To help you get out of the office, we came up with six destinations that should be on your “to visit” shortlist. Best part is, because our data shows the most popular time to plan travel is during the workday (and more specifically, on your lunch break), you can plan these trips in the time it takes to finish your tuna salad sandwich.
Plan a long weekend to a domestic getaway or exercise your vacation days and book an international escape. Worried about your boss catching you on KAYAK? We developed a new version of our desktop site to help you plan travel at work without getting caught (or just look super productive).
International Escapes
- Reykjavik, Iceland: With its Northern Lights, friendly locals and volcanic spas, Iceland’s capital is trending all year. Take a stroll through the old city and visit Iceland’s national museum. Relax in a geothermal pool or get dirty with a dip in the Blue Lagoon. While the city is a popular destination during the summer, plan your getaway in September when median airfare starts to dip.
- Lisbon, Portugal: With equal parts glamour and grit, take in Lisbon’s fantastic displays of street art, indulge in traditional pastries at Pasteis de Belem and walk the palace ruins of Sao Jorge Castle. If per diem costs are your main concern, July has the lowest median hotel rate for summer at $116/night.
- Cartagena, Colombia: Cartagena’s walled city is home to posh restaurants like Mila Vargas and Carmen, sunset views at Cafe del Mar, and art at NH Galeria. Do yourself a favor and book a chiva (party bus) to get a taste of the city, its nightlife and Colombia’s “official” liquor: aguardiente. Plus, Cartagena is one of the most affordable international destinations to get to. Go in May when airfare is lowest, around $399, and just before summer’s heat is at its peak.
Domestic Getaways
- Fort Lauderdale: The beach is always better, right? Fort Lauderdale continues to draw attention from travelers with affordable flights, new museums and plenty of sunshine. Grab your scuba gear and explore the newly sunk Lady Luck, a decommissioned tanker and public art exhibition. Traveling in May will afford you some of the lowest airfare and hotel rates.
- Las Vegas: Everything you’ll need for a Vegas weekend is on the Strip. Take in a show, roll the dice and dine in state-of-the-art restaurants. For those looking for a break from the neon lights, take a day trip to the Valley of Fire State Park. Keep per diem costs in mind and try to stay in May when hotel rates are low, at around $155/night.
- Chicago: The Windy City has more to offer travelers than deep dish pizza and craft beer. With state of the art theaters, plenty of public art and baseball’s reigning champs, there’s a lot to take in. Booking a flight in May or June is a better bet than July and August, when airfare and hotel rates rise.
So, put on your auto-reply and take a break from your day-to-day. Need tips on how to plan your travel while at work? We’ve got you covered.
