These Are the Trending Destinations U.S. Travelers Are Booking for 2023
American travelers are planning their 2023 getaways, and a handful of places—from small domestic towns to unexpected international cities—are already emerging as trending destinations for next year.
In fact, there are 10 places that are quickly growing in popularity with American tourists for vacations in 2023, according to a just-released “Trending Destinations” report from American Express Travel. The report is based on recent travel bookings by American Express cardmembers. Each of the 10 locations have seen significant increases in booking popularity with U.S. travelers between 2019 and 2022.
“Travel in 2023 looks strong," says Audrey Hendley, president of AmEx Travel. “As borders continue to re-open, people are not only thinking about big, international trips, they are booking them. Whether you are traveling solo, adventuring with friends or traveling with family, there is truly a trip for everyone.”
Here are the destinations that are trending with U.S. travelers for 2023, with some itinerary suggestions from AmEx travel specialists.
Dan Novac/UnsplashParis
“Paris is a perennial favorite—there’s so much to see, do, and eat in the City of Lights,” Hendley says. “But no matter how many times you have been, every trip is different.” Lean into the Parisian food culture by dining at French hotspots, like Inavoué Restaurant, La Crêperie, Margús, and Racines. After you've had your fill, take a walking tour through the sprawling Jardin des Tuileres to soak in some greenery and people watching, or amble along the Canal Saint-Martin, which runs through one of the city's hippest neighborhoods. Next year will be a good time to fit in a visit to Paris before the city is thronged by tourists in 2024, when it is slated to host the Olympics.
Didier Marti/GettyYaukuve Island, Fiji
A Fiji getaway is just as relaxing as it sounds, especially at this private Yaukuve Island sanctuary of Kokomo Island. Spend chill time at The Yaukuve Spa Sanctuary, kayak around Kokomo's House Reef, boat to the Uninhabited Island (where you can snorkel around the Great Astrolabe Reef), and visit Kokomo farm to learn about the island's sustainable cultivation. Complement those activities with meals at Beach Shack, Walker D'Plank (which is only accessed by crossing a plank across a lake), and Beach Grill at Kokomo Island Fiji.
Anna Berdnik/UnsplashIstanbul
“Istanbul is an incredible city, [with] an incredible mix of history and modernity,” Hendley says. “With its mix of contemporary art galleries, fine dining restaurants, deep cultural heritage and markets dating back to the Roman and Ottoman empires, there is truly something for everyone in Istanbul.”
The Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque are staples of the Turkish grandeur defining Istanbul, which straddles Europe and Asia. AmEx Travel experts suggest embellishing those visits by enjoying the wood-oven dishes at Yeni Lokanta, the creative cuisine at Neolokal in the SALT Galata cultural complex, and traditional royal dining at Matbah Ottoman Palace Cuisine, as well as by pampering yourself at the traditional 16th century Turkish bathhouse Hurrem Sultan Hammam.
Kevin Fleming/GettyFlorida Keys
There's a certain kind of thrill to island-hoping in the Sunshine State's southernmost region. “Beach vacations are always popular, and the Florida Keys are especially great for families," Hendley says. “From the natural beauty to food and culture, the Keys are a crowd pleaser.” Among the key activities primed for all ages are browsing Duval Street (don't miss Kermit's Key West Key Lime Pie Shoppe), exploring Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters Museum, and ferrying over to Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas. Depending on your palette, try Mahina Marathon for Hawaiian flair, Blue Heaven for a Caribbean twist, and Little Pearl for local catches.
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Clifford/UnsplashLisbon
Portugal has quickly become a European favorite for Americans, with its capital offering a perfect sampler of everything the country has to offer. The Michelin-starred restaurant Alma shows off traditional Portuguese cuisine and wines, while Cantinho do Avillez puts a more contemporary spin on its food culture. The riverfront features the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, LX Factory shopping area, and Rocha do Conde de Óbidos viewpoint, while the yellow tram 28 takes you on a scenic ride passing through churches, castles, and plazas. And no visit to Lisbon is complete without a day trip to the fairytale world of Sintra with its castles, from the uniquely eclectic Pena Palace to the Renaissance masterpiece Quinta da Regaleira.
Kate Trifo/UnsplashSydney
Adrenaline seekers are rewarded by the most stunning view of the city on the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s Bridge Climb (don’t worry, you’re securely tethered to the beams the entire way). Contrast that with a more grounding adventure at the Blue Mountains, where a day trip includes visits with koalas and kangaroos, views of Three Sisters in Katoomba and Lincoln's Rock, and thrilling forest adventure at Scenic World. Balance it all out with meals at The Botanist, MuMu, Nomad, and Opera Bar.
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GettyMontenegro
The beauty of Montenegro is in the variety of experiences, like walking the winding streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Town of Kotor, riding a motorboat in Boka Bay, kayaking to Luštica Bay, or taking a day trip to Stari Mostar, home of the picture-perfect Ottoman bridge, Stari Most. The dining is just as diverse, from the warming stews at Bastion to the trendy One&Only Portonovi’s Tapasake and the beachfront Tivat Bay Nikki Beach Montenegro.
Rolands Varsbergs/UnsplashCopenhagen
Denmark's capital merges historic storybook charm, like the 17th century Rosenborg Castle and Rundetaarn (Round Tower), with an innovative food scene, like at its organic bakeries Mirabelle in the trendy neighborhood of Nørrebro, as well as Seks Bakery and Eatery, which brings a Polish influence to a distinctly Danish experience. Meanwhile Ruby brings sophisticated cocktails to a traditional townhouse. And there’s no denying the magic of Tivoli Gardens, with its whimsical mix of stunning floral displays and theme park rides, especially at night when it's lit with tens of thousands of lights.
“Travelers are looking for destinations where they can meaningfully engage with the local community,” Hendley says. “Denmark’s commitment to sustainability and readily available activities that allow visitors to engage with the local culture like their bike-friendly infrastructure, markets, and parks, make Copenhagen a great choice.”
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GettyWoodstock, Vermont
Hendley, who visited Woodstock last year with her family, says the Vermont town is “beautiful with great outdoor activities, full of charm, and with great places to eat and shop.” Among the highlights picked by the AmEx Travel team: sampling cheeses and tasting maple syrup at Sugarbush Farm and following the Ottauquechee River Trail along old railroad tracks that have been there for nearly 150 years. Community meets coziness at the local restaurants, like Cloudland Farm, Worthy Kitchen, and The Prince & The Pauper Restaurant.
Bhargava Marripati/UnsplashMexico City
In a sprawling city with a population of nearly 22 million, it’s all about finding the highlights that truly make Mexico City unique. Among the AmEx consultants’ suggestions are taking in a Ballet Folklórico de la Ciudad Mexico show at Palacio de Bellas Artes, shopping the Bazar del Sabado (Saturday Bazar) and Coyoacán Market, browsing the art galleries of the Juarez neighborhood, and enjoying a stroll through the 1,700-plus acre Bosque de Chapultepec. Complement the experiences with quick bites at Taquería Orinoco, the garden dining at Pujol, and neighborhood standout Máximo Bistrot—and maybe even a tour of an organic farm with Arca Tierra.