Not Spain or Italy: This Is the Most Desired Holiday Destination in the World
When deciding on a perfect holiday getaway, many people have Italy, Spain or Croatia at the top of their lists. However, there is another country that could be the most desirable destination.
Beaches, cities, culture, food - there are many factors that influence how desirable a holiday destination is. For some, culture and city architecture are paramount, while for others, the landscape is the deciding factor. The British travel magazine "Condé Nast Traveller" considered these criteria and recently crowned the most popular travel destination, where there is something for everyone.
France, a country similar in size to Texas, boasts culture, excellent food, and beautiful scenery, from beaches, forests, lakes, islands, hills to mountains. According to the Condé Nast Traveller article, the ideal holiday destination is France.
Often when people think of France, the only location on people's minds is Paris, although it doesn't have everything that you would want for a complete holiday (unless you only want a city break). From the romantic streets of Paris to the charming coastal towns in Normandy, the country is incredibly versatile and offers a huge selection of fantastic destinations for a vacation.
Moreover, France is on track to become one of the most visited countries in the world. According to "Global Data", France is expected to welcome over 93 million guests by 2025! The 2024 Summer Olympic Games will certainly provide a large number of this, and could also inspire people to visit the country in the months and years following the games.
Travelers from overseas could be forgiven for solely focusing on the French capital and not visiting other regions. Paris is the stereotypically French location that people visit in films and series (Amélie and Emily in Paris). This trend is changing though, according to the tourism agency "Atout France", visitors from the USA are increasingly willing to spend some of their holiday away from the capital. Regions such as Bordeaux, Alsace, Burgundy, and the Loire Valley are among the favorites.
The main appeal of France is its diversity. With the Atlantic Ocean on the western side and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, you would struggle to find better beaches. If you want fascinating culture and architecture, then there are plenty of traditional cities to visit. For those looking for more nature, then the lakes, rivers, and mountains of any of the 7 mountain ranges will appeal. France boasts excellent road and train networks, making travel within the country straightforward, and even further afield if you want to visit neighboring Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland.