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Delta is tackling the globe yet again, adding to their already impressive portfolio where seemingly no destination is unreachable.

That being said, it’s kinda surprising to learn there are still major U.S. cities lacking connectivity to Cancun on one of Americans’ favorite airlines, but Delta is set to change that.

Additionally, there is another exciting country Delta is venturing into for the first time, and I had the pleasure of visiting last fall.

Spoiler alert: it’s one of the most culturally captivating cities I’ve ever been to, and I enjoyed it so much it tops my list as my go-to digital nomad destination if I ever build up the courage to take the full plunge.

Delta is adding more pins to their route map on 3 continents, totaling 4 new cities Americans fly to nonstop in 2025.

Melbourne: New Long-Haul Flight To ‘The Land Down Under’

When you think of Australia, it’s likely that Sydney comes to mind…as well as multiple Crocodile Dundee quotes and a strong vendetta against sting rays for taking Steve Irwin’s life.

But despite Sydney’s global recognition, travelers often find Melbourne to be Australia’s most surprising delight as far as the country’s major cities go.

Home to beautiful beaches, such as popular St. Kilda and one-of-a-kind Brighton Beach, lined with colorful beach huts (a.k.a. “bathing boxes), this diverse cultural hub is great for those seeking outdoor adventures or urban experiences, especially if you’re a foodie or coffee lover.

Delta is making Melbourne easier to reach with a new flight launching from Los Angeles (LAX) December 2025, which is actually summer in Australia.

Cancun: Cheaper Margaritas And Caribbean Bliss

If any state can sling margaritas the right way, it’s Texas. And since all my exes live there, I’ve poured many, which is all the more reason to leave the Lone Star State if you’ve had to displeasure to know them.

Exes aside, it’s fair to say Austin has become Dallas 2.0, losing much of its notorious ‘weird’ vibe appeal in place of techy startup ventures, a packed cityscape of new high-rises, and more chains replacing independent shops and eateries.

If you’re tired of sharing what used to be empty Greenbelt trails, seeing food truck parks turned into new apartment complexes, and being stuck in traffic thanks to Californians moving here, there’s no better relaxing escape than Cancun’s vivid blue waters and luxe resorts.

Delta is launching new daily service from Austin (AUS) to Cancun December 20, 2025 through an undetermined date in April 2026.

In case you missed it: Delta is also launching a new flight this spring to Punta Cana, one of the prettiest resort towns in the Caribbean.

Adventure Awaits In 2 African Cities

Africa isn’t on everyone’s Bingo card for 2025, but don’t let mainstream news dictate where you go, spoiling your sense of adventure.

Yes, Africa is home to some very poor and downright dangerous regions, but just like Mexico, a favorite for Americans to vacation, negative headlines shouldn’t be a blanket statement for anywhere.

Plus, even destinations like Cape Town have managed to make a comeback after being considered super sketchy in recent years.

But we’re not here to sell you on Cape Town or anywhere else, but what I can attest to personally is Marrakesh, Morrocco’s bustling capital city is the perfect gateway into Africa.

Largely English-speaking, friendly, welcoming, and providing a sensory overload of sights of timeless mosques and palaces, sounds of call to prayer and snake charmers, and various aromas through the maze of souks encapsulate a trip you’ll never forget.

While there are numerous direct flights to Marrakesh, the reality is we prefer to fly U.S.-based airlines.

Delta is launching its first-ever route to Marrakesh from Atlanta (ATL) October 25, 2025.

Additionally, Delta is adding a new seasonal service to Accra, Ghana, one of Africa’s safest destinations and an excellent place to book a safari or simply enjoy Ghana’s famed hospitality, whether it be exploring the sites of Accra or visiting small villages off-the-beaten-path.

Delta already flies to Accra from New York, but Atlanta is clearly the big winner of the airline’s latest additions, with new flights to both Marrakesh and Accra (ACC).

The latter is slated for launch December 1, 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Fairytale castles, ancient cities dating back to times immemorial, and beautiful architecture just about everywhere you look: Europe is calling, and it’s high time you answered.

This year will be one of the most exciting ones for US-Europe travel yet, as not only is connectivity increasing between North America and the Old Continent, but a host of unexpected flight routes are launching, some of which had never been available before.

Starting in either spring or summer, these are 4 brand new Transatlantic flights launching soon we’re most looking forward to in 2025:

San Francisco to Terceira, Portugal

• Starts: June 3
• Frequency: 1x weekly
• Aircraft: A330neo
• Price: from $1,101 one-way
• Flight duration: 12h5m+

For the first time this year, the West Coast of the U.S. will be connected to the Azores archipelago in Portugal by means of a direct flight offered by TAP Air Portugal once a week from San Francisco International (SFO) to Terceira (TER).

Home to around 53,311 inhabitants and with a mainland-sized 153 square miles, it is one of the biggest in this island chain, located halfway between North America and Europe, and it’s an unusual pick for TAP, considering Terceira’s relative anonymity and isolation.

If there’s one lesson we learned from these recently-launched Greenland and Faroe Islands flights, however, it is that no island is too remote or too small a destination to accommodate big airlines, especially when Americans are craving off-path adventures.

As for Terceira, it is a volcanic island best known for its hilly interior, hydrangea-flanked roads, which loop around a rugged coastline, and its picture-perfect capital, Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed full of colonial fortifications and churches.

New York-JFK To Bari, Italy

• Starts: June 3
• Frequency: 1x weekly
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamline
• Price: from $485.63
• Flight duration: 8h40m+

Beginning next summer, Italian carrier Neos Air will begin operating the first-ever flights between New York (JFK) to Bari (BRI), the capital and cultural heart of Italy’s much-overlooked yet awe-inspiring Puglia.

A more laid-back version of Amalfi, it is a culturally rich region laying claim to both natural and manmade wonders, from Alberobello, an ancient settlement dotted with conical-roofed stone huts called trulli, to the scenic coastal cliffs strewn with whitewashed towns.

Bari itself is a medieval maze of narrow streets leading to charming piazze and Baroque cathedrals, and you should know seafood here reigns supreme––there’s countless locally-run trattorie to try, but if you’re looking for authentic cuisine at reasonable prices, try Mamapulia.

Nonstop flights to Bari will be available weekly from June 3 to October 15, making it easier for Americans to reach the boot of the Italian peninsula over summer and even the fall, when temperatures are at their most pleasant and the seas tranquil and warm enough to swim in.

New York-JFK to Catania, Italy

• Starts: May 22
• Frequency: Daily
• Aircraft: Boeing 767-300(ER)
• Price: from $1,088
• Flight duration: 9h10m+

2025 is the year US-Italy connections are at their apex, and further proof is the newly-announced New York (JFK) to Catania (CTA) flights, the first ever to link the trendy holiday island of Sicily to North America.

This one caught us by surprise––we thought that if flights to Sicily were ever launching, these would undoubtedly be hosted by the regional capital and largest city Palermo––but we can’t say we’re mad at Delta’s choice of destination:

Catania is a sprawling port city sitting at the foot of Sicily’s main natural attraction, Mount Etna, and a cultural center of the sorts, filled with world-class museums, ornate palaces, and public markets, most notably La Pescheria, ringed by top-notch eateries.

Flight start as early as May 2025––in our opinion, the best period to visit southeastern Sicily due to the milder temperatures, smaller crowds, and cheaper prices: staying at the Etnea Palace, within walking distance of all Catania’s main landmarks, will set you back by $34-a-night.

Newark To Bilbao, Spain

• Starts: May 31
• Frequency: 3x weekly
• Aircraft: Boeing 757-20 
• Price: $774
• Flight duration: 7h30m+

Forget Barcelona, Madrid, and the like: if you’re keen on experiencing a different side of Spain, away from the crowds of the Mediterranean and the overwhelming heat, you have to add an offbeat Bilbao to your bucket list (and thanks to United, now it’s a 7h30 flight away).

The largest city in the historical Basque Country, Bilbao is an innovation-driven city lining a fast-flowing Nervión River, characterized by a skyscraper-dominated center and a medieval-era Casco Viejo––if you’re asking us what’s Bilbao’s pride and joy?

That will have to be the Guggenheim Museum, a modernist structure on the waterfront, with swirling shapes and curvilinear edges that feel almost like it’s in permanent movement, even though it’s perfectly immobile.

From Bilbao, you can also visit other smaller, incredibly scenic towns along the Basque Coast, most notably Donostia-San Sebastián, a quaint seaside settlement encroaching on a long sandy strip, and Lekeitio, famous for its lively harbor and unspoiled beach.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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Last Updated 21 hours ago

Sunny San Diego. Well, most of the time…

“America’s Finest City” isn’t immune to occasional rain showers and a couple of months of gray skies. Vacationers are often disappointed by “May Gray” and “June Gloom,” as locals have dubbed them.

Besides checking the weather forecast, there are 4 exciting new things every traveler needs to know when visiting San Diego in 2025.

First, you might want to double-check the airport you’re flying into.

Second, before booking your stay, there’s a pair of lavish new ‘firsts’ hitting San Diego shores.

Lastly, crossing into Mexico is about to get a whole lot easier. You can bypass the ‘busiest border in the world’ without stepping foot in neighboring Tijuana – and no, it’s not locals’ favorite travel loophole, the Cross Border Xpress.

So, without further ado, here are 4 exciting things travelers should know when visiting San Diego in 2025:

1) American Airlines Now Flies To Carlsbad

San Diego is often categorized into 4 quadrants: North County, Central, East County and South Bay.

As such, sometimes visitors miss out on North County’s delights, given the headache-inducing traffic through a cluster of pristine beach towns.

Well, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore, especially since Carlsbad, in particular, should be a destination city in its own right.

McClellan-Palomar Airport is reopening for commercial traffic, where American Airlines is betting big on Carlsbad’s potential with the first and only flight (for now) set to launch February 13th from Phoenix.

Located less than half an hour from Orange County and roughly 40 minutes from San Diego’s main attractions, Carlsbad can be used as a gateway to other cool spots or your base as it’s home to beautiful beaches, upscale resorts, and LEGOLAND, a popular spot for families who don’t want to deal with all that comes with giggly oversized rodents of Anaheim.

Travel Tip: American Airlines now also flies nonstop to Tijuana, the city’s only U.S.-based airline.

2) Avoid LEGOLAND Crowds! San Diego’s First Adults-Only Resort

On second thought, if you’re not traveling with the kiddos in tow and prefer to avoid the under-18 bunch altogether, there’s exciting news just for you.

A few miles down I-5 lies the coastal paradise of Encinitas, home to numerous celebrities hiding out from Hollywood (smart move!), a close-knit surfers community, and multiple stunning beaches such as one of my favorites, Moonlight Beach.

What you may not know is Encinitas is home to Alila Marea Beach Resort, which is transforming into San Diego’s sole adults-only resort.

As such, could there be a better re-opening date than Valentine’s Day? Just don’t come back home with a bun in the oven…

Kinda defeats the purpose, no?

3) A New Era of Tourism With Chula Vista’s Inaugural Resort

Chula Vista is typically way off tourists’ radar and more often seen as one of the best San Diego County cities to score cheap(er) rent.

Heck, that’s what got me to move here! Honestly, Chula Vista has been a pleasant surprise with scenic mountain-view parks, an underrated downtown, and endless Tijuana-style taco shops without having to step across the border.

Soon, Chula Vista will be casting San Diego’s often-overlooked South Bay in the spotlight with the grand opening of the city’s first-ever resort, Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, boasting 1,600 rooms and 12 restaurants and bars.

Gaylord scored prime real estate as this area is the last frontier of San Diego’s untouched shores along Chula Vista’s San Diego Bay, with epic coastal views facing west over popular vacation spot Coronado.

According to local news source NBC 7, there will be a soft opening in mid-May, followed by an official grand opening in July.

4) Skip The Border! New Direct Ferry Into Mexico’s “Napa”

I go to Tijuana every month. Despite having a SENTRI card, crossing the border can still be a grind, which is often a deterrent for fellow Californians and tourists alike who want to see what Northern Baja is all about.

Plus, Tijuana has a sketchy reputation. Not everyone wants to take that chance. The neighboring town of Tecate (yes, that Tecate you might have in your fridge) is widely considered much safer, serving as a gateway into Mexico’s gorgeous Valle de Guadalupe, commonly dubbed Mexico’s “Napa”.

Stretching from Tecate to Ensenada is the Ruta del Vino, a scenic wine route passing numerous vineyards, luxe resorts, and bucket-list Airbnbs.

While most Americans start their wine adventures in Tecate, a new direct ferry capable of carrying up to 330 passengers from San Diego is set to change that.

Slated to launch in May (if necessary tests go according to plan in April), the Azteca Ferry will give travelers the ultimate loophole to bypass the hectic border, which often has 3-hour wait times at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Tickets are not sale as of yet, but last we reported prices were expected in the $100 range. However, there is a schedule posted on Azteca Ferries’ website:

Travel tip: If you complete the whole Ensenada – Tecate wine route, I can’t recommend 4-star Santuario Diegueño enough to rest up and enjoy sensational eats at on-site restaurant, Asao.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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History is still being made in a pair of timeless U.K. cities. As you know, getting from A to B in Europe is a lot different than the States.

Rather than be shuffled through security like nameless cattle and scrolling TikTok for hours waiting for a flight to board, you gotta hand it to Europe for their impressive rail system end to end.

I just took a high-speed train from Paris to Marseille and it couldn’t have been more flawless, and while the latest exciting train announcement won’t zoom through the French countryside, it will connect 2 must-see destinations for your next U.K. adventures.

CrossCountry’s new direct service will benefit travelers looking to explore more of the U.K. beyond the bright lights of London with at least one familiar name and another up-and-coming capital city.

History in The Making: First Direct Route Connecting Cardiff & Edinburgh

CrossCountry is excited to announce their first-of-its-kind route connecting Cardiff and Edinburgh.

As the U.K. has spiked in popularity, travelers will soon have an easier way to reach Scotland’s Gothic icon of Edinburgh and Wales’ trendy capital with plentiful hidden gems in between.

Set to launch December 15th, just in time to make use of your holiday vacation days or start 2025 off right, you can seek new thrills in the U.K. from either Edinburgh or Cardiff as the train will travel both ways every weekday.

Expected to total roughly 6 hours in length, there are 20 stops in between along the 455-mile journey.

Choose to hop off to explore a treasure trove of lesser-known gems, such as Gloucester or Sheffield or enjoy the full journey on CrossCountry’s Voyager trains.

Keep in mind, the route does split at Birmingham and Gloucester, so keep an open ear for announcements to make sure you’re heading the right direction!

Otherwise, you may end up on the English seaside in Plymouth or Penzance wishing you packed swimwear.

Why Visit Cardiff?

Cardiff is an up-and-coming destination, backed by Conde Nast’s article crowning this lesser-known capital as the U.K.’s ‘Best City‘ in 2023.

As we turn the page to 2025, the hype has only grown stronger for Cardiff, and now travelers have a more convenient way to discover all the delights of this city.

Equal parts timeless and modern, there’s no shortage of places to immerse yourself in Cardiff’s past timeline or enjoy there here-and-now with trendy neighborhoods lined with buzzing bars.

Hit up the unmissable medieval Cardiff Castle for a grand tour (only $5!) or visit the revamped Cardiff Market oozing Victorian vibes, where local vendors sell local goodies like Welsch cakes.

While British food may get a bad wrap from time to time, cuisine here goes way beyond endless tea and bland crumpets.

Skipping anywhere in the U.K. without grabbing a pint is a hard pass. Here, one of your best bets is The Duke of Wellington, a real traditional pub dating back to the 1880’s and still whipping up savory pub grub and pouring the best cold ones.

And don’t skip out on classic Fish & Chips on Caroline Street (known as ‘Chip Alley’ for a reason!).

Why Visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a lot going for it, especially for Americans. As the only U.K. destination exceeding pr-Covid tourism numbers, there’s no reason to think the city will backtrack any time sooner.

With the soon-to-launch train and current nonstop flights from the U.S., Edinburgh makes for a great alternative to London’s chaos as a shrunken-down urban jungle with great attractions.

Perusing Old Town is an absolute must and will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled into a storybook no matter the season.

Home to towering grandeur castles like the rightfully named Edinburgh Castle, among others in and around the city, Edinburgh certainly holds its own against any other European icon in terms of architecture and history.

The only problem you may have visiting here is questioning if you want to continue on to Cardiff!
There’s no doubt Edinburgh is an easier starting point since there’s direct flights here.

No matter where you depart, you can book your journey now on CrossCountry’s website.

But keep in mind the U.K. will begin requiring a permit for American travelers January 8, 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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