From pink heritage mansions and floating raft resorts to traditional sailboats and beachfront lodges, these cool accommodation options will hit Intrepid itineraries in 2025. \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Spend a night under the stars in\u00a0Cape York (the largest wilderness area in northern Australia), fall asleep to the sound of the sea in Olympic National Park in the USA and live like a local on a South African homestay.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Wherever you go, Intrepid has you covered for fun places to stay and epic stories to bring home \u2013 so kick your travel off the beaten path this year and find somewhere new to find yourself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Take a scenic, nature-focused road trip from San Francisco to Seattle<\/a> and spend a night on Kalaloch Beach in the Pacific Northwest \u2013 newly added for 2025. This lodge sits right on the sand, where giant trees wash up on the shore, scattering driftwood along the coastline. From your beachside base you can watch the sunset, visit the Tree of Life (aka Tree Root Cave) and tuck into your included group dinner with the sounds of the ocean as a backing track.\u00a0<\/p>\n Revamped for 2025, Real Rajasthan<\/a> serves up expansive desert views, ancient wonders and a unique homestay that will connect you with the locals. On this 18 to 35s adventure<\/a>, watch the landscape transition from sand dunes to the lakes of Udaipur until you reach your homestay in Khinwara \u2013 a candyfloss pink heritage mansion. You\u2019ll have free time to settle in, relax and chat with your friendly hosts before visiting a nearby farm for chai, cookies and an insight into local life. \u00a0<\/p>\n On an upgraded Thailand Family Holiday<\/a> you\u2019ll spend two nights at Kanchanaburi\u2019s Boutique Raft Resort. These floating rooms sit right on the river and are the perfect base from which to explore Erawan National Park. See the cascades of Erawan Falls \u2013 the seven-level waterfall with turquoise pools full of tropical fish \u2013 take a dip, then return to the resort, where you and the kids can hit up the swimming pool or take a raft down the River Khwae.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n On the all-new <\/strong>Premium Cape Town and Garden Route<\/a>, take in gorgeous landscapes, indulge in local food and wine and spend two nights at a Feature Stay in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa sits among mountains and leafy vineyards in the small town of Franschhoek. Wander the grounds, chill by the pool or go winery-hopping (the local tram stops at all the good spots). On your first night, feast on a six-course dinner with wine pairings from boutique farms at the on-site Sauvage Restaurant. \u00a0<\/p>\n Few travellers make it to the tippity top of Australia\u2019s mainland \u2013 but the new Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer<\/a> trip can take you there. Journey to \u2018The Tip\u2019 \u2013 one of Australia\u2019s most remote and unique locations \u2013 and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture while exploring rainforest and savanna woodlands. You\u2019ll spend a night on Chilli Beach within Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park \u2013 just one of many epic camping spots<\/a> on this trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wild landscapes await on the new <\/strong>Greenland Expedition<\/a>, one of the only trips in this region where you travel overland, rather than by cruise ship. The remote Disko Mountain Lodge will be your haven during a two-day hike on Disko Island. The challenging but rewarding hike takes you through volcanic mountains to your bright blue cabin on Lyngmark Mountain. Surreal and remote, the lodge has unbeatable views over Disko Bay and you can spend your afternoon hiking on the glacier or exploring Blaesedalen (windy valley) and Apostle Mountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n Yearning for a new experience far off the tourist trail? Consider Central Asia\u2019s Premium Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan<\/a> trip. On this new trip you\u2019ll visit Kyzyk Tuu village on Lake Issyk-Kul \u2013 one of the largest lakes in the world. Meet with a local craftsman who\u2019s keeping the ancient tradition of yurt making alive. See how they\u2019re made with no electrical tools, including the process of kiiz-making (the felt layers that cover the yurt). Spend a night under the stars at a camp where all the yurts were made by the craftsman you just met.\u00a0<\/p>\n Paradise is calling. You can now spend eight days snorkelling and swimming among colourful corals, white-sand beaches and mangroves on the new Sail Maldives<\/a> trip. The best part \u2013 you\u2019ll spend the whole thing aboard a dhoni (traditional motorised vessel). The sleek boat houses 12 passengers with a small crew of five, including your captain and onboard chef. After days in the sun looking out for dolphins, turtles, manta rays and nurse sharks, watch the sunset every night from the deck.\u00a0<\/p>\n A winter wonderland, the Northern Lights and the man in red (yes, we\u2019re talking about Santa) \u2013 our brand-new Finland Family Holiday<\/a> ticks everything off your Christmas list. On this six-day adventure through Finnish Lapland, you\u2019ll spend a wintery night on the famous \u2018Santa Claus Express\u2019 \u2013 a comfortable, cosy overnight train that takes you to Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus. After settling in for the night and watching the sky from your cabin window (keeping your eyes peeled for the aurora), you\u2019ll arrive just south of the Arctic Circle to meet Mr. Claus himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n See all the highlights (and lesser-known spots) of Aotearoa on the 18-day Premium New Zealand Encompassed<\/a> trip. In the scenic South Island, you\u2019ll spend time chilling in Wanaka and walking the streets of Arrowtown\u2019s heritage town centre before making your way to the new-for-2025 Feature Stay accommodation at Kinross Winery in the Gibbston Valley. Hitting itineraries in May 2025, this working vineyard boasts hot tubs, mountain scenery and an excellent restaurant where you\u2019ll be treated to a wine tasting followed by a three-course dinner of fresh, local produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n Find your sea legs on the new Sail Turkey: Fethiye to Bodrum<\/a> trip (see Sail Turkey: Bodrum to Fethiye<\/a> for the same itinerary in reverse). After days spent sightseeing, hiking and swimming, you\u2019ll spend your evenings chilling out on a locally made Turkish gulet (wooden motor sailboat). Sleep on the deck under the stars or start your morning with a sunrise swim \u2013 what better way to see Turkey?\u00a0<\/p>\n The rural village of Phiring sits near ancient wetlands in northern South Africa. On the South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers<\/a> trip, you can immerse yourselves in village life during a new homestay experience where you\u2019ll be hosted by a local family. Your stay here helps to provide local women and youth with economic independence and social empowerment<\/a>. Try your hand at some traditional activities like floor-making, cooking and Ba-pedi dancing. There are also plenty of opportunities for scenic walks in the surrounding mountain area.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n See the Real Australia<\/a> on a new 18 to 35s trip that hits all the good stuff along the East Coast. After road-tripping, stand-up paddleboarding with a First Nations guide<\/a> and hunting down the best cold brew, you\u2019ll head to Lamington National Park for a night to remember. This park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, home to ancient trees, scenic walking tracks, waterfalls and Binna Burra Lodge, where you\u2019ll spend the night. Right in the middle of the sub-tropical rainforest, this lodge is surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery, the sounds of wildlife and the fresh smells of nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n1. Fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean in Olympic National Park, USA\u00a0<\/h2>\n
2. Get to know the locals at a heritage homestay in Rajasthan, India\u00a0<\/h2>\n
3. Spend two nights in a floating resort in Thailand\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-South-Africa-Franschhoek-Hotel-and-Spa-AERIAL-1-1080-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n4. Relax in the heart of Franschhoek Valley, South Africa\u00a0<\/h2>\n
5. Pitch a tent on one of Australia\u2019s most remote beaches\u00a0<\/h2>\n
6. Venture into Greenland\u2019s seldom-visited territory\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Kyrgyzstan-Issyk-Kul-Lake-yurt-camp-traditional-shutterstock-2429430757-2-1080-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n7. Camp in traditional yurts along the old Silk Route\u00a0<\/h2>\n
8. Live aboard a dhoni boat in the Maldives\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n
9. Take the kids on the overnight Santa Claus Express in Finland\u00a0<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-New-Zealand-South-Island-Kinross-Winery-Cellar-Door-4-1080-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n10. Stay at a winery in New Zealand\u2019s South Island\u00a0<\/h2>\n
11. Sail the Turkish Riviera on a traditional gulet\u00a0<\/h2>\n
12. Slow down with a village homestay in South Africa\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n13. Sleep in a sub-tropical rainforest near Byron Bay\u00a0<\/h2>\n
14. Redefine \u2018all-inclusive\u2019 on Lake Sevan, Armenia\u00a0<\/h2>\n