TripAdvisor®, the world's most popular and largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual European travel survey of more than 1,200 U.S. respondents. Trans-Atlantic trips look to be more popular in 2010, with 60 percent planning to visit Europe in the coming 12 months, up from 50 percent who did so last year. The majority of travelers appear undeterred by the recent volcanic ash cloud, with just six percent reconsidering their European trips as a result. Thirty-three percent say more favorable exchange rates have increased their interest in traveling to Europe this year.

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  Travel Spike to Europe this Fall
  --  Fall is the peak season for European travel, with 54 percent planning
      a leisure trip in September or October.
  --  38 percent of those planning trips to Europe will travel in May or
      June.
  --  TripAdvisor Flights data shows that the most searched for destinations
      in Europe are London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Madrid.
  --  The most up-and-coming travel destinations in Europe are Istanbul,
      Zurich, Seville, Athens and Copenhagen, based on increases in search
      activity on TripAdvisor.

  Americans Bolder Overseas

Travelers embrace the sights and sounds of Europe with open arms, according to the survey.

  --  59 percent are more adventurous than they would be at home.
  --  91 percent are experimental in their choices of local cuisine.
  --  76 percent make an effort to speak the local language.
  --  58 percent alter their dress, to appear less American.

  Making the Grade: Europe vs. U.S.

The survey reveals travelers' perceptions of amenities and services in Europe, compared to the U.S.:

  --  Cuisine: 58 percent believe the food is better in Europe, while 35
      percent consider it to be equally good. Winner: Europe
  --  Public transportation: 90 percent maintain that Europe boasts superior
      public transportation. Winner: Europe
  --  Customer service: While 30 percent believe service is worse in Europe,
      51 percent say it's the same. Winner: U.S.
  --  Attractions: 57 percent think the sites are better in Europe, while 41
      percent consider them equal. Winner: Europe
  --  Hotels: 36 percent consider accommodations to be of a lower standard
      in Europe, while 50 percent believe it's a draw. Winner: U.S.

TripAdvisor also recently announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards, including the best of Europe, based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers on TripAdvisor.com. The winners were determined by a combination of travelers' destination comments, favorite places, and overall destination popularity on TripAdvisor.

Top 10 Destinations in Europe for 2010: TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards

  1. Monte-Carlo, Monaco
  www.tripadvisor.com/Monte-Carlo-Monaco

  2. Heidelberg, Germany
  www.tripadvisor.com/Heidelberg-Germany

  3. Salzburg, Austria
  www.tripadvisor.com/Salzburg-Austria

  4. Florence, Italy
  www.tripadvisor.com/Florence-Italy

  5. Lucerne, Switzerland
  www.tripadvisor.com/Lucerne-Switzerland

  6. Venice, Italy
  www.tripadvisor.com/Venice-Italy

  7. Siena, Italy
  www.tripadvisor.com/Siena-Italy

  8. Rome, Italy
  www.tripadvisor.com/Rome-Italy

  9. Hamburg, Germany
  www.tripadvisor.com/Hamburg-Germany

  10. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  www.tripadvisor.com/Amsterdam-Netherlands

Other European Winners in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards:

  Best Destination in Europe for Food & Wine -- Florence, Italy
  Best Destination in Europe for Beach & Sun -- Oludeniz, Turkey
  Best Destination in Europe for Culture & Sightseeing -- Florence, Italy
  Best Destination in Europe for Family -- Marne-la-Vallee, France
  Best Destination in Europe for Nightlife -- London, United Kingdom

Best Destination in Europe for Outdoor & Adventure -- Interlaken, Switzerland

  Best Destination in Europe for Relaxation & Spa -- Bath, United Kingdom
  Best Destination in Europe for Romance -- Oia, Greece
  Best Destination in Europe, chosen by Europeans -- Berlin, Germany

"Despite the volcanic ash cloud continuing to present travel challenges in Europe, the popularity of trans-Atlantic trips shows no signs of waning," said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Europe's unique attractions, world-class cuisine and rich history ensure that it remains an unparalleled destination for many American travelers."

About TripAdvisor Media Network

TripAdvisor® Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts 46 million monthly visitors* across 15 popular travel brands: TripAdvisor®, www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.frequentflier.com, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com and www.virtualtourist.com. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 34 million monthly visitors*, 15 million registered members and 30 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover more than one million destinations, hotels, restaurants and attractions and operate in the U.S. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/), the U.K. (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/), Ireland (http://www.tripadvisor.ie/), France (http://www.tripadvisor.fr/), Germany (http://www.tripadvisor.de/), Italy (http://www.tripadvisor.it/), Spain (http://www.tripadvisor.es/), India (http://www.tripadvisor.in/), Japan (http://www.tripadvisor.jp/), Portugal and Brazil (http://www.tripadvisor.com.br/), Sweden (http://www.tripadvisor.se/), The Netherlands (http://nl.tripadvisor.com/), Canada (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/), Denmark (http://www.tripadvisor.dk/), Turkey (http://www.tripadvisor.com.tr/), Mexico (http://www.tripadvisor.com.mx/), Norway (http://no.tripadvisor.com/), Poland (http://pl.tripadvisor.com/) and Australia (http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/). TripAdvisor also operates in China under the brand daodao.com (http://www.daodao.com/) and Kuxun.cn (http://www.kuxun.cn/). TripAdvisor® Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .

TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor.com, Travelers' Choice and the TripAdvisor logo are registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

©2010 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix, Worldwide, March 2010

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SOURCE: TripAdvisor