A beautiful Mediterranean country beats luxury long-haul getaways as 2025's most booked holiday

September was found to be the most popular month for departures, with a clear shift towards shoulder-season getaways when crowds thin out, and temperatures remain pleasant.

This is according to Thomas Cook data, which also showed a continued appetite for value-driven escapes. Holidaymakers are keen to make their money stretch further while still enjoying quality breaks abroad.

When it comes to city breaks, Kraków proved irresistible to British travellers, securing the top spot among urban getaways.

For those dreaming bigger, the USA dominated long-haul bookings, with customers eager to experience bucket list cities, stunning natural landscapes and world-famous attractions.

All-inclusive packages were the most popular choice for board basis, while four-star hotels came out top as the most frequently booked accommodation category.

This combination shows holidaymakers looked for both convenience and quality this year, without necessarily splashing out on the very highest tier of luxury.

Budget-conscious travellers should keep Albania on their radar for 2026, with the travel agent flagging it as a destination worth watching – and package holidays starting from just £136 per person make it easy to see why.

The booking data also threw up some fascinating extremes. One customer splashed out a whopping £33,000 on a luxury Mauritius getaway, marking the highest-value holiday of the year.

Forward planning was another trend, with one particularly organised traveller booking a Venice trip 463 days in advance for September 2026.

Chief holidays officer at Thomas Cook, Alan French, said: "2025 has been a strong year for holiday demand, with customers continuing to prioritise value. We've seen growing confidence in booking further ahead, alongside increased interest in emerging destinations, and we expect that appetite to continue as we move into the new year and beyond."

With over 20,000 hotels across 71 destinations and partnerships with more than 190 airlines, Thomas Cook offers plenty of choice for travellers planning their next escape.

All package holidays come with ATOL protection, giving customers peace of mind and financial security when booking ahead.