By Dagmar Alayash, e-Management

With summer on the horizon, our thoughts are turning to the sun, warmth, and vacation time. A Trip Advisor’s survey indicates that about 89% of people in the United States are planning a summer trip this year, a 6% increase compared to last year. The harsh winter may have contributed to the increase. While we can’t choose or plan your vacation for you, our blog team is excited to talk about the vacation trends for 2014, with some special events taking place that are predicted to drive and shape some of our vacations.

Travel Destinations for Summer
2014 Top Travel Destinations, in no particular order, we list a few destinations as predicted by several travel sites and USA Today.

1. Starting with a local destination… The e-Management blog team lives in the Mid-Atlantic region; so let’s talk Baltimore, MD. Baltimore is heading the country’s 200th anniversary of the national anthem in September with its Star Spangled Spectacular. The event will bring replica 18th and 19th century tall ships, into its Inner Harbor, and one of the largest firework displays ever on the Chesapeake Bay.
2. The U.S.A. has more than 58 national parks. So, we recommend one of the gems of American parks–Yosemite National Park in California. The park celebrates 150 years of protected status. Hundreds of events, most of them in the surrounding communities, are planned throughout the year.
3. Sports fans have options too. This year’s World Soccer Cup host, Brazil, also makes the list, with the country’s entire infrastructure being upgraded in preparation for the games, including airports, hotels, and tourist services.
4. Moving across the globe, the Greek Islands have amazing picturesque beaches, delicious food, and a magical tranquility in the air. With the Greek economy final improving after 6 years of a flailing economy, it’s still a budget-friendly vacation spot.
5. The United Kingdom (UK) is a favorite vacation spot for our blog team! So we strongly recommend you take advantage of the host of events going on this summer. Looking at Scotland, it’s calling 2014 the year of Scotland Homecoming with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland unique. Liverpool, England is an eternal attraction for Beatles fans. The city offers museums, historic sites, and a hotel all themed after the Fab Four. After the post-industrial gloom, the city’s revival includes an outpost of the Tate Art gallery. Liverpool’s port also makes a comeback as a major cruise port. Bringing back the Cunard shipping line after an absence of 50 years, Cunard sails its 3 ships into Liverpool port for a rendezvous in February 2015. Also, it’s only a 2 hour train ride from the city of London. See more popular destinations on Foder’s Travel link, including tips on how to find the best travel bargains.
6. Back to the U.S.A. Assateague and Chincoteague Islands, though not included on the list of Top Travel Destinations for 2014, they make our list. Located in both Maryland and Virginia, the islands are protected from development and are one of the most visited refuges in the country. With 14,000 acres of beaches, salt marsh, and fresh water marsh, the area offers an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. An annual attraction on the islands is the Annual Wild Pony Swim with about 150 wild horses making the historic swim across the Assateague Channel. Want to avoid the crowds? Boat excursions can take you close to the islands at other times of the year to see the ponies living in their natural habitat. Check out this website for more details.

What Are Your Summer Plans?
So, in our quest to explore new places, it looks like we are ‘all over the map’ in 2014. Be it close to home or far away, there seems to be no boundaries to our vacation options. We’d love to have you join us and share your own thoughts on vacations in 2014. (1) Do you have any favorite destinations? (2) Do you have any recommended travel tips to add to our list? (3) What places are on your wish list for future trips?