This year, some of the world's most iconic destinations might just be the worst ones to visit.

So in this video, we're breaking down five must-see places that, for one reason or another, we think you ought to avoid in 2025.

Starting with Rome, Italy. 2025 is the year of Catholic Jubilee, also known as the Jubilee of Hope.

This year-long celebration marks the 2025 anniversary of the Incarnation of the Lord.

It begins in December 2024 and ends in January 2026.

Rome is the epicenter of this event and estimates suggest that an additional 20 million tourists will descend on the city in 2025.

That is on top of already massive crowds you would expect to see in Rome on any regular year.

Legendary sites like the Pantheon, Colosseum, the Forum, and of course the Vatican will all be packed beyond capacity.

And while the city is taking steps to prepare for the influx, crowds of this size are just bound to feel suffocating and it's almost certain that prices for accommodations, flights, and even meals will skyrocket.

Rome is absolutely worth visiting but you may want to wait until 2026.

Next up on our don't travel list for 2025 is Paris.

I know, I know, hear me out.

New research from Global Data predicts France is going to be the most visited country in the world next year.

Why?

Well, the main reason is Paris hosted the Olympics in 2024 so everyone avoided Paris in 2024.

Tourism took a massive hit.

Air France and Delta reported below average summer travel.

Both Airbnb and hotel occupancy rates dipped severely and when destinations experience dips like these they can see a huge surge in visitors the following year.

COVID taught us that, but that's not all.

Notre Dame is set to reopen after its devastating fire five years ago and the reopening is likely to attract massive attention.

While it's hard to predict exactly how busy it's going to get, anything this historic and long-awaited is bound to create significant crowds.

Paris is an amazing destination you should definitely visit, but we think for these reasons, you should put it off.

However, if you're planning any international travel in 2025, don't put off figuring out how you'll get cellular data abroad.

Your phone is essential for navigation, messaging your Airbnb host, or sharing your adventures with friends back home.

But without a plan, you're going to pay out the wazoo in roaming fees.

Now you could go with your home carrier's international plan but those are often pricey or you could buy a local SIM card but that can be a time-consuming hassle.

That's why we recommend an eSIM. eSIMs have the physical SIM cards but you don't have to go anywhere, talk to anyone, or physically put anything in your phone.

Our eSIM of choice is Olafly which offers eSIMs in over 200 destinations worldwide with no roaming fees and over 150 of those destinations offer unlimited data.

A 10-day trip using Olafly's Europe plan costs $37 versus $100 via Verizon and there's no hidden fees or data caps.

Setup takes just a couple of minutes.

Download the Olafly app, choose your plan, install the eSIM, and you're good to go.

If you're ready to get started with Olafly head to the link below and use the code AWAYTOGETHER for 5% off your eSIM purchase.

Thanks Olafly for sponsoring this video.

Kyoto is one of Japan's most beloved cities, but in 2025, it might be worth avoiding.

Overcrowding has become a serious issue especially in historic areas like the Gion district.

To combat the strain, local officials have introduced measures like banning tourists from accessing certain streets and installing barriers to block popular photo spots.

No knocking these restrictions, honestly. I think they're a necessary step to protect Kyoto's cultural traditions and the daily lives of its citizens from the negative effects of how overwhelmed the city has become.

Unfortunately, it's not just Kyoto.

Honestly, there's an argument to be made for avoiding Japan altogether in 2025.

Overcrowding has reached record highs and a weaker yen has made the country a magnet for international visitors.

It breaks my heart to say this, but Valencia is one of the destinations you may want to avoid in 2025.

As you may know on October 29th 2024 the city suffered catastrophic flooding.

The deadliest and most devastating in decades.

The damage to Valencia's infrastructure is severe.

Roads, railways, and sewage systems will require extensive repairs and the region's agriculture, such a crucial part of its identity and economy, has been heavily impacted.

Tourism is an important source of income for Valencia and while visiting may feel like a way to support the city, it's worth considering the strain that tourists could add to the region still in recovery.

Repair efforts will likely continue throughout 2025 and the local economy particularly farming and tourism may need years to fully bounce back.

If you're interested in donating to recovery efforts, we've linked a couple of resources below.

This mention is for everyone from outside the USA.

When we ask most of our international friends where in the United States they visited or would like to visit, the top two responses are almost unilaterally the same and unfortunately, they should both be avoided in 2025.

New York City and Los Angeles.

Here's why. Both cities are undergoing major construction projects in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In New York, these updates include stadium improvements, significant infrastructure work in Manhattan, and upgrades to the city's aging subway system.

Times Square, one of the most heavily visited areas in the world, is also undergoing renovations that will likely create additional headaches for travelers.

Over in LA the story is much the same.

LAX, already one of the busiest airports in the world, is in the middle of a major expansion and with ambitious metro line updates on top of the city's infamous traffic congestion getting around LA in 2025 is going to be a serious challenge.

Both New York and LA are incredible destinations but the disruption from construction projects will likely make 2025 one of the worst years to visit.

I would hold off until 2026 when the upgrades are complete or even later because you know busy.

Even if you avoid these destinations, if you're planning any travel in 2025, there are several new rules and regulations and in this video, I break down the five biggest changes travelers need to know going into 2025.

Thank you so much for watching and happy travels!