Delta Air Lines released its second list of the year, which reveals the most popular international destinations that travelers are thinking about going to this summer.
This data is based on searches made on Delta’s website – so should come with the caveat that the top searches don’t necessarily translate to the most popular ones people actually end up flying to. These are the top international destinations searched on the Delta website.
Vancouver, British Columbia
The summer is one of the best times to travel to Vancouver. It’s not going to be as warm as most of the other destinations on the list, which may be a bonus for some. This is going to help you take strolls downtown and around Stanley Park. Plus, even though the city is north of the border, you won’t be spending too much time at immigration. Flights from the West Coast can take less time than they would to many domestic destinations.
Barcelona, Spain
There are plenty of other European destinations on the list. In fact, there are so many that it’s kind of odd to find Barcelona this early in the countdown. On its own, it’s a great city where you can enjoy the arts, the food, and the beach. Plus, it’s one of those destinations that could serve as the perfect starting point for your summer Euro trip.
Dublin, Ireland
Perhaps the first major surprise on this list! Dublin may not feature numerous tourist attractions within the city limits. However, it is a welcoming place where you can find plenty of local pubs to enjoy. Maybe that’s one of the main reasons why travelers who are flying with Delta find it such an appealing destination. Also, since it may not be as popular a destination as other spots, Delta is the airline that features some of the best routes to this destination.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, Japan is a destination that has been growing in popularity with American travelers over the past few years. One of the great things about Japan is that you can arrive in Tokyo and take the train virtually anywhere in the country. Be warned, though, that some areas are getting tired of tourists. Therefore, foreigners are actually charged more precisely for things like a train ride!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Not the biggest surprise on the list by any stretch of the imagination. People have been fascinated by the lore of this city for generations. That’s still the case, even though some of the “wild” things that made the city famous are now readily available in many other parts of the world, including multiple US states. Amsterdam is still worth a visit, even though it, too, has been taking steps to minimize the number of travelers it takes in.
Cancun, Mexico
Cancun has long been the most popular beach destination abroad for Americans. Delta is by no means the only airline that covers this route. The fact that it still made the top 5 is a clear indication that the Mexican beach destination will remain popular. What’s interesting is that no other cities within the Caribbean made the list.
Athens, Greece
Greece has become a very popular destination for travelers from all over the globe. There are actually other cities where you can catch a cruise to the Greek Isles, even from outside Greece. If you want the complete Greek experience, though, you have to arrive in Athens and take in the sights there. After a few days, you can board a ship to some of the colorful beachside towns.
Rome, Italy
Rome has always been a popular tourist destination, but that doesn’t mean it was always a popular gateway to Europe for American travelers. Perhaps the number of flights that Delta is taking to Rome has a little bit to do with how accessible the rest of Europe is from here. Like many other cities, it’s great for a few days, and then you can move across Italy or other countries in Europe.
Paris, France
Plenty of Americans are reportedly heading to France this summer. If you’re hoping to catch a last-minute flight and find decently priced lodging options, you’re probably out of luck this year. The Olympic Games are taking place in the city, meaning that most hotels in and around the French capital have been full for a while. If you’re not interested in the games, this is not the summer to fly to Paris.
London, UK
The summer is, without a doubt, the best time of the year to visit the UK. You’ll get fewer rainy days than on other dates throughout the year. With the eyes of the world focused on Paris this summer, the British capital may not be as crowded. Delta offers plenty of flights to London, and unlike Rome, this has always been a city that’s a gateway to Europe, at least for American travelers. You don’t have to deal with language barriers, and you’ve probably already tried some of the popular British dishes at some point. Flying from the US East Coast to London only takes about 8 hours, so it’s not such a grueling flight.
