Americans Set Their Sights on Europe for Winter Holidays

As the winter holiday season approaches, an increasing number of Americans are setting their sights on visiting 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 as many Americans are visiting Europe this Winter

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. 

“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.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.