article: 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 don'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 don'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 .
highlights: 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 Colombo in Sri Lanka .
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