Where do Americans travel most outside the states? That was the question asked when compiling Budget Travel s Top 10 Most Visited Cities by U.S. Travelers. Paris? Definitely, no doubt. Florence? Maybe what about Bermuda? Thanks to the travel experts at Expedia and their analysis of U.S. hotel bookings and flights abroad, we now know the answers. And to go along with our Top 10 Most Visited list, we ve created a mini-guide for each city with the three must-see, must-do attractions for both new arrivals and return visitors. Can you guess all 10 top cities? Some of the answers may surprise you.
The Bahamas attracts millions of U.S. visitors to its busy capital ever year with picture-postcard promises of beautiful beaches and lazy seaside resorts. The reality a busy capital filled with cruise ship day-trippers and beaches that are sometimes less than pristine is a bit different, but the city still has its historic charms and the real paradise is just a boat ride away.
Beaches of Andros Island Sadly, the beaches in Nassau leave much to be desired, with the exception of Saunders Beach and Cable Beach to the west. Going further west, off the island and out to sea, a fast ferry ride to Andros Island (around three hours) will deliver you to the castaway beaches you were promised when you booked your trip.
Queen s Staircase cruises royal carribean review Fort Fincastle Built by freed slaves in honor of Queen Victoria for emancipating the islands, the 65 limestone cruises royal carribean review steps off an alley in downtown Nassau are a journey back to the 18th-century cruises royal carribean review Bahamas, rising to Fort Fincastle, a defense fort for the British Royal Navy during the Caribbean s pirate days.
Fishing on the Bahamas The Bahamas is big fish country, with blue marlin, wahoo, billfish, and tuna all offshore and waiting for a lure. Renting your own charter boat for fishing is a bit pricey, but you can jump onto a group trip with other anglers through local companies like Born Free Fishing.
Graycliff Manor The famous Graycliff Manor is a bit formal (jackets required for the gents). But for a taste of the Bahamas high life, it s an enchanting setting to enjoy an evening cocktail cruises royal carribean review or glass of wine on the terrace of the 18th-century plantation house and watch the sun set over the Caribbean sea.
Atlantis Resort Okay, so you skipped it last time, but if you have the cash ($100 for a non-guest day pass), head across the Nassau causeway to the ridiculous mermaid castle/casino/resort that occupies Paradise Island. Atlantis is a must-see for the sprawling extravagance of the beachfront megaplex, with many secret beaches for relaxing in the sun.
The secret is out on Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Already a popular beach destination for Europeans, the beach town is now on the American holiday radar as an inexpensive paradise within flight-hopping distance (it s just a two-hour flight from Miami).
Bavaro Beach It s the busiest beach in Punta Cana, crowded on the weekends with resort guests and lively with restaurants and shopping plazas cruises royal carribean review along the shore. But it s also one of the prettiest a white-sand beach of crystal-clear water and offshore coral reefs that stretches for six miles, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to claim your own private spot in the sun.
Santa Domingo The historic capital is a must-do day trip for any first-time visitor to the Dominican Republic. As evidenced by the numerous statues of Ponce de Leon and Christopher Columbus, the city takes its history seriously and many of the Spanish colonial buildings date back to the discovery of America, in 1492, when Columbus made landfall on Hispaniola cruises royal carribean review (the island shared by Dominican Republic and Haiti).
Indigenous Eyes Park Just inland from the beaches in Punta Cana is this jungle park of beautiful cruises royal carribean review waterfalls and lagoons for swimming. It s a private nature reserve run by Punta Cana Resort Club (non-guests can buy a pass, for $65, to spend the day hiking and swimming in the lagoons, which are also known as indigenous eyes ).
Surfing cruises royal carribean review on Macao Beach The sea may be rougher at Macao Beach, a stretch of golden sand shaded by palm trees to the north, but it s a much calmer and quieter beach than Bavaro. It s better for surfing, too; you can rent gear and take lessons at Macao Surf Camp (two-hour lessons cruises royal carribean review from $60 per person) and afterward reward yourself with fresh grilled fish, fried plantains, and cold El Presidente beer at one of the local beach shacks on the sand.
Canyoning in Cordillera cruises royal carribean review Septentrional Adventurous travelers should head into the Cordillera Septentrional mountains for a chance to rappel down waterfalls into the gorgeous river canyons. (Tour outfitter Iguana Mama runs trips from $195 per person.)
Barcelona beats Madrid for the top city in Spain visited by U.S. travelers, especially 20-somethings on holiday in Europe. It s an arty, youthful city on the sea with a labyrinth cruises royal carribean review of narrow streets and gorgeous plazas, branded by fairy-tale architecture from the quirky godfather of modern Catalonian architecture, Antoni Gaudi.
Las Ramblas This wide boulevard slopes through Barcelona from Plaça de Catalunya in the city center all the way to Port Veil on the shore. The tree-shaded sidewalks are lined with shops, cafés, and souvenir kiosks; in the center of the road, street performers entertain the daily parade of tourists.
Barceloneta The seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta is a perfect spot for an afternoon of wandering the quaint channel streets with a view of the ocean through gaps between tenements. Once you find your way to the beach, sit down and enjoy a glass of vino and tapas at Bar Electricitat in the market square.
Parc Güell Set on the outskirts of the city, Barcelona s version of Central Park is a storybook cruises royal carribean review land of strange stone pavilions designed by Gaudi among the green hills and trees. The park trails meander through the 37 wooded acres with mythical mosaic sculptures and curved terraces that look out over the city.
El Born This lovely neighborhood of narrow labyrinthine cruises royal carribean review streets is a great spot to hang out with the locals, shop for vintage fashions, and taste the best of Catalonian cuisine at cubby-hole cafés and bars such as Casa Delfin.
Sagrada Familia Love it or hate it, there s no escaping cruises royal carribean review the sight of Gaudi s gargantuan drip-castle cathedral wherever you are in Barcelona. cruises royal carribean review So if you skipped a visit the first time, it s worth a trip to the neighborhood of Exiample for a view of Sagrada Familia up close. cruises royal carribean review It s a playful and profound structure that blends the whimsical curvature of Art Nouveau with the dark angularity of Gothic architecture.
Barri Gotic This historic neighborhood of Gothic monuments reminds visitors of Barcelona s medieval past, before Gaudi put his stamp of eccentric modernity on the city. The wide plazas provide impromptu venues for Dark Ages-themed cruises royal carribean review street performers.
The all-inclusive cruises royal carribean review resorts on Montego Bay (and a chance to experience Rastafarian culture) cruises royal carribean review make Jamaica one of the top Caribbean destinations for U.S. travelers. Liming (otherwise known as relaxing) cruises royal carribean review on the beach is the order of the day and many vacationers don t venture far from their umbrella-shaded lounger. But if you do, there s plenty cruises royal carribean review to explore cruises royal carribean review on this Caribbean cruises royal carribean review island.
Liming on Doctor s Cave Beach and Seven Mile Beach Doctor s Cave Beach is the most popular beach in Montego Bay and chances are your hotel will be within flip-flop distance. If you have wheels, Jamaica s most famous stretch of sand, Seven Mile Beach, is a short drive away in Negril. On either beach, cruises royal carribean review be sure to look out for the famous jerk stands and kick back Jamaica-style with spicy grilled chicken and the national beer, Red Stripe.
Montego Bay Marine Park The coral reef from Tropical Beach to Rum Bottle Bay is an underwater nature reserve that s shelter to a wide array of exotic fish and sea anemones and great snorkeling territory cruises royal carribean review for visitors. Watch out for the Lion Fish, cute but poisonous!
Dunn River Falls Nearby in Ocho Rios, a short adventure into the rain forest will bring you to Dunn River Falls, a 180-foot cruises royal carribean review waterfall that you can climb down, passing from lagoon to lagoon cruises royal carribean review as the river rambles downstream.
Rose Hall Great House One of the oldest plantation estates on the island, the 18th-century Georgian mansion cruises royal carribean review on the hill is a glimpse at the colonial past of Jamaica when it was a British stronghold for the export of sugar cane. Beware: The house is said to be haunted cruises royal carribean review by the ghost of Annie Palmer, a voodoo practitioner and wife of the plantation owner, who was murdered in her sleep during the slave uprising of 1830. If you re feeling brave, book the night tour ($30 per person for a two-hour tour).
Blue and John Crow Mountain National Park A hike through the forests of this misty mountain park will introduce you to the oldest inhabitants of Jamaica its species of exotic cruises royal carribean review birds, monkeys, lizards, and the rare Giant Swallowtail Butterfly.
A modern city risen among the ruins of the greatest empire in history, Rome is No. 6 on our list as Italy s most popular destination for U.S. travelers. From the stone amphitheater of the Colosseum cruises royal carribean review to the Roman Forum, where Caesar once spoke, and the immaculate Vatican cruises royal carribean review City, Rome is a living monument to the ancient history of Europe.
Ancient Highlights: the Colosseum, the Forum, and the Pantheon Follow cruises royal carribean review the shouts of the tour guides and trinket hawkers to the ruins of the Colosseum, where the spectators cruises royal carribean review of ancient Rome cheered on gladiator death matches and lion fights from the stands. The historic steps of the Roman Forum and the House of Nero just around the corner, cruises royal carribean review and the massive temple dome to the pagan gods, the Pantheon, is a short walk west with many lesser ruins along the way.
Vatican City One of the most beautiful plazas in Rome leads to St. Peter s Basilica and the entrance to Vatican City. Of course, we sinners aren t allowed inside the Holy See, but the soaring marble interior cruises royal carribean review of St. Peter s Basilica is a marvel worth its copper and no stop to Rome would be complete without a gander inside the
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