When travelers think of “bucket list” places they want to visit, cities such as Paris, London, Sydney and Tokyo might leap to mind.
And while all those destinations are worth your time, there are plenty of overlooked cities in the world that also deserve your consideration.
Recently, American Express Travel decided to shine a light on these hidden gems. It looked at American Express card member travel bookings and asked for insights from the company’s team of 6,000 travel consultants to uncover great places to visit beyond the usual suspects.
It then compiled this bunch of cities for its annual Trending Destinations list and issued its “2024 Trending Destinations: Off the Beaten Path” report.
Here are the “can’t miss” cities American Express believes will appeal to travel lovers, especially millennials and members of Generation Z.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is an art lover’s dream destination. Each year, the city celebrates in its art markets, which include the Santa Fe Indian Market, the International Folk Art Market and Traditional Spanish Market.
You will also find plenty of bike trails in and around the city and historic sites that include Native American ruins and the nation’s oldest church.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
San Miguel de Allende has become a destination for many snowbirds from the United States. Expatriates make up about 10% of the local population.
The city is known for its beauty and charm. Local laws mandate that structures retain their original appearance, so many visitors feel like they have stepped back in time. Temperatures also are pleasant year-round in the High Sierra region.
St. Kitts and Nevis
History buffs who travel to the dual island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis will enjoy Brimstone Hill Fortress, one of the best-preserved forts in the Americas. If you love golf, don’t miss Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and its jaw-dropping views.
And of course, no trip to the Caribbean is complete without time on the beach. Don’t miss Oualie Beach, Pinney’s Beach and Cockleshell Bay.
Beyond North America
Here are the destinations outside of North America that made the American Express Travel list:
- Adelaide Hills, Australia
- Porto Cervo, Italy
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Bodrum, Turkey
- Udaipur, India
- Niseko, Japan
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