European Country Named 'Happiest Place' For American Travelers in 2026
You could argue that happiness is the whole point of a vacation. If that's the case, then one particular European country seems to stand out from the rest when it comes to delivering that happiness to visitors.
As we brace for the peak summer travel season, the travel experts at Attraction Tickets have released their 2026 Travel Trends Index, which predicts the destinations that will be the most popular among American travelers in the coming year.
After reviewing the data, Attraction Tickets has found that one country stands out from the rest.
Trending Travel Locations
Back in December, Attraction Tickets released its 2026 Travel Trends Index, which uses 2025 booking data, real-time travel behaviour, and its own expert insights to determine "how, where, and why Americans will travel next year."
"From high-energy adventures to family-first planning, the way Americans vacation has been changing throughout 2025. We’ve crunched the numbers and tapped into expert insight to assess which movements are breaking through into the new year, and to bring you our 2026 Travel Trends Index," Attraction Tickets wrote in its 2026 Travel Trends Index.
Italian Summer on the Way?
Italy was the most satisfying travel location for 2025, and according to the Attraction Tickets analysis, that trend is expected to get even stronger in 2026.
"When it comes to travel satisfaction, Italy is the reigning champion. US travelers continue to rate destinations like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Tuscany’s rolling landscapes as their happiest vacation spots," Attraction Tickets wrote in its findings.
"This enduring love for Italy is expected to grow even stronger in 2026 as these rave reviews spread online and via word of mouth. The location's mix of cultural richness and postcard-perfect scenery makes it a dream destination for American travelers, particularly in the summer months."
Italy's Vast Variety
The cool thing about visiting Italy is that there is such a massive variety of things to do and see in such a small, manageable area. It has a deep history, rich culture, and breathtaking beauty that is drastically different from region to region, but it's all relatively close together.
On a recent trip to Italy, I visited the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome as well as St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum before taking a short trip to see the Leaning Tower in Pisa. I then saw the iconic Duomo di Firenze in Florence before taking a train to Cinque Terre for some breathtaking cliffside sea views. I finished my trip enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean Sea on the Amalfi Coast, visiting Positano and Capri. And I did it all in about 10 days.
Still, there was so much I didn't see. I did not have the chance to visit Lake Como in Northern Italy or the canals of Venice. I missed out on experiencing Sicily and the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany.
Needless to say, Italy offers so much in a rather dense region. So, it's easy to see why it ranks so high in traveler satisfaction.