The list was compiled by online travel agency Expedia

Are you planning an island escape in 2025? Expedia, a travel agency, has put together a list highlighting some of the most beautiful and traveler-friendly islands to visit in 2025. This list is based on factors such as accessibility, how welcoming the place feels, safety, costs, and the overall experience. This is the first time the travel site has published its Island Hot List.

10 best islands to visit in 2025 – Aruba, Bali, Fiji, Koh Samui, and others

1. Aruba (Best for Year-Round Sunshine)

Aruba is perfect if you’re chasing the sun. It stays warm and sunny almost throughout the year, perfect for beach lovers. Clear blue water, white sand beaches, and friendly locals make Aruba sought-after by tourists. There are also plenty of activities to do, from water sports to exploring local markets.

2. Bali, Indonesia (Best for Relaxation)

One destination Indians have been flocking to lately is Bali. Offering Indians visa-free entry, Bali is a great place to unwind, with quiet beaches, rice terraces, and temples. Many people also visit for yoga retreats and spa treatments. It is currently one of the most budget-friendly countries to visit from India.

3. Dominican Republic (Best for Adventure)

This is one of the top attractions in the Caribbean, especially if you’re looking for adventure. The Dominican Republic has it all – hiking, zip-lining, surfing, golfing, and more. From mountains to waterfalls to tropical forests, the country has lots of experiences to offer.

4. Fiji (Best for Community)

Fiji is more than just pretty beaches. What makes it special is the people. Visitors often say they feel like part of the local community. Besides beautiful beaches, the island offers warm hospitality, traditional ceremonies, and welcoming villages.

5. Jamaica (Best for Culture)

Jamaica is full of life and energy. From reggae music and street food to local art and festivals, there’s plenty to enjoy here. You can explore the beaches and waterfalls by day and enjoy live music at night.

6. Koh Samui, Thailand (Best for Affordable Luxury)

Just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from India, Koh Samui gives you the feel of a luxury holiday without burning a hole in your pocket. You’ll find beautiful resorts, tropical beaches, and delicious Thai food at a good value. The island is easy to get around and has a mix of quiet spots and lively markets.

7. Maldives (Best for Romance)

The Maldives is a dream destination for couples, particularly popular for private villas over turquoise water, candlelit dinners by the sea, and peaceful island life. It’s a popular spot for honeymoons and anniversaries. Depending on your budget, you can find both luxurious accommodations and budget-friendly stays in the Maldives.

8. Oahu, Hawaii (Best for Surfing)

Oahu is a surfer’s paradise, home to some of the world’s most famous waves. But even if you don’t surf, the island has something for everyone – beautiful beaches, hiking trails, local food, and Hawaiian culture. You can explore both city life in Honolulu and nature in quieter parts of the island.

9. Paros, Greece (Best for Nightlife)

Paros is super popular for its breathtaking beaches and cultural history. By day, it’s all about beaches, whitewashed houses, and peaceful streets. But when the sun sets, the island comes alive with music, bars, and late-night cafes. It’s a great pick if you want both relaxation and a good party.

10. Sardinia, Italy (Best for Food Lovers)

Sardinia is renowned not only for its beautiful beaches and ancient sites but also for its exceptional cuisine. You’ll get a true taste of Italy here through fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and local cheeses. However, it’s important to note that Italy is generally not a budget-friendly travel destination for Indian tourists.

Two major changes are poised to reshape how travellers, including Indian nationals, enter Europe

If you’re planning a European trip in 2026, your Schengen visa may no longer come as a sticker in your passport. Instead, it could arrive as a secure barcode, part of a sweeping digital overhaul that aims to simplify travel to the EU. And that’s just one of the changes underway.

Two major changes are poised to reshape how travellers, including Indian nationals, enter Europe: the digital Schengen visa system and a proposed flexible pan-European tourist visa.

Digital Schengen visa: What’s coming first

The EU is already in motion. In a quiet test run earlier this year, France issued 70,000 digital Schengen visas for visitors attending the 2024 Paris Olympics. Instead of a sticker, recipients got a digital barcode. That trial is now a blueprint for the continent.

By 2026, travellers will be able to:

• Upload documents
• Pay visa fees online
• Track application status
• Receive a digitally signed barcode visa

Note: First-time applicants or those with outdated biometric data will still need a one-time in-person visit. But for frequent travellers, renewals will be faster and more seamless.

The system is expected to be fully operational across all EU member states by 2028.

EES and ETIAS: Border upgrades on the way

In parallel, two new digital border control systems are on the horizon:

• EES (Entry/Exit System) launches in October 2025, replacing passport stamps with biometric checks like facial scans and fingerprints.
• ETIAS, due by the end of 2026, will require visa-free travellers to apply online before entering Europe, similar to the U.S. ESTA.

Both are designed to make border crossings more secure and efficient without altering visa rules for most UAE residents.

Flexible pan-European visa: Still in discussion

While digitalisation moves ahead, some EU nations, led by Greece, Italy, and France, are pushing for a “European tourist visa” that would:

• Make travel across multiple EU countries simpler
• Reduce red tape
• Possibly include both Schengen and non-Schengen countries

Italy’s Jubilee visa for 2025 pilgrims and Greece’s active lobbying are early signs of momentum. However, this idea still lacks formal EU backing and would require years of legal coordination.

Why Indian and UAE travellers should care

For now, the digital Schengen visa will have the most immediate impact:

• Fewer physical documents
• No more passport stickers
• Biometric e-gate access
• Streamlined renewals for frequent visitors

The 2025 list of the most beautiful restaurants in the world by Prix Versailles reveals how design and dining need to go hand-in-hand.

Some time ago, Prix Versailles (an annual award series in the architectural and design domain) released its list of the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants for 2025. This selection shines a spotlight on 16 dining spaces that go beyond gastronomy and service – they prove how architecture, artistry, and ambience are equally integral to the experience. These restaurants are not ranked but recognised for the ways in which they have merged aesthetic sensibilities with the spirit of their surroundings. This year’s selection includes destinations across the globe – from New York to Riyadh, Paris to Shanghai. In December, three of these restaurants will go on to receive World titles. As per Prix Versailles, these awards aim to “promote intelligent sustainability, in which culture serves and transcends the notion of the environment.”

Here Are The 16 Most Beautiful Restaurants In The World, As Per Prix Versailles

1. Gerbou in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Located in Nad Al Sheba, Gerbou celebrates both the elegance of modernity and the essence of traditional Emirati hospitality. The space is designed by Kristina Zanic Consultants with Tasmeem Tashkeel. It features elements like fish-scale lighting and camel leather sofas. All of them are crafted with materials native to the region. The interior mirrors the kitchen’s philosophy: 70% of ingredients are locally sourced. The dishes by Chef Ionel Catau are a reflection of ancestral respect and contemporary flair.

2. Smoked Room in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Chef Dani Garcia’s Smoked Room offers a dark, immersive environment marked by dramatic lighting and textures that mimic fire and metal. Designed by Astet Studio, it boasts an open-flame “Omakase” dining zone, where guests witness each course in the making. Various theatrical elements make the experience unforgettable. There’s also a separate dessert room with Japanese-inspired detailing.

3. Blackswan in Beijing, China

Situated inside the Luo Hong Art Museum, Blackswan is a poetic tribute to its namesake. The interior design, by Chris Shao Studio, is inspired by the ethereal beauty of swans. There’s a lakeside garden view and a cascading feather chandelier by Caroline Sarkozy. The French delicacies by Chef Vianney Massot are served in a monochromatic, graceful space that evokes serenity.

4. Ortensia in Shanghai, China

Ortensia is a product of Japanese, French, and Chinese cultural influences. Located in Shanghai’s Zhangyuan district, it combines shikumen architecture with French elegance and Japanese subtlety. Chris Shao Studio has used rustic tiles, lacquer, and carved woodwork to elevate the ambience. This creates a whimsical environment to match its refined fusion menu.

5. Lobster Club in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

On the shores of Mallorca, Lobster Club aims to capture Mediterranean energy in a contemporary sea club setting. Designed by Sandra Tarruella, the open-plan venue centres around a bar and infinity pool. Materials like iroko wood and glazed tiles support the relaxing vibe of sun-drenched days. It’s a wonderful space that brings together dining, music and seafront relaxation.

6. Bouchon Careme in Helsinki, Finland

Located in a century-old building, this Helsinki restaurant pays homage to the Lyonnaise bouchon in its own way. It reinterprets French tradition with Finnish warmth. Studio Fyra preserved key elements like exposed brick and iron columns while allowing daylight to shine through large arched windows. Chef Hans Valimaki’s menu of hearty meat and vegetable dishes is complemented by the rustic yet refined design.

7. Laduree Rue Royale in Paris, France

Laduree’s historic tea room on Rue Royale has been restored to its original 1862 grandeur. Decorator Cordelia de Castellane has introduced pastel hues, Belle Epoque ceilings, and ornate mouldings that evoke 18th-century Paris. Each salon, from Chantilly to Napoleon, offers a dreamlike escape. The design leaves no room for doubt – this establishment is indeed a culinary and cultural landmark.

8. Ducasse Baccarat in Paris, France

This restaurant is housed in the former residence of Marie-Laure de Noailles. It is a Parisian gem that unites the culinary mastery of Chef Alain Ducasse with the elegance of Baccarat crystal. Alienor Bechu’s interiors feature raw materials and curated artworks, creating an ambience where history and innovation meet beneath shimmering chandeliers.

9. Julie’s in London, United Kingdom

In the heart of Notting Hill, Julie’s has long been a haven for artists and even royalty. The revamped space by Rosanna Bossom and owner Tara MacBain honours the original 1969 glamour with rich 1970s motifs, layered illustrations, and a lush alfresco terrace. The result is a sophisticated yet playful tribute to West London’s creative legacy.

10. Shell in Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Perched above Diamond Beach, Shell exemplifies biomimicry in design. Pablo Luna Studio used bamboo and rammed earth to create a cavernous, shell-shaped structure that’s as functional as it is poetic. Passive cooling and recycled materials make this eco-conscious retreat nearly self-sufficient. It’s an architectural homage to nature and sustainability.

11. Coro in Orvieto, Italy

Set inside a deconsecrated 16th-century church, Coro balances sacred architecture with modern culinary artistry. While working on its restoration, Architect Giuliano Andrea dell’Uva preserved its tuff stone walls and altar remains. Chef Ronald Bukri’s dishes and the serene service reflect this sense of worship. The result is a quiet, contemplative space grounded in Umbrian tradition.

12. Seven Island in Busan, South Korea

Built across seven pavilions on Gadeokdo Island, this cafe looks out onto the ocean and seven surrounding isles. Designed by mttb, the minimalist structures contrast dark, earthy tones below with brighter hues above. The objective is that the space should echo the natural play of light and water. The layout offers varied perspectives of the sea, creating a deep sense of place.

13. Kimyona in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A speakeasy with a twist- Kimyona hides behind a gallery-like entrance and leads into a dim dining space inspired by darkrooms and analogue photography. Designed by Azaz Architects, the interiors use ceramic tiles, reclaimed materials, and steel to combine minimalism and intrigue. The menu features forgotten and reinvented Asian delicacies.

14. Another Smith in Tha Sai Luat, Thailand

This family-run restaurant draws from Chinese architecture and bamboo construction for its design. It houses three spaces: dining room, cafe, and jewellery boutique. Thor Kaichon and TasteSpace have worked together to create bright, open interiors anchored by a central kitchen. Emblems inspired by Chinese family seals bring a heritage touch to the contemporary setting.

15. Beefbar in New York, United States

Making its U.S. debut in Tribeca, Monte Carlo’s Beefbar channels European elegance as well as Manhattan’s industrial charm. Humbert & Poyet’s design features tall arched windows, Art Deco lines, and a medley of marble, terrazzo, and textile layers. The result is a lush and modern steakhouse that reflects the multicultural fabric of New York.

16. Japon in Miami Beach, United States

Japon flips the script on minimalism, embracing the colourful spirit of Miami. This restaurant was established by Chefs Vijayudu Veena and Ivan Monzon. Saladino Design Studios filled the space with crane motifs (a symbol of luck, natural beauty and elegance in Japanese culture) from mosaic tiles to wallpaper. Inside, gold-leaf ceilings, vintage woodblock art, and a pagoda patio celebrate the richness of Japanese cuisine and tradition with a vibrant, tropical twist.

The 2025 Prix Versailles restaurant list reveals how design and dining need to go hand-in-hand. Aligning both requires creativity, vision and daring.

Advice for capturing the magical moai, dramatic coastlines and stunning night skies above the world’s most remote island

What’s 63 square miles in size, 1,200 miles from the nearest landmass and home to over 900 monoliths that line its coast? Easter Island — also called Isla de Pascua and Rapa Nui — is famed worldwide for its moai, giant stone monoliths carved in the 12th and 13th centuries that (mostly) gaze inwards from its rocky coast. Capturing the moai is what photographers flock here for, of course, but there are a few things you need to know if you’re to get anything special. Plus, with a fabulous coastline, plenty of petroglyphs and dark skies, there are many other reasons to spend a week here on a photographic safari like no other.

Here’s everything you need to know about photographing Easter Island…

1. Understand Easter Island

The moai of Easter Island comes in three parts: ahu-moai-topknot (platform-monolith-headress). They represent ancestors and are found on the coast, with the remains of villages surrounding them. There are canoe-shaped boat houses, the remains of buildings, caves and petroglyphs near to them. By the 17th century, all of the moai had been toppled during a civil war between seven clans, and that’s how almost all of them remained. The ahu platforms were used to make buildings.

So the iconic ahu and moai you see in photographs have all been refurbished, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. They are:

Tongariki — 15 moai on the east coast.

Anakena Beach — two ahus with eight moai statues on the north coast.

Ahu Akivi — seven moai facing the sea just north of Hanga Roa.

2. Time it right at Rano Raraku

Easter Island is famous for its ahu and moai, but the images you see most are of the “sunken heads” at Rano Raraku. However, there are 900 moai on the island, and only about 200 ever made it to Ahu at the coast. The vast majority appear to have been broken and/or abandoned in or near Rano Raraku, where the monoliths were carved from the basalt of a dormant volcano. However, almost all of the moai on the slopes — through which a path winds — face south. That makes it a poor choice at lunchtime when the sun is in the northern sky and behind the moai. Unless you mainly want silhouettes, either come early in the day or late in the afternoon.

Don’t forget to get close-ups of the moai’s tattoos, arms, ears, and other peculiar features that tend to be overshadowed in photographs by the vast rectangular faces.

3. Plan it in advance

There are four things you need to visit Easter Island: funds, planning, an understanding of risk, and an appreciation of “island life.” With everything shipped in, everyday items are expensive, and even basic rooms go for a few hundred dollars a night. We’re talking basic rooms, nothing high-end, with accommodation only available in low-rise Hanga Roa and split between low-key resorts, hostels and Airbnbs. The key factor, however, is the LATAM flight from Santiago, Chile, which is presently the only way of reaching the island. Book it a year in advance and expect to pay somewhere in the region of $460/£350 for a return flight. There’s typically only one flight a day, and bad weather can frequently cause delays and cancellations, so have contingency plans … and expensive travel insurance.

4. Sunrise at Tongariki

The classic photography experience for most visitors to Easter Island is sunrise at Tongariki, an ahu refurbished with help from the Japanese government. Here, 15 moai of varying heights are lined up with a rocky coastline and cliffs to the north. It’s a beautiful place, and since it’s on an east-facing coast, the sun rises behind the moai each morning. You can book a tour but arrive only minutes before sunrise. You’ll miss the colors beforehand, and you’ll also have a lot of other people to compete with. It’s, therefore, better to come here alone, about an hour before sunrise, to get the full impact. You won’t be able to enter the monument’s grounds, but it makes no difference if you have a 100mm or larger lens. Find a place beside the perimeter stone wall – only a few feet tall – and stand well clear of the cars passing behind you.

5. There are lots of restrictions

A decade ago, Easter Island was free and easy. You could walk up to the ahu and touch the moai if you wished, but that’s no longer true. Now, you must have a Rapa Nui National Park pass to enter any of the 13 official protected archaeological sites. You also have to visit these sites with a guide, though it can be a private guide and not necessarily a large bus tour (there are no coaches here, just a fleet of minibusses). No ticket and no guide, no entry.

That said, Easter Island is perfect for renting a car to explore on your own but don’t do it straight away. Since you must visit the 13 archaeological sites with a guide, first take a tour with a guide — preferably a private excursion — and ask for advice on the best places to visit in the following days. The roads are dirt and pot-holed, but they’re relatively easy to drive on, partly because they’re quiet.

6. Night photography at Tongariki

The Southern Hemisphere night sky is spectacular, largely because it’s possible to see the galaxy’s bright core. On Easter Island, a vast and bright Milky Way arcs across the night sky between April and November.

Although it is possible to do stargazing evenings by minibus, they don’t include astrophotography nor tend to take place in particularly picturesque locations where moai are on display. As well as being a great place to photograph the sunrise, Tongariki is an excellent location for night photography, not only because you can get the ahu and moai in the shot but also because it has a good view of the Ranu Raraku volcano to the west. The only issue with Tongariki at night is a harbor light behind it that flashes on and off every few seconds. Find a position outside the wall where a distant tree partially blocks the harbor light (you’ll find it eventually!), and it’s a far less serious issue.

7. Don’t forget Ranu Kau

It’s oddly not on many tours of the island, but one of the most dramatic locations from a landscape photography point of view is Ranu Kau, a lagoon in a volcanic caldera. It’s a short drive from Hanga Roa in the island’s southwest. There are a couple of pullouts: Mirador Hanga Roa overlooks the entire island to the north, and Mirador Rano Kao gives a view of the caldera, part of a steep and precarious cliff. Up here, there are interesting possibilities for landscape photography, and with the island’s landmass blocking the prevailing wind, there are good prospects of a clear sky. A wide-angle lens is a must.

At the end of the road to Rano Kao is the stone village of Orongo, an interesting place in itself and also home to the “birdman cult,” during which Rapa Nui men had to swim out to one of the three tiny islands offshore to fetch an egg from the sooty tern, and return them unscathed, to become king.

A dramatic photo with a dramatic story behind it is what Easter Island is all about; there’s much more here than moai.