American travellers are setting their sights on Europe for 2025, with Greece, France, and Croatia leading the list of dream destinations.
Credit : Aleksandr Ryzhov, Shutterstock
So, what’s the hottest European destination for Americans right now? Here’s a hint: it isn’t Paris, and you won’t find them queueing outside the Colosseum for a selfie with a gladiator.
Nope, 2025 is the year American travellers decided to zig where they used to zag. Maybe it’s the TikTok travel influencers, maybe it’s too many hours on Netflix, or maybe—after all those years of “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium”—people are craving something a bit less obvious.
Greece travel boom: Why it’s no longer just for honeymooners
Let’s start with the wild card: Greece. Once upon a time, Americans would stick a pin in Mykonos or Santorini, spend three days melting under the blue-domed churches, then fly home with a suitcase full of olive oil. Not anymore.
This year, Greece is topping the “must go” list for US travellers—searches have jumped a ridiculous 350 per cent. If you’re picturing sunburnt tourists piling onto cruise boats, think again. What’s really happening? Americans are sniffing out the quieter spots—Crete’s sleepy fishing towns, the untouristy side of Paros, wild corners of the Peloponnese. Some say it’s the endless blue, others the “it’s five o’clock somewhere” spirit, but mostly, people want somewhere to just…breathe.
Ask a returning traveller and they’ll tell you: “We spent a week in a stone cottage with three tavernas and two goats for neighbours. I barely wore shoes. I think I might be Greek now.”
Croatia, Portugal and Beyond: The new old world
But it’s not just Greece on the rise. Croatia is up 83 per cent in searches. There’s something about the Croatian coastline—jagged, wild, dotted with medieval towns and beaches that actually live up to the hype. It’s like Americans have finally heard the secret Europeans have been whispering about for years: skip the crowds, grab a ferry, and try the local wine.
Portugal’s up 25 per cent too, and it’s not only about Lisbon’s pastel tiles. The Algarve, Porto, even inland towns are popping up on more American itineraries. There’s a real hunger for somewhere smaller, friendlier, maybe just a touch off the tourist grid.
France and Italy, those eternal classics, are still high on the booking charts (France takes the crown for actual stays, with 32 per cent of bookings). But the big shift is what people do when they get there. Forget bucket lists—Normandy and Dordogne are suddenly booming. Why? Because after years of “Paris in two days”, Americans are ready for long lunches, market days, and rambling through fields that aren’t full of other tourists.
Slow travel trend: Why escaping the rush is the ultimate luxury
It’s funny: just a few years ago, the trend was to rack up as many countries as possible—“I did eight countries in ten days!” was practically a badge of honour. Now? It’s all about the “slow holiday”.
Ask Oliver Bell of Oliver’s Travels, and he’ll say it’s about privacy, authenticity, and living like a local. Americans want space to cook, a garden to read in, and maybe a grumpy village baker who doesn’t speak English. It’s the little things: morning coffee overlooking olive groves, a neighbour dropping off eggs, finding the best picnic spot by accident.
Tuscany, Provence, Puglia, the Loire—all those postcard-perfect regions—are seeing longer stays and bigger groups. And if you’re wondering why Normandy’s up 600 per cent in search popularity, or Dordogne’s up 250%, it’s not just the cheese. Americans are discovering the joy of renting a cottage, buying too much bread, and pretending—just for a week—they’re French.
American holiday bookings: Where are they actually jetting off to?
Dreaming is one thing; putting your money down is another. France is still top for bookings, but Italy, Spain, and yes—the UK!—are close behind. (Maybe those Cornish pasties and Cotswolds walks are more appealing than we thought.)
The real takeaway? Whether they end up in a Greek village, a Croatian harbour, or a French farmhouse, American travellers are done chasing landmarks. They’re after moments: a market stall discovery, a swim at dusk, the world’s slowest lunch.
Travel Trends 2025: American wanderlust is getting more sophisticated
So, next time you spot a lost-looking American in a sleepy Dordogne village, don’t be surprised. Odds are, they’re not lost—they’re exactly where they meant to be. Maybe they’ll stay longer than planned. Maybe, like so many before them, they’ll start dreaming of moving here for good.
One thing’s for sure: the new American invasion is more about finding joy in the everyday, whether it’s a villa garden in France or a sun-bleached stoop in Greece. Maybe they’re on to something.
Where’s your dream slow holiday? The map’s wide open—just follow your nose, and don’t forget the wine.
Stay tuned with viraltrendingcontent for more news about Travel
