The Most Googled Travel Destinations of 2018
Spoiler alert: People are still obsessed with Iceland.
We’ve called out tons of emerging destinations and hot travel trends over the course of 2018 (hello, electric scooters). But which places were the Googling masses obsessed with this year? Always quick with an answer, Google gave us a list of its top trending “Trip to…” searches (“Trip to Italy”, “Trip to France,” etc.) from the past 12 months, and the results are…well, not all that surprising. The top ten destinations consist of Europe’s greatest hits, tropical getaways, and the biggest party cities in the U.S. And despite bombastic headlines warning of overtourism, people are still totally obsessed with Iceland (honestly, same).
To help all you Googlers out there, we decided to answer the most popular autocomplete searches for each destination. If you’ve ever wondered about “Trip to Las Vegas horror stories,” we’ll even cover that for you. (Don’t worry, there’s no judgment when it comes to Google searches.) Without further ado, here are the top trending trips of 2018.
Italy
Trip to Italy cost: Depends on your trip length and how nice a place you’re staying at, dear Googlers. But flights to Milan are discounted on Emirates right now, and you could probably get there round-trip, even in the spring, for $500+.
Trip to Italy movie: Where to begin! Try Call Me By Your Name, which makes you want to spend days riding bikes slowly around Lombardy, and Under the Tuscan Sun (find more on our list of The 45 Best Travel Films of All Time).
Trip to Italy itinerary: Our entire March issue was dedicated to Secret Italy—a collection of off-the-A1 detours and hidden gems—so start there. Or for a more city-centered itinerary, head over to our Rome guide.
Paris, France
Trip to Paris in December: Normally, December is a festive time to be in Paris—this month has been difficult, but there’s still some fun to be had. Check out the artists in residence at Le Bon Marché and a pastry pop-up at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. And don’t forget about all of the city’s Christmas decorations.
Trip to Paris for 2: Perhaps no Parisian hotel is as romantic as Le Bristol. With its indoor rooftop pool, cappuccinos in view of the rose bushes, and candlelit Michelin-starred dining, it’s easy to see why people raved about it so much in the latest Readers’ Choice Awards.
Trip to Paris and London: Well well well, aren’t we the busy travelers? If you’re looking to fit more into your next trip to Europe, we suggest traveling with Eurostar. The train can get you between major cities without any airport hassles, and tickets are pretty cheap—London-Paris round-trip fares can be as low as US$80.
Iceland
Trip to Iceland northern lights: Several places in Iceland lend themselves to Northern Lights-spotting, but one of the best—and most easily accessible—spots is Thingvellir National Park, just 25 miles southwest of Reykjavík. For something more out there, sleep under the aurora borealis in a bubble (yes, really) at Iceland’s “5 Million Star Hotel.” No matter the location, just try to visit between December and March for a better shot at seeing the lights.
Trip to Iceland in June: You may not get to spot the Northern Lights, but a summer trip to Iceland sure has its advantages. The extended sunlight hours give you more time to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula or drive the Ring Road. You can even go heli-skiing if you want—ski season runs from March to June here.
Trip to Iceland what to pack: Funny you should ask. We have a complete guide to packing for Iceland right here.
WATCH THIS: 6-Day Camp Around Iceland: Part 2
The Bahamas
Trip to the Bahamas cruise: Our readers love the Disney Cruise Line, which, among other things, offers excursions to its private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay.
Trip to the Bahamas atlantis: That’s “Atlantis,” capped—the mega-complex that’s extremely family-friendly (read: water slides for days) and has several resorts, including Paradise Island and The Reef in Nassau. We’re particular fans of The Covehotel on Paradise Island, which underwent a major refresh in early 2018.
Trip to the Bahamas from Miami: Nassau is about an hour away from Ft. Lauderdale/Miami via plane, and you can hop on a charter flight to just about any of the islands. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival also offer great weekend cruisesfrom Miami to the Bahamas.
Ireland
Trip to Ireland with family: Walkable cities, fairytale castles, and affordable Aer Lingus flights make Ireland an ideal family vacation option. Check out our guide here.
Trip to Ireland 2019: Next year will be specifically great for Texan beer lovers: Starting in June 2019, American Airlines will launch direct flights between DFW and Dublin.
Trip to Ireland Dr. Peacock: “Trip to Ireland” is a 2015 EDM song by Dr. Peacock, a bowler hat-wearing DJ from the Netherlands—but you probably already knew that. You can listen to the song on YouTube.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Trip to Las Vegas grand canyon: The Grand Canyon makes for an excellent add-on trip from Las Vegas. The North Rim is a 4.5-hour drive from the city; it’s open from late May through November, and received only a tenth of the visitors as the South Rim. Or you can take the scenic (and quick) route via Sundance Helicopters. The company flies you over the site, lands you at the base of the Grand Canyon, then takes you back to Vegas—the whole thing takes about 3.5 hours from your hotel and back again.
Trip to Las Vegas movie: You’re probably thinking of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Ocean’s Eleven, or The Hangover.
Trip to Las Vegas horror story: Ummm… The Hangover?
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Trip to Bora Bora all inclusive: Some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts include The St. Regis, Le Méridien, Conrad Bora Bora Nui (a 2018 Hot List pick).
Trip to Bora Bora from Toronto: Major international flights arrive in Tahiti; from there, travelers can hop on a 50-minute inter-island connection on Air Tahiti to Bora Bora.
Trip to Bora Bora cost: According to writer Cynthia Drescher, flights from the west coast to Tahiti have recently sunk as low as $600 round-trip.
New York City
Trip to New York City on a budget: It’s hard to save money in New York, but it is possible. The new Freehand Hotel offers accommodations for groups of travelers, while Ace Hotels and the Freehand have relatively inexpensive room options. And we have to say it: $1 pizza slices.
Trip to New York City for Christmas: Isn’t it just the best? Our editors recently shared their recommendations for the best holiday activities in NYC, from window shopping on Fifth Avenue to sipping hot chocolate in The Plaza.
Trip to New York City planner: Look no further than our shiny New York City guide.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Trip to New Orleans Louisiana: Yes, New Orleans is in Louisiana. Don’t go searching for New Orleans, Wisconsin.
Trip to New Orleans alone: New Orleans is one of our favorite places for solo travel. As editor Meredith Carey writes, “Planning a trip can seem really daunting when you’re by yourself—too many choices, and no one to help you whittle it down. But in New Orleans, you can count on the locals to practically plan the whole thing for you.” Just sidle up to a friendly local, ask for a recommendation, and start exploring.
Trip to New Orleans bourbon street: You’ll smell it before you see it, all that spilled beer and humanity. If you must, stop by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop for drinks and saving grace Galatoire’s for dinner.
Spain
Trip to Spain trailer: “The Trip to Spain” is a 2017 road trip comedy starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon. You should watch it.
Trip to Spain for a week: You could easily stay in Madrid or Barcelona for a full week, but covering more of the country is totally advisable. Check out some of Spain’s wine country or secret islands to get a more authentic experience.
Trip to Spain Barcelona: We have everything you need to plan a trip to Barcelona in our handy city guide.