As the winter
holiday season approaches, an increasing number of Americans are setting their
sights on Europe
for a festive getaway this year, with Allianz
Partners reporting a surge in trips planned to top European cities.
According to the
leading travel insurance and assistance company’s 2024 European Holiday
Destination Index, which analyzed over 940,000 travel itineraries across the
peak holiday travel period, Europe is poised to be a leading destination for
U.S. travelers between November 27, 2024, and January 5, 2025.
London
retains its position as the most popular European city for American travelers
this holiday season. The city’s festive traditions and iconic landmarks make it
a perennial favorite. Coming in behind the British capital are Paris, Madrid
and Rome, all of which held steady in their spot among the top four most
popular destinations.
Northern European
cities will also see a wave of U.S. visitors this winter, with Dublin rising
two spots since last year to claim a place among the top five European
destinations. With its own special brand of off-season charm, Amsterdam also
remains a popular choice among Americans.
Meanwhile,
Helsinki makes its debut among the top 20, jumping five points since this time
last year, likely due to its reputation as a wintery wonderland that’s home to reindeer
and the Northern Lights, which are expected to put on an exceptionally
astounding show in 2024 and 2025.
Over in Germany,
both Frankfurt and Munich, which rose two rankings, are attracting American
travelers with their famed Christmas markets and festive events, bringing in
visitors eager for an authentic Bavarian holiday experience. Other Continental
cities seeing increased interest include Brussels, which is up two points, and
Venice, which rose by three.
Top 2024 European holiday destinations, according to Allianz Partners' European Holiday Destination Index. (Photo Credit: Allianz Partners USA)
“There’s something
truly special about traveling to Europe for the winter holidays, from
experiencing the holiday markets to indulging in local culture and traditions,”
said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners
USA. “Getting in the holiday spirit includes making sure you’re planning ahead
and protecting your highly anticipated plans with travel insurance. In case
your European holiday hits a snag, travel insurance can protect against
unexpected, covered events, from lost baggage during peak travel times to
weather-related travel delays and medical emergencies abroad.”
With the holiday
season bringing a wave of gift-giving, a thoughtful and unique idea for the
frequent travelers on your list is an Allianz Annual Travel Insurance Policy.
This practical present provides security and peace of mind for an entire year’s
worth of travels, from big bucket-list trips abroad to shorter domestic getaways
and spur-of-the-moment road trips.
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