Dream destinations Americans want to travel to revealed – Mexico, Japan, and Italy take the top three spots

Best Scenic Drives for a Road Trip 

In Mexico, the dream destination is Cancun, which attracts more than 100,778 monthly searches on its own. This coastal hotspot makes up nearly 40% of all Mexico-related searches (255,489) – a sign of Americans’ love for beach escapes and all-inclusive resorts, as well as the easy proximity that makes Mexico a top pick. 

Japan comes in second on Americans’ travel wish lists, with 156,723 monthly searches. Tokyo leads the way with 42,678 searches, showing strong interest in everything from the city’s food and culture to its cutting-edge technology.  

Italy takes third place with 151,960 monthly searches, and Rome tops the list of Italian cities with 40,526 searches. With its mix of ancient history, world-class art, and celebrated cuisine, Italy continues to capture the imagination of American travelers. 

Greece comes in fourth with 118,095 monthly searches. Athens leads as the most searched Greek city with 18,621 monthly searches, though the data suggests interest is distributed across multiple Greek destinations including the islands. 

Canada, just across the northern border, ranks fifth with 113,146 monthly searches. The most attention goes to Toronto, with 34,128 monthly searches, as travelers look to its mix of cultures, food, and big-city buzz. 

The United Kingdom places sixth with 104,575 monthly searches. London dominates UK searches with 73,486 monthly searches, accounting for 70% of all UK-related travel queries and making it one of the most popular single cities in the study. 

Costa Rica sits in seventh place with 96,050 monthly searches. San José receives 8,868 monthly searches, indicating Americans’ interest may be more focused on the country’s natural attractions and biodiversity than its urban centers. 

Spain ranks eighth with 90,423 monthly searches. Interestingly, it’s Barcelona – not the capital Madrid – that takes the lead, drawing 29,832 monthly searches. The city’s striking architecture, Mediterranean beaches, and vibrant culture make it the top Spanish pick for American travelers. 

France follows in ninth place with 87,327 monthly searches. Paris dominates with 58,408 monthly searches – about two-thirds of all France-related searches – confirming the French capital’s timeless pull for visitors from the U.S. 

Thailand rounds out the top ten with 78,549 monthly searches. Bangkok, with 14,843 monthly searches, is the most searched Thai city, though the data suggests interest in multiple Thai destinations including resort areas. 

Ireland ranks 11th with 72,388 monthly searches. Dublin attracts the most interest with 20,330 monthly searches, representing about 28% of all searches related to Ireland as Americans seek to explore their heritage connections. 

Indonesia lands in 12th place with 71,083 monthly searches – and Bali almost single-handedly drives that interest. The island pulls in 60,909 searches on its own, accounting for 86% of all Indonesia-related queries, making it one of the most dominant single destinations in the entire study. 

Portugal ranks 13th with 66,060 monthly searches, with Lisbon taking the spotlight at 14,954. The capital’s popularity reflects Portugal’s growing appeal as a European escape, offering a blend of affordability, sunny weather, and vibrant culture. 

Dominican Republic sits at 14th with 60,736 monthly searches. Santo Domingo receives 9,536 monthly searches as the most searched city, though resort areas like Punta Cana may be searched under different terms not captured in this research. 

Australia completes the top fifteen with 54,642 monthly searches. Sydney leads Australian destinations with 7,457 monthly searches, though the relatively low city-specific searches suggest interest spans multiple Australian locations. 

David Ciccarelli, CEO of Lake.com, commented on the findings, “These search patterns reveal that Americans continue to be drawn to destinations that offer a mix of beaches, culture, and unique experiences. Mexico’s dominance isn’t surprising given its proximity, affordability, and the variety of experiences it offers American travelers. 

“What’s particularly interesting is how some countries are defined by a single standout city, while others spread the attention more evenly. Capitals like London, Paris, and Lisbon clearly dominate the searches for their countries, while places like Costa Rica or Australia see interest more widely distributed. 

“That suggests that for some destinations, travelers have a dream city in mind, while in others they’re more inclined to explore the whole country. 

“We’re also seeing strong interest in Asian destinations like Japan and Thailand, indicating Americans are increasingly looking beyond traditional vacation spots and seeking more diverse cultural experiences.”