The Ides of March was marked in ancient Rome as a deadline for paying debts. In the U.S., it marks the deadline for fixing spring travel plans! Or nearly. According to the March travel trends report released by Expedia Group, interest in traveling to top spring beach destinations is surging by double digits, regardless of higher flight prices compared to this time last year.
But it’s not too late to still book your spring vacation! The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese! We break down Expedia’s top tips on maximizing late spring travel, getting a head start on Memorial Day plans, and exploring some theatrically inspired destinations for your 2023 summer plans!
Here’s a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:
Smarter Spring Travel
It’s not too late to book your spring travel vacation, but with high ticket prices and flight searches up 40% over last year, according to Expedia Group, snagging a deal will require some wit and acumen. Here are some general tips from Expedia to maximize booking deals for a late 2023 spring vacation:
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Travel after April 16 to snag the lowest airfares. Spring airfare rates usually fall after April 1.
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Save an average of 20% by flying on a Tuesday compared to a Saturday.
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The best time to book spring accommodations for the lowest rates is one month before your travels to save an average of $30 per night.
Snagging a deal on a beach vacation rental this late into spring can be challenging, but Expedia Group surfaced a few popular destinations that can more than satisfy that late-March beach fix:
Get Ahead on Memorial Day
If you find yourself booking a late spring vacation, it’s not a bad idea to get back ahead of the game and take care of those Memorial Day plans right now! Expedia expects this summer’s travel season to be strong, and Vrbo data suggests travelers already have less than three weeks to finalize Memorial Day accommodations to maximize property selection. To be precise, book your Memorial Day vacation home by April 6!
And if you are already eyeing summer travel plans, you are not alone! Expedia revealed some of 2023’s top already trending summer destinations!
Star-Studded Travels
As American singer-songwriter Paul Simon once felt compelled to be received in Graceland, so too are travelers yearning to see the home of Elvis Presley following the release of the 8-time Oscar-nominated film “Elvis.” Searches on Expedia for Graceland Tennessee are up 5%, but even more incredible is the 155% increase in flight searches to Queensland, Australia, where the movie was actually filmed!
Additionally, searches for Pheonix, Arizona, rose 5% following the release of “The Fablemans” last November. Searches for Crete, Greece, grew 110% following the release of “Glass Onion.” No wonder; the director spared no effort in showcasing the island’s beauty and charm. Fortunately, Crete is far more subdued and decidedly more tranquil than its fictional “Knives Out” island counterpart, Pisceschite.
