Is aesthetic travel redefining the way we vacation in 2025?

Travel has always been an escape for true enthusiasts, but its purpose has long been up for debate. Is it a way to break free from the mundane? Maybe. Is it the thrill of discovering something completely new? Definitely. Traditionally, travel has been about ticking off itineraries and checking sights off a list. But in 2025, travel is taking a softer, more intentional turn, where you could book a slow three-night stay in a misty town in Laos, wear linen all day, and call it your healing girl era. In short, it’s becoming less about the plans and where you go, and more about the energy you’re seeking. Because the vibe matters just as much as the view.

And that’s what aesthetic travel is all about—chasing moods and moments over ‘gram-worthy views. For instance, girls in their healing era are seeking soothing escapes like Bali or Uttarakhand to help them fall in love with themselves again. And there’s more like it. From foggy French film vibes in Paris to K-drama main character moments in Seoul, and more. People are booking their holidays based on the version of themselves they want to embody. The aesthetic leads, while everything else follows.

Blame it on TikTok’s travel montages, poetic Pinterest boards, or even Instagram reels, but we’re living in a hyper-visual age. And travel, which was once about sightseeing and selfies, is now all about storytelling. “We’re such a visually driven generation, and social media plays a huge part in that. But it’s more than just pretty pictures,” explains Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. “These aesthetics act like emotional anchors. When someone says they want to go on a ‘healing girl era’ trip, they’re really saying, ‘I need to slow down and take care of myself.’ Or when they imagine themselves with ‘main character energy’ in Seoul or Tokyo, it’s about wanting to feel seen, empowered, or adventurous.”

Focusing on aesthetic travel and moodboards helps people imagine who they’ll become in a place, which is incredibly powerful as it turns a trip into a personal journey rather than just another vacation. It's this shift from ‘where should I go’ to ‘who do I want to be’ that is at the core of this travel trend. And it's redefining the way people are planning their holidays in 2025.

Travel influencer Shenaz Treasury elaborates this with her recent trip to Coorg as an example. “I think people now travel more for how a place feels rather than just to check it off a list. It’s about the vibe—the colours, the silence, the mood it puts you in. Sometimes I’ll pick a place just because I want to feel calm or inspired or even healed. Like on my recent trip to Coorg, I wasn’t going there for a ‘famous’ attraction. I just wanted misty mornings, slow walks in nature, and space to breathe. That’s what drew me.

Of course, this begs the question of whether this new travel trend is simply a shallow pursuit of aesthetics rather than a personal experience. It depends from person to person, of course, but Dordi points out that this travel trend may highlight a deeper shift towards emotional well-being and self-expression. “Today’s generation is a lot more in tune with their mental health and emotional needs. This is perhaps why they’re opting for places that offer an emotional experience, depending on what they’re seeking—whether it's peace, excitement, clarity, or romance.”

For content creators and travel influencers, it’s already becoming second nature. “I planned my last trip around the mood I wanted to live in,” Treasury adds. “I wasn’t searching for must-see spots—I was looking for cafés, playlists, colours, and outfits that felt like the version of me I needed at that moment.” All this focus on visual identity can occasionally taint the experience part of aesthetic travel, pressuring travellers and giving them another trend to chase. But for Treasury, this was never a struggle, because for her, it was always about the connection rather than perfect pictures. “I try to be mindful and stay connected to the real reason I travel. If I’m not feeling it, I don’t shoot it. If a moment is just for me, I let it be. Because at the end of the day, people connect more with real feelings than perfect pictures.”

In 2025, travellers are no longer just ticking off famous landmarks. Instead, they’re chasing moods and emotional experiences that align with their personal journey. “For me, it’s always vibe over destination,” Treasury adds. “For my last trip, I asked myself, ‘What do I need right now? Do I want sunshine, do I want peace, or do I want to feel held by nature?’ And then I chose the place that gave me that. When I travelled to Kumaon, I was recovering from a heartbreak and a bad viral, and all I wanted was stillness. The aesthetic, which was pine trees, foggy mornings, cosy rooms, came before the destination itself.”

So if you’re looking for your next travel spot, we suggest you make your pick based on how you’re feeling, and if you need a head start, here are some travel moodboards to help you out.

If what you're craving is wellness and deep relaxation, then there's certainly no shortage of destinations. Quiet sanctuaries in the mountains, by the beach, or off a beaten track, always seem to do the trick. Our pick? Luang Prabang in Laos, Sidemen in Bali, or even Bhutan, which offer a much-needed escape from the chaos of everyday life with serene landscapes, forest walks, and wellness rituals, including ayurvedic treatments and meditation retreats. Be it Luang Prabang’s quiet riverbanks and charming colonial architecture, Sidemen’s lush rice terraces, or Bhutan’s emphasis on mindful living, these often offer what travellers describe as the ‘healing girl era’—a time to slow down, nurture mental health, and reconnect with oneself.

This one's for the K-drama fans. If your ideal getaway looks like it belongs on the big screen, then you'll definitely enjoy cities like Seoul and Tokyo because they offer just the right kind of drama. Soft light slipping through cherry blossoms during the day, and a neon glow by night. Visuals aside, these two cities have a lot to offer—quiet art galleries tucked behind bustling streets, architecture that balances restraint with innovation, it's a moodboard-worthy mix of tradition and edge. These are cities that don’t just invite you to explore—they invite you to perform, to feel like the protagonist in your own beautifully stylised narrative. Choose this if you’re looking for more than just a holiday—you're after a story.

If you grew up romanticising the moody charm of Gothic architecture and dark academia, then you should consider adding cities like Kyoto, Edinburgh, and Prague to your travel wishlist. They serve intellectual nostalgia on repeat with foggy mornings, walking past gothic cathedrals and ivy-covered libraries filled with leather-bound books. Bonus points if you choose to do this while dressed in an elegant trench coat. These destinations immerse travellers in a world of introspection and quiet beauty, where curiosity and style blend seamlessly with history and a little mystery.

Sun-kissed in the Mediterranean - for the coastal charm, whimsy, and a touch of romance

There are winter girls who thrive in all things cold, icy, and snowy—and then there are summer girls who live for golden landscapes. If you identify as the latter, and your dream vacation revolves around golden sunlight and salty sea breeze, then Sicily and Santorini should be at the top of your list. Picture sun-bleached walls, pastel-coloured houses, and bustling markets filled with fresh fruits and handicrafts, as you stroll by dressed in a flowing dress with a cute hat. Here, it’s all about enjoying simple, sunny moments by the sea as you take in the beauty of Mediterranean life.

Quiet luxury has infiltrated every part of our lives, and travel is no exception. After all, we all crave calm and exclusivity, and places like the Japanese Alps and Kumarakom in Kerala deliver just that. There are no bustling crowds, no noise, just you, tucked away in your private villa or ryokan, surrounded by misty mountains or peaceful backwaters. These destinations focus on understated elegance and personal wellness, giving travellers a chance to unplug and luxuriate in simplicity. This is where you get to pause, breathe, and truly switch off, which can be a real treat in today’s hustle life.

In 2025, it’s clear that the essence of travel is no longer about where you go, but how the place makes you feel. The aesthetic-led approach invites us to align our journeys with our emotional needs and personal narratives, creating vacations that resonate far beyond the typical tourist trail.

“Honestly, it can be a bit of both,” says Dordi. “Sometimes, yes, we’re trying to run from burnout or stress. But more often than not, people are using travel to reconnect with themselves. Choosing a place that matches your emotional state—or the state you want to reach—can be incredibly grounding. It’s like creating a safe, beautiful space where you can just be. So rather than running away, I’d say many people are actually trying to come back to themselves—in a new, more inspiring setting.”

In a world where everything is optimised and over-scheduled, travel is starting to look like a way back to softness. A healing, a becoming, an intentional pause. Because in 2025, the most meaningful vacations aren’t the ones that show you the world. They’re the ones that bring you back to yourself.

Is aesthetic travel redefining the way we vacation in 2025?

From 'healing girl era' and 'revenge dressing in Rome', to 'foggy French film energy', people aren't looking at itineraries when booking a vacation anymore. In 2025, it's all about the vibe of the destination.

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