Few of these destinations have announced a visa-free entry for Indians offering them a warm welcome and a chance to be a part of hassle-free holidays. Vietnam may be the next country to declare visa-free entry for Indians on the lookout to visit the country, but nothing as such has been confirmed yet.

Known for its hill-tribe villages and astounding natural beauty, a journey to Vietnam is sure to win hearts. Goa- the pocket-sized paradise, Bali – a tropical state of mind, Sri Lanka- a gem dotted with timeless ruins and Thailand- a land of golden Buddhas are also a must-visit.

Kashmir’s alpine peaks, Coorg’s spice plantations, and Andaman & Nicobar Island’s primeval jungles also deserve a special mention. Italy’s elating gastronomy and Switzerland’s ski slopes are ecstatic allures bound to make travellers journey past both. It is the time of the year when a majority of travellers prepare themselves to fulfill their much-awaited trips. And as the year ends, nothing would be more rewarding than exploring one’s dream destination.

However, as any avid traveler will tell you, planning an overseas getaway comes with a great deal of responsibility – half of the success of your trip will depend on how well you do your research.

That’s why hundreds of millions of people are scouring the internet in search of their ideal hotspot, revealing some interesting trends in the process.

1. London
Though undoubtedly an iconic city, London’s emergence as the most searched-for destination on Earth came a bit as a surprise.
Since Paris, the capital of the most visited country in the world, has consistently come out on top of international studies of this nature, most travelers were expecting a France-dominated list this time around as well.

However, it seems that the many world-class landmarks in the English city, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the historic Globe Theatre, have piqued travelers’ interest in never-seen-before rates.

2. Paris
Though not in its usual no. 1 spot, Paris still made the list as a proud runner-up.

aerial view of Eiffelo Tower, Paris, France
There’s no way around it – the French capital is an eternal favorite among travelers, and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

Between the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum (home to the iconic Mona Lisa), the Champs-Élysées avenue, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe, visitors here can experience some of the world’s most talked-about attractions.

arc de triomphe in Paris
The abundant sightseeing options aren’t the only facet of the Parisian allure, though.

Travelers in the city can experience one of the world’s most delectable cuisines, attend highly coveted events like Paris Fashion Week or Fête de la Musique, and revel in the romantic, movie-like atmosphere that can be felt all over the city.

3. New York
North America’s sole representative on today’s list stands proudly at no. 3.

Most tourists that come to the city, both domestic and international, are striving to get that quintessential New York experience, even if just for a couple of days.

new york city
Whether that means hitting the most iconic attractions (i.e., the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, the MET, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and so on) or roaming through the more obscure streets and local favorite cafes, that’s up to each individual traveler.

4. Bangkok
The capital of Thailand once again reinforces its status as one of Asia’s most coveted hotspots.

Boasting a unique blend of ancient temples, bustling markets, and serene landscapes, Bangkok provides tourists with a movie-like experience that’s hard to replicate in the city breaks of Europe and the U.S.

Grand palace and Wat phra keaw at sunset bangkok, Thailand
Historical marvels like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun are beautifully complemented by the city’s vibrant street life, complete with floating markets and the lively Khao San road.

5. Barcelona
Barcelona is the kind of city that needs no introduction – chances are that the Catalonia capital has long been part of your travel bucket list and, as it turns out, you’re not alone.

Millions of travelers researched the Spanish hotspot and its wide array of must-see attractions (think the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, Mercado de La Boqueria, and the Picasso Museum) this past year.

2. Couchsurfing is awesome
Couchsurfing is essentially a generous host, opening up their home to you for anywhere from a few nights to a month depending on the agreement. It is an app that allows you to search for hosts in a destination and view their hosting history and bio. You might be offered the couch, a spare bed or even a spare bedroom. What do you need to give in return? Many thanks, cleanliness, a fun attitude and hopefully pay it forward when you are in a place of your own. Couchsurfing is global so it really opens the door to cheap worldwide travel and the opportunity to meet some generous local hosts.

3. Eat where the locals eat!
The best way to blow all your money is to go to a country with great local food like Indonesia and eat at western restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe. If you are willing to eat from street carts, local markets and small cafe’s you can stretch your budget much, much further. For example, a serving of nasi goreng with shrimp ( fried rice, vegetables, egg and shrimp) can cost 1-2 dollars in a local market. A hamburger, fries, and salad near the beach could set you back 10-15 dollars. Aside from focusing on the financial benefits of eating local, remember why you wanted to travel. There is nothing better than experiencing the culture and traditions of a meal that has been around for centuries. Even if every now and again you try something that is horrible or way too spicy, it is all part of your immersion into a foreign culture.

4. Sunrise and sunset are free
The first thing many people do when they arrive at their destination on a vacation is head to the tour booking office. Purchasing jet ski hire, jungle tours, day trips, snorkeling adventures and all kinds of fun activities. Most of which are luxury activities and are not necessary to have a good time. Every now and again an opportunity might come along too good to miss, like a bungee jump in New Zealand or scuba diving in The Gili Islands but for the most part the best activities are free. Think hiking, beaches, snorkeling, sunrise, sunset, visit temples, churches and other tourist attractions. Hiring a moped a splitting a car between friends will give you the access to most locations a tour guide can take you. Be responsible for organizing your own adventures and fun and you will discover more but also save a lot of money.

5. Luxury accommodation is the enemy
If you cannot deal without luxury most of this list is not for you. However, if you can, this is the best way to save a ton of money. Get onto sites like booking.com and see what properties are having a last minute sale or heavy discounts. Maybe it isn’t in the prime location or doesn’t have a swimming pool in the courtyard. Ask yourself how much time you are going to spend at your accommodation. If you are the type of person who is out all day adventuring and seeing the sights, book somewhere cheap, clean and with basic amenities. Most vacation destinations have accommodation ranging from $10 to $500. I personally search the location and then order the listings from cheapest to most expensive. I try not to scroll too far.

1. How to Get There
Normally, travel guides present several options for getting to each destination, including which cities are nearby, which modes of transportation are available, and the price of those transportation options.

Also, you can offer some tips and tricks on how to plan a trip more efficiently. For example, in some cases, it’s cheaper to take a plane, while, in other cases, ground transportation is a better option. You can also share some money-saving tricks.

2. Accommodations
Today, there are plenty of ways to arrange accommodations in any destination. You can start by suggesting a hotel or hostel via Booking.com, which many tourists are familiar with or have already used. You can then offer to rent places to stay with locals through platforms like Airbnb or HomeAway.

At this point, you can also offer tricks to save money. In some popular locations, such as Barcelona, it is usually cheaper to rent accommodations in the nearest town instead of within the city itself, while, in other destinations, like Paris, choosing the right town while avoiding marginalized areas can be far trickier. Be sure to carefully research the destination and offer valuable advice.

3. Tours and Attractions
After learning about their transportation and accommodation options and costs, tourists will want to explore their destination’s sights and entertainment opportunities. In this section, you can create a list of attractions to visit and excursions that will make sightseeing more exciting. Include options from walking tours to bus excursions to boat trips. For inspiration, look through the Experiences section on Airbnb.com.

4. Getting Around
Another important topic to cover is transportation options within the destination. For example, the first thing travelers would like to know is how to get from the airport/railway/bus station to the city center. There are usually dozens of transportation methods and the price differences between them can be massive, so your readers will appreciate such advice.

It is also important to describe different methods of getting from the transportation hubs to the main attractions while offering options to save a few bucks. In this section, it might be a great idea to ask locals to share tricks. For example, in Lisbon, taxis are often the same price as public transportation or lower.

5. Travel Costs
This is one of the most important parts of any travel guide, as travel costs greatly influence booking intent. Thus, you should briefly cover the prices of flight tickets, accommodations, tours, food and drink options, public transport insurance, and other relevant travel products. Also, for budget travelers, provide tips on how to save money or find the best value.

6. Staying Safe
In this section, you can cover concerns that tourists might have about security. Different cities and areas have different regulations and concerns, so make sure to do the proper research and possibly even ask locals for advice.

So, which questions and concerns should you cover? Consider topics like: where to park a car or exchange money, what areas are best to avoid, are there many pickpockets, and so on.

To monetize the travel guide using partner links, join the Travelpayouts partnership platform. Here you can find the travel affiliate programs of many popular travel brands, such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, etc.

By promoting travel brands, you help your audience save money on travel and, as a result, travel more. In addition, you can turn your hobby into income. Signing up only takes a couple of minutes and you can start integrating partner link in relevant pages of your guide. You’ll earn every time a user follows your link and purchases a service.

Monetize your project with Travelpayouts, embark on a new journey, and create inspiring content for your audience.

Can You Write a Travel Guide From Home?
Naturally, writing travel guides based on your own experiences and illustrating them with your own photos is much easier and more authentic than writing about a destination you have never visited, although it is not always possible or even necessary to do so. With such a large selection of travel posts on the Internet today, you can easily create a detailed travel blog without ever leaving your home.

In this article, we’ve prepared some travel guide writing tips and a template to help you create useful blog materials. To make your posts even more appealing, explore travel guides created by locals who have a deep knowledge of your selected destination. Of course, be sure to double-check all the information that you share.

Choose a Destination
The first step towards writing a travel guide is selecting a destination. You may choose any location from the world’s most-visited cities, such as New York or Paris, to small idyllic villages. Just remember that your writing will largely depend on this initial choice. As there are already tons of guides about popular destinations, you’ll probably have to find a fresh perspective to make your materials stand out. When it comes to lesser-known spots, it will likely be easier to draw the attention of your audience.

While writing a guidebook, make sure to check with locals who know your destination inside out and can share invaluable advice. Try to connect with them through platforms such as CouchSurfing.org or Facebook.com. Ask them questions or ask them to check over your guide.