As Australians are beginning to feel the onset of winter 's chill , Aussies travellers are looking to escape this year 's cold in exchange for a European summer . Recent data released by KAYAK.com.au has revealed that most Aussies are planning their mid-year getaways in Europe . Research by the travel search engine further indicates that Aussies are planning to travel abroad between May and August , while seven out of the top ten holiday destinations are in Europe . Australian tourists are planning to holiday in destinations across Europe , the number one choice being the ancient city of Athens in Greece . 1 ) Athens , Greece . 2 ) Istanbul , Turkey . 3 ) Toronto , Canada . 4 ) Warsaw , Poland . 5 ) Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam . 6 ) Dublin , Ireland . 7 ) Barcelona , Spain . 8 ) Colombo , Sri Lanka . 9 ) Santiago , Chile . 10 ) Vienna , Austria . Debby Soo , Vice President APAC at KAYAK , says Australians do n't seem bothered by the cost of their trip , as long as it means they can stay away from the cold . 'Australia is often thought of as a nation of sun-seekers and the upswing of searches for places like Athens , Istanbul and Ho Chi Minh City support that notion , ' she said . 'Destinations like Warsaw , Colombo , and Santiago also suggest Aussies are looking for more diverse escapes . 'People do n't appear to be put off by distance , cost or the time it takes to reach somewhere – especially if it means they get a break from winter . ' Second of the top 10 destinations Aussies are looking to escape to this winter is Istanbul - the cultural and historical heart of Turkey . Another hotspot among Aussie tourists is Toronto in Canada , according to recent data released by KAYAK.com.au . Fourth of the top 10 list is Warsaw in Poland , where Aussies are planning their mid-year getaways . Number one on the list is the ancient city of Athens in Greece , followed by Istanbul - the cultural and historical heart of Turkey . The number of Australians heading overseas has also increased in recent years , according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics . Between 2002 and 2012 , the amount of Australians travelling overseas increased from 3.5 million to 8.2 million . The strong Australian dollar sees Aussies still keen to spend their hard-earned wages on trips overseas and new experiences and sights . Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam is said to be the fifth destinations Aussies are searching for this winter . Dublin , Ireland also makes it on the top 10 planned holiday destinations for Aussie travellers . Barcelona in Spain is one of the seven European countries which make it on the top 10 list . The number one attraction for Aussies heading overseas is Athens , one of the world 's oldest cities , and considered by many to be the birthplace of democracy . Second on the list is Istanbul , which is the sixth largest city in the world , and is famed for it 's history , including it 's location along the Silk Road . Other hot spots for Aussie tourists include Toronto in Canada and Warsaw , in Poland . Finishing off the top ten hot spots for Aussie travellers are Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam , Dublin in Ireland , Barcelona in Spain , Colombo in Sri Lanka , Santiago in Chile , and Vienna in Austria . Colombo , Sri Lanka seems to be another popular vacation spot among Australians this year . Destinations like Santiago , Chile is a place where Australians can escape winter between May and August . Vienna , Austria appears to be one of the countries that many Aussies are planning to visit this year .
Australian tourists are planning to holiday abroad between May and August . Most of the holiday destinations are in Europe , number one being Greece . Seven out of the top ten destinations for Aussie are in Europe . Others include Toronto in Canada , Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Aussies in Sri Lanka .