10 Hottest Places to Go This Summer

Italy

The eyes of the world are on Italy this summer as Milan plays host to Expo 2015. This modern-day world's fair attracts 20 million visitors from around the world to its 247-acre playground, celebrating not just Italy but 130 countries around the globe. Milan has worked hard for its time in the spotlight: new parks, pedestrian zones, and bike trails are making it easier for summer visitors to enjoy the city. And while Milan is the center of the action, other regions in Italy are getting in on the fun as well. Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Parma, and Bologna are all featured regions during Expo, which means now is the time to go.

Related: How to Snack Like a Local in Europe

Southern California

Southern California is just so … Southern California this summer. A big birthday for Disneyland, beach culture celebrations, and some cool public art come together for what's shaping up to be a hot summer. Disneyland knows how to throw a party, so it's no surprise that it's going all out for its 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration. This summer, catch three new nighttime shows including the Paint the Night parade, a fireworks show, and an evening show at Disney California Adventure. Long Beach is hosting Pow! Wow!, a week-long public arts festival that brings more than 100 artists together to create murals and other art. And August brings the World Series of Volleyball to the beaches of Long Beach. Farther south, Oceanside will host three major surf events—the Supergirl Pro, the Guy Takayama Pro Open, and the World Bodysurfing Championships this summer, offering visitors plenty of chances to soak up some real Southern California beach culture.

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Bermuda

Short flight times and a jump in direct seasonal service just might make Bermuda one of the easiest beach destinations for East Coasters. And unlike in winter, when activities are geared mainly to tourists, summer brings friendly and welcoming local events that offer a taste of Bermudan hospitality. Catch big summer events like the Annual Cup Match & Summer Splash, Bermuda Heroes Weekend, and LIV Bermuda; or just hit the town on any summer Friday night for festivities. This will be the first summer for celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson's new restaurant, as well as the opening season for the Grotto Bay Beach Resort's new subterranean cave spa.

Related: 10 Surprising Things We Love About Bermuda

China

Tourism to China has been on the upswing for a decade, but this summer new routes and more flexible booking options are putting the country on our hot-right-now radar. Air China, Delta, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines are all starting new routes or increasing service between the U.S. and China this summer. And while the primary options for U.S. travelers booking travel to China has for years been to join a tour or forge ahead as an independent traveler, the U.S.-based China travel OTA Jetbay is creating a sort of accessible hybrid that packages customized private tours, giving independent-but-language-and-culture-challenged travelers the tools they need to best experience China.

Related: Walking the Great Wall of China: A Bucket-List Trip You Can Actually Afford

Cuba

Early this year, the U.S. dramatically loosened travel restrictions on Americans going to Cuba. Since then, additional changes—including the U.S. Treasury Department's approval of ferry service between the two countries and an easier licensing process for tour companies leading trips to Cuba—are putting Cuba closer than it has seemed in a half century. Americans are ready; a recent study showed online searches for Cuba travel up nearly 200 percent. The people-to-people focus remains, so expect Cuba travel to maintain its focus on cultural experiences this summer.

Related: Go Boldly:6 Unique Cuba Tours

Colorado

The centennial of the National Parks System kicks off next year, but a few national parks are ready to party now. Rocky Mountain National Park turns 100 this year and is offering a summer packed with special hikes, walking tours, and arts exhibitions. Summer celebrations extend well past park boundaries, though. This summer, Colorado has dozens of festivals around the state, including off-the-beaten path gems such as Burro Days and the Palisades Peach Festival. Denver's new ART Hotel is slated to open this month, and BedandBreakfast.com has just listed the city as one of the most popular new B&B destinations.

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Singapore

This August marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore as an independent nation. The country is celebrating in grand style all summer long, but the biggest events take place over Jubilee Weekend, when the city will transform itself into one giant party from August 7 to 10. Concerts, performances, exhibitions, and activities will celebrate the milestone.

Related: 27 Amazing Natural Wonders in Asia

Panama

A boost in air service, a new museum, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity make Panama a red-hot destination this summer. Copa Airlines has been expanding its routes between the U.S. and Panama: Last year it added flights from Ft. Lauderdale, and this summer it will be debuting service from both New Orleans and San Francisco. This is the first summer to visit the BioMuseo, the new Frank Gehry-designed biodiversity museum, which stands at the entrance to the Panama Canal. And since the Panama Canal expansion project is nearing completion (it's scheduled to open next spring), this will be the last summer to see the massive construction project in action. The Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center gives visitors the chance at a bird's eye view of the new locks.

Related: 10 Almost-Secret Caribbean Islands

Portugal

Summer in Portugal lasts twice as long because so many festivities stretch into the early hours of the morning, nearly doubling the amount of time a determined summer traveler has to enjoy both the country and the season. Music festivals cater to every taste: The Meo Mares Vivas Festival in June unites big names (this year's headliners include Lenny Kravitz and John Legend) for a small price (a three-day pass is $65). The Sumol Summer Fest blends music, camping, and surfing; while the Festival Musicas do Mundo offers world music lovers the chance to discover new artists in a non-commercial space.

Portugal's summer festivals are also a great peek into the culture. The Festa dos Tabuleiros is part of a unique religious tradition involving women balancing trays with massive bread sculptures on their heads. And the Festa de Sao Jao is a six-century-old festival blending sacred and pagan traditions, recognized as one of Europe's liveliest street festivals.

Related: Best Summer Music Festivals Around the World

Pennsylvania

It's a party summer in Pennsylvania, with celebrations around the state all season long. Philadelphia will welcome Tall Ships Philadelphia Camden in June, a week of celebrations in honor of Independence Day, and a major Impressionism exhibition all summer long. The city is also honoring the 50th anniversary of gay rights in early July. Near Philadelphia, Bucks County has one summer festival after another, including the Bluegrass & Blueberries Festival, the Fonthill Castle Beer Fest, and the Art of the Barn Tour and Show. And Northeast Pennsylvania celebrates its 150th birthday this summer by hosting a jazz festival, the Peach Music Festival, and an ethnic heritage festival reached by historic train.

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