logo
Here are the 10 international destinations Australians are obsessed with in 2025

Here are the 10 international destinations Australians are obsessed with in 2025

Time Out2 days ago

The puffer jackets have come out to play, which means winter in Australia is well and truly here. Even though we've still got a week before the frosty season officially kicks off, many Aussies are already dreaming of warmer climates where ten degrees feels like a long-lost friend. So, where are Aussies fleeing to this winter? Expedia has just released its 2025 Winter Travel Outlook, revealing the top ten trending international hotspots – and we're already searching for the cheapest flights before you beat us to it.
Malta has long lived in the shadows of Italy and Greece, but this dreamy European island nation has seen the biggest spike in popularity among Aussie travellers since last winter – with searches on Expedia increasing by 80 per cent. Plonked in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, this ancient archipelago is one of the sunniest places in Europe, boasting around 300 days of rays each year. From sunbathing to sea diving, there is a plethora of top-tier beaches where you can soak it all up, along with history-packed temples for when you need to cool down.
Next up on the list was Milos in Greece, which has seen a 70 per cent spike in searches from Aussie travellers for winter. This Aegean jewel is an island-hopper's paradise, sitting pretty among Greece's 6,000-odd islands. Just a ferry or flight away, Athens also earned a spot on the list, coming in as the seventh most trending winter destination with a 40 per cent increase in searches.
Australia's obsession with Japan is only growing stronger, with Osaka ranking fourth (up 55 per cent) and Tokyo ranking eighth (up 35 per cent). You can score cheap flights to both cities (look out for Jetstar sales), and if you go, be sure to eat your way through Time Out Market Osaka – our first-ever food market in Asia.
Other Asian cities to crack the list include Seoul in third place, Vietnam's Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City in fifth and ninth, and Bangkok in tenth. Check out the full list below, then meet us by the pool for a Mekhong Mule!
Here are the 10 trending international winter destinations for Australians:
Malta
Milos, Greece
Seoul, South Korea
Osaka, Japan
Da Nang, Vietnam
Nice, France
Athens, Greece
Tokyo, Japan
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Bangkok, Thailand
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Australia newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.
🥾 Australia's 10 most popular winter hikes
🏝️

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ryanair scraps flights from EU airport but adds new route from Scotland in major reshuffle
Ryanair scraps flights from EU airport but adds new route from Scotland in major reshuffle

Daily Record

time32 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Ryanair scraps flights from EU airport but adds new route from Scotland in major reshuffle

The carrier has consistently criticised countries for rising taxes and has bailed from one European airport while adding another route in Scotland Ryanair has pulled all of its flights from an EU airport amid its ongoing battle over rising aviation taxes. The budget carrier has also added new flights from Edinburgh Airport in a move one expert said was the airline showing two 'clear signals'. All flights from Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands are to be axed from October 26 as the company said it was one of Europe's 'most expensive' airports. Ryanair has criticised the airport's costs along with the country's rising aviation taxes and said both will 'irreparably damage Dutch connectivity'. ‌ But the low-cost carrier is also introducing twice weekly flights to Rzeszów in Poland from Edinburgh with fares reportedly as little as £15, reports the Mirror. ‌ Ryanair's decision to pull out of Maastricht Airport following the introduction of an eco-tax in 2021 which they are required to cover. The tax, of almost €30 per passenger, has been blamed for the airport's inability to recover its traffic since covid, says the airline. The slashing of Ryanair routes from the airport removes options for passenger to fly to Alicante, Bari, Girona, Porto, and Zadar. It means the loss of 150,000 seats per annum, as well as five direct connections. Ryanair's CCO Jason McGuinness said the airline was 'disappointed' with the decision, blaming Maastricht Airport for its 'soaring' taxes which have increased by 275 per cent in the last four years. He said: "Ryanair continues to grow traffic (this year from 200m to 206m) by offering unbeatable low fares to customers across Europe at airports that have low access costs. "Maastricht's sky-high costs are damaging its connectivity. [This is] evidenced by the Airport's failure to recover its traffic post-Covid, lagging far behind the rest of Europe at just 50 per cent of pre-Covid traffic in 2024 – a figure set to fall even further following Ryanair's exit." ‌ The airline has previously hit back at aviation taxes by pulling flights from an airport. And earlier this year it said it was cutting its summer traffic in Spain by 18 per cent meaning a loss of 800,000 seats and 12 routes to the popular holiday hotspot. Ryanair has also scrapped all flights to and from Aalborg, after Denmark confirmed a 50DKK (£5.57) fee, will be applied to all passengers departing from Denmark and will be paid for by airlines. ‌ The new flights to the lesser-known Polish city of Rzeszów means customers can take in it's stunning architecture, rich history, and acclaimed Christmas markets. Rzeszów is the largest city in southeastern Poland and dates back to the Middle Ages. For years, it's stayed out of the tourist limelight - overshadowed by the likes of Krakow and Warsaw - but the new flights may quickly change that. In a statement sent to the Mirror, Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor, said Ryanair's route reshuffle sends two 'clear signals'. ‌ He said: "Regional airports in the UK are getting more love, while underperforming bases like Maastricht are being cut loose. "For UK passengers, this creates more direct options from places like Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Norwich, but also leaves them exposed to short-notice route cancellations." Maastricht Airport has been approached for comment.

Gorgeous town in Portugal is a foodie paradise with flights from £27
Gorgeous town in Portugal is a foodie paradise with flights from £27

Metro

time3 hours ago

  • Metro

Gorgeous town in Portugal is a foodie paradise with flights from £27

World-class beaches, quaint cobbled towns, and delicious wine. It's no surprise that thousands of British tourists flock to Portugal's Algarve region every summer. Returning visitors likely have their favourite destinations: from historical Sagres to the buzzy Praia da Rocha. But there's one place that isn't as well known — and it's a must-visit for fans of Portuguese food. Named as an emerging foodie destination by Airbnb, the town of Almancil is just a 20 minute drive from Faro Airport. Close to the popular Loulé, this glamorous spot is part of the Algarve's affluent Golden Triangle area, with boutique shopping and world-class golf courses — it even has two Michelin starred restaurants. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Fancy a luxe getaway? Here's everything you need to know about this up and coming town. The journey to Almancil from the UK s pretty straight forward. To get to the town (which was recently approved for city-status by the Portuguese government) you'll need to take a flight from the UK to Faro Airport. According to Expedia, flights can start from as little as £27 one-way (based on an EasyJet flight from London Southend Airport on August 29.) Direct flights from London SEN take two hours and 55 minutes and once you arrive at Faro it's a short 20 minute drive to Almancil. No car? No problem. There are buses from the airport, which will take you to Albufeira, and then you'll need to hop on another bus to Almancil. Travel via public transport from Faro takes about 40 minutes. If you love shopping, you'll be in your element in Almancil, as there are two giant shopping destinations in town, including MAR Shopping Algarve and Designer Outlet Algarve. MAR Shopping is a mall containing high street stores like Bershka, ALDO, Clair'es, Deichmann, Flying Tiger, H&M, IKEA, LEGO, Mango, Pandora, Primark and Sephora. While the designer outlet features brands like Ray-Ban, Adidas, Karl Lagerfeld and Levi's. Those who prefer to soak up a bit of culture will want to head to the stunning Igreja de São Lourenço de Almancil, a little treasure that was built in 1730. From the outside, it looks like most other Portuguese limestone churches, but inside the walls and cupola are covered in blue and white hand painted azulejos (tiles), which depict the life and death of Saint Lawrence. The church also contains plenty of gold carvings and gilding, especially around the altar. According to Tripadvisor reviews, it's 'beautiful' and 'definitely worth a visit'. Those who enjoy splashing about might also want to pay a visit to the Aquashow Waterpark, which is an eight minute drive away from the town, or a 12 minute bus journey. Alternatively, Almancil is a short drive to Ria Formosa nature reserve, as well as popular beaches on the Algarve such as Praia do Ancão, Praia Quinta do Lago, Praia Vale do Lobo, and Praia Vilamoura. Golf fans will also be easily entertained at one of the many luxurious resorts in the area, including Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. The former has two courses (the Ocean and the Royal), while the latter has three award-winning golf courses, surrounded by pine forests, lakes and the Ria Formosa. The wider Areias de Almancil neighbourhood boasts not one, not two but three restaurants from the Michelin guide (within a 15 minute drive from the main town itself). These include 2 Passos, a seafood restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Praia do Ancão, meaning you can enjoy picturesque sea views while you eat. The grilled squid and tiger prawns with rice are said to be unmissable dishes. There's also Gusto by Heinz Beck located at the Conrad Algarve hotel. Open Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant offers innovative seven and nine-course tasting menus by the German chef and the food features Mediterranean and Italian influences. More Trending The Fagottelli Carbonara is the chef's signature dish, so you'll want to try that if you can. Enjoy with a premium wine pairing, while dining at the outdoor terrace. And finally there's Pequeno Mundo, a romantic fine dining restaurant in an Algarvian house with pretty courtyards filled with plants and greenery. The menu has strong French and Portuguese influences and there's a six-course tasting option, as well as vegetarian dishes and seasonal off-menu specialities. According to the Michelin guide, the prawns with sautéed portobello mushrooms are a must try and for dessert, you'll want to order the crispy red fruits. If you're looking for something a little different social media users love Parrilla Natural, a nearby Uruguayan restaurant which specialises in beef. Many dishes are cooked over the grill and they also serve Sunday roasts. The steakhouse is unique in that it has a beautiful outdoor deck with a giant pine tree in the middle, strung up with fairy lights that twinkle in the evening. Metro's Kristina Beanland has been lucky enough to visit the Algarve more times than she can count — and there's one dish she keeps going back for. She says: 'I love everything about eating at a Portuguese restaurant, from the no-frills decor, to the simple yet-oh-so delicious 'couvert' of bread, olives and goats cheese, to my favourite childhood desert, Sawdust Pudding, which I promise tastes better than it sounds. 'But my favourite dish, not just in Portugal, but anywhere in the world, has to be Bacalhau a Bras. It translates to 'salt cod in the style of Brás' (catchy), but is essentially shredded cod with scrambled eggs, matchstick potatoes, onion and olives to garnish. 'It's thought to have hailed from Lisbon (potentially invited by a chef named Brás) back in the 19th century, and become popular as an easy, cheap dish to make. I've always eaten it in the Algarve, famed, of course, for its fresh seafood. 'Bacalhau a Bras is the ultimate comfort food. Stodgy, salty and delicious, it might not be the most elegant of dishes, but it always hits the spot. 'If you can't make it to Portugal but still want to give it a try, I'd recommend Londoners head to Stockwell's Little Portugal, and trying to Bacalhau a Bras served at O Cantinho de Portugal.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Corfu is a terrible tourist trap, but this Greek village captured my heart MORE: What Madeleine McCann's twin siblings are doing now after 'living in her shadow' MORE: Bugaboo launch the Butterfly 2 that makes family outings a breeze

A Foodie Affair: Flavours of Japan
A Foodie Affair: Flavours of Japan

Time Out

time13 hours ago

  • Time Out

A Foodie Affair: Flavours of Japan

If you ask any Australian, Japan is so hot right now. The country seems to be a magnet for Aussie tourists at the minute, but let's be realistic for one second – how is our whole Instagram feed affording to jet-set away from these cost of living woes? Lucky for locals, South Melbourne Market is bringing a slice of Japan to town this June so you don't need to step foot in an airport to try wildly delicious and creatively authentic Japanese eats. So what is Flavours of Japan? It's a niche concept so stick with us here. The self-guided degustation takes you around South Melbourne Market where vendors have created Japanese dishes specially for this foodie affair. A hot little ticket for $79 gets you more than ten dishes to sample, plus immersive experiences at the market stalls, a map and stamp card to tick them all off, and an adorable market bag. What's on the menu, I hear you asking? It's a stellar line-up. There's a hojicha (a popular roasted green tea) infused mini croissant and torched salmon sashimi to whet the appetite; two different types of dumpling; calamari with togarashi (Japanese chilli pepper) and yuzu aioli; a burrata with Japanese fix-ins like bonito flakes, green onion, soy and a side of edamame; and a panko-crumbed eggplant katsu curry to boot. You can also look forward to some gorgeous desserts like an award-winning matcha gelato and a black sesame cookie with a gooey centre. Are you drooling yet? That's not even all the dishes. You can check the rest out here. If you're feeling bougie, you can opt for the Discovery Bag add-on. At $129 it will give you all the perks of the original ticket, plus a goodie bag filled with a bunch of Japanese knick-knacks. It includes a mini matcha shaker or mini incense, a bottle of Japanese hot sauce from Georgie's Harvest and heaps of discount codes among other treasures. Some of the experiences along the trail include getting a sneak peak at a traditional tea ceremony, the art of flower arranging, kimono dressing and incense burning. You can check them out at Osara and Tomi Art in the SO:ME Space, where you'll have the opportunity to purchase whatever tickles your fancy. Plus, score free Japanese whiskey, sake and beer tastings at The Little Wine Shop. Flavours of Japan is a part of the 'A Foodie Affair' series at South Melbourne Market. Twice a year the space plays host to a new degustation experience with a special theme. The Flavours of Japan instalment runs for ten days from June 4 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You can choose between two sessions a day: 11am and 1pm. Don't miss out and book your ticket here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store