This summer's most-searched travel destinations may surprise you
Trying to plot your summer 2024 travel plans?
Delta Air Lines released its list of most-searched summer destinations, and while there are some perennial favorites — Paris and Rome, to name two —others locales may surprise you.
Athens, Greece, for instance, saw the highest surge of interest year over year with a nearly 250% increase. And while Vancouver, Canada, and Dublin might not necessarily be on your must-visit travel radar, they’ve climbed to spots in Delta’s top 10. Overall, searches for these top 10 international destinations increased more than 150% from 2023.
To create the list, Delta analyzed data from U.S.-based searches on Delta.com between November 2023 and March 2024 for travel between May and August 2024. Here’s the rundown for the top-searched international destinations:
London, England
Paris, France
Rome, Italy
Athens, Greece
Cancun, Mexico
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tokyo, Japan
Dublin, Ireland
Barcelona, Spain
Vancouver, Canada
Using the same search data and time frames, Delta also shared the top five domestic destinations excluding Delta hubs for summer 2024 travel:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Denver, Colorado
Both near and afar, It’s shaping up to be a big year for travel. “Demand continues to be strong, and we see a record spring and summer travel season with our 11 highest sales days in our history, all occurring this calendar year,” said Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines CEO. If you need to get some fun travel inspiration for Delta’s 2024 summer hot spots, here are a few far-flung international and domestic ideas to inspire your sense of wanderlust.
Barcelona
Settle in at El Palace Barcelona, celebrating its 105th anniversary this year (or party it up: A DJ leads quite the social event on the rooftop garden). For a splurge, stay in one of the “art suites” inspired by Salvador Dalí, Josephine Baker, Joan Miró, and more, or dine at Amar Barcelona, where you’ll be talking about the shrimp and sole meunière for months to come. While there’s much to see and do in Catalonia’s capital city, we’d steer you towards the following: La Rambla, a beautiful, wide boulevard followed by a bite to eat at Mercat de la Boqueria, Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, Museu Nacional D’art De Catalunya, Picasso Museum and The Museum of Jewish History.
Dublin
Say “sláinte,” or cheers to Ireland! To make the most of your time here, we recommend booking with Brendan Vacations, a top Celtic destination expert, which can put together a superb itinerary for you in Dublin encompassing local food tours, Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery and a chance to see the Book of Kells. Post up at The Shelbourne Dublin, established in 1824, with a spa and several fine restaurants on-site.
Honolulu
For those who dream of a taste of island life, Hawaii is never a tough sell, especially when you’re staying at the hotly anticipated Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, which opened earlier this year with amenities like a saltwater swimming pool, kids activities and a spa outfitted with traditional Japanese ofuro soaking tubs and Himalayan salt saunas.
Or, try The Twin Fin Hotel, a stone’s throw away from Waikiki’s oceanfront, which has a newly launched experiential surf school, led by pro surfing champion, Jamie O’Brien. (For those traveling with children or in groups, another great option for your digs is Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort or Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador.) Regardless of what you call your home away from home, be sure to feast at La Bettola Waikiki, one of the buzziest Italian restaurants on O’ahu and The LookOut Food & Drink, with epic views of the Wai Kai Wave, Hawaii’s first deep-water standing wave, and live entertainment nightly.
Denver
Located east of the Rocky Mountains, it’s a summertime-must to check out a concert at the world-famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, as is a bike or stroll around Washington Park. Settle into the chic bed and breakfast Flora House, which opened in 202 in Denver’s Wyman Historic District, or The Thompson Hotel or The Slate Hotel, some of the newest digs in town. For stellar eats, recently reopened Casa Bonita was purchased by “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and doles out inspired Mexican fare like ceviche and Christmas enchiladas from chef Dana Rodriguez. Other newcomers to the culinary scene include Fox & the Hen from Top Chef alum Carrie Baird, an all-day breakfast spot, and Sap Sua, serving up “non-traditional Vietnamese food” in Denver’s East Colfax neighborhood.
Orlando
We don't need to tell you to plan a trip to Disney. But we will tell you to rejoice in the fact that Evermore Orlando Resort landed in town this year. The $1.5 billion luxury resort brings a taste of the shore to Orlando with a 20-acre faux beach complete with a water slide, a rope swing, stand-up paddle boards, kayaking and beachfront dining. Bordering Walt Disney World, the resort is anchored by Conrad Orlando, with 400+ rooms and suites (as well as two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses).
This article was originally published on TODAY.com