Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – With almost half (48%) of U.S. travelers seeking out trips centered around food and drink experiences for summer 2025*, HomeToGoToday, VacationRentals.com, the leading marketplace for vacation rentals in the world, released its first ever report. Taste of Summer IndexThe marketplace evaluated exclusive rental price insights and search statistics, alongside data on highly rated restaurants and gourmet experiences in each destination to identify the best places to stay across the United States. The marketplace used exclusive rental insights, search statistics and data about highly rated gourmet restaurants in each destination to identify the most mouth-watering places to visit across the United States.
Vacationers’ desire for authentic culinary experiences and unique food and beverage experiences are influencing their travel plans this summer. This index includes destinations such as Woodinville, Sonoma and small-town gems Ithaca and Astoria as well as big-city hubs Seattle and Portland. Eleanor Moody is a HomeToGo Travel Expert, spokesperson and expert.
HomeToGo has calculated scores based upon the four following data points to rank each location:
- Rising Star Score: The score is based on the increase in searches for vacations year-over-year.
- Cheap Accommodation Score The score is higher the cheaper the holiday accommodation costs.
- High-Rated restaurant score: The higher your score is, the greater the number of restaurants that are highly rated.
- Gourmet Experiences Score: The higher the score, the more experiences you can have with food and drinks.
The ranking is shown below, from Maui in Hawaii to Portland in Maine:
Travelers can expect the following in the top 5 trending destinations.
- Portland, Oregon: Portland’s culinary scene is alive with the best of Pacific Northwest. From eco-conscious eateries to Willamette Valley food, the city has it all. Food cart pods in Portland offer an array of international cuisines.
- Woodinville, Washington: Woodinville in Washington’s Wine Country is full of small-town charm, and a world-class tipple. Explore the four districts of this destination and their culinary delights. From relaxed farmers market fare, to luxurious fine dining.
- Ithaca is located in New York. Ithaca is located on the southernmost tip of Finger Lake. Its gourmet culture is defined by its farm-to table dining and vineyard vibes. The Commons is a shopping center in downtown Ithaca where travelers can find their next favorite restaurant. Or, they can escape to nature along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
- Astoria, Oregon: Astoria is a vibrant port city located at the mouth the Columbia River, on the North Coast Food Trail. Visitors can try local craft beer and seafood, such as Chinook salmon and Dungeness Crab in the lively breweries of Astoria.
- Seattle, Washington: Seattle’s culinary scene, which is influenced by global flavors and coastal influences, is as dynamic and diverse as the city. From the International District up to Capitol Hill. Seattle’s coffee culture, which includes locally roasted brews, is another highlight.
*The full list, destination descriptions, and an interactive map can be found at www.hometogo.com/inspiration/summer-vacation/#taste-of-summer-index.
Methodology: Please visit the site for more information on how this report was produced and to see the complete methodology. www.hometogo.com/inspiration/summer-vacation/#taste-of-summer-index-methodology.
*Survey insights are based on research conducted by HomeToGo among a sample of 800 respondents in the United States. Respondents had to be over 18 years of age in order to participate. The survey was conducted online between September 3 and 5, 2024. The survey allowed respondents to choose multiple answers for a variety of questions.
HomeToGo
HomeToGo, a SaaS-enabled platform, has the largest vacation rental selection in the world, with millions of offers listed by thousands of trusted partners including Booking.com Vrbo, and TripAdvisor.
HomeToGo allows you to search for the best accommodation in any destination by combining price, date, location and amenities.
Founded in 2014, HomeToGo operates localized apps & websites in more than 30 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia-Pacific. HomeToGo operates other brands including Agriturismo.it. AMIVAC. Casamundo. CaseVacanza.it. e-domizil. EscapadaRural. Kurzurlaub. Kurz Mal Weg. Tripping.com. Wimdu. Visit the website to learn more. www.hometogo.com Download the HomeToGo App.
