Lighthouse of Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, during sunset. Mallorca is a trending destination for fall … [+]
Looking for inspiration for the best countries to travel to this fall? Expedia’s new fall travel outlook reveals the top international destinations that are trending for fall 2024. To gauge interest, the travel site looked at hotel searches to see which destinations are growing in demand.
Hotel searches are up by a whopping 70% in both Tulum, Mexico and Mallorca, Spain, according to Expedia.
While it’s too soon to officially call it, travel experts and agencies (including the Transportation Security Administration) expect summer 2024 will finish as the busiest summer travel season on record. So, if you’ve waited until fall to take your vacation, well-played. Traveling during shoulder season means less crowded beaches, easier-to-snag restaurant reservations, and, in many places, the weather is still fantastic.
More good news: Airfare historically drops by 10% in fall compared to the busier summer travel season, according to Expedia’s fall report.
While lots of fall travelers are seeking out beaches, many are interested in vacations to Japan, with Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka all cracking the top 10 list. Spring is popular in Japan because of the cherry blossoms, but fall is just as much of a spectacle with maple and gingko trees turning beautiful shades of maroon. The leaf-peeping season is later than it is in North America, mostly stretching from mid-October all the way until mid-December.
Top 10 International Fall Travel Vacation Spots for 2024
Expedia’s findings show that travelers this fall may be more interested in beach vacations than cooler, crisp weather and leafpeeping. Here are the 10 destinations that are seeing notable upticks in travel demand.
No. 1: Tulum, Mexico (+70%)
Travel to Tulum, Mexico is trending this fall, likely because of the new airport offering non-stop … [+]
In terms of weather, October and November are ideal times to visit Tulum because it’s still warm yet not as humid as it is in summer months. Likely helping drive interest in Tulum for fall is the new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO) that opened last spring and connects this Riviera Maya hotspot with 15 nonstop destinations, mostly in the United States and Canada.
No. 2: Mallorca, Spain (+70%)
Aerial view of Sa Calobra beach in Mallorca. The number of people searching for hotels in Mallorca … [+]
Four Seasons picked this scenic Spanish island for its newest property, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor, which opened in August. The luxury seaside resort is set on 100 acres and has its own vineyard.
Can’t decide which Balearic island to travel to this fall? Here’s how to choose between Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.
No. 3: Curacao (+55%)
Colorful buildings in downtown Willemstad, Curacao. The Caribbean island is a popular spot for scuba … [+]
Fall is a popular on Curacao, as scuba divers come to this Caribbean island in late August through October to watch coral spawn.
No. 4: Tokyo, Japan (+50%)
Fall colors last from about mid-October to mid-December in Japan.
Japan’s cherry blossoms are famous, but the gingko and maple trees in Tokyo put on quite the show in fall. See the palette of autumnal hues at a spot like the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, which is picturesque with islands and bridges.
No. 5: Kyoto, Japan (+50%)
Tourists stand on the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple during the autumn season at dusk.
Kyoto is awash in beautiful reds and oranges during the fall, with colors typically peaking in late November. The 1,200-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a famous place for viewing cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors in the fall.
No.6: Osaka, Japan (+45%)
The Minoo Waterfall during autumn in Japan.
From the Hoshida Park Suspension Bridge to Minō Falls and Katsuō-ji Temple, Osaka is filled with beautiful places to see fall foliage from mid-November to mid-December.
No. 7: Nice, France (+40%)
Landscape in the Cap d’Antibes, South of France
Temps in the uppers 60s and lower 70s in the fall means beach days are still pleasant in the South of France, and visitors can see archaeological sites, tour the Musée Matisse, and stroll the Promenade des Anglais.
No. 8: Mexico City, Mexico (+40%)
Aerial view of Independence Monument in Mexico City, Mexico.
Time your trip with Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16, when Mexico City is filled with firework shows, fiestas and mariachi concerts. While in Mexico City, get a reservation at Quintonil, which landed on this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
No. 9: Copenhagen (+40%)
Christianshavn canal in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Leaves start to change and hygge season begins each fall in Copenhagen. With the brisker weather, several museums also bring in new exhibits in the fall.
No. 10: Cancun, Mexico (+35%)
Aerial of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Cancun is a popular destination year-round, but it’s especially popular this fall. One of the newest hotels to open is AVA Resort Cancun, a stylish all-inclusive resort in the hotel zone where rooms come with balcony soaking tubs or plunge pools and plans for 27 restaurants.
