Move over, Euro Summer — Americans are staying closer to home this year.

Why it matters: Higher gas prices and airfare have pushed many travelers to rethink long-haul trips.

The big picture: The Iran war has sent oil prices soaring, causing airlines to cut flights and raise fares, and drivers to pay more at the pump.

• Flight and hotel bookings have already dipped, Virginia Tech professor Mahmood Khan previously told Axios. "People are very hesitant to make long-term bookings."
• Meanwhile, budget travelers are mourning the loss of Spirit Airlines.

Zoom in: Booking site Expedia reports travelers are choosing Philadelphia, Palm Springs, Fort Lauderdale and Puerto Rico over New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Honolulu.

Zoom out: Travelers still heading to Europe are swapping popular (and pricey) hot spots like the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como for lesser-known alternatives.

Between the lines: Mexico, Iceland and Ireland have some of the most affordable airfares for U.S. flyers this summer, per Kayak's summer travel dashboard.

• That could provide an opening for BNA's flights to Iceland, Ireland and Mexico.

By the numbers: Nearly three-quarters (73%) of Americans say they plan to take a summer vacation this year, up from 66% from last year, per a new survey from transportation company Enterprise Mobility.

• Even so, most travelers (69%) say they're opting for weekend getaways, with about half citing affordability as the reason.
• 89% say they plan to stay domestic for their next trip.

The bottom line: Travelers aren't giving up on summer — they're getting more strategic.

The Dominican Republic and Morocco are trending summer destinations for U.S. travelers this year, per Kayak search data.

• 2026 FIFA World Cup host areas Kansas City and San Francisco also made Kayak's top 10.

Driving the news: Interest in the D.R. could reflect new routes and affordability, Kayak's Kayla DeLoache tells Axios.

• "International fares are getting expensive, but if we head to our neighbors to the north or the south, those are typically a little bit cheaper."

Zoom in: Nashville International Airport has been beefing up its Canadian travel options over the last few years. In January, BNA announced new flights to Toronto.

Kayak's list reflects trending destinations, with more search interest compared to last year.

• Its top 10 most-searched summer destinations overall this year: Orlando, Las Vegas and London.

Travelers are increasingly turning weddings, reunions, etc. into bigger trips — a trend that American Express Travel is calling "milestone travel."

• They're also seeking out hands-on opportunities, big adventures that promise a good story to bring home, and unique local snacks, AmEx says.

⚽️ Expedia's "Unpack '26" report highlights sports pilgrimages — timely given the World Cup.

• "57% of travelers say they're likely to attend a local sporting event while traveling, rising to 68% among Gen Z and Millennials combined."

Expedia also highlights "hotel hopping:" staying at more than one hotel in the same area.

• It's a way of seeing different neighborhoods — or just saving money.

🚂 And Condé Nast Traveler says it'll be a big year for luxe train travel.

• "New routes to new destinations are driving the trend in 2026, with travel agencies packaging multi-rail journeys catering to the demand for luxury train hopping."

If you're interested in train travel but don't want to shell out for a big out-of-town vacation, there is a local option: Tennessee Central Railway Museum's round-trip ride from Nashville to Watertown in Wilson County.

• The six-hour journey includes a stop for lunch on the Watertown town square. You can be back home in time for dinner.

The intrigue: The rides are often organized around a theme. The July 18 ride includes a murder mystery show, Aug. 1 is a wine tasting ride and Sept. 5 merges a wine tasting with live bluegrass music.

• There are tours later this year centered around autumnal leaf-peeping and a Christmastime "Santa Express."

💭 Adam's take: I tried a murder mystery/wine tasing ride earlier this month, and it was a blast. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow passengers and it was a nice way to visit small-town Tennessee, too.

Jet-setters, take note: We asked travel writer Lydia Mansel to share her top packing advice for summer trips.

The big picture: Forget folding tricks and compression cubes. The smartest way to pack lighter is to bring clothes you'll actually wear, says Mansel, who writes the packing-list newsletter Just Packed.

👕 Find your travel uniform. Mansel suggests sticking to staples that work for all kinds of trips. Think: oversized button-downs, plain white tees and loose linen pants.

🧴 Keep a mini-toiletry stash. Save Sephora samples, hotel shampoo bottles, travel-size toothpaste and contact solution bottles so you can "shop" your collection before each trip.

• She also recommends refillable Cadence capsules for liquids, lotions and serums.

👟 For Europe, skip the leggings. Prioritize comfortable linen and cotton pieces that you can easily wash or hand-wash.

🩴 For beach trips, less is more. Pack swimsuits, a cover-up, sandals and a few "throw-and-go" outfits.

• Use a magnetic clip to attach a large sun hat to your tote.
• Buy full-size sunscreen when you arrive — so it's not the reason you need to check a bag — but Mansel always brings a travel-size bottle for her face.