Celebrate the end of the school year by taking to the road! Or the skies, or even the high seas. It all depends on what you want from the perfect summer vacation. For more ideas on where to go when the weather heats up – and the best credit card to take with you – check out these five places:
Voted by Lonely Planet as 2017’s top destination to see in the US, Asheville is a vibrantly creative city set amongst the natural beauty of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Stroll through artisan exhibits, sample locally brewed craft beer or take a lazy ride down the French Broad River. And, if Asheville is just one stop on your summer road trip, take along the HUECU Platinum Rewards MasterCard®, which offers 3% cash back on gas – plus 2% cash back on groceries and 1% cash back on everything else.1
Ljubljana offers travelers the very best of Europe – from ancient castles and baroque buildings, to green city parks and botanical gardens, to endless al fresco cafes dotted along meandering cobbled streets. The capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana is also a perfect jumping-off point for day trips to the nation’s most famous sites, including the stunning Lake Bled, the Venetian port town Piran, or the Škocjan caves. Best of all, Ljubljana is still remarkably affordable for Europe, so you can do it all without breaking the bank.
With so many fantastic places to visit in Asia, it can overwhelming to choose just one destination. But, if you’re short on time this summer, head to Hoi An, Vietnam. This historic city is small enough to stroll through in half a day, yet filled with enough activities to keep you busy for weeks. Take a cooking course, visit local crafts-makers, see ancient temples and tea warehouses, go for a sampan boat ride, or simply sit back with a Vietnamese coffee and watch the world go by.
When the winter snow melts in Quebec, the province’s capital city comes alive with beautifully clear and sunny days, plus all the summer fun a vacationer could ask for. Pedal along hundreds of miles of bike paths, enjoy street performances in Old Quebec, or stop by a local food, wine or music festival; all of which can be found in droves in the summertime. Costs can add up quickly, so consider taking along a credit card that will give you cash back on your purchases.
This year, the British pound has fallen to some of its lowest levels against the US dollar – which means that budget travelers have a great excuse to cross the pond. Although London is the obvious choice, more intrepid adventurers might consider Brighton, located on England’s southern coast. A seaside resort town, Brighton comes to life in the summer with outdoor concerts, art fairs, festivals and truly talented buskers. There are quirky shops and eateries around every corner, and of course, a beautiful pebble beachfront where you can go for a dip.
Wherever your summer plans take you, enjoy a more rewarding experience with an HUECU Platinum Rewards MasterCard®. Safe travels and happy summer!
1. Bonus points awarded on the first $1,500 spent in bonus categories (combined) during each quarter.