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Summer travel is always fun, but when you're traveling internationally, it can be even more so.
Traveling to places like Europe or Asia is perfect in the summertime due to the many events in each destination.
North America is a fun spot in the summer, but traveling somewhere new can be a good experience for families or solo travelers. The next time you're considering a trip, consider one in an international destination.
Learning about different cultures and identities helps us grow as humans, and traveling is a huge aspect of that.
Things are changing, and traveling is becoming more accessible to everyone. According to Expedia, “Summer vacation planning is heating up, with searches up 50% year-over-year.”
This means people are looking to travel earlier and for longer this summer and some international destinations are included in that.
Places like Japan and New Zealand are now included as the most sought-after destinations, and for many years, travelers felt they couldn't make it there due to the long distance or cost of flights.
According to Expedia, here are the top five international destinations to visit this summer:
Japan
Japan can be a super long flight depending on where you're in North America. That's been one of the main deterrents in recent years, but that's no longer stopping people from visiting.
Expedia search rates for this summer have risen 771% in Osaka and 336% in Tokyo.
This might be a symptom of the pandemic, but travelers are looking for more when they visit a destination, and Japan is a country that can provide that.
Japan is famous for cities like Tokyo, where you can find fantastic gastronomy and culture. It's also known as the city of the future due to its modern appeal.
Other famous aspects are onsen hot springs and kabuki baths, which have a long deep history in the country.
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Vietnam
Another Asian country that has seen a significant hike in searches and bookings is Vietnam.
Cities like Hanoi have seen a search and book rate of up to 298%, Da Nang 439%, and Ho Chi Minh City 219%.
These searches prove there's more to the world than stereotypical destinations that people go to every year.
Hanoi is the country's capital and is known as its art capital. You can find some of the city's most exciting architecture and centuries-old culture.
New Zealand
Even though this destination is far from North America, searches for its capital Wellington have increased by 465%.
The most populous urban area, Auckland, has seen a rise of 267% this past year, showing that this country is set to become one of the most popular places to visit this summer.
France
Paris hardly needs any introduction, but it's one of the most famous cities in the world, alongside some like New York and Madrid.
France has always been a traveler's favorite during the summer (except in August when everything closes), but that interest has increased almost double this year.
Searches for Paris have increased by 219%, and it has to do with more airports directly connecting with the city.
France has about 640 Michelin-star restaurants, making Paris and the rest of France a foodie's destination.
Italy
Another country that has been a favorite for the longest in terms of travel is Italy.
Interest has always been there, but this year is skyrocketing. Searches for cities like Rome have risen by 201% and Venice by 148%.
The rise in searches for Venice can be attributed to its canals drying up, prompting many travelers to visit as soon as possible.
Traveling internationally should be fun this year and a great way to provide meaningful travel. Save your summer; try something new this year.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.