The Dark Side of Elephant Tourism
For decades, elephant rides, performances, and close-contact interactions have been marketed as once-in-a-lifetime experiences. However, behind the scenes, many of these attractions rely on cruel training methods to control these wild animals.
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• The Process of Domestication: Elephants are not domesticated animals like horses or dogs. To make them “safe” for human interaction, many captive elephants undergo a brutal process called “phajaan” or “the crush.” This involves separating young elephants from their mothers and subjecting them to physical and psychological torment until their spirit is broken.
• Overwork and Poor Living Conditions: Many captive elephants are forced to give rides or perform tricks for hours on end, leading to exhaustion, malnutrition, and severe health problems such as foot infections and arthritis.
• The Cycle of Demand: As long as there is a demand for elephant rides and shows, the practice of capturing and mistreating elephants will continue. The best way to stop this cycle is to stop supporting unethical attractions.

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With the highly anticipated Season 3 premiere of HBO’s travel satire White Lotus this month, expect Thailand to become everyone’s must-visit destination. I love Thailand, but if you’re interested in Southeast Asia, consider these destinations which are just as fabulous, less crowded and offer hotels with an unparalleled level of service. ​

In Cambodia, see the sunrise at Angkor Wat and the French colonial architecture of its gateway city, Siem Reap. Eat your way through the capital, Phnom Penh, where art, culture and incredible food come together. Beach lovers can explore Koh Rong Island. Here, you’ll find the stunning four-mile Long Beach, once a filming location for the Survivor TV series. ​

Cruising offers a whole new way to explore – sailing between multiple ports means you can see more, sometimes circumnavigating countries and traveling on smaller ships means visiting lesser-visited ports without any of the usual crowds. ​

My 2025 must-visit guide offers five destinations where the journey is part of the adventure. And if there’s one thing travelers should do every year, it’s to promise themselves a new adventure. Unique adventure travel destinations include:

The chilly thrills of Antarctica – sail the notorious Drake Passage or fly over it – and the wildlife (penguins! seals! whales!) and icebergs you’ll witness will stay with you forever.

Extend this visit into Chilean Patagonia. Luxury lodges make it as easy or challenging as you like to explore the breathtaking natural landscape. This is your chance to check the Mirador Los Torres hike off your list, but there is also no shame in boat tours to wind-whipped glaciers and jagged mountain peaks.