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As if anyone needed to be reminded of this, Americans are flocking to Europe this summer in record numbers.
In fact, according to a new study from popular travel app Hopper, more than a third of international fights searched for summer 2023 travel from American users are for European cities.
While most travelers are heading to the tried and true European cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Dublin, and Athens, there are some other destinations that are trending this summer, many of which are somewhat surprising to see on American travelers’ radar.
These off-the-beaten-path cities are trending for a variety of reasons, some because of popular recent TV or movies, some because of word of mouth, and some because of various other reasons.
From Belfast to Sarajevo, the locations are far-flung, all offering some great escapes to unique destinations.
If you haven’t heard of these places already, a quick look into any of them will likely lead to them being added to your bucket list as well.
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Here Are 6 European Destinations That Are Trending with American Travelers This Summer:
Belfast, Northern Ireland
There are many reasons to add a trip to the underrated country of Northern Ireland to your European itinerary this year, and the buzzy capital city of Belfast is just one of them.
Belfast is trending with American travelers who are looking for some history and stunning beauty mixed with some unique local flavor as well.
While the award-winning film, The Banshees of Inisherin was not set in Northern Ireland, it did focus on the region’s conflict and, therefore might have a bit to do with the recent increased interest from American travelers in visiting this other side of Ireland.
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Podgorica, Montenegro
What was once a secret tiny Balkan country reserved for travelers in the know, stunning Montenegro is stepping into its own in terms of tourism in recent years.
While the unassuming capital city of Podgorica doesn’t really have too much appeal for visitors, it serves as the main hub for those coming into the country to visit the fantastic beaches, lakes, mountains, and everything else there is to see in this stunning and trendy hotspot.
Palermo, Italy
The Italian island of Sicily was one of the most affected destinations when it comes to the recent set-jetting trend, with crowds of tourists heading there to check out the real-life backdrop for HBO’s popular series, The White Lotus.
Famous for its beaches and stunning landscapes, you can find some seriously crystal clear water around Sicily’s capital city of Palermo. Not to mention the southern Italian cuisine and wine culture don’t hurt its appeal either.
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Mulhouse, France
With the recent news that flying to France from the U.S. is set to be easier than ever, it’s not a huge surprise to see Americans searching it out for their next trip.
If you have never heard of Mulhouse, you are not alone. Located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, not far from Germany and Switzerland, Mulhose is known as the creative heartbeat of the region.
Once an industrial city, Mulhouse boasts some fantastic museums based on its industries of automotive, textiles, and trains.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
As one of the coolest and most interesting underrated capital cities in Europe, Sarajevo is long overdue (and very welcoming to) a major international tourist boost.
When is Sarajevo you cannot miss a Siege Tour, where actual survivors of the war will take you behind the scenes and into a war tunnel under the runway.
Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole is very underrated by international tourists, and aside from Sarajevo, another place that is a must-visit here is the village of Mostar, where the daredevil divers plunge into the shallow waters below, after collecting a few tips, of course.
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
If you are looking to avoid the record crowds that are descending upon Portugal this summer, then a trip to the Azores might be just what you need.
The largest city of Ponta Delgada can be found on the island of São Miguel, reachable in under three hours when flying from Porto or Lisbon.
Another way to get to the Azores – often referred to as the Hawaii of Europe – is on a convenient stopover en route between the U.S. and mainland Europe.
To finish off the top 10 trending destinations for summer, the whole list can be found here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com