25 ways to find joy from travel in 2025

From bucket-list-level experiences that deliver everything you’d hoped for, to small moments that turn out to have unexpectedly big impact, here we share 25 ways to find joy from travel in 2025. Showcasing special experiences shared by Rough Guides’ readers, writers and editors, we hope reading this will have you basking in the warm glow of your own joyful travel memories, and inspire your next adventures.

Gleeful animal encounters in the Galapagos

We kick off with a theme that cropped up time and time again while curating this feature. Namely, the fact that witnessing wildlife is one of the best ways to find joy from travel. In this case, in the Galapagos Islands.

This unique archipelago offers opportunities to witness unforgettable natural phenomena around the year — from giant tortoise mating season in February-April, to the curious mating dance of the iconic blue-footed booby in June and July.

Then there’s all that magnificent marine life that might just present itself when you least expect it…

You said: “During a live-a-board trip around the Galapagos Islands, we motored out to see Kicker Rock, with our Marine Biologist guide taking the lead. We swam from our boat to the face of the rock, entered the fissure and finned our way deeper into the cavernous void"

“The guide kept us in a tight little group, then suggested we look at what was going on under the water. Below us in the clear waters swam up to 100 scalloped hammerhead sharks, completely uninterested in our presence as they gracefully circled in stacked layers in this mythical place. I had never seen anything like it in my life and doubt I ever will again. 

"We could have stayed all day watching the sharks, but access is strictly regulated, so we returned to our boat like a group of over-excited school kids".

Discover more: browse our customizable Galapagos itineraries for inspiration, and read our travel tips for practical advice. 

Traveling as a family? Read up on visiting Ecuador — including the Galapagos — with kids.

Seeing sunrise from La Palma’s highest peak

For many of us, one of the pleasures of being on vacation is having the freedom to sleep in to catch up on all those hours lost during busier times of the year. 

But hold that thought. Thanks to the reader who shared their experience of reaching the peak of Caldera de Taburiente National Park on the Canary Island of La Palma for sunrise, we were reminded of the magic that can happen if you put in a little effort before anyone else has opened their eyes. 

Suffice to say, even the most committed night owls will be glad they got up early for this. 

You said: “Having hiked to Roque de los Muchachos — the towering peak of Caldera de Taburiente National Park — on a few occasions over the years, this year we decided to get there as the sun rose. Having a carpet of clouds spread beneath us — and the trail to ourselves — made it all the more magical."

Discover more: read our first-timers guide to the Canary Islands. 

Moonlight magic over the Alhambra, Granada

Staying in Spain, we move now from a dazzling dawn experience to enchantment of the after-dark variety…

Encapsulating that special pleasure of seeing synchronicity between man-made marvels and celestial events, one reader shared how they got to see Granada’s iconic Alhambra illuminated by a full moon.

You said: “During a trip around the base of the Sierra Nevada and to Granada, we saw the full moon out over the Alhambra — wow!”

Discover more: find out about the best things to do in Granada, and browse our customizable Spain itineraries — several feature Granada.

Transforming setbacks into special moments

If you’ve ever experienced a late flight cancellation, chances are, it wasn’t the most joyous travel experience of your life. 

So, we were very happy to hear how one Rough Guides’ reader transformed what could have been a frustrating 24-hour delay into a bonus day filled with family fun and fabulous food.

You said: “when I had a flight cancellation from Abuja in Nigeria and was put up in a hotel with 24 hours to kill, my 8-year-old and I decided to make the most of the bonus holiday. 

“After the best hotel breakfast, we went to Playworld before heading back to the hotel for an amazing buffet lunch and then hung out at Millennium Park with my nieces and nephew until it was time to head back to the airport. 

“The whole day was joyful, and the weather was perfect. It was such an unexpected extra day in Nigeria and we made the most of it. Easily the most fun we had all trip”.

Discover more: though last minute cancellations are out of our hands, reading our guide to how to plan a vacation will help you avoid some travel pitfalls.

Riding out storms to see soul-stirring rainbows 

It’s true to say, the weather has a habit of throwing curveballs in the way of even the best laid travel plans.

At the same time, said curveballs definitely don’t have to ruin your plans. In fact, they can end up enhancing your experience, which is exactly what happened to the couple who told us about a trip they took down Jamaica’s Black River. 

You said: “My husband and I were so excited to be taking a wildlife-watching trip along the Black River in southwest Jamaica. After seeing tonnes of birds — and a fair few crocs — in the mangroves of the Lower Morass, our adventure was put on hold by an almighty thunderstorm. And this was supposed to be dry season…

“Thankfully, our guide knew just the place to ride out the storm. He took a turn down one of the river’s bends and we stopped by a bush bar, emerging a couple of hours later warmed by a few rums and the sight of a rainbow arched over the river”.

Discover more: read up on some of the best things to do in Jamaica.

Warm Welsh compatriotism in Patagonia

As any Welsh person will testify, hearing the national anthem of Wales is all but guaranteed to induce goose bumps and happy tears (when you listen you it, you’ll totally understand why).

So, imagine the joy felt by the Welsh Rough Guides readers who happened to walk by a school in Gaiman, Patagonia, at exactly the right moment.

You said: "We were walking through the town and could hear children singing Welsh songs — we realized we were outside a school. At that moment, a teacher came out and spoke with us in Spanish and Welsh, invited us in and introduced us to the children. 

“School was just finished for the day and they sang the Welsh national anthem, as they always do. Truly magical — something you can’t buy. It brought a tear to my eyes”.

Discover more: fancy visiting Patagonia? Take inspiration from our Argentina itinerary.

Or, to experience the wonders of Wales — and to travel better in a land that’s known for its green, green grass — download the FREE Rough Guide to Responsible Wales

The kindness of strangers in Barcelona

One downside of being a tourist in a big city are the big crowds, and being easily distracted.

As a result, you can find yourself more vulnerable to pickpockets, with the exact opposite being something of a cause for celebration, as one Rough Guides reader discovered during a trip to Barcelona.

You said: “I was taking the metro in Barcelona, a city notoriously known for its pickpockets. I hopped on at a busy tourist destination and brought my (very nervous) puppy with me, fully focused on her. 

“The doors close and I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and this gentleman hands me a folded 20 Euro bill. 'This just fell out of your jeans pocket' — what a wonderful experience, showing the exact opposite of what you usually read about when hearing the words 'metro' and 'Barcelona'"

Discover more: find out about fab things to do in Barca for FREE!

The joy of being kind to strangers in Norfolk

Revealing the rewards of taking time to talk to the folks you meet during your travels — certainly one of the best ways to find joy from travel — here’s a moving account of an encounter that well and truly warmed the cockles of our hearts. 

You might want to have a pack of tissues to hand for this one. 

You said: “In the summer, my family and I were staying in Wells-Next-the-Sea, a port town on the north Norfolk coast. One afternoon, I came across an elderly gentleman (I'll call him Arthur) sitting on the steps of one of Wells' beach huts with his head in his hands.

“After explaining he doesn't usually go out alone and that his daughter, who usually takes care of him, was on a week-long cruise, Arthur allowed me to walk him home. Once he was settled, I left my new friend my number and returned the next day with groceries and a card my children had made for him

“Later that day, his daughter called me to thank me for looking out for her dad. When I explained I was on holiday in Wells, she gave me some excellent recommendations for places to eat, and take the kids.

“We followed her advice to the letter and our holiday was much richer for it! I learned even when you're holidaying in your own country, there are treasures to uncover when you take time to connect with local people”.

Discover more: read our run-down of the friendliest countries in the world — as voted by you — before using our travel ideas platform to find itineraries to your favorite.

The pleasures of revisiting familiar favorites

While enjoying new experiences in new destinations is hard to beat, it’s also true that returning to places you can rely on to deliver exactly what you need is one of the best ways to find joy from travel. 

That’s especially the case if you need to get around with ease, and want easy access to tons of attractions. As highlighted by one Rough Guides reader, one such destination is New York City.

You said: “I pretty much drive 2K a month for my job, so anytime I'm on vacation I look for places that are public transit oriented. Having plenty to do — museums, sight-seeing and food options galore — makes NYC a joy every time I visit”.

Discover more: wise up on where to stay in New York City.

The bonus blessings of belated trips 

Like most things in life, travel experiences taste all the sweeter when you get to finally enjoy them after being forced to put plans on hold for reasons outside your control.

So, imagine the joy at getting to go to Madagascar — an Indian Island treasure of ancient giant baobab trees, 100+ species of lemur, and almost half the world’s chameleon species — for a long-planned trip of a lifetime after four failed attempts…

You said: “Madagascar was always on my retirement bucket list and this was my fourth attempt to visit. After COVID cancellations and other issues travelling via Mauritius, I finally managed it, and discovered the most amazing destination.

“This really was more of an adventure than a holiday, and I was so pleased and privileged to see so much of the country — its peoples, customs and cultures — mainly by very bumpy roads!”

Discover more: take the hassle of out planning by customizing one of our Madagascar itineraries. You can thank us later — this really is one of the most extraordinary places in the world.

When low expectations are blown sky high

In contrast to the kind of long-awaited bucket list trip described above, sometimes we find ourselves taking a vacation in a destination chosen by someone else. Someplace that would never have made it onto our longlist.

Happily, though, such less-than-promising situations can wind up having happy endings, as revealed by the Rough Guides reader who ended up being blown away by a trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Perhaps they were impressed by the city's scenic setting and access to epic mountain hikes. Or maybe it was the galleries, theaters, whiskey and famous antique carousel. Either way, the experience left them longing for more.

You said: “I wasn't expecting much from it at all but it was refreshingly amazing, and I can sum it up with the best compliment — I wish I had more time.”

Discover more: think you’ve been there, done that? Read up on the best things to do in the USA to check whether that’s true.

Close encounters of the feline kind in Sri Lanka

Home to a dazzling diversity of wildlife, it’s clear why visiting Yala National Park is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka.

That said, even though the park hosts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, catching sight of these famous feline residents is never guaranteed, which makes a last-minute sighting all the more magical…

You said: “After setting off around 4am for a full day’s safari in Yala National Park, we were pretty elated at having seen hundreds of Sri Lanka elephants, peacocks fanning their tails, and monitor lizards, to name but a few species.

Then, just as our guide had taken a turn to return to the exit, a radio call came in from a ranger — a leopard had been sighted in a tree not too far from our location. Within minutes, we were there to catch a glimpse of her cleaning her fur through a clearing in the leaves. 

“We’d come with pretty low expectations of seeing leopards, so what a bonus this was — timing is everything and, on this occasion, we happened to time it just right!”

Discover more: browse our Sri Lanka itineraries to take your pick from safari experiences, culture-packed vacations, or blissful beach breaks. You could, of course, customize an itinerary to cover all that, and more.

Bumping into old friends in Berlin

It might be a cliché, but the big, wide world sure seems pretty small at times, especially when you’re thousands of miles from home and randomly encounter an old buddy.

That's exactly what happened to the Rough Guides editor who was on vacation in Berlin when they bumped into a college friend they hadn’t seen for some time.

You said: “Partway through my trip around Europe, I decided to stay longer in Berlin — the city had gotten hold of me”.

“There I was, minding my own business walking by the canal in the Kreuzberg district, when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I almost fell over when I saw it was a friend from college I hadn't seen for about ten years.

"Turns out, they were now based in Berlin, so I spent the rest of my stay at their place, catching up, with the bonus of getting to experience the city from more of an inside perspective".

Discover more: if you don’t get lucky and find an old friend with a flat in the city, you'll want to find out where to stay in Berlin.

Cocktails with sloths in Costa Rica

Being one of the most biodiverse countries on earth, and loaded with national parks that are themselves loaded with wildlife, seeing sloths in Costa Rica is certainly not unexpected.

At the same time, until you get your eye in, you usually need a guide to point them out — they’re usually high in the trees and well camouflaged. 

All of which means one Rough Guides reader got very lucky when they wound up seeing a sloth at very close range in the grounds of their hotel.

You said: “To say I was annoyed at having to pass up the chance to go on a hanging bridges tour in La Fortuna is a major understatement. But I’d twisted my ankle, and there was no way round it – I had to stay back in the hotel while the rest of my family got to take the trip.

"So, feeling pretty sorry for myself, I headed to the bar to get myself a consolatory pina colada before hobbling to the terrace area to drink it. As I approached, one of the gardeners beckoned me over, finger on lips. Then he pointed to the base of a tree a couple of feet away — there was a sloth!

"I’d actually twisted my ankle during a nature walk that saw us fail to see a single sloth, so this really was special. Was I smug when everyone got back to the hotel? Was I ever!”

Discover more: many of our customizable Costa Rica itineraries offer excellent opportunities to see wildlife, and embrace Costa Rica's pura vida ethos.

An awe-inspiring art pilgrimage to Mexico City

London, Paris, New York, Florence, and Rome – such cities tend loom large on destination wish-lists for art lovers. 

But in our view — and that of the reader who recently fulfilled a life-long dream to see the city through the lens of its artists — Mexico City really should be included on that list.

This stirring account also demonstrates that not all bucket list candidates have to involve ticking off big iconic landmarks. Rather, our longest-held travel dreams are often all about the fine details, and have deeply personal significance.

You said: “Since I was about twelve, when I first read about Frida Kahlo and the inimitable English surrealist Leonora Carrington who found her spiritual home — and decades of inspiration — in Mexico City, I’d been desperate to visit Kahlo’s Blue House museum, and to see Carrington’s public sculptures.

“Both women have been a huge inspiration through my life and I was totally overwhelmed, in the best possible way, when I finally found myself in Kahlo’s studio on a recent trip to Mexico City. After feeling shaky and speechless, I came away feeling totally blessed, elated and inspired".

Discover more: browse our customizable Mexico itineraries to start curating your ideal trip.

Life-affirming powwows in Southwest Ontario

Known for its charming cities and towns, scenic lakeshores, and world-class wineries, Southwest Ontario is also a wonderful place for enriching experiences with First Nations communities. 

For example, Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia hosts cultural events focussed on powwows that welcome visitors to experience culture first-hand, as recounted by one of our readers:

You said: “The powwows are so powerful, and the communities are welcoming — we were invited to join in the circle”.

Discover more: read up on indigenous tourism experiences in Ontario’s southwest.

Sparkling romance on Diamond Beach, Iceland

Offering epic landscapes of glaciers, volcanoes, otherworldly lava fields, wild waterfalls, and hot springs, Iceland sure packs mighty punch on the adventure front.

And now, thanks to a truly joyous experience shared by one couple — a surprise engagement on Diamond Beach — Iceland is also a major contender for being the most romantic place in the world. Move over Paris and Rome!

You said: “During our trip to Iceland, we visited Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon before moving onto Diamond Beach to see the glittering icebergs.

“For some reason, my partner kept walking ahead of me, but I just thought he was just keen to keep to our schedule.

“All was revealed when I caught up with him and saw he’d planted a diamond engagement ring in a chunk of ice, along with a cute bottle of something sparkly to toast the moment. I was totally blown away. What a day! And to top things off, the Northern Lights put on an amazing show for us that night".

Discover more: while we can’t promise you diamonds, we can guarantee that our Iceland itineraries are packed with sparkling inspiration. 

One great way to see a stack of Iceland’s top sights is to drive the Ring Road.

Close-to-home family adventures in Wales

All-too often, day-to-day demands mean we don’t always take time to appreciate what’s right on our doorstep. Even when you happen to live near one of the best seaside towns in the UK, like the reader who shared the joy of taking a last-minute boat trip to Caldey Island from Tenby in Southern Pembrokeshire.

While you may not have a scenic seal-surrounded, monk-inhabited island in your vicinity, this account demonstrates the magic of seizing the day to see your home region through the eyes of an outsider.

You said: “I was back home in Pembrokeshire staying with my family for a couple of weeks and had planned to spend the day catching up on work. At short notice — as in, ‘we can pick you up in 20 minutes’ — my mum and I were given the chance to take a boat trip to Caldey Island with my nephews. 

"After weighing up work versus taking to the water, we were soon on our way to the island, with the wind in our hair and two very excited little boys at our sides!

"I hadn’t been here since I was a child myself, and revisiting the island, with its soft-sand beach, beautiful chapel and seal-studded coves, with my nephews was an absolute joy".

Discover more: read up on the joys of hiking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Losing yourself to find your new favorite bar

The setting for this next experience is the captivating Croatian island of Korcula. 

Often a highlight of Croatian island-hopping vacations, thanks to its ancient Old Town, beautiful beaches and laidback vibe, the island is also well worth lingering longer in. 

How else would you have the chance to lose yourself off-the-beaten track to find your new favorite place to eat?

You said: “We’d been on the island for almost a week and, after loving the Old Town and spending time on the beaches near our hotel, we decided to take a bus to explore further afield.

“After heading up the coast and starting to wind through vineyard territory, we jumped off just past a small village, thinking we’d walk back to it and find somewhere for lunch.

“Our plans changed when we spotted a cute cove and headed down the cliff path to take a closer look. We ended up walking way along the coastline in the opposite direction, without a single building in sight, until we spied what looked like a restaurant back up the cliff path.

“Turns out, it was more of a bar than a restaurant and, though it wasn’t yet fully open, the owner offered us a dish of calamari and salad with moreish local Pošip wine, served with incredible views of the Adriatic Sea. Pretty much the perfect day”.

Discover more: read our Croatia travel tips for first-timers, and find trip inspiration in our customizable Croatia itineraries.

Marine magic in Puerto Rico

From the wildlife and waterfalls of El Yunque National Forest, to its pre-Columbian archaeological sites, and history-rich capital San Juan, Puerto Rico is an unforgettably diverse vacation destination. 

Add to that beautiful beaches and bioluminescent bays that play host to unexpected animal encounters of the kind experienced by the following Rough Guides reader, and it’s fair to say this Caribbean island amounts to an out and out playground for joyous experiences. 

You said: “During our week-long vacation in Puerto Rico, we took a day trip to Isla Culebra. To keep things simple — and give us longer on the island — we went for an organized snorkeling and beach tour (the ferry option takes longer). 

And boy, were we glad! Our guide knew exactly the best spots to swim and snorkel, so we got to see green turtles feeding on sea grass in the shallow waters around some truly sublime little cays!”

Discover more: if watching wildlife is high on your wish-list, read up on incredible animal encounters around the world.

Remembering it’s the little things that matter

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make all the difference — quite literally when it comes to travel experiences with kids who have a wonderful habit of taking you on unexpected adventures. 

You said: “This time last year, my husband and I had the pleasure of looking after our little nephews for a week, who were then six and three. For the boys. it was a big trip to London. For us it was a big joy, and big responsibility!

“While we did lots of “London-y” activities (visiting London Zoo, taking a boat taxi along the Thames, touring Arsenal’s Emirates stadium), nothing could beat the little things we did together, like running through leaves in local parks (so many parks!), counting squirrels, riding lots of big red buses (always on the top deck, always at the front), and getting ice cream whenever we felt like it.

“It really was a week I’ll always remember, and one filled with the joy of little things — and little people!"

Discover more: read up on magical places to visit with children before they grow up, and the best walks in London.

Bonding over birds and boars in the Gambia 

While we often choose destinations for very specific experiences and sights, if we’re lucky, we get to do all that with the bonus of experiencing the unexpected, and making new connections in the likeliest of situations.

That’s exactly what happened to the Rough Guides writer who shared their joyous memories of a trip to the Gambia.

You said: “Alongside seeing an incredible array of wildlife in the Gambia, we came away with very special memories of time spent with our guide, Ousman, and his driver, Bojan. 

“Bojan, in particular, has stayed in my mind. Like me, he was no bird expert, so we bonded over seeing incredible new things for the first time.

“I especially remember our first sighting of an Abyssinian roller bird — the moment its turquoise iridescence shimmered through a tree as dawn broke.

“Then there was the time a family of wild boars ran right by Bojan and I while we made breakfast rolls on the bonnet of his car!”

Discover more: read up on the best things to do in the Gambia.

Cliché busting flea market finds in Geneva

Here’s a fine example of how local insights can unlock alternate aspects of the destinations we travel to. 

In this case, when one reader discovered that there’s a lot more to Geneva than chocolate, cheese, fancy watches and banks!

You said: “I was with my band in Geneva to play a gig. We were only there for the weekend and, as the sound-check and show took up the whole of Saturday, beyond strolling the lake and visiting a couple of cafés, we didn’t have time to see much of the city.

“I’m a sucker for flea markets, so imagine my delight when I got to visit one of the biggest in Europe on the Sunday morning before we had to leave, thanks to a tip-off from our host, the gig promoter. 

"I came away with some bargain vintage trinkets, and an entirely different impression of the city”.

Discover more: explore our Switzerland Travel Guide for inspirational itinerary ideas.