Seven Creatives Share Their Favorite Travel Destinations Of 2025
Photos: @underlyingbrown
“My favorite place to travel to in 2025 was Huachachina, Peru. It was my first time traveling to Peru without family and it was my best friends first time in the county. There is so much history and beauty that lives within Peru so being able to experience the sand dunes in person was a bucket list check off for me.”
– Brenda Barrientos
Social Strategist, Writer, Producer
“I got the chance to travel to Guadalajara, Mexico for Dia de Los Muertos for the first time and found the experience deeply affecting and pretty overwhelming. I didn’t grow up in a family or community that sought to explore the relationship we have to death and have largely had to learn how to navigate the process of loss on my own as a result. Seeing the city preparing for the holiday shook me - in a good way - and very much gave me the space to feel feelings I hadn’t been given the space to feel when some of these losses first occurred. The hotel was lovely and the food was great but it was talking about the significance of the holiday, putting photos on ofrendas, and doing Catrin makeup for the first time that made it such an unforgettable experience.”
– Tres Dean
Writer & Copywriter
“I didn’t take any vacations in 2025, so I didn’t go anywhere special or exotic. In the US, I traveled mostly for work to NYC, Miami, Vegas, etc, and home to Boston. Each city has its own unique vibe, which I love. For 2026, I’m prioritizing personal travel.”
– Hollace Henderson Posey
Influencer Marketing, Fenty Beauty
“It was probably Curaçao. I loved how it was a solid mix of fun island life and history, with a lot of interesting activities and kind locals.”
– Chris Barilla
Staff Editor, PEOPLE
“The highlight of our 2025 travels was definitely the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. We chose it for our 10th wedding anniversary trip, and it provided the most incredible backdrop for our family celebration. The craftsmanship and decor are so stunning that you truly feel like you’ve been transported to a different world.”
– Dalit Gwenna Branch
Founder, The Gold Horse
“Camping in Sequoia National Park became my favorite trip of 2025 because it allowed me to fully disconnect and quietly heal. Surrounded by the gentle giants, silence, and time, I returned feeling grounded and recalibrated.”
– Andre Satchell
Photography & Naturalist
“The most exciting place I traveled in 2025 was definitely Curaçao. I went there on a press trip over a decade ago, and remember loving the vibrant colors and crystal-clear waters. The island was just as beautiful this time around. One unforgettable moment was when we went on a snorkeling cruise with a handful of friendly strangers, all fellow members of the media. It was so fun to experience something new while making new friends. I felt like a kid on the best field trip, ever.”
– Natalie Alcala
Founder, Writer, DJ
January 6, 2026
By Natalie Alcala