By My Flight One | 29 October 2026
Trending travel destinations 2027 are shifting toward less obvious getaways, led by places such as South Lake Tahoe, Hyogo and Punta del Este. In Expedia’s coverage reported by Lexington Clipper-Herald, South Lake Tahoe stands out with a +195% Expedia search increase for 2027.
For travelers starting in Paris or Los Angeles, the list is useful because it mixes a reachable domestic nature trip, a Japan itinerary add-on, and a South American beach escape. The smart move is not to treat “trending” as a reason to rush, but as a cue to compare airports, seasons, and total trip effort before you book.
Why these destinations are trending
Expedia says travelers are leaning toward off-the-beaten-path destinations for 2027, and the places highlighted in the report point to trips that feel more specific than a standard capital-city break. South Lake Tahoe is built around lake and mountain access, Hyogo gives Japan travelers an alternative base beyond the usual headline cities, and Punta del Este is a coastal Uruguay trip with a strong resort identity.
The clearest demand signal is South Lake Tahoe’s +195% Expedia search increase for 2027, based on flight and accommodation searches on Expedia from September 1, 2025 to July 27, 2026 compared with September 1, 2024 to July 27, 2025, reported by Expedia Group. That does not mean it will be cheap or quiet; it means more people are checking it while planning future trips.
Punta del Este also shows momentum, with a +65% Expedia search increase for 2027, based on flight and accommodation searches on Expedia from September 1, 2025 to July 27, 2026 compared with September 1, 2024 to July 27, 2025, cited by Destination NSW. If you prefer to book ahead of a demand curve, that kind of rise is a reason to start comparing routes before peak holiday periods fill.
South Lake Tahoe: the easiest pick for Los Angeles travelers
South Lake Tahoe is the most practical name on the trend list for Los Angeles-based readers because it can work as a road trip or as a fly-and-drive itinerary. The Official Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus list the driving distance from Los Angeles International Airport to Lake Tahoe as 500 miles, so you should plan it as a substantial overland journey rather than a quick airport hop.
The same visitor bureau source lists Reno/Tahoe International Airport as 37 miles from Lake Tahoe, which makes RNO the airport to compare first if you want less time on the road after landing. For LAX travelers, check both the drive plan and the air plan before deciding; winter road conditions, car rental rules, and luggage needs can change the better choice.
South Lake Tahoe suits travelers who want hiking, lake time, skiing, casinos, or a cabin-style stay rather than a city break. If you are flexible on departure date, use the Low Fare Calendar to compare fare patterns from Los Angeles before you lock in accommodation.
If you are flying from Paris, South Lake Tahoe is still possible, but it is a long-haul trip with a land connection at the end. Start by comparing departures from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly on flight deals from Paris, then decide whether your final approach should be via Reno/Tahoe International Airport or another western U.S. gateway.
Hyogo: a Japan choice beyond the usual route
Hyogo is worth considering if you want Japan but do not want your whole trip to revolve around Tokyo or Kyoto. The prefecture includes Kobe, Himeji and access to the Seto Inland Sea area, so it can work for food, castles, coastal scenery and rail-based sightseeing without making every day a long transfer.
For Paris travelers, Japan usually starts with a long-haul flight search from Paris Charles de Gaulle, followed by a domestic rail or air connection depending on the city you choose as your arrival point. From Los Angeles, start with LAX fare searches and compare Japan arrival airports before you choose a base in Hyogo.
Hyogo is especially useful for travelers who have already seen Japan’s most famous stops and want a second-trip plan with fewer repeated sights. Build the trip around a small set of bases rather than changing hotels constantly; Japan’s rail network can make day trips tempting, but luggage transfers and station time still affect the comfort of the trip.
If you are comparing Japan with Southeast Asia for a bigger Asia itinerary, our Vietnam travel trend guide may help you weigh a more tropical route against a culture-and-rail Japan plan. Keep the decision practical: choose the destination that matches your season, budget tolerance and preferred pace.
Punta del Este: the South America beach escape to watch
Punta del Este is known as Uruguay’s polished beach resort area, with Atlantic coast beaches, marina walks, nightlife and a summer-holiday feel. For travelers who already know Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena or Mexico’s beach corridors, Punta del Este offers a different South American coastal option.
The +65% Expedia search increase for 2027 suggests more travelers are considering it, based on the Expedia flight and accommodation search comparison from September 1, 2025 to July 27, 2026 versus September 1, 2024 to July 27, 2025. Treat that as a planning nudge: compare flights, airport transfers and lodging areas before the most desirable beach stays become harder to secure.
From Paris, look at routings from Charles de Gaulle and Orly into the region, then price the onward connection to Uruguay separately if needed. From Los Angeles, start from LAX and compare total journey effort, not just the first fare you see; Punta del Este can involve more moving parts than a simple Caribbean beach trip.
Punta del Este is best for travelers who want beaches, restaurants and a resort rhythm rather than a low-key rural escape. If your goal is affordable luxury rather than the most direct routing, compare it with options in our affordable luxury travel destinations guide before committing.
Getting there from Paris and Los Angeles
All three highlighted destinations can be reached as trips from Paris and Los Angeles, but they are not equally simple. South Lake Tahoe is the most direct fit for Los Angeles travelers because the Official Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus list LAX to Lake Tahoe by road at 500 miles and Reno/Tahoe International Airport to Lake Tahoe at 37 miles.
For Paris travelers, South Lake Tahoe requires a transatlantic flight and a onward road connection. Hyogo usually fits into a Japan itinerary after arrival in the country, while Punta del Este requires a South America routing with careful attention to connection airports and baggage rules.
Use a flight search in stages. First, compare the long-haul segment from Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly or LAX. Then compare the final leg or ground transfer separately, especially for Lake Tahoe and Punta del Este, where the nearest practical arrival point may not be the final place you sleep.
If your dates are flexible, check flight deals from Los Angeles for LAX departures and the Paris deals page for CDG, ORY and Beauvais options. Do not judge the trip only by the headline fare; baggage, car rental, airport transfers and late arrivals can change the real value.
How to choose the right trending destination
Pick South Lake Tahoe if you want nature, road-trip control and a trip that is especially manageable from Los Angeles. Before you go, check road conditions, decide whether you need a rental car, and choose lodging based on the activities you actually plan to do rather than the most famous place name.
Pick Hyogo if Japan is already on your wish list and you want a route that goes beyond the most common tourist circuit. It is strongest for travelers who enjoy trains, food, history and a mix of city and coastal time.
Pick Punta del Este if you want a beach-focused South America trip and are comfortable with a more complex flight plan. It makes the most sense when you are willing to compare routes carefully and allow room in the schedule for long connections.
A trending list should not replace your own filters. Decide your tolerance for long flights, driving, language comfort, weather risk and connection stress before you follow the crowd.
Key figures
| Figure | Value | Conditions | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Lake Tahoe Expedia search increase | +195% | based on flight and accommodation searches on Expedia from September 1, 2025 to July 27, 2026 vs. September 1, 2024 to July 27, 2025 | 2027 | Expedia Group, checked on 29 Oct 2026 |
| Punta del Este Expedia search increase | +65% | based on flight and accommodation searches on Expedia from September 1, 2025 to July 27, 2026 vs. September 1, 2024 to July 27, 2025 | 2027 | Destination NSW, checked on 29 Oct 2026 |
| LAX driving distance to Lake Tahoe | 500 miles | Los Angeles International (LAX) to Lake Tahoe by road | not stated | Official Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus, checked on 29 Oct 2026 |
| Reno/Tahoe International distance to Lake Tahoe | 37 miles | Reno/Tahoe International (RNO) to Lake Tahoe by road | not stated | Official Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureaus, checked on 29 Oct 2026 |
Each figure was checked against the linked source page on the date shown.
Frequently asked questions
Where to travel in 2027?
For 2027, South Lake Tahoe, Hyogo and Punta del Este are strong picks if you want destinations that feel a little less obvious than the usual big-city break. Choose South Lake Tahoe for nature and easy access from Los Angeles, Hyogo for a Japan trip beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, and Punta del Este for a polished beach escape in Uruguay.
Source: Lexington Clipper-Herald, checked on 29 Oct 2026.
What are the top travel destinations for 2027?
The top travel destinations for 2027 highlighted here are South Lake Tahoe, Hyogo and Punta del Este. They stand out because they offer different trip styles: mountain-lake scenery, a Japan itinerary base and a South American beach resort, so the best choice depends on whether you want nature, culture or coast.
Source: Lexington Clipper-Herald, checked on 29 Oct 2026.
Best time to visit South Lake Tahoe?
The best time to visit South Lake Tahoe depends on what you want to do there. Summer is better for lake time, hiking and scenic drives, while winter works for skiing and snow activities, but you should also watch road conditions and lodging prices because both can change quickly around peak travel periods.
Is Hyogo worth visiting?
Yes, Hyogo is worth visiting if you want Japan without centering the trip on Tokyo or Kyoto. It works well for travelers who like Kobe’s food scene, Himeji’s castle stop and coastal day trips around the Seto Inland Sea, especially if you prefer a slower rail-based itinerary with fewer hotel changes.
What is Punta del Este known for?
Punta del Este is known for its upscale beach-resort atmosphere, Atlantic coastline, marina walks and nightlife. It is a strong fit if you want a South America trip that feels polished and social rather than rural, with restaurants, beach time and a summer-holiday rhythm built into the destination.
Bottom line
The strongest trending travel destinations 2027 from this report are South Lake Tahoe, Hyogo and Punta del Este, with South Lake Tahoe showing the biggest Expedia search rise at +195% under the stated Expedia comparison. For LAX travelers, start with Lake Tahoe logistics; for Paris travelers, compare long-haul routes carefully before choosing Japan, Uruguay or the U.S. West.
Use the trend as a shortlist, not a booking command. The best choice is the place where the flight path, season, ground transport and style of trip all match how you actually like to travel.
More from My Flight One: our travel blog archive and Fly the Plane by My Flight One.