One-quarter of Americans plan to take an international vacation over the next 18 months, according to a recent AAA Travel survey.

AAA’s advance travel booking data suggests that many travelers will head to America’s top choice for International travel popular European destinations like Rome, London, Dublin and Paris, and warm-weather locales in Mexico and the Caribbean, including Cancun, Montego Bay and Punta Cana, with most travelers in search of unique experiences.

“More and more travelers are looking for experiential travel opportunities and seeking ways to intimately engage with their destination, whether at home or abroad,” said Paula Twidale, vice president, AAA Travel. “There are many ways to do that, especially with the great American road trip remaining a beloved vacation option and for many, AAA has found that road trips are increasingly appealing to U.S. travelers while overseas.”

AAA’s survey revealed that 80% of Americans have taken at least one vacation outside the United States, and two in five of those, or nearly 77 million adults, have rented or used a personal vehicle while doing so. Aligning with this finding, AAA reports a 33% increase in International Driving Permits (IDPs) sold in the last five years (through 2018).

An international driving vacation comes with additional planning considerations and paperwork for which travelers need to be prepared. More than 150 countries accept IDPs; many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses without an accompanying IDP, and it is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most places. An IDP is a legal document that translates U.S. driver’s license information into 10 foreign languages and AAA is one of only two entities authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs.

“Travelers can easily apply for an International Driving Permit with an application accessible online or in person at AAA, whether they are a member or not,” continued Twidale. “The nominal $20 fee is a small price to pay for peace of mind while traveling overseas.”

Americans Top Choice for International Travel

These are the top international travel destinations, based on AAA Travel bookings for trips over the next 18 months:

1. Rome, Italy
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. London, England
4. Dublin, Ireland
5. Paris, France
6. Montego Bay, Jamaica
7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
8. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
9. Munich, Germany
10. Barcelona, Spain

“Millions of Americans are making plans to travel internationally this year and next. For those who will not, AAA’s survey found that one of their top concerns is the expense,” said Twidale. “A trip out of the country doesn’t have to break your bank. There are opportunities to save, and now is the ideal time to do so. Many travel suppliers offer early payment incentives to travelers who book and pay for their trips before the end of the year. Travelers who lock in their plans now can take advantage of great cost savings.”