The Expedia Group has just unveiled its Unpack ’25 report, highlighting the Detour Destination as one of the leading travel trends expected for 2025.
What Exactly is a Detour Destination?
Although major tourist attractions will always be popular, more travelers are discovering the charm of nearby hidden gems that are less frequented and offer a more peaceful experience. These destinations are becoming favorites for day trips, overnight getaways, or even as the main focus of a trip.
According to a recent study, 63 percent of travelers expressed interest in visiting a Detour Destination on their next adventure. Some of the places that have gained popularity on Expedia include:
- Canmore, Alberta, Canada (detour from Calgary)
- Reims, France (detour from Paris)
- Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan)
- Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun)
- Santa Barbara, California, USA (detour from Los Angeles)
- Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland)
- Girona, Spain (detour from Barcelona)
- Fukuoka, Japan (detour from Tokyo)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE (detour from Dubai)
- Krabi, Thailand (detour from Phuket)
I recently had the chance to visit a Detour Destination myself when I took a trip to the beautiful Tuscan countryside. After spending five days in Florence, our group ventured into the stunning Chianti region, renowned for its exquisite wine, olive oil, and breathtaking landscapes.
On a bright Friday morning, our driver picked us up from our hotel along the Arno River in Florence, and we set off for our first destination.
Castello di Verrazzano (Greve in Chianti)
Just a short 35-minute drive from the city, you’ll find Castello di Verrazzano, a stunning estate nestled in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, home to one of the area’s most beloved wineries. During our visit, we wandered through the beautiful grounds, delving into the castle’s rich history, and then ventured into their fascinating wine cellars.
Our guide, Caterina, brought the experience to life with her vibrant personality and deep knowledge about the castle, the estate’s agritourism efforts, and the intricate winemaking process. We wrapped up our tour with a delightful tasting of four wines — a refreshing rosé and three exquisite reds — paired with freshly baked bread, their own olive oil, cheese, and their balsamic vinegar that has been aged for a decade.
The Black Rooster (Panzano in Chianti)
Our Detour Destination journey continued to the lovely town of Panzano in Chianti, where we made a brief but memorable stop.
Here, we were captivated by breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and discovered the significance of the Gallo Nero, or Black Rooster, which is the emblem of Chianti Classico wine and dates back to the 14th century as a symbol of the League of Chianti — a political-military alliance formed by Florence in its struggle against Siena for regional dominance.
This town is also famous for renowned Tuscan butcher Dario Cecchini’s food truck, a must-visit for food lovers. As we posed for pictures with the Black Rooster sculpture and admired the panoramic scenery, we spotted vineyard workers taking a well-deserved lunch break, and enjoying hearty sandwiches between their grape harvesting duties.
Passo Dopo Passo Osteria (Riserva di Fizzano)
For our lunch, we visited Passo Dopo Passo Osteria in Riserva di Fizzano and indulged in their gourmet tasting menu. We dined on the terrace, taking in one of the most spectacular views.
Each dish showcased fresh Tuscan ingredients, skillfully crafted by chef Maurizio Bardotti, and complemented by wines from the nearby Rocca delle Macie winery, which was our last stop for the day. The menu included quail, veal shank and a truly unforgettable dish: pappardelle with guinea hen. The grand finale of the meal was a maritozzo cream bun with dark chocolate, blackberries and ricotta gelato.
If you find this location as enchanting as I did, consider extending your stay with a night or two at the Relais Riserva di Fizzano resort which is part of the same property.
Rocca delle Macie (Castellina in Chianti)
Our last stop for the day was the Rocca delle Macie winery in Castellina in Chianti. Established in 1973 by film producer Italo Zingarelli, the winery has been lovingly maintained by his son Sergio and later his grandson Andrea, who have both upheld the family’s winemaking legacy.
As we wandered through the olive groves, we enjoyed a beautiful view of one of the vineyards while our guide shared fascinating stories about the winery’s past. We then ventured into the cellars, where the winemaking process truly comes to life, and afterward, we visited the bottling room where they carefully package their wines.
Having already sampled some of their offerings during our lunch at Passo Dopo Passo, the winery team prepared a delightful selection for our tasting, complemented by local delicacies such as thinly sliced Tuscan ham, pecorino cheese and some of the most incredible honey I’ve ever had, sourced directly from their beehives.
After a delightful day spent in the sunny hills of Tuscany, enjoying delicious food, exquisite wine and picture-perfect vistas, we returned to our hotel in Florence.
Ready for a Detour Destination?
With some help from the Expedia Group’s Unpack ’25 report and the tourism team at OHH! Italy, start planning a Detour Destination as part of your dream trip to Italy. They’ll help you savor some time away from the tourist hustle and bustle and immerse you in the local culture and cuisine.
Photos courtesy of Melissa Girimonte
