Gothenburg, Olbia and Heraklion emerge as the top trending short-haul beach and city break destinations, with searches increasing over 100% year-on-year.

Fukuoka, Nagoya and Rio de Janeiro top the trending list for long-haul destinations, as Brits chase coastal getaways and Spring blossoms.

Barcelona, Rome and Dubai are among the most popular destinations, with searches up of over 30% year-on-year.

Brits are heading on more long-haul destinations this spring, with Fukuoka, Nagoya, Rio de Janeiro and Maui leading the trending destinations list, known for their spring blossoms and lush landscapes, according to the Expedia^® Spring Travel Outlook.

The Expedia Spring Travel Outlook released today shows that Gothenburg tops the chart as the most trending destination with searches up 410%[1] year-on-year. This is followed by Fukuoka at 175% and Olbia at 155%, two coastal destinations known for their beautiful waterfronts, vibrant food scene, and rich history. 

Alternative Destinations for Spring Blooms

While Japan remains a top choice for blossom season, Brits are exploring closer alternatives. Aix-en-Provence, famous for its lavender fields, has seen a 105% rise in hotel searches, while Amsterdam’s tulip fields continue to be popular with a 10%[2] yearly increase. Vienna and Brussels, both up 45%, are also trending. Just outside Vienna, Wachau Valley offers stunning apricot blossoms, while Brussels’ nearby Hallerbos features breathtaking bluebell forests.

The Great Spring Escape

Brits are maximising time off this Spring by booking the days off between Easter and the first May Bank Holiday, to enjoy a two-week getaway. April and May offer quieter beach escapes, with Heraklion, Cape Verde, and Egypt being this year’s top picks. Long-haul destinations are trending with Da Nang surging at 100%, followed by Krabi at 95% and Mauritius, which is up 75%.

Staycations also appear to be rising, with Brits seeking alternative cities, towns and villages, with Norwich topping the UK trending destinations list with an increase of 95%[3]. Lincoln is up next at 90% while Cumbria and Newquay both had an increase of 85%, offering a blend of rich history, striking landmarks, and scenic landscapes.

Whether British travellers are looking to wander amongst the fragrant Spring Blossoms of Japan, go surfing in Maui or plan a city break to Tallinn or Basel, Expedia shares the top tips and insights for planning the perfect Spring getaway. 

Destination Insights

• Tokyo is one of the most popular destinations, seeing a surge of hotel searches of 85%. Other trending destinations in Japan include Fukuoka, with an increase of 175%, followed by Nagoya at 150%, and Okinawa at 140%.
• Long-haul coastal destinations are also on the rise. Known for its stunning beaches and iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro is up 145%. Maui has also seen a rise of 135%, famous for its lush national parks, volcano and world-class surfing.

• London, Paris and New York remain the most popular destinations in Spring, with new hotel openings coming up, including Montcalm Mayfair in London, the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria in New York and Le Jardin De Verre by Locke in Paris.
• Short-haul getaways are soaring, with Gothenburg leading the way at 410%. Olbia, featuring sweeping sea views and stunning beaches, is up 155%, while Basel also saw a 125% increase, thanks to its impressive architecture and historic old town. Tallinn, another notable addition, has seen a 125% year-on-year rise, drawing visitors with its medieval charm and vibrant atmosphere.

• Other popular short-haul destinations include Barcelona, seeing an increase of 30%, followed by Rome at 30% and Tenerife at 15%.

Best Dates to Fly This Spring[4]

• The end of May is the cheapest time to fly this Spring, while the beginning of April between 3-5 is proving most expensive.
• The least busy days to travel are 29 April, followed by 13 and 20 May. The busiest time comes only a few days later, on 24 May, along with 28 and 29 March.

Best Dates to Stay This Spring[5]

• 10 and 18 March are the cheapest days to stay this Spring, while 9 April and 24 May are the most expensive.
• Tuesdays are generally the best days to book your stay if you want to avoid the crowds, with 13 May and 29 April being the quietest, followed by 27 April.

“Brits are swapping short spring breaks for long haul holidays, thanks to the favourable Bank Holiday schedule,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group brands public relations.

“Easter and the May public holidays are close together, meaning fewer days of annual leave are needed to enjoy a long-haul getaway. Fukuoka and Nagoya in Japan are topping the trending list for Brits, along with Hawaii and Rio de Janeiro. For those looking to save, skip the peak dates and travel at the end of May, or save hundreds of pounds by bundling your flights and hotel on Expedia, especially when heading to beach destinations like Tenerife and Heraklion.” 

Spring Travel Tips

• Save with flight alerts: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop. 
• Book on a Sunday: According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report, booking your flight on a Sunday can save you up to 22% of the airfare cost, compared to booking on a Friday.
• Reserve a hotel with flexible policies: Use Expedia’s search filters to look for properties offering “free cancellation” or “reserve now, pay later,” and opt for the refundable room.  
• Bundling: With flights, car hire, hotels and activities, Expedia offers customisable holiday packages in one place, allowing travellers to save hundreds of pounds on average when booking multiple items on Expedia. Travellers then also have their itinerary all in one place, making it easier to keep track of their journey. 
• VIP Access: Become a One Key member and enjoy a variety of benefits by selecting a VIP Access property available worldwide.
• Annual Holiday Event: Save 25% or more on your hotel by bundling your flight and hotel together. Book by 31 Mar and travel by 8 Sep 2025*.

ENDS

Note to Editors

[1] Trending destinations list is based on lodging data from Expedia.co.uk made for searches between November 11, 2024, and February 9, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year, for travel between March 2, 2025, and 4 June 4, 2025.

[2] Popular destinations list is based on lodging data from Expedia.co.uk made for searches between November 11, 2024, and February 9, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year, for travel between March 2, 2025, and 4 June 4, 2025.

[3] UK trending destinations list is based on lodging data from Expedia.co.uk made for searches between November 11, 2024, and February 16, 2025, compared to the same period the previous year, for travel between March 2, 2025, and 4 June 4, 2025.

[4] Based on Expedia.co.uk flights for travel between March 2, 2025, and 4 June 4, 2025.

[5] Based on average daily rate changes for travel between March 2, 2025, and 4 June 4, 2025.

*Book by 31/3/2025 11:59pm in the hotel property’s local time. Stay between 25/2/2025–8/9/2025. Member Prices are available to Expedia® app users and One Key members. Limited availability, blackout periods may apply.