Five Easy French Countryside Escapes That Pair Perfectly With Paris
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Between hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, reopening the doors to Notre-Dame and marking 80 years since the Normandy landings, 2024 was a banner year for tourism in France. More than 100 million travelers visited the country, spending a record €71 billion ($81 billion)—12% more than in 2023. And the bulk of them, unsurprisingly, spent considerable time in Paris.
There's reason to visit the capital this summer too—from the David Hockney retrospective at the Louis Vuitton Foundation to the Centre Pompidou's final exhibitions before a five-year renovation begins in September. But there are always reasons to tack on a stay outside the city limits, either within the Ile-de-France region that surrounds Paris or slightly farther afield.
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I'm Traveling to Europe This Summer, and These Are the 12 Wrinkle-free Dresses I'm Eyeing for Vacation—Starting at $25
I'm heading to Europe this summer with two dreamy destinations on the itinerary: Italy and France. While I still need to finalize the finer details of where to eat and what to see, I've been laser-focused on a much more pressing matter: what to pack. Specifically, I'm looking for the kind of easy, wrinkle-resistant summer dresses that travel well and still look luxe after hours in a suitcase. Because, let's be honest—nothing kills a vacation's vibe faster than calling your hotel's front desk to borrow a steamer. After spending more time than I'd like to admit scrolling through Amazon, I found a lineup of stylish travel outfits, from billowy maxi dresses to multifunctional midi dresses. For sunset dinners in Nice, wine tours in Provence, and espresso stops in Paris, these are all breezy, versatile, and start at just $25. So, consider this your packing shortcut for the season. If a dress could capture the spirit of summer, it would be this royal blue eyelet number. Lightweight, breathable, and filled with beautiful details, I'd pair it with white sneakers and a crossbody for daytime sightseeing in Rome. For a high-end dinner look, swap in gold flats and statement earrings. With 22 colors to choose from, you might be tempted to grab more than one before your next trip. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon This pleated stunner would look just as good at a vineyard in Tuscany as it would at a summer soirée while you're home. The structured pleats make it look polished, elevated, and far more expensive than its $50 price tag. Its wrinkle resistance makes it a savvy suitcase addition. Style it with block heels and a straw clutch for a wedding or keep it simple with strappy sandals and a sunhat on a day out. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon For just $30, this plaid maxi is a steal—and it'll look like a dream in photos. With ruffled sleeves and a cinched waist, it's the kind of outfit you'll want to wear from brunch in Paris to sunset cocktails in Brooklyn. It's breathable, lightweight, and easy to dress up or down with espadrilles or sneakers. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon This casual-cool midi dress is the piece you'll reach for again and again—especially while on vacation. The tie waist and side slit add shape to the breezy silhouette, and it works as a standalone outfit or even a swimsuit cover-up. Pair it with slides and a tote for the beach, or layer it with a denim jacket and white sneakers for travel days. One shopper said they wore it on five flights—now that's just the kind of comfort we can get behind. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon This halter midi is destined for any summer occasion: weddings, rooftop dinners, European strolls. The open back and high-cinching waist add shape while still maintaining an airy look and feel. The sky blue color is as photogenic as it gets—dress it up with espadrilles and delicate jewelry, or go more relaxed with leather slides and a basket bag. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon Plaid for summer? Absolutely—especially when it looks this good. With its flowing shape and soft material, this dress is perfect for exploring farmer's markets or having a long lunch alfresco. Go for crisp white accessories by day, then add raffia heels and a bold lip for night. One reviewer praised the quality, calling it flattering and wrinkle-resistant—a major plus for travelers. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon If there's one travel essential every wardrobe needs, it's a go-to black midi dress, and this one has a relaxed fit, side pockets, and endless styling potential. It works for city walks, office days, or even happy hour. Pair it with sneakers and sunnies for day, or add heeled sandals and a statement necklace for a night out. Bonus: It packs like a dream and costs just $30. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon A vacation dress that makes a statement, this two-toned pink midi has a subtle side cutout and breezy slit. 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Reviewers say that like all of the items I'm eyeing on this list, it resists wrinkles—no steamer needed. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon If yellow is your signature summer color, this dress is calling your name. The flowy silhouette and delicate ruffle hem looks feminine and fresh, while the color pops beautifully against beachy backdrops and golden sunsets. Think: strolling along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice or sipping aperol in Amalfi. Add strappy sandals and cat-eye sunglasses to complete the look. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon Lightweight thanks to a linen-blend fabric, this little red dress is a must-pack for hot summer days. The open back gives it that vacation flair, and the pockets are practical for exploring. Wear it on a coastal wine tour with espadrilles or over your swimsuit for a beach day. Either way, it's the kind of easy-chic piece that looks effortless and polished all at once. Credit: Amazon Credit: Amazon Love a great deal? 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U.S. Is About To Lose $12.5B, California's Entire Tourism Tax Revenue
People enjoying time together on vacation hiking trip. Golden Gate Bridge, over Pacific Ocean, ... More mountains in the background. San Francisco, California, USA The United States is the only country among 184 global economies, analyzed by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics, that is poised to lose a staggering $12.5 billion in international visitor spending this year. It is a 22.5% decline compared to 2024 and the equivalent of California's annual travel-related state and local tax revenue. Nearly 90% of tourism spending in the U.S. comes from domestic travelers. Still, the impact of international travelers is far greater than its share suggests since each spends around $4,000 per trip on average, eight times more than the average domestic tourist. In 2024, 72 million international visitors arrived in the U.S., 9.1% higher compared to 2013. However, based on the latest estimates, 2025 is shaping up to be a disappointing year. In 2024, over 20 million Canadians traveled to the U.S., spending approximately $20.5 billion. Early signs of a slowdown emerged in March as Canadian travelers stayed away. Summer flight bookings on Canada–U.S. routes have plunged more than 70% year-over-year, dropping from 1.5 million in March 2024 to just over 400,000 by March 2025, according to OAG. In May 2025, Canada recorded 4.8 million international arrivals by air and car (returning residents and non-residents included), marking a 16.7% drop compared to May 2024. It was the fourth straight month of year-over-year declines. U.S. Travel Association highlighted as early as February that these five U.S. states (Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas) would be hit hardest by a drop in Canadian visitors. As of April, Visit California indeed reported an almost 16% year-over-year decline in Canadian arrivals, its top international source market. The state now forecasts a 9.2% overall drop in international visitation and a 4.3% decline in visitor spending for 2025. It estimates that the most significant decline in spending (17%) will come from Canadian travelers. Canada is also Florida's top international source market, accounting for nearly 30% of foreign visitors last year. Unlike California, however, the decline has been less severe. Visit Florida reported only a 3.4% drop in Canadian arrivals by the end of the first quarter. New York City has also revised its tourism forecast, now expecting 3.1 million fewer visitors and an estimated $4 billion in lost revenue, according to a report first published by The New York Times. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, visits from Western Europe fell 17% in March 2025. This is the first year-over-year decline since 2021. Part of the drop came from two of the U.S.'s most important source markets: arrivals from the United Kingdom declined nearly 15%, while Germany plunged more than 28%. Travel from Asia also continued its downward trend, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. The region remains 25% below pre-pandemic levels, with South Korea down nearly 15% year over year. South America followed suit with a 10% decline in March after a flat February, driven by double-digit drops in visitors from Colombia and Ecuador. U.S. accommodations are under growing pressure this summer, with booking volumes down 6.7%, a decline fueled in part by a steep 46% year-over-year drop in Canadian travelers and a 7.4% dip in visitors from Mexico, according to the latest data of SiteMinder, a hotel distribution and revenue platform. Average daily rates (ADR) for U.S. accommodations have dipped to $317.29 for June–August, down 3.9% from $330.03 last year. However, not all regions experience a decline. Texas hotels reported a 6% increase in ADR, while Florida saw rates fall by nearly 8.8% year over year. There is a silver lining. According to SiteMinder, the average booking window for summer stays made in April held steady at 80.4 days, virtually unchanged from 81.8 days last year. Meanwhile, the average length of stay increased slightly to 2.29 days for summer 2025, compared to 2.26 days in 2024.
