Although it’s hardly any secret that Americans love international travel (and what not to love isn’t it?) New data from AAA shows exactly which destinations abroad will be most popular next year.

The ever-popular city of Rome, Italy tops the list of international travel bookings for the next 18 months, AAA said.

Additional popular destinations in the top 10 over the next 18 months include, in order, Cancun, Mexico; London, England; Dublin, Ireland; Paris, France; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Munich, Germany and Barcelona, Spain.

New AAA data also shows that a quarter of Americans plan to take an international vacation within the next 18 months. In addition, most travelers will hit the road in search of a unique experience, confirming a trend that has been growing for several years.

“More and more travelers are looking for experiential travel opportunities and looking for ways to interact closely with their destination, whether at home or abroad,” Paula Twidale, Vice President, AAA Travel, said in a statement. “There are many ways to do this, especially with great American travel remaining a favorite vacation option and for many, AAA has found that road trips are becoming increasingly attractive to American travelers while abroad.”

AAA surveys have found that 80 percent of Americans have taken at least one vacation outside the United States, and two in five of them, or nearly 77 million adults, have rented or used a personal car while doing so.

In support of this finding, AAA reports a 33 percent increase in the number of international driver’s licenses (IDPs) sold in the last five years (through 2018).

International driving leave comes with additional planning considerations and documents for which travelers should be prepared, AAA suggested.

It is also important to note that while more than 150 countries accept IDPs, many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver’s license without an accompanying IDP. It’s illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most places, AAA said.

IDP is a legal document that translates U.S. driver’s license information into 10 foreign languages, and AAA is one of two organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.

“Travelers can easily apply for an international driving permit with the app available online or in person at AAA, whether they are a member or not,” Twidale continued. “A nominal fee of $ 20 is a small price to pay for peace of mind while traveling abroad.”

AAA also noted in its release that while millions of Americans plan to travel internationally this year and next, those who will not be deterred in many cases by the expense.

The new release of data from AAA also touched on the potential impact of Brexit on travellers.

With the United Kingdom being AAA’s third most popular international tourist destination, it is not clear whether or how tourism in the region will be affected. However, unless a deal is struck between the UK and EU governments, travellers could experience delays at the border when crossing between the UK and other leading destinations in Europe, AAA said.

“In addition, if travelers encounter any political protests or demonstrations, the U.S. Department of State cautions travelers to avoid these areas if possible and to be cautious in the vicinity of demonstrations,” AAA said.

Travellers should continue to follow advice matters in the UK and seek the expertise of a knowledgeable travel agent.

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