Why 'aesthetic journeys' have become the top trend of 2025

More and more people, when choosing an itinerary, are orientated not on a list of sights, but on a special emotional state they want to experience.

So-called "aesthetic travelling" is becoming fashionable - when the atmosphere, style, "vai" of a place rather than its tourist popularity becomes decisive, Harper's Bazaar India reports.

Now holidays are increasingly associated not with active tourism and obligatory programmes, but with personal experiences.

For example, the 'aesthetics of recovery' - trips to quiet places for self-care and mental reset. For some, it's three days in a misty town in Laos in loose linen clothes and meditative walks. For others, it's finding inspiration in the atmosphere of a French film in Paris or a Korean dorama in Seoul. People choose destinations based on who they want to be for the duration of the trip and what kind of "spirit" they want to bring into their lives.

The growing popularity of aesthetic travelling is also explained by the influence of social networks, where everyone shares inspirational pictures, short videos and their own "moodboards". As psychologists point out, this visual approach helps people not just to change their surroundings, but to relive travelling as a personal experience that can bring real mental relief and renewal. Increasingly, holidays are becoming a way to regain emotional balance rather than just seeing new places.

This approach is becoming a new way of looking after ourselves. When choosing a holiday destination, people are increasingly asking themselves: "What do I need right now - peace, joy, inspiration or a sense of security?". And only after that do they pick a destination.

Here are a few options for "aesthetic" destinations of choice in 2025:

1.Restoration Era - perfect for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle and need a reboot. The quiet cities of Laos, the secluded areas of Bali or the mountain valleys of Bhutan offer the opportunity to restore inner resources, practice meditation and reconnect with yourself.

2. Theprotagonist's energy - for fans of film atmosphere, the megacities of Seoul or Tokyo are perfect for feeling like the protagonist of a dorama: the combination of neon lights, cherry blossoms and modern urbanism creates a bright mood and a sense of novelty.

3.The Dark Academy - For fans of historical cities and intellectual romanticism, it's worth travelling to Kyoto, Edinburgh or Prague. Gothic architecture, libraries and misty mornings will help to plunge into the atmosphere of mystery and intellectual enquiry.

4. Mediterranean sunshine - for lovers of summer lightness, Sicily or Santorini are ideal. Golden sands, azure seas, colourful markets and a relaxed atmosphere awaken the joy of life.

5. Quiet luxury - if you want exclusivity and tranquillity, choose the Japanese Alps or the lakeside villages of Kerala. The secluded villas, nature and absence of crowds help in complete relaxation from the hustle and bustle.

The aesthetic approach to travelling is becoming a way to tune in and 'come into your own' through new experiences and a change of scenery. And while the emphasis used to be on the sightseeing list, now it's the inner sensations that come first.

"This is not an escape from oneself," experts note, "but, on the contrary, a way to the real self. When a person chooses a place that is in tune with his or her condition, he or she finds inner harmony, and recreation becomes a real resource for life".