In 2025, The Independent Travel team journeyed to a rich and varied range of destinations – from the Northumberland coastline to the wilds of Argentina; uninhabited Greek islands to the south of Sri Lanka. We've travelled by train, boat and bike; we've hiked, hitchhiked (well, Travel Correspondent Simon Calder has), sailed and flown. So as we head rapidly into 2026, this week we're taking a moment to reflect on our best journeys, voyages and holidays of the past 12 months. In our round-up of the team's favourite travels from 2025, Simon reflected on his trip through Lebanon last October. He said: "Lebanon is half the size of Wales but extraordinarily diverse: history reaching back well before the Christian era, classical ruins you can enjoy in spectacular solitude, dramatic landscapes and shorelines, glorious homegrown food and wine, and above all, generous and welcoming people." |
|
|
Simon amid the ruins of Baalbek, Lebanon |
Deputy Travel Editor Sophie Dickinson was enthralled by Dharamsala in India, while Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman discovered a whole new side to Tuscany in the Apuan Alps. For Assistant travel Editor Hayley Spencer it was the south coast of Sri Lanka that really got under her skin; Senior Travel Writer Natalie Wilson is still swooning over the tiny Swedish island of Vrångö that she visited last summer; and Travel Writer Amelia unexpectedly fell in love with Santorini, which she found to be gloriously crowd-free in 2025. Closer to home, Scotland proved a hit for several writers – with the Highlands, North Berwick and the Isle of Harris all called out as top places to visit. When it comes to cruising, it's Alaska and Greece that come out top, with Cruise Editor Marc Shoffman praising the scenery during a sailing through Endicott Arm, as well as the remarkable history to be discovered on the island of Delos. Below we've pulled together a few more destinations that have inspired us this year. |
|
|
Don't forget to complete your registration |
You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience.
Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk.
Complete your registration today to unlock access.
|
|
|
| Industrial archaeology peaks in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava, which I visited in September. The skeleton of the Dolni Vitkovice ironworks has been recast as a giant adventure playground. The rest of the city meets your needs for culture and cuisine. |
|
|
| By November I was in the future EU Green Capital: Heilbronn in western Germany. I went to assess the city's environmental credentials – but was smitten by the opportunity for self-service tourism, with visitors handed the keys to medieval towers. |
|
|
| New Years Sale - Save up to £600 off per person for both sun and ski resorts. *For stays from 3rd January 2026 to 27th November 2026, with a minimum stay of 3 nights maximum 28 nights. Find out more. |
|
|
| From 26 December, Cottages.com have January offers with up to 30 per cent off 200,000 cosy UK breaks and over 180,000 getaways starting from just £299. Learn more. |
|
|
| Looking to ski last-minute? Snowsports fans can spend seven half-board nights in Bankso at Hotel Lion for less than £500 per person in January. Learn more. |
|
|
| Parkdean Resorts has just launched a major January sale, offering up to 50 per cent off 2026 holidays, touring and camping until 4 January. Learn more. |
|
|
| Discover the best new travel and outdoors products, tested and reviewed by our experts. |
|
|
| The city is the UK's indie bookshop capital and a top destination for those who like to get lost in a good tome. |
|
|
| The six spectacular bridges crossing the Seto Inland Sea are best explored on two wheels – whether you're a beginner cyclist or an experienced rider. |
|
|
Running between Hiroshima on Japan's main island of Honshū to Ehime on Shikoku, the [Shimanami Kaidō] route guides cyclists through a breathtaking seascape of cobalt blue waters, sun-drenched fishing villages and rugged pine-clad coastline. |
|
|
| The birthplace of country music is not where you would have guessed – as an under-the-radar driving trail across southwest Virginia revealed. |
|
|
| Damien Gabet travelled into Canada's wilderness to let the cold style an up-do worthy of the Yukon's International Hair Freezing Contest. |
|
|
"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.
This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.
Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."
|
|
|
Choosing The Independent as one of your preferred sources ensures that you'll see our coverage more prominently displayed in your searches. That way, you can be sure you're accessing the latest headlines from a trusted source. |
|
|
Our Pick: Today's Top Deals |
|
|
Join the conversation and follow us |
| |
Download the free Independent app |
|
|
Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Travel newsletter. To unsubscribe from The Independent's Travel newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345
Read our privacy policy and cookie policy
|
|
|
|
.JPG?quality=75&width=1368&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=167%2C0%2C169%2C0&auto=webp "Why York is a haven for book lovers")
.jpg?quality=75&width=1368&auto=webp "Exploring the awe-inspiring wilderness of Tasmania")
0 comentários:
Postar um comentário