Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Google unveils popular destinations for summer vacation 2024

London tops in Google’s most popular destination of summer 2024

Google unveils popular destinations for summer vacation 2024

Google recently revealed its top 20 destinations for summer vacations in 2024, showcasing both popular favourites and new additions. Based on flight booking data and search trends from Google Flights for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2024, the list offers insights into the destinations attracting the most interest among travellers.

London tops the list as the most popular summer destination, followed by Paris and Tokyo. While Cancun was previously the number one destination, it has now moved down to number six. Meanwhile, Tokyo has risen from number eight to number three, reflecting a shift in traveller preferences.


London

london uk A rainbow view of London, Houses of parliament (Photo credit: iStock)

Bustling London, a historic heart with a global beat. Tower Bridge gleams, Big Ben tolls, and red buses zip by iconic landmarks. Ancient pubs share streets with modern marvels. Diverse cultures weave a tapestry, from Buckingham Palace to bustling markets. History whispers in museums, while vibrant theater stages ignite the night. London, is a city forever young, forever fascinating.

Paris

paris france Paris city in the springtime (Photo credit: iStock)

The Eiffel Tower pierces the sky, a symbol of romance and elegance. Cruise the Seine past iconic landmarks and savor croissants in charming cafes. Louvre's masterpieces inspire awe, while cobblestone streets whisper tales of love and revolution. Paris, a city that captivates with its timeless beauty, artistic spirit, and undeniable charm.

Tokyo

tokyo japan Asian woman wearing Japanese traditional kimono at Fuji Mountain, Kawaguchiko Lake, Japan. (Photo credit: iStock)

Neon lights pierce the night in this electrifying metropolis. Ancient temples stand beside towering skyscrapers, a fusion of tradition and innovation. Anime characters come alive in pop culture havens, while bullet trains whisk you through the city's heart. Tokyo, a mesmerising blend of the old and new, where technology thrives alongside timeless customs.

New additions to the list include San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Madrid, Spain, while Chicago and San Francisco did not make it into the top 20 this year. Other notable destinations in the top 20 include Rome, New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, and Seattle.

San Juan

san juan Colourful image with the fortification Castillo San Felipe del Morro along the coastline in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo credit: iStock)

Sun-kissed beaches and vibrant salsa music define Puerto Rico's capital. Explore colorful colonial architecture in Old San Juan, a reminder of the island's rich past. Lush rainforests beckon adventure seekers, while turquoise waters invite exploration. San Juan, a Caribbean gem offering history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.

Madrid

madrid spain Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena, the Catholic cathedral in Madrid, Spain (Photo credit: iStock)

Flamenco ignites vibrant nights in this Spanish capital. Royal grandeur gleams at the Palacio Real, while the El Prado museum stuns with masterpieces. Tapas bars beckon with tempting bites, and cobbled streets whisper tales of history. A city that pulsates with passion, charm, and a zest for life.

In terms of travel trends, searches for "travel itinerary" and "solo travel" have reached an all-time high in January. The top trending "weekend getaway" destinations are Palm Springs and the Florida Keys, while the most popular "romantic getaway" spots are Napa Valley and Key West.

Additionally, La Romana and Saint John emerged as the top trending destinations searched for all-inclusive resorts. These trends offer travellers inspiration and ideas for planning their summer adventures.

More For You

Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow, who is known for her wellness brand Goop

Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow’s topless breakfast video sparks buzz on Instagram

Gwyneth Paltrow has shared a new breakfast recipe in her latest cooking video — and stirred attention by going topless while preparing the meal.

The Oscar-winning actress, 52, posted the video on her Instagram on Saturday, 14 June, where she demonstrated how to make what she calls a “boyfriend breakfast”. The dish included sausage from a local butcher, white beans, spinach, cherry tomatoes and eggs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parklife festival stage shut down

The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening

Manchester News

Parklife festival stage shut down due to crowd safety concerns

Crowd control concerns led to the early closure of one of the main stages at the Parklife festival on its final day, prompting the cancellation of two anticipated DJ performances. The Matinee stage at Manchester’s Heaton Park was closed on Sunday evening, 15 June, after organisers acted on safety advice from their event team.

Attendees were instructed to leave the area as the show was paused. Later in the evening, festival organisers confirmed that the stage would remain shut for the rest of the night.

Keep ReadingShow less
mini Taj Mahal Madhya Pradesh

The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty

YouTube/ Priyam Saraswat

52-year-old man builds mini Taj Mahal for wife in Madhya Pradesh, wins hearts online

In Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, Anand Prakash Chouksey has built a striking replica of the Taj Mahal — not as a monument to grandeur, but as a tribute to his wife. The house, designed as a symbol of enduring love and modesty, has captured the internet’s attention following a viral video tour.

The house is a four-bedroom property built using Makrana marble — the same stone used in the original Taj Mahal in Agra. While the original monument's dimensions are in metres, Chouksey’s version was constructed using scaled-down measurements in feet. This results in a structure roughly one-third the size of the original, but retaining key architectural elements such as domes, carved pillars, and Mughal-style arches.

Keep ReadingShow less
Staying up late may speed up brain decline, researchers warn

A one-hour delay in sleep routine is linked to a sharper drop in cognition over time, the study found

iStock

Staying up late may speed up brain decline, researchers warn

A night owl, or an evening person with a late sleep-wake cycle, could be at a higher risk of cognitive decline with age compared to an early bird or a morning person, a study has found.

Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake type or times during the day when one naturally tends to be awake and asleep. A ‘night owl’ chronotype is said to have a later sleep-wake cycle, compared to an ‘early bird’ or a ‘lark’.

Keep ReadingShow less
Father’s Day

Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion

iStock

What Father’s Day means around the world: A celebration of presence over presents

Father’s Day is often seen as a time for cards, tools or a family lunch, but across the globe, it carries a much deeper significance. Beyond the commercial promotions, Father’s Day reflects a wide range of traditions shaped by history, culture and emotion. While some mark the occasion with grand gestures, others focus on quiet reflection, respect and the bonds that define fatherhood.

Thailand’s day of respect

In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on 5 December, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The day is as much about honouring the nation’s former monarch as it is about celebrating fatherhood. Citizens wear yellow, the king’s birth colour, and present canna lilies to their fathers as a symbol of gratitude and respect. It’s a cultural blend of familial and national reverence.

Keep ReadingShow less