Spring has barely begun yet already summer travel is on the minds of many, at least according to Google Flights who’ve just released their top 20 travel destinations for the season.
The list is based on the destinations most searched for by users within the U.S. for travel between 1 June and 31 August. Earning the crown this year is London, United Kingdom. Hot on its heels is Paris, France— no surprise given that it’s Paris AND the Olympics are heading to the City of Light this summer—while coming in third is Tokyo, Japan.
Madrid, Spain and San Juan, Puerto Rico broke into the top 20 for the first time while plenty of popular American cities such as New York, Miami, Seattle and Boston made the list too. Cancun, Mexico, Barcelona, Spain, Athens, Greece, and Dublin, Ireland also appeared.
You can read the full list here, but we’ve run down the top 10 and peppered in some suggested hotels to make Summer 2024 one to remember.
The iconic OWO is now a the UK’s first Raffles Hotel (photo courtesy of the hotel)
1. London, United Kingdom
A bustling capital city that’s multicultural, cosmopolitan and historic is tough to top, which must be why London came in at number one with travellers. Blending old and new, it’s a place where traditional pubs and royal palaces rub shoulders with the newest cocktail bars and hippest restaurants. Full of festivals, museums, music venues, live theatre, easy day trips and so much more, London really does feel like the place to be this summer.
Stay: Raffles London at the OWO London
Raffles at The OWO, a blingy 120-room hotel and a first for the brand in the city, has nine restaurants, three bars, a spa and health club, all inside one of the capital’s most historically significant addresses. The landmark former Old War Office, like many places in London, has a past, too. Once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, it has opened to the public for the first time after a monumental and meticulous transformation.
Paris is always a good idea, any time of year
2. Paris, France
Ah Paris. It’s always a good idea they say, and we can’t disagree. From cafés to haute couture, museums to magnificent architecture and style, there’s no place like it for stunning good looks and the chance to make every outing feel like a scene from a romance novel. This year, all eyes will be on Paris again when the Olympics in its streets, river and venues between 26 July and 11 August. Timing for a visit could be hectic then, but Paris is lovely any time of year, including late summer when the medals have been handed out and the oh la la is back on track.
Stay: Hotel des Grand Voyageurs
Elegant modernism meets vintage suitcase charm at this 138-room boutique gem, recently opened, in the Saint-Germain neighbourhood. Sixteen of its rooms can be connected, making it a good set up for families. Nearby is the Luxembourg Gardens, Bon Marché and loads of specialty shops and Metro stops. Guests will also benefit from the hotel’s casual brasserie and a speakeasy-style bar, a fitness center, and underground car parking, a coveted perk in Paris.
The famous Shibuya Scramble of Tokyo, Japan (Photo by Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 2.0)
3. Tokyo, Japan
Japan’s capital city is also the world’s most populous metropolis, and can feel like mind-boggling whirl. But Tokyo is also a place of endless choice, from dining, shopping and entertainment to culture, history, temples and gardens. Tokyo’s easy train connections make it easy to explore the rest of the fascinating country, too.
Stay: Hyatt House Tokyo
The Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya is just a 750-meter stroll to the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing (pictured above) with easy access to buzzing Roppongi, Shinjuku, and Ginza. The extended-stay hotel has 125 rooms ideal for families and travellers looking a little more space, such as comfy living areas, fully-fitted kitchens, and dining-cum-workspaces.
Rocco Forte House is the swanky Roman apartment of your dreams (Photo courtesy of Rocco Forte)
4. Rome, Italy
The history and magic of Rome are undeniable. One look at the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Vatican, and it’s easy to understand why the Eternal City is an eternal favourite among travellers. But Rome’s quieter corners are worth a wander too, including Trastevere, an area home to narrow cobblestone streets some of Rome’s best dining and nightlife, and Monteverde Vecchio, a green neighbourhood and place to be when in need of a calm escape.
Stay: Rocco Forte HouseÂ
Poised and posh, the exclusive private apartments include living rooms and kitchens, and even a private chef if you wish. Tucked inside an 18th-century palazzo, the Rocco Forte House is the pinnacle of luxury and a real splurge. But when in Rome…
ModernHaus Soho is a cool spot to hang out in New York this summer, especially at the rooftop pool (photo by Nikolas Koenig)
5. New York, New York
The Big Apple. Manhattan. New York, New York—it’s one of the most visited cities in the world, and one that that needs no introduction, drawing around 10 million visitors annually who come to the skyscraper-packed city for Broadway shows, world-class museums and dining, shopping, and renowned attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Empire State Building, to name but a few.
Stay: ModernHaus SoHo
Pressed against the backdrop of SoHo’s iconic cast-iron buildings and cobblestone streets, ModernHaus SoHo is a hub and extension of the local neighbourhood’s creative and dynamic spirit. The 114-room property designed by Melissa Bowers is inspired by the Bauhaus art movement, featuring an extensive art collection with pieces from some of the world’s foremost names like Hans Hartung, George Condo, Harland Miller, Jean Dubuffet, Hans Hofmann, Nicolas Party, and Kaws. The property has 11,000 square feet of outdoor space, a 24-hour fitness center, and Michelin-starred dining too.
The family pool at the all-inclusive Hilton Cancun Resort (Photo courtesy of the resort)
6. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is one of Mexico’s largest and most popular vacation destinations, attracting millions of visitors from all over the world to its turquoise shores on the Yucatan Peninsula, an area originally settled by Maya Indians. Travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities too, whether its sunbathing, scuba, eco-parks, nightlife, or exploring Mayan ruins and archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Coba,  an easy distance from your toes-in-the-sand, drink-in-your-hand hotel.
Stay: Hilton Cancun, and All-Inclusive Resort
Between Cancun and the quiet fishing village of Puerto Morelos, Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort blends Mexican heritage and modern sophistication. With 715 rooms, unlimited access to 12 dining experiences, nighty activities, a Kids Club and Teen Zone, pools, a beach, and more, it’s a getaway families will love.
Though a little further afield, Everglades National Park is another world worth the trek. Photo by Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0)
7. Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a popular travel destinations within the United States, and most known as the home of Walt Disney World. But there’s much more to the sunny city than theme parks. Visitors will also find a family-friendly and bustling downtown with diverse shopping and dining, as well as easy access to Florida highlights such as Everglades National Park, Atlantic coast beaches, and Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.
Stay: Evermore Orlando Resort
Bring the extended family to the newly-opened Evermore Orlando Resort, featuring 2-to-11-bedroom vacation homes, all run by the resort. Evermore also has two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and a 20-acre beach complex with swim areas, bars, cabanas and waterslides.
The Venetian’s newly renovated pool deck is summer central in Las Vegas
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City is all about the sizzle. But keeping it cool in the summer, when temperatures climb to well above comfortable, is a must. Along with epic shows, professional sports, unrivaled dining, and gambling dens galore, Las Vegas knows how to throw a pool party better than anywhere else.
Stay: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
The recently renovated Venetian Pool Deck at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas has four large pools, three of them infinity, a splash pad, in pool loungers, and daybeds in the center of the pools. Experience TAO Beach Day Club with amazing performances such as Illenium, FISCHER, John Summit, Alesso, and more.
For an exclusive and pampered experience, book one of the Venetian’s cabanas, equipped with TVs, built-in charging stations, misters, and private plunge pools for quick dips between Aperol Spritzes. With luxury and privacy for up to 12 people, these cabanas also feature air conditioning, a private restroom, a bar with stocked refrigerator, and a personal cabana host.
Seattle has miles of shoreline and islands to explore (photo courtesy of Visit Seattle)
9. Seattle, Washington
Seattle might be known for its rain but summer travellers take note: it also has 147 miles of fresh water shoreline and 53 miles of salt water shoreline, and more than 300 islands in Puget Sound, making it a swimmer, boater, and explorer’s paradise during warmer months. Rest assured, Seattle‘s rich theater life, festivals, concerts, museums, sports teams, world-class dining, nature and hiking, and coffee culture make it a year round find and there’s something to whet your whistle rain or shine in the Emerald City, including day trips to nearby National Parks, lakes, and hiking trails.
Stay: The Edgewater
Consistently named one of the best hotels in Seattle, the Edgewater is laden with a rich musical history (Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, The Beatles, and Pearl Jam slept here) and surrounded by sparkling water and city views. It’s also conveniently located near cruise terminals, if you’re considering an odyssey up the Pacific Northwest coastline.
The Dolli in Athens has Parthenon views, a rooftop restaurant and super-sized suites (photo courtesy of Gregotel Hotels & Resorts)
10. Athens, Greece
Once the center of ancient civilization not to mention the birthplace of democracy, and the home of Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Athens has long had big shoes to fill, and does so with ease.
There’s so much mesmerising history to discover, it’s hard to know where to begin. A large part of the city’s historic center has been converted into a pedestrian zone, one of the largest in Europe, which leads to the major archaeological sites. Either on foot or by bike, the ‘’Grande Promenade’’ around the Acropolis is an unforgettable and picturesque experience.
Stay: The Dolli at Acropolis
A historic mansion transformed into an exceptional 46-room boutique hotel, the Dolli feels like a friend’s sumptuous home with gracious and modern guest rooms, suites and apartments. Its killer views are easy on the eyes while its location in the heart of Athens, steps from the Acropolis, could not be better
***
Find more travel inspiration at BeSeeingYou
