We’re not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet – we’re still squeezing in every beach bar getaway possible – but with fall on the horizon, it’s not a bad idea to start thinking about what’s on deck for a little end-of-year adventure. Virtuoso tapped into its data warehouse of $49.5 billion in travel transactions to analyze this fall’s best vacation spots for American travelers, based on future bookings. The overwhelming find: Travelers want to discover somewhere new, favoring under-the-radar spots in Europe, adventurous locales in less-visited South American countries, and more.
We divided fall’s trending vacation destinations into two lists: a Hot 10 ranking of emerging places with the largest year-over-year percentage increase in fall travel bookings, and one showcasing the most popular destinations based on booking data – aka the classics.
Check out the full lists below – and happy travel planning!
The Hottest Fall Vacation Destinations for 2019
1. Uruguay
Uruguay’s award-winning wineries, pleasant climate, and adventure opportunities make it a sought-after destination for the season.
2. The Maldives
3. Malta
4. Romania
5. Egypt
The Middle East remains popular, with Egypt and Qatar enticing visitors with less-explored cuisines, bustling markets, and desert excursions.
6. Puerto Rico
7. Rwanda
8. Qatar
9. South Korea
10. Norway
The Most Popular Fall Travel Destinations for 2019
1. United States
With such a diversity of destinations and experiences at home, Americans increasingly choose to travel domestically for the holidays.
2. Italy
3. United Kingdom
4. France
5. South Africa
6. Israel
South Africa and Israel repeat from last year’s list, beckoning families seeking trips of a lifetime at the festive season.
7. Australia
8. Germany
Europe’s appeal as a summer destination extends into fall, with five countries on the list. Italy, France, and Germany repeat from last year – Germany is especially popular with river cruisers for its celebrated Christmas markets.
9. Japan
10. Spain
Top Photo: Transylvania, Romania (istock/Getty Images Plus)
