and jet off to somewhere you can live slowly, like we were meant to.
To the Maldives, for example, perhaps the most glamorous gateway to physical and spiritual renewal. From the moment your speedboat docks at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and the staff, as tradition dictates, blow a Sangu conch to signal your arrival, you can’t help but feel invigorated. It’s a sensation that only grows with flaming sunset ceremonies, stargazing sessions, and visits to a spa suspended over a turquoise lagoon. For a truly holistic experience, split your time between here and the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, where villas are inspired by the forms of manta rays and Maldivian dhoni.
Alternatively, seek rejuvenation in Vietnam, where bustling cities give way to tranquil beachside spots. First, explore the charming city of Hanoi, with its yellow ochre buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Next, embark on a seafaring foray and set sail on a traditional wooden junk as it drifts among the towering limestone pinnacles of Halong Bay. Fly south to Hue, the former imperial capital city, then onto Hoi An’s spellbinding beaches. End the trip with a city experience among the hustle and bustle of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
How else to reconnect? How about by cocooning yourself in a world of luxury wellness at Kimpton Aysla Mallorca? Or by mixing with A-listers at COMO Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos? Or by pampering yourself back to the best version of you at Six Senses La Sagesse in Grenada?
Whatever you hope to feel on holiday this year, and whoever you wish to share it with, allow Carrier to assist you with the ‘where’.
Call Carrier on 0161 826 2580. Alternatively, email [email protected] or visit carrier.co.uk