Which of the world’s many enticing vacation spots are having a moment? American Express Travel’s annual Trending Destinations list highlights the latest must-visit places, selected based on global American Express® Card Member travel bookings and expertise from Amex Travel’s global network of Travel Consultants, particularly with Millennial and Gen Z1 travelers in mind.
This year’s list features fresh destinations and a selection of hotels recently added to The Hotel Collection*, which has grown by 40% since 2023 to include more than 300 new properties and an additional 50 destinations. When Gold and Platinum Card® Members book two or more nights at these hotels through Amex Travel™, they are eligible to receive a room upgrade2 upon arrival, 12PM early check-in, and late check-out, which are all subject to availability. These benefits are in addition to a complimentary credit valued at $100 to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges3.
More good news for travelers: American Express can now be accepted more widely than ever before. In the U.S., American Express can be accepted at 99% of places that accept credit cards.4 Abroad, the number of international locations that can accept American Express has increased fourfold from 2017 to 2023.5
The capital of Queensland is starting to compete with Sydney and Melbourne on the cultural front, with modern architecture, excellent museums, vibrant dining and nightlife options. Check out the creative and culinary spectacular Night Feast, as well as the Melt Festival, a city-wide festival celebrating queer arts and culture.
Brisbane is centered between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, and the recent expansion of the riverside Queen’s Wharf area downtown offers new restaurants and public spaces to explore. Fortitude Valley, a hip inner suburb that’s home to chic bars and quirky boutiques, is also worth a visit.
Getting There: Fly Qantas into Brisbane Airport (BNE).
Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection is in the heart of Brisbane’s fashion, nightlife, and restaurant hub and is just as vibrant as its surroundings. The hotel is just minutes from the bars and restaurants of Howard Smith Wharves and the boutiques of James Street.
When you stay two or more consecutive nights, get your vacation started early with 12pm check-in, when available, and head straight to the rooftop pool to soak in the sun with panoramic city views.*
Discover the world's second-largest sand Island on a day trip from Brisbane. Learn about Quandamooka Creation Stories & spiritual knowledge, spot wildlife, and explore the island’s cultural heritage sites and natural wonders with a guide. Explore this activity at GetYourGuide.com
Distinctive culture and coastal scenery top the list of reasons to visit Brittany, where Breton signage and traditional fest noz gatherings attest to the region’s fiercely preserved Celtic heritage.
Summer offers the best weather, but September and late spring are also great times to visit. White-sand beaches give way to pink-granite cliffs across miles of seaside footpaths, like the GR34 trail. Visit the resort town of Dinard and the medieval walled city of Saint-Malo, or the larger inland cities of Rennes, boasting award-winning restaurants, and Quimper, famous for hand-painted ceramics.
Getting there: Fly Air France into Aéroport Brest Bretagne (BES).
Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel Dinard occupies a prime spot facing St. Malo in Dinard, northeastern Brittany. This elegant hotel dates back to the 19th century and is just a 10-minute walk to the beach and promenade.
Hotel Barriere Le Grand Hotel Dinard is a seasonal property.
When you stay two or more consecutive nights, get a room upgrade upon arrival, when available,2 and take in the emerald-green ocean view from the comfort of your bed.*
2Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade
Take an insightful private trip to UNESCO World Heritage Site Mont-Saint-Michel and explore the area on a comprehensive journey. Learn about its changes throughout time and visit the abbey. Explore this activity at GetYourGuide.com
This mountain-ringed gem in the Cape Winelands region is an epicurean’s delight—and the perfect add-on to a safari vacation. Many of the nearly 50 wineries, including Black-owned Klein Goederust, offer tours and tastings of the region’s signature Pinotage and Chenin Blanc varietals and more.
On the culinary front, this centuries-old settlement has made great advances in recent years with the arrival of sophisticated farm-to-table restaurants. Take a hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve to whet your appetite for that evening’s tasting menu.
Getting there: Fly Lufthansa into Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
Found at the heart of South Africa’s Winelands, Le Quartier Francais is part of the small village of Franschhoek. An hour drive from Cape Town, this Fine Hotels + Resorts property offers a chance to relax and experience adventures among the vines.
Platinum Card Members can enjoy a complimentary on-property wine tasting on your last day with guaranteed 4pm check-out.*
Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Savor the sights and flavors of South Africa on a privately guided journey. Experience Cape Town, bite-by-bite, before relaxing into the rolling hills of Franschhoek, where you can enjoy bespoke wine tastings and behind-the-scenes vineyard tours. Explore the town's culinary scene and meet local farmers before heading on to a luxury safari adventure in Sabi Sands Game Preserve.
With Platinum Destinations® Vacations, Platinum Card Members earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on eligible bookings.*
88-square-mile Koh Samui offers a dreamy combo of lush jungle, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters. While popular for its upscale tropical-paradise vibes, the island is about to become a major set-jetting destination, too.
If you want a dance party, explore the thumping clubs of Chaweng Beach. But plenty of visitors come for the peace and quiet that accompany wellness activities like yoga and Thai massages. Active travelers can enjoy waterfall hikes and water sports, while the shallow reefs and sandy bottoms of nearby Koh Tao are perfect for scuba diving.
Getting there: Fly Scoot Airlines by Singapore Airlines into Samui International Airport (USM).
Though The Historic Centre of Macau enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status and the local Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine is a must-try for foodies, the supersized casinos are the reason this densely populated peninsula, known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” boasts a number of award-winning restaurants.
Photo courtesy of Chiado, Copyright Billy Yiu
Whether flying in or taking the 90-minute car-and-ferry ride from Hong Kong, visitors can look forward to exploring amusement parks, public spaces, and big-ticket concerts.
Getting there: Fly Cathay Pacific into Hong Kong and take a ferry to Macau.
As the gateway to Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, Moab is the perfect starting point to explore the American Southwest.
Travelers come for world-class rafting, mountain biking, and canyon hiking or simply to bask in the red-rock scenery. (Intense summer heat makes spring or fall the best time to visit.) Check out Moab’s 14-vendor Food Truck Park and family-friendly dinosaur museum. The desert sunsets are legendary, and while this is not a party hub, don’t hit the hay too early, either: the stargazing is among the best in North America.
Getting there: Fly American Airlines into Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT).
ULUM Moab is a luxury outdoor retreat 25 miles south of Moab, Utah, surrounded by the area’s iconic red rocks. This safari-inspired resort overlooks Looking Glass Arch and offers a secluded stay with views that extend all the way to Canyonlands National Park.
Ulum Moab is a seasonal property, open late March to late October.
When you stay two or more consecutive nights, on top of elevated benefits like a $100 credit to use towards food, spa or activities, at this property, indulge in a complimentary Southwest-inspired breakfast for two on the terrace patio.*
Explore Arches National Park by 4x4 vehicle on a half-day tour. Glide across the iconic red landscape and gaze at natural landmarks, including the Marching Men and the 92-foot-wide Tower Arch. Explore this activity at GetYourGuide.com
This tucked-away mountain retreat in mostly rural Tochigi prefecture blends elements of Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, and recent train-service improvements have reduced the journey from Tokyo to two hours–another reason to visit Nikko.
Start in Nikko National Park, which sits in the shadow of three sacred peaks and contains a 103-building temple complex. Photogenic waterfalls and abundant hiking trails make Nikko a nature-lover’s dream, especially amid the exploding colors of fall.
Getting there: Fly Japan Airlines into Haneda Airport (HND).
Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many. The cultural scene is vibrant here, and the rocky coastline is studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves. A mere 40-minute flight from Athens—or three hours on a ferry—this windblown retreat is also easy to get to.
Travelers can also hike the thousand-year-old Byzantine Road, which is paved with the island’s famous marble. Sample some of the Aegean’s best seafood in the chic harbor town of Naoussa, where fishing boats bob within view of stylish boutiques and bustling tavernas
Getting there: Fly Delta Air Lines into Athens International Airport (ATH).
Uncover the allure of Paros at Avant Mar, situated on the shores of Piperi Beach. Centered around the pool and framed by lush vegetation, the hotel nods to traditional Cycladian homes with curved details and whitewashed surfaces.
Avant Mar is a seasonal property, open from May-September.
When you stay two or more consecutive nights, receive a $100 credit you can use towards an ancient healing treatment to balance your body, mind and soul.*
Sail the Aegean aboard Explora Journeys’ yacht-inspired ships and island-hop to picturesque Paros, where you’ll immerse yourself in the island’s quaint charm and culture. Back onboard, enjoy a rich variety of included culinary experiences, contemporary lounge spaces, luxury boutiques, and curated ocean wellness experiences. Ship's Registry: Malta.
With the Cruise Privileges Program, Platinum Card Members receive a $300 onboard credit on eligible Explora Journeys bookings, which they can use to enjoy a destination experience in Paros. Try a cooking class in a village taverna or take to the waters in a caïque, a fishing boat used locally for centuries.*
This multi-ethnic megalopolis is one of the great cultural destinations of South America and home to rich architectural heritage and some of the continent’s best museums, street art, and homegrown fashion–not to mention one of the world’s largest Pride parades.
Orient your visit around Avenida Paulista, a bustling avenue, which is closed to traffic and goes carnivalesque on Sundays. From hip Vila Madalena to glamorous Itaim Bibi, there’s a neighborhood for every mood here, and 400-acre Ibirapuera park for when you need a break from the concrete jungle. Travelers to São Paulo can also experience Formula 1® Lenovo Grande Prêmio De São Paulo in November.
Getting there: Fly LATAM Airlines into São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
Modern haven meets central city elegance at Rosewood São Paulo, a contemporary hotel surrounded by shopping, restaurants, lush parks, and tree-lined avenues. Housed in a transformed century-old property, this Fine Hotels + Resorts property preserves historical attributes while introducing the delights of modern luxury.
Platinum Card Members can use their $100 credit towards eligible charges to enjoy classic Brazilian bar snacks alongside live music at Rabo di Galo.*
Get to know the real São Paulo by deciphering its graffiti and wall art on this fascinating street art bike tour. Explore this activity at GetYourGuide.com
With fewer crowds than other Western ski resorts, Sun Valley appeals to celebs and everyday outdoor enthusiasts alike.
At 9,150-foot Bald Mountain, a recent expansion added state-of-the-art chairlifts, 91 additional acres of glade terrain, and new wildfire-prevention measures. Summer allows for trout fishing, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking. Hiking Sawtooth National Forest trails is just as good in September and October, which bring leaf-peeping and festivals. In Sun Valley Village and its neighbor, Ketchum—that’s home to more than 20 art galleries—90% of businesses are locally-owned.
Getting there: Fly United Airlines into Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN).
Stray from the beaten path and discover Sun Valley Resort, where extraordinary is a step in any direction. From thrilling winter slopes to endless hiking trails and luxurious accommodations, find your mountain escape.
When you stay two or more consecutive nights, receive late check-out, when available, and extend your adventure in the mountains. Spend another winter day on the slopes or explore the hiking trails in the summer.*
Bright, sunny days with comfortable temperatures meet wide-open groomed runs, breathtaking scenery, and a low-key atmosphere in Sun Valley. By day, ski some of North America’s best fall line terrain off Mt. Baldy and by night, treat yourself to a romantic sleigh ride between Dollar and Proctor mountains.
With Platinum Destinations® Vacations, Platinum Card Members earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on eligible bookings.*
Receive a room upgrade upon arrival, when available2
Enjoy a complimentary credit valued at $100 to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges during your stay.3
Start your vacation sooner with 12pm check-in, when available.
Keep your vacation going with late check-out, when available.
Start your vacation sooner with 12pm check-in, when available.
Receive a room upgrade upon arrival, when available.2
Wake up to daily breakfast for two, on the house.
Enjoy a complimentary credit valued at $100 to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges during your stay.3
Stay connected during your stay with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Keep your vacation going with guaranteed 4pm check-out.
*
As a Platinum Card® Member, you get access to lower fares for select tickets with participating airlines on designated international flights booked through American Express Travel. Savings is available for up to 8 passengers and the eligible Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary. These savings are reduced fares as compared with fares otherwise available to non-Platinum Card and Centurion Members through Amex Travel.
