Summer Travel 2026
The Best of Times. And the Worst of Times.
If you’re planning a trip this summer, brace yourself. It could be a bumpy ride.
In this edition of my FREE monthly travel newsletter:
Sky-high airfares take off — with no relief in sight.
USA Travel Trends.
California Dream or Nightmare?
Dog Travel Followup.
Whitewater Rafting with Your Dog?
Should I Cancel a Trip I’ve Already Booked?
But first, here’s what I’ve been up to this month.
The Best of Milan at Teatro alla Scala
Most visitors to Milan will plan to see its magnificent Cathedral (Duomo), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade and Da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. Here’s how to do it all in one day
Even if you’re not an opera fan, the Teatro alla Scala is another of Milan’s iconic attractions. It’s the home of Italy’s greatest composers. Booking a guided tour is one way to see the inside — and maybe a rehearsal in progress if you’re lucky.
But why settle for a tour when you can see a real opera? Here’s my NEW video, explaining how to get tickets and what to wear. Also, how to skip the huge lines for drinks at intermission.
As for getting around in Italy, I give high marks to the high-speed Frecciarossa train from Venice to Milan. Plan ahead to buy a reserved seat (required) and skip the stress of trying to navigate the autostrada like an Italian.
The Bad News About Airfares
The good news is that everything you love to see in Europe is still there. The bad news is that you’re going to pay more money or airline points to reach your destination.
There’s no sugar-coating the sticker-shock, especially if you were hoping to snooze across the Atlantic in a lie-flat seat. But all cabins are affected, according to The Points Guy.
Domestic summer US airfares 27 % higher for round-trip economy vs 2025.
Popular destinations in Europe are up even more.
Paris or Rome up 22%.
Dublin or Amsterdam up 30%.
But there’s a glimmer of hope that at least your more expensive flight won’t be cancelled due to a shortage of fuel. Europe has changed its tune and now says there’s enough fuel to keep the planes flying through the summer.
Some airlines are even adding flights. United has new nonstops to Split in Croatia, Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Glasgow in Scotland and Bari in Italy’s less-crowded Puglia region. Here are my reasons to visit the heel of Italy’s boot.
So Why Not Stay in the USA?
Despite higher gas prices, AAA Travel Survey reports that 39 million Americans plan to hit the road for the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer season. Only about 8% of travelers will head to the airport, largely on less expensive tickets that were purchased before fuel prices soared.
Top destinations:
Orlando
Seattle
New York
Las Vegas
Miami
San Francisco
Anchorage (Alaska cruises)
Chicago
Denver
Boston
California Dream or Nightmare?
Are you surprised to see San Francisco so high on the list? But not Los Angeles?
Me, too. Even the Los Angeles Times has reported a drop in tourism, blamed on negative perceptions of the city. Homelessness? Wildfires? How about those viral political ads in the mayoral campaign of reality TV personality Spencer Pratt? Making LA look like the last place you’d want to vacation.
Meanwhile in San Francisco, there’s a new mayor in town who is said to be cleaning up the streets. Tourism there — and in the rest of California — continues to rise.
Dog Travel Followup
Last month I showed you how I flew my little dog to Europe. I’m happy to report that Rocket has turned out to be a champion traveler. He even got an EU pet passport that should make the journey easier next time. I’ll update his return to the USA in the June newsletter.
One adventure proved a little too challenging for my rescued Yorkie-poodle who spent the first two years of his life in a puppy mill. His little paws managed to do only about 3 km of the Pot ob Žici, the fence that sealed off Ljubljana as a concentration camp in World War II.
Here’s my NEW video of the annual walk along the fence with my Ljubljana neighbors. Year-round, it’s a popular path for exercising or enjoying nature. It’s also a chance to learn some of the hidden history of World War II.
Whitewater Rafting with your Dog?
One of the most surprising reactions to my dog travel posts was from an adventure tourism agency in Slovenia’s stunning Soca Valley. Paddle Soca allows you to take your dog along for the ride. Gives a whole new meaning to the idea of doing the dog-paddle.
Should I Cancel a Trip I’ve Already Booked?
Finally, I’ve had a few readers reach out to tell me they have cancelled or might put off a planned trip due to something like “all the uncertainty in the world.” Everyone has their own level of acceptable risk and I don’t judge.
From my perspective, it looks like Summer 2026 will be a great time to travel and enjoy. As long as you’re prepared for a few possibilities like a longer line for EU immigration and slightly higher prices for just about everything. I hope this newsletter encourages you to plan and take a better trip. See you next month.
Don’t be a Stranger!