Orbitz Insider Index Reveals Sizzling 2007 Summer City Getaways

Mexico Tops List of International Destinations for Summer Travel With Five Cities in Top 10

As temperatures rise, cities become popular vacation spots with their summer-long lineups of festivals, fairs, concerts, and cultural activities. Orbitz, with its heritage of keeping travelers a step ahead, names the top summer city hotspots in this 2nd annual edition of the Orbitz Insider Index -- Top Summer Cities, and gives its picks for where to find some of the season's best events.

"Whether it's exploring museums, browsing through the many vendors that make up a street festival or catching a free outdoor concert, summer is the ideal time to take advantage of all that cities have to offer," said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandising for Orbitz.

"Plan early and take advantage of summer sales. Our current Vegas sale on air + hotel packages is one example of how travelers can get the most value out of a city escape during this busy vacation season."

Celebrating America's most popular summer city, Orbitz is making it easier than ever for city-lovers to get to Las Vegas! Click here to find out more about the "Vegas Jackpot Sale," where customers can save $75 on a 4-night vacation package or $50 on a 4 night hotel stay booked on Orbitz.com. This sale ends June 3, 2007.

To make choosing a summer city vacation spot easy, Orbitz has highlighted the top 10 most popular summer city destinations and commissioned its "Orbitz Insider" travel experts to handpick other outstanding summer city destinations.

Top 10 Summer Cities

The Orbitz Insider Index reviews future air bookings on Orbitz.com, indicating significant destination and departure trend information within the data. The most popular U.S. and international city destinations this summer according to The Index are:

The Orbitz Insider Index

Top U.S. and International Summer City Destinations*

U.S. International
1 Las Vegas, NV 1 Cancun, Mexico
2 New York, NY 2 Los Cabos, Mexico
3 Orlando, FL 3 Riviera Maya, Mexico
4 San Francisco, CA 4 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5 San Diego, CA 5 Rome, Italy
6 Washington, D.C. 6 Barcelona, Spain
7 Seattle, WA 7 Cozumel, Mexico
8 Miami, FL 8 Venice, Italy
9 Los Angeles, CA 9 Madrid, Spain
10 Orange County, CA 10 Paradise Island, Bahamas

Orbitz.com destinations based on popularity for arrival 6/1/07 to 8/31/07. Data includes hotel-only and package sales. Based on bookings as of 5/3/07.

Orbitz Insider Picks

The "Orbitz Insiders" have highlighted their picks to ensure an unforgettable summer vacation when visiting some of our favorite summer cities -- both near and far! From local exhibitions and boutique festivals to major summertime events, the experts at Orbitz have been searching far and wide for the not-to-be-missed events and locations for some hot summer fun.

Chicago, IL
For everyone from foodies to music lovers to sports fans, Chicago is a can't-miss destination this summer. Whether heading to the annual Taste of Chicago (June 29 - July 8), featuring more than 70 local restaurants, or checking out one of the many musical acts at The Chicago Blues Festival (June 7 - 10) and Lollapalooza (August 3 - 5), all taking place in beautiful Grant Park, there's something for everyone in this Midwest metropolis. But visitors should make sure to check out some popular events better known to locals than tourists. The 58th Annual Old Town Art Fair (June 9 - 10) is a great way to experience one of Chicago's most charming neighborhoods while browsing the work of more than 260 nationally acclaimed artists. Or head to the Sheffield Garden Walk (July 21 - 22), where visitors can indulge in self-guided tours of more than 100 gardens of some of the cities beautifully landscaped residences, and celebrate with locals in a block-party featuring bands, food and children's activities.

Chicago also serves as a great launchpad for other nearby cities. Milwaukee is just a short 45-minute train ride away, and hosts some great summer activities such as the 40th annual Summer Fest (June 28 - July 8), a ten-day festival of music, exhibits and arts, tours of the Miller Brewery, and the sunny days spent watching the Brewers at Miller Park. And did we mention Chicago is home to the headquarters of Orbitz Worldwide? But we're not biased!

Edinburgh, Scotland
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh offers summer travelers a diverse array of activities in an unbelievable setting. From the Taste of Edinburgh (June 7 - 10) to The Fringe (August 5 - 27), the world's largest performing arts festival, this city has a full line-up of activities all summer long. Check out the International Film Festival (August 15 - 27), the longest continually running film festival in the world, or head up to the famous Edinburgh Castle for a dose of history and architecture, not to mention an amazing view of the city. This is a city with something for everyone -- beautiful beaches, top-rated restaurants and shopping, theater, museums, and not to forget, world-renowned courses for the most serious of golfers.

Washington, D.C.
The nation's capital is home to many fun and exciting summer events. With a bevy of museums offering new and exciting exhibitions, there is an abundance of culture and history to be taken in. Visitors who love the arts should be sure to check out the Capital Fringe Festival (July 19 - 29). This annual performing arts festival features 400 performances in over 28 venues and includes dance, theater, music, poetry and more. One of the city's newest museums, The International Spy Museum, offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of espionage and includes interactive exhibits. Vacationers should also be sure to visit the Smithsonian, White House, Lincoln Memorial and the many other historical sites located in DC. Those who enjoy time on the water can rent a car and take a short drive to Annapolis, MD where there is plenty to do by the sea. From fishing to moonlight dinner tours and the beach, Annapolis is a fun and quick way to get some seaside time into a vacation. Visitors should also think about taking a drive to Jamestown, VA. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the nation's first English settlement and there will be celebrations throughout the summer.

Denver, CO
Summer in the Mile High City is filled with sunny days, gorgeous views of the nearby Rocky Mountains and plenty of fun outdoor activities. The Colorado Renaissance Festival (June 9 - 29) lets you revel in an authentic 16th century village, complete with food and crafts from the time period. If that is not enough food, the Taste of Colorado (August 31 - September 3) offers the city's best foods from its most popular restaurants, as well as live music, shopping and activities for the whole family. To continue enjoying Denver's mild summer climate, head out to the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival (August 24 - 26) in Chatfield State Park to watch balloons decorate the sky. Vacationers should also head to the Denver Art Museum which features a new building with fantastic architectural design and expanded art collections.

After checking out the exhibits, visit Denver's restored historic district, which offers restaurants, bars and brewpubs to satisfy the cravings of all hungry and thirsty visitors. While Denver offers all that the summer traveler could possibly want, it is also a great launchpad for trips to the more than 20 mountain parks in the area -- some are less than an hour away by car.

Budapest, Hungary
Eastern Europe is well on its way to having Western Europe pricing, but some gems like Budapest still offer great experiences and value! From festivals to spas, this Eastern European city knows how to mix culture, fun and time to unwind in an old-world setting. Budapest is widely known for its thermal spas. Featuring 118 springs and boreholes which supply water right to the middle of the city, Budapest spas and baths have water from 70 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the oldest to be visited is Kiraly Thermal Baths -- construction of this bath commenced in 1565.

For travelers seeking a more festive experience, Budapest has a variety of events and festivals throughout the summer. Two well-known are the Bridge Festival and Sziget Festival. The Bridge Festival celebrates one of the cities most notable landmarks, the Chain Bridge, opened in 1849 and connecting Buda and Pest. During this event in June, the bridge is closed to car traffic and dancers and musicians perform on the bridge. As day turns to night, the bridge is celebrated with a great fireworks display. For music lovers, Sziget Festival is the place to be (August 8 - 15). Attracting around 385,000 people last year, this event is Hungary's biggest music event. As for food, you haven't lived until you've had Chicken Paprikash or real Hungarian Gulyasleves (Goulash)!

Source: Orbitz.com
CHICAGO, May 15, 2007 /PRNewswire/ --

Return to Orbitz Index and more online deals