When it comes to vacation planning, holidaymakers in the US said their top priority is to immerse themselves in the local culture, followed by shopping and feasting on local cuisine.

Those are among some of the findings in the latest “American Express Spending & Saving Tracker” report, released this week, which likewise found that summer travel plans are on the rise this year, up 17 percent compared to 2012. Of the 1,505 consumers polled, 69 percent said they plan to hit the roads or the sky over the next three months.

Priorities among travelers include immersion in the local culture (36 percent); shopping (30 percent); local food and cuisine (26 percent); educational activities (24 percent); and visiting historical sites and monuments (23 percent).

Summer travel expenditure is expected to rise to average $1,145 per person. The report also found that the top destinations this summer will be Florida, California, the Bahamas and New York.

And while the most common form of travel is with the family, the ‘Babymoon’ trend continues to grow. This year, more than half — 53 percent — of affluent parents said they will plan to take a pre- or post-baby vacation with their significant other.