Athens Among Top Autumn Travel Destinations for North Americans

Athens is included among the premier autumn destinations for North American travelers, according to booking data by the American Automobile Association (AAA).

According to Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, AAA booking numbers show more people are flying this season both in U.S and internationally, and many travelers are taking fall cruises to enjoy the foliage in Alaska and New England.

“This time of year, is known as shoulder season in travel which means mild weather, fewer crowds, and better prices,” said Stacey Barber.

The Greek capital ranked sixth among the top ten autumn destinations followed by Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice, and Lisbon.

Rome leads the list of destinations for North American travelers now that in many parts of the U.S., temperatures are dipping, creating the perfect conditions for a picturesque fall getaway.

According to AAA booking data, the two travel categories seeing increased demand compared to last year are flights and cruises. Domestic flight bookings are up 1 percent and international flight bookings are up 3 percent.

Meanwhile, domestic cruise bookings are up a whopping 19 percent over last fall, and international cruise bookings are up 6 percent. The average cost to cruise from domestic cities is similar to last fall, 2,355 dollars, while the average cost of international cruises is up 1 percent to 3,560 dollars.