These 5 Unusual Cities Are Emerging Top Summer Destinations
It's not uncommon for destinations to go in and out of style, whether it's because of an especially bumping party scene, an exhilarating nature excursion or a photo opportunity you won't get anywhere else. But when Amex sent us a list of emerging summer travel destinations, we were surprised at some of the cities with some of the list's higher rankings.
The data comes from year-over-year growth and future travel for June, July and August of 2018 through Amex's proprietary booking data.
With the help of President of Amex Travel and Lifestyle Services Audrey Hendley, TPG decided to take a closer look at five of the unexpected cities (some domestic, some international) that are surfacing this summer, from the likes of Sarasota, Florida to Kraków, Poland.
Domestic Destinations
Sarasota, Florida (Ranked No. 2 Domestic Emerging Summer Destination)
Florida is a fairly typical summer destination, but the cities that tend to be inhabited by tourists are those known for their theme parks, like Orlando, or those that have exceptionally renowned beaches, like Miami. Sarasota, though, is a "hidden travel gem," according to Forbes. It lies on the Gulf Coast of Florida, so the beaches tend to have calmer tides and smoother sand than those on the Atlantic Coast.
The city also has a strong reputation for being a destination for performance arts, including, but not limited to, circus attractions. After John Ringling took part in developing the Ringling Bros Circus, he went to invest in the arts in Sarasota in hopes of making it a home base for his circus endeavors. The two circuses that exist in Sarasota now, the Circus Arts Conservatory and Circus Sarasota, are both highly rated on Google reviews.
Plus, most of the major US carriers including JetBlue fly at decent rates into the rather small airport, SRQ.
Grand Rapids, Michigan (Ranked No. 5 Domestic Emerging Summer Destination)
Coming in as the second largest city in Michigan, right after Detroit, travelers have seemed to stop overlooking Grand Rapids as a summer vacation destination. The city has made a name for itself thanks to its inviting lake-front properties, which are serene and great for fishing.
Hendley attributes the emergence of the destination to its lakes, saying, "we love to think that lake houses are the perfect place for travelers to channel [their] inner childhood and enjoy the simple things in life." She went on to depict the destination's emphasis on simplicity, saying, "we have seen travelers cherish the small moments in trips, like taking in the smells of a bonfire or finding a stellar place to stargaze."
From what we've seen, the city is a great spot for avid foodies and drinkers, too. Grand Rapids' agricultural diversity is thriving, so if you love farm-to-table dishes and locally sourced produce, you'll enjoy a visit to the Michigan city. Grand Rapids also has repeatedly placed highly in USA Today's 10 Best awards for the Best Beer Scene category, taking second place this year after stealing the winning title in 2017. We'll drink to that!
Bangor, Maine (Ranked No. 6 Domestic Emerging Summer Destination)
Maine flaunts the fact that its weather brings in year-round tourism, but for the travelers who don't want to get stuck in the tens of days of sub-zero temperatures on average, it's no surprise that people tend to flock during the summer months.
The spunky city of Bangor encompasses all the perks of being in Maine with a cherry on top. Hendley mentioned that Maine is known to be a great destination for its "surrounding national parks, rocky cliff sides, secluded beaches and picturesque lighthouses to visit," but distinguished Bangor, as it "entertains visitors through its thriving arts scene, with museums, galleries, theaters, a symphony orchestra and a popular sidewalk art festival every summer."
International Destinations
Kraków, Poland (Ranked No. 2 International Emerging Summer Destination)
At first glance, to an American's eyes Kraków might seem like a make-believe royal nation. The city has historical buildings that resemble castles (some of which actually are castles), lush landscapes and tons of cobblestones. And, even though Kraków is one of the larger cities in Poland, it seems to have a fairly rural touch.
Kraków also is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines, which have existed since the thirteenth century. Like any Polish city, Kraków is also a great place to indulge in the native food, like pierogis. Plus, for escaping our interest for so long, Kraków is actually very easy to reach with a very connected airport, John Paul II International Airport (KRK) and train system.
Istanbul, Turkey (Ranked No. 4 International Emerging Summer Destination)
Bordering the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a destination like no other, combining intricate historical architecture dating back to the Ottoman Empire and waterfront views.
Here, you can intertwine immersive cultural experiences with exuberant nightlife. Istanbul also is a shopping destination that exceeds mainstream mall experiences at its Grand Bazaar, where you can practice your bartering skills and buy from local merchants.
Recently, travelers have questioned the safety of going to Istanbul in the wake of a deadly attack at Ataturk Airport (IST) in 2016. The city continues to have a reputation for crime, so we remind travelers that, if they visit, to proceed with caution.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.