Amalfi Coast, Italy
Virtuoso recently released their Top 10 Summer destination lists, based on travel bookings. As summer approaches, Virtuoso travelers are turning their thoughts to one continent: Europe. Eight European countries made this year’s Top 10 Most Popular Summer Destinations list.
When you look at the Top 10 Hottest Summer Destinations, some surprising places emerge. True, Europe is also prominent on this list. It’s summer, after all. But countries in other locales have picked up steam with travelers compared to last year.
Travel to Africa is trending as noted by the presence of South Africa on the Top 10 Most Popular list and Tanzania on the Top 10 Hottest list. These two countries represent 80% of Virtuoso’s travel to Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa
Virtuoso Top 10 Popular Summer Destinations
Virtuoso’s 2016 top international summer travel destinations include perennial European favorites. Two European countries in particular are seeking spikes in popularity: the Netherlands (up 38% over last summer) and Ireland (up 58% over last summer).
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- France
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Ireland
- Germany
- South Africa
- Greece
- Israel
Azores, Portugal
Virtuoso Top 10 Hottest Summer Destinations
Based on the percentage growth of bookings from last summer to this summer, these are the hottest international summer destinations. (Percentage increase is denoted in parentheses.)
- Tanzania (+98)
- Portugal (+88)
- Ireland (+58)
- Brazil (+53)
- Mexico (+48)
- Russia (+44)
- Netherlands (+38)
- Jamaica (+28)
- Sweden (+23)
- Poland (+18)
Tanzania is experiencing a whopping 98% increase in bookings, with travelers looking to experience its stunning scenery and diversity of wildlife. Portugal is also up significantly, especially to the Azores. With the upcoming Summer Olympics, Brazil is seeing a big boost in popularity.
Surprisingly, Mexico and Jamaica, usually popular winter spots, are showing summer appeal with inexpensive direct flights from the U.S. as well as reasonable hotel rates.
Are any of these on your summer list?
