What Are the Top Summer Travel Destinations of 2023?

Maybe it’s the brand new monarch (hello, King Charles III!) or the promise of a cosmopolitan city where English is commonly spoken, but visitors are fleeing to jolly old England this summer. During the summer months, you can get an inside look at the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, enjoy the occasionally sunny weather at the outdoor markets like Borough and Camden, plus get a look at the tennis of Wimbledon (you can watch outside on a giant screen even if you don’t have tickets).       

Cancun really has a perfect storm of tropical attractions for tourists. There’s turquoise water, lovely beaches and the perfect temperature (it’s around 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer). Not only is it an easy plane ride for lots of Americans, but there’s great dining, spectacular diving and lots of Mayan temples to explore. Because so many tourists cycle through year round, Cancun knows how to do it and does it well.      

What is it about Paris that people love best? Is it the amazing food? The rich history? Or, is it the fashion? Paris is always one of the top spots Americans travel to and this year is no exception. Summer is a great time to visit – the weather is nice, there are festivals and outdoor entertainment and it’s the best time to have a picnic in the park under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. If you’re a shopper, there are lots of sales in July, so it’s a fantastic time to score a bargain.      

We all know why tourists are flocking to Orlando — Walt Disney World. Right now, Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special merch and foods all around the parks and resorts, plus The TRON Lightcycle/Run just opened at Magic Kingdom. In non-Disney news, LEGOLAND Florida just debuted Pirate River Quest and Universal Studios Orlando has a new Minion-themed ride: Villain-Con Minion Blast.      

Just like Paris, Rome has the food, fashion and architecture. But summer in Italy is also prime time for gelato (worth the trip alone). In the mid-morning heat, you can sit by the Trevi fountain, enjoying your treat and then go for a long lunch (and maybe a nap) before heading out again for more strolling and a late dinner. See the Colosseum lit up at night, enjoy the cool catacombs and check out the Roman Forum in the early light.      

Christmas in New York is magical between the snow, holiday decorations and ice skating. But summer in the city has its own charm. Check out a concert in Central Park, explore freely while the city dwellers flee to the Hamptons and don’t miss the view from the Empire State building at sunset on a hot summer night. There’s also restaurant week in July where hundreds of eateries offer discounts, baseball at Yankee Stadium and the U.S. Open in August.      

Barcelona has almost three miles of beach to explore and a delicious sea breeze in the heart of the city to keep it from getting too hot.  During the summer, music festivals take place in different sections of the city.  Visit Casa Batllo at dusk when the light hits the building just right, then do a bar crawl for the best tapas in the world.      

The rolling green hills of Ireland are even better in the summer. There are festivals, you can take an icy swim near James Joyce tower (it’s still only around 60 degrees Fahrenheit). Listen to the musicians on Grafton Street and don’t miss the Dublin Horse Show.      

Tokyo can get hot, hot, hot in the summer. But the city is alive with activity, including festivals like Obon (where people visit with relatives and honor their ancestors), the Fuji Rock Festival in July and Summer Sonic in August. Taste food from street vendors, hear the sounds of musicians playing the drums and sample some shaved ice. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some fireworks.