British holidaymakers are embracing destinations this autumn with the likes of France, Italy, Turkey and Poland at the top of their lists.
It comes as travellers are looking to plan short-haul getaways rather than globe trotting around the world over the next three months.
This will see them take advantage of prices being 152 percent lower than in summer, according to Expedia.
Melanie Fish, a group brands spokesperson at Expedia said: “Summer sun escapes are a firm fixture on Brits’ calendars, but shoulder season should be about spontaneity if you want to save hundreds of pounds on your trip.”
So, where are the fastest-growing autumn destinations, based on the biggest increase in hotel searches?
Here are the top 10 destinations:
1. Saint-Malo, France (+280 percent)
2. Didim, Turkey (+140 percent)
3. Syracuse, Italy (+135 percent)
4. Beijing, China (120 percent)
5. Palermo, Italy (110 percent)
6. Tromso, Norway (+105 percent)
7. Brescia, Italy (+95 percent)
8. Poznan, Poland (+95 percent)
9. Tangier, Morocco (+90 percent)
10. Ischia, Italy (+85 percent)
For Brits who are looking for a quick getaway, Saint-Malo seems to be the answer. The port city in Brittany offers travellers a short flight time and a chance to experience the northwest of France.
The old town is surrounded by granite walls which gives a medieval feel to Saint-Malo and is where travellers can visit the likes of Malo Cathedral and La Demeure de Corsaire, privateers’ house and museum, and was built in the 18th century.
Flight searches have also surged for Brits looking to discover new, under-the-radar European cities this Autumn, such as Tirana (+95 percent) in Albania and Bucharest (+70 percent) in Romania.
Brits are looking to stretch their budgets further by looking outside the popular city break hotspots.
The Northern Lights, and specifically Tromso in Norway, continue to draw in crowds, with searches for the Aurora Borealis hotspot up 105 percent for autumn stays.
Whether it’s travelling for sun, sea and sand or city exploration, autumn is a perfect time for budget-minded travellers to get away.
For many destinations, it’s “shoulder season,” the sweet spot between tourist high season and seasonal low season when the weather is nice, the crowds have dispersed, and travel is more wallet-friendly.
The most popular autumn destinations have remained largely the same as last year, and based on the largest number of hotel searches.
Here are the top 10 most popular autumn destinations:
1. London
2. New York
3. Paris
4. Edinburgh
5. Amsterdam
6. Dubai
7. Manchester
8. Tenerife
9. Birmingham
10. Rome
Research has also found the best time to book your flights and get away.
Cheapest times to fly: September 22, 23 or 24
Most expensive times to fly: December 19, 20 or 21
The least busy times to fly: December 10 or 17
Busiest times to fly: October 20 and 21
Meanwhile, they have also found the best times to book a hotel this autumn.
The cheapest times to book a hotel: November 20 or December 11
The most expensive times to book a hotel: October 21 or 14
The least busiest times to stay in a hotel: December 10 or 17
Busiest times to stay in a hotel: October 23 or September 25
For the best deals, travellers should look to book their flights 14 to 20 days before travel, saving them an average of £120 compared to booking 91 days or more out or saving £60 compared to booking 60 – 90 days out.
Target September 22 – 29 for travel, when average ticket prices (ATPs) for flights are shaping up to be nearly £100 cheaper than the autumn average, and £50 cheaper than summer ATPs.
For hotel stays, target November 3 – 9, when average daily rates are £15 cheaper per night than the seasonal average and summer stays.
Fish added: “Other autumn savings tips include booking two weeks out which can save on average £120. The best flight deals are showing from September 22 – 29 and to avoid the hotel crowds, plan a break on December 10 or 17.”
