This Is the No. 1 Trending Travel Spot for 2025 (Bonus: It’s Très Chic and Affordable!)
Longing to take an amazing trip despite the high price tag found at many of the world’s best destinations? You’re not alone. According to a recent report from Priceline, travelers are ready to hit the road or take to the skies despite the cost of travel, with 27% saying they’d give up coffee (for life!) instead of giving up traveling. The secret, however, is for travelers to “find clever ways to save money and make the most of their experiences,” Priceline says.
Enter the company’s list of the buzziest destinations for 2025, all of which share off-the-beaten-path locations and won’t break the bank. At the top of the trending list? A budget-friendly destination that has gorgeous scenery, fabulous restaurants, incredible shopping and loads of positive reviews. It also has one unique attribute that caught my eye: It’s very close to one of the world’s most popular cities but just far enough away to offer a truly authentic (and affordable) stay.
So where is this unicorn of a destination? Read on to find out, along with some smart tips from travel experts so you can make the most of your time there. (And yes, you’re going to want to book a trip before you get to the end of this article!)
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How was the top trending destination determined?
To determine the top trending destination for 2025, Priceline looked at hotel searches on its site that were made between July 2023 and June 2024, then compared the results to the same period the previous year. The No. 1 trending destination saw a truly remarkable 407% increase in year-over-year searches. That’s more than 100 points higher than the next most-searched-for destination, which had a 291% increase in year-over-year comparison data.
What is the No. 1 trending vacation spot for 2025?
The tiny town of Vanves, France, earned the top spot for trending destinations, according to the Priceline analysis. Never heard of it? Me neitherand I’ve visited Paris a dozen times and been a travel writer for more than two decades! Turns out, though, that Vanves has been hiding pretty much in plain sight this whole time.
Vanves is a Paris suburb located on the south side of the Priphrique (the periphery road that circles the city). It offers an authentic French feel without the high prices and high occupancy rates found in the center of Paris. But get this: It is just a 13-minute ride from Vanves to the Eiffel Tower. There are also numerous trains and buses that can easily whisk you into the City of Light.
So now that you know where the top trending destination is, your next question is probably: Why were so many people searching for it this past year? I certainly wanted to know the answer, so I reached out to Kate Schwab, media relations manager at Atout France USA, France’s tourism and marketing bureau. “Vanves was the site of the men’s and women’s cycling road races as part of this year’s Paris Olympics, which may explain the rise in search results,” Schwab says. Plus, she adds, there’s a fabulous shopping draw here.
What makes this the perfect place to visit?
In short, it’s pretty darn amazing. France is set to become the most visited country in the world in 2025, but this suburb stays out of the fray. It presents an appealing alternative to staying in Paris for travelers looking for a blend of accessibility, affordability and a more laid-back atmosphere. It also has great vintage shopping. Here are the details.
Fantastic shopping
“Apart from the Olympics, Vanves is known as the home to the Portes de Vanves flea market (March aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves, as it’s known in French),” says Schwab. “Every weekend, all year long, visitors can shop the open-air stalls for furniture, plates and silverware, vinyl records and more.”
And while the March aux Puces in Saint-Ouen (in Paris’s 18th arrondissement) may be more well-known, Schwab says that “shoppers in the know looking for smaller crowds and more affordable pricing hit up Vanves. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the metro, and the ride from central Paris is just over 30 minutes.” It’s definitely the place to head if you prefer shopping for pre-owned items that offer both history and a good deal.
Affordability
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Paris recently but had trouble committing, I’m going to guess that’s partly because of the high prices of hotels. For example, the Htel Mercure Paris Notre-Dame Saint-Germain-des-Prs, which is close to Notre Dame Cathedral, is a four-star hotel with prices averaging $210 a night. However, in Vanves, you can stay at the four-star Htel Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles Expo for just $129 a night. That’s a big difference that can turn your trip to France into a surprisingly affordable vacation.
And food is cheaper here too. Classic French dishes, such as beef tartare and steak frites, at highly rated La Table 12 in Vanves costs just $20. A similar steak at a bistro in the heart of Paris costs about twice as much.
An authentic experience
By staying outside of Paris proper, you’ll have a chance to interact more with locals and experience daily life in a French suburb. Forget the tourist trapsVanves is the real deal.
“Vanves offers a genuine slice of French life where travelers can shop at local markets, dine in neighborhood bistros and stroll through parks alongside local residents,” says Christina Bennett, a consumer travel expert at Priceline. “Vanves also has a blend of historic architecture and everyday French culture that is a more intimate and affordable alternative to central Paris.”
Convenience
Vanves has excellent metro connections, so you can easily access Paris while staying in the comfort of a residential neighborhood. Hop in a cab, and you could be at the Eiffel Tower in less than 15 minutes. And there are numerous trains and buses that can get you to Paris’s iconic museums and monuments within 30 to 50 minutes. Versailles is also less than a 30-minute ride from Vanves.
What other hot spots round out the top 10 trending destinations for 2025?
According to Priceline, travelers planning trips for 2025 want to feel “like locals, choosing the authentic vibes and activities of neighborhoods over the prepackaged charm of tourist-filled hot spots” and have a “desire for down-to-earth realism [that] will inspire travelers to explore a smaller radius within big cities.”
Here are Priceline’s top 10 trending destinations for 2025:
- Vanves, France
- Algarve, Portugal
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Field, Canada
- Penang, Malaysia
- Queretaro, Mexico
- Torrey, Utah
- Chincoteague Island, Virginia
- Stowe, Vermont
- Friday Harbor, Washington
Why trust us
Readers Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. Were committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers personal experiences where appropriate. For this story on trending travel destinations, Melissa Klurman tapped her longtime experience as a travel writer and an avid traveler who has visited France more than a dozen times. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Kate Schwab, media relations manager for Atout France USA; email interview, Oct. 31, 2024
- Christina Bennett, consumer travel expert at Priceline; email interview, Oct. 31, 2024
- Visit Paris Region: “Portes de Vanves flea market”
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