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

Why it matters: Higher airfare and broader economic concerns have pushed many travelers to rethink long-haul trips.

Zoom in: Travel adviser Erica Christie says clients are shifting toward affordable weekend trips in the Carolinas, New England and California.

• Bookings to Asheville, North Carolina, jumped 174% in the past year, per Fora, the global travel agency where Christie works.
• South Carolina bookings rose 157%.

What they're saying: Travelers still heading to Europe are swapping popular (and pricey) hot spots like the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como for lesser-known alternatives — including the Italian Riviera near the French border, the Tuscan coast, Montenegro and Malta, Christie tells Axios.

• International jet-setters are also booking "much more last-minute" than usual, and increasingly asking about travel insurance in case plans go awry.

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

• London, Paris and Rome are giving way to Dublin and Brussels.

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.

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

💭 Megan's thought bubble: This summer is my least busy travel schedule in years. Instead, I'm looking for the best road trips and day trips to find corners of Texas I haven't explored yet.

• What's a nearby trip you recommend? Hit reply and let me know.

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.

The latest: 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."

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.

Follow the money: Average domestic airfares are up nearly $100 year over year, per Kayak.

• International airfares are up nearly $200.

Yes, but: It's still possible to book relatively affordable flights, DeLoache says.

• That's especially true if you're willing to travel midweek, and if you're open to lower-cost destinations.

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

• DeLoache adds that it's smart to book flights early to lock in today's fares, as price hikes are likely.

A shooting on the East Side on Saturday left an 18-year-old man dead and five others, including two children, injured. (KSAT)

🌳 The Alamo reopened a renovated Paseo del Alamo, the site's connection to the River Walk. The restoration includes native landscaping, shaded walkways and more. (The Alamo)

💵 The Starlighter venue in the Deco District is asking for financial help as the owner says the business is behind on rent. (SA Current)

🔌 Texas is set to become the top state for natural gas power plants built to power AI data centers, per a new report. (TPR)

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."

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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 samples, hotel shampoo bottles, travel-sized toothpaste and contact solution bottles so you can "shop" your collection before each trip.

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

• 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.