A natural phenomenon that occurs in Somerset has been picked out as one of the best things to travel for around the world in 2025.

The holiday rental site Vrbo has picked out 10 natural phenomena that travellers will want to see next year, as part of the Expedia Group's Unpack ’25 data outlook.

This reveals the most noteworthy travel trends for next year using first-party travel data and insights from 25,000 travellers.

Among these, the starling murmurations that occur in Somerset have been featured among the best natural phenomena to see next year.

10 best places to travel to for natural phenomena in 2025

Vrbo handpicked these natural phenomena that "travellers will want a front-row seat to" in 2025:

  • International Dark Sky Park - Arches National Park, Utah
  • Synchronous firefly season - Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN
  • Penguin parade - Phillip Island near Melbourne, Australia
  • Bioluminescent plankton - Vero Beach, Florida
  • “Black Sun” starlings’ migration - Wadden Sea National Park, Denmark
  • Ballet of Japanese cranes - Hokkaido, Japan
  • Highest tides in the world, walk on the ocean floor - Bay of Fundy, Canada
  • Starling murmurations - Somerset, U.K.
  • Volcanoes, lava fields and black sand beaches - Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Northern Lights - Lapland region, Finland

Vrbo added: "Droves of travellers booked private holiday homes along the path of totality to see the total solar eclipse in 2024, proving people will travel great distances to see natural phenomena in real life.

"Survey data revealed that the Northern Lights (70%) are the top phenomenon British travellers want to see, followed by geological phenomena (33%) like volcanoes, geysers and hot springs.

"Two-thirds (63%) of UK travellers say it’s important to stay in a place that offers prime viewing for these natural wonders, so it’s no surprise that private holiday homes in secluded or rural destinations are ideal for phenomena-seekers."

What is a starling murmuration?

Countryfile sums up a starling murmuration as thousands of birds "swooping overhead in perfect formation".

They add: "It’s been called the greatest wildlife spectacle in Britain and is remarkable to witness.

Starling murmurations are often seen in the winter monthsStarling murmurations are often seen in the winter months (Image: Tim Lethaby/Newsquest)

"Studies suggest that starlings congregate in these remarkable ‘murmurations’ to deter possible predators, which are confused by the swirling masses.

Recommended reading:

"Despite a recent drop in their overall population, you can still witness the mesmerising sight of thousands of birds performing their aerial dance at dawn and dusk."

The murmurations occur around the winter months leading up to spring, with the best chance being between November and February.

Ham Wall reserve in Somerset has been a spot where people have seen murmurations before.