These Are The Best Vacation Spots In The World

There's no place like home, according to a survey by Virtuoso, a network of travel agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. A new analysis by the company of the best vacation spots in the world found that the United States ranked first.

The Virtuoso study is one of several lists released just as the busy summer travel season gets underway. The surveys suggest that when it comes to the hottest travel destinations, closer is better. But beyond a few always-popular places, there's not much agreement among the experts.

Traditionally, the summer travel season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. So during the next few weeks, you're likely to see a lot of stories about the best vacation spots in the world. They use a variety of methodologies to arrive at vastly different conclusions.

But this summer, they all seem to be saying more or less the same thing: there's going to be more domestic travel. Staycations are hot. Travel research firm MMGY is even calling it a travel recession.

"As Americans plan their summer getaways, some are opting to stay closer to home and explore their own country, putting the United States in the number-one slot," explains Virtuoso in its analysis. "The scenery and diversity of national parks appeal to families and adventurers alike when the temps warm up."