Google knows everything. It knows that you stayed up until midnight online shopping. It knows that your neighbor loves “Succession.” It also knows where everyone in America wants to travel. And, thanks to Google Trends, we can know a little of what Google knows, too.

Google Trends puts out an annual report detailing the unique searches of the year, to shed light onto mankind’s many curiosities. By looking at searches that accelerated the fastest last year, we can see what everyone was really into in 2019 — from America’s most-searched recipes (shepherd’s pie, chicken parm, ham glaze), to its most-searched babies (Baby Yoda, Baby Shark, royal baby). Our search data takes the temperature of our ever-changing interests.

“The reason we do it is because Google has this incredible data which can tell you how we’re all thinking about things we care about, and how things change each year,” says Google data editor Simon Rogers. "It takes you beyond the echo chamber of social media. This is what people genuinely care about. It’s an honest look at the world.”

[By The Way’s most popular travel stories, tips and guides of 2019]

The report singles out travel, sharing the places where people researched potential trips. Last year, the top trending destinations for American Google users were Italy, Paris, Iceland, the Bahamas, Ireland, Las Vegas, Bora Bora, New York, New Orleans and Spain.

This year, four of the 10 destinations — Bora Bora, Vegas, New Orleans and New York — made the list again.

Read on to see what made 2019′s list, along with By The Way tips for visiting the trending spots.

1. Maldives



A woman sunbathing in an infinity swimming pool in the Maldives. (iStock)

Overwater villas. Endless ocean horizons. White sand beaches. The Maldives has become one of the most aspirational travel destinations, perfect for honeymooners, Instagram influencers and people who had already been everywhere else.

In 2019, it took Google Trends’ top spot on its “trip to” category, showing that interest in the island nation is only getting stronger.

2. Japan



Customers enjoy snacks and Coffee at Regendo, Nishi Ogikubo. (Irwin Wong for The Washington Post)

With the Tokyo Olympics coming up in 2020, it’s no surprise that Japan made the Google Trends travel list. Before you go, read up on all of the different accommodations you can experience during your stay, and get familiar with our Tokyo guide written by a local who was once a sommelier and a chef.

[Staying in a historical Japanese temple is an extraordinary experience. Here’s how to do it.]

3. Bora Bora



Colorful fish, stingray and black tipped sharks underwater in Bora Bora lagoon. (iStock)

Like the Maldives, Bora Bora is one of those once-in-a-lifetime vacation spots that most people reserve for special occasions. Surrounded by twinkling azure water, the island in French Polynesia has been popular longer than the Maldives.

4. Las Vegas



Sunbathers enjoy the Garden of the Gods pool at Caesars Palace. (Mikayla Whitmore for The Washington Post)

Sin City is a repeat city on the Google Trends list, and a destination that can surprise you if you know where to venture off the Strip.

Read about alternative neighborhoods to stay in, and what makes Vegas one of the most exciting cities in the country outside of its hotel culture.

5. Mexico



Customers eat lunch at Nicos in Mexico City. (Alicia Vera for The Washington Post)

Mexico has something for everyone, from its dazzling beaches to its culinary wonders. Put Mexico City on your 2020 travel bucket list, and get familiar with our local’s guide to Mexico’s capital before you go.

6. Alaska



A view of the mountains near Petersburg Borough, Alaska, from the Inside Passage. (iStock)

The sixth destination on Google’s list, Alaska promises rugged beauty and diverse wildlife. The Land of the Midnight Sun is popular among cruise enthusiasts and outdoorsy types. Visit during the off-peak spring for fewer tourists blocking your view of glaciers.

7. New Orleans



The Garden District in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Annie Flanagan for The Washington Post)

One of the best food cities in the world, New Orleans secured a place on the Google Trends list yet again. Between the jazz, the architecture and the parades, there’s a lot to New Orleans that makes it so search-worthy.

8. California



Visitors view Michael Heizer’s Levitated Mass at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. (Lisa Corson for The Washington Post)

California is a great bang-for-your-buck travel destination with the Pacific Ocean, the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley, Yosemite, Hollywood and Big Sur all tucked into its expansive borders. If California is on your agenda, check out our guides to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

9. New York



The Dorothy Iannone mural on the Highline in New York. (Phillip Reed for The Washington Post)

New York City pulls in more tourists than any other U.S. city, making it an obvious contender for the Google Trends list year after year. People Googling trips to New York will likely end up in the big city, where world-class museums, restaurants and shopping await.

Learn more about Manhattan beyond the Empire State Building, or head across the bridge to investigate what Brooklyn has to offer.

10. Costa Rica



A person walks on a hanging bridge in Monteverde, Costa Rica. (iStock)

With more than 800 miles of coastline, Costa Rica is a dreamy destination for people who want to escape their normal routine and explore a jungle paradise. The lush country is home to 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, making it particularly appealing to nature lovers who want to see toucans and monkeys. Skip experiences where you touch animals for ones where you can observe them in their natural habitat.

correction An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that California was one of the most Googled destinations in 2018. It has been corrected.

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