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Panicking because summer is in full swing, and you never found time to solidify vacation plans? Or maybe, like a rising number of travelers, you prefer to be spontaneous. According to the 2024 Global Travel Trends Report from American Express, there’s been a rise in last-minute getaways that “open the door to a sense of discovery,” with 65 percent of Gen Xers reporting having booked a spontaneous trip.
Whatever the case, there’s no need to resign yourself to a staycation. While last-minute flight deals are not as great as they used to be, you may still be able to score a bargain on accommodations, says Trish Smith, owner of Trish’s Timeless Travels in Kansas City, MO. More importantly, last-minute travel affords you a terrific opportunity to discover off-the-beaten-path spots where you can lose the crowds and have a more personal, intimate experience.
We asked professional travel agents with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) for their top last-minute locales to visit this summer, both abroad and stateside, and here’s what they came back with:
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This resort town is one of Smith's go-to destinations for last-minute travelers. It’s easy to get to from anywhere in the U.S. and offers an array of activities: beach lounging, an active nightlife, ziplining and even a zoo where you can feed the animals. Plus, you get a small-town feel with ocean and mountain (the majestic Sierra Madre) views.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Another easy-to-get-to location with several airport options, Albuquerque offers plenty of arts and culture, including art galleries and a breathtaking botanical garden. Smith highly recommends the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Resort for its unique architecture (clay pot fireplaces) and amazing spa. The hotel is also a historic site, and tours mention the movie Oppenheimer, which took place nearby.
Curaçao
When a client came to Stephanee Hughson, owner of Plans in Paradise in Wisconsin, convinced it was too late for a spring break getaway, Hughson knew exactly where to send her: Curaçao. This Dutch Caribbean gem, part of the ABC islands, is outside the hurricane belt and doesn’t have the crowds you’ll find at other tropical locales, so you can explore its 20-plus white sand beaches at your leisure. In addition to snorkeling, swimming and other water fun, Hughson says the island is also great for history buffs because the town of Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also, there’s usually a music festival of some kind going on, plenty of vibrant, Amsterdam-like architecture, and yes, this is the country of origin of the famous liqueur of the same name, if you want a factory tour.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
It’s hard to beat Maine in the summer — that laid-back, New England charm makes for the perfect peaceful getaway. This resort town outside Portland is no exception. With seven miles of lighthouse-dotted coastline for swimming, strolling or paddleboarding, it’s a great spot to commune with nature, play a round of golf or just enjoy the ocean air. No wonder people love retiring here, says Hughson.
Monterey County, California
This coastal region 85 miles south of bustling San Francisco has a lot going for it: amazing beaches and hiking, great food and vineyards galore. “Summertime is the best time to go, weather-wise,” says Greg Szekeres, owner of Hyperluxe Travel in Dallas, TX. Monterey is home to one of the top aquariums, a National Marine Sanctuary and a notable art museum. Visitors can also enjoy amazing food and culture at Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf at the height of the festival season, adds Szekeres. If accessibility is an issue, a 17-mile drive to Pebble Beach allows you to take in breathtaking ocean scenery, lighthouses and gorgeous vistas all from your car.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Any one of the 15 barrier islands off this southern state’s Atlantic coast make a great, peaceful getaway, though the four that can be accessed by car — Jekyll, St. Simons, Sea and Tybee islands — tend to draw more visitors. Cumberland Island, reachable by ferry, has three miles of private beach and was the site of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s wedding to Carolyn Kennedy. “It’s a nice place to sneak away,” says Cynthia Connelly-Paxton, CTA, owner of the Travel Advisor Team in Baton Rouge, LA. Enjoy a bicycle tour of quaint cottages, croquet and unspoiled wilderness that includes a major sea turtle nesting area.
Maui, Hawaii
The Big Island is still recovering from last year’s wildfires, so now is a great time to get good deals and support the local economy, says Denise Ambrusko-Maida, owner of Travel Brilliant in upstate New York. “Locals are excited to share this beautiful destination again,” she says, meaning visitors benefit from smaller tour groups, more time to interact with the island and receive more personal service.
Lisbon, Portugal
A European vacation hardly seems like something you can easily pull off last minute, but the capital city of Portugal has very good flights and a stopover program, according to Shelby Frenette, owner of Boca Raton, FL-based TravelFun.biz. From there, it’s a half hour to Sintra, a town with old-world charm and stunning architecture that’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Just a photo of Pena Palace will blow your mind,” says Frenette. Portugal is also a surprisingly affordable option — $2 coffee, $4 sangrias — and has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
Lake Como, Italy
If you’ve been dreaming of Italy but cringe thinking of tourists flocking to Rome, Florence and Tuscany, this is the destination for you, says Jo Wattle, owner of Travel with Jo in Eureka, CA. Lake Como has an idyllic small-town charm, a moderate climate (usually in the mid-70s) and is a short jaunt from Milan, Turin and the canals of Venice. You can get your fill of local wine, pasta and tiramisu, then work it off with a self-guided e-bike tour (via earbuds) around the lake. Wattle recommends Hotel Promessi Sposi, a small boutique hotel with an eye for environmental friendliness.
Anyone take a trip this summer? Where did you go? Let us know in the comments below.
