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Macau, Maldives, Dubai: What Indians looked for on Google
According to the Zeitgeist charts released by the search engine giant Google, users in India looked for these travel destinations in 2013.
From Philippines to Mauritius and Dubai, Indians have been looking at varied travel destinations in the world this year.
According to the search engine giant Google's charts, these are the places that were most searched for in 2013.
10. Philippines
The archipelago nation of Philippines was the tenth most searched for destination on Google India.
Comprised over 7,000 islands, Philippines is the place for divers, beach bums and trekkers alike.
The fact that the US Department of State had warned of the risks of travel to the Philippines in general and the Sulu Archipelago and the island of Mindanao in July this year hadn't stopped us from looking it up!
9. Bangkok
With an easy-to-obtain visa on arrival and something for everyone in the family, it isn't surprising to find Bangkok in this list.
Known as much for its sex industry as its temples and market, Bangkok was also recently in news for being home to two of top ten most Instagrammed destinations of 2013 -- the Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Siam Paragon mall.
Read more about Bangkok travel here
8. Singapore
Singapore is often an also-visit destination for most Indian travellers to South East Asia and that too with the intention to visit Sentosa Island.
With a large Indian community there and a popular Study Abroad destination, Singapore does have a fair amount of things to do.
"The tiny city is packed with places to go to and can be the perfect destination for your next vacation," says travel writer Harnoor Channi Tiwary in her 'Singapore only' travelogue here.
7. Amsterdam
With a great nightlife, superb sights, world-class infrastructure and the permission to do things that are illegal in most other places, Amsterdam ranks number seven in Google's list of places that Indians searched for in 2013.
As it also happens, the Dutch capital is also one of the safest for women travellers.
Sweta M Nair recently visited it and busted a bunch of myths for us. If her travelogue hasn't convinced you to visit it yet, we really don't know what will.
6. Dubai
Barely hours away from India, Dubai is becoming one of the most popular weekend getaways for a certain class of Indians.
With several water sport opportunities, wide shopping options and lesser-known adventure sports including camel racing, desert safari and dune bashing we are surprised that Dubai isn't higher up on the list.
However, if you are visiting Dubai, here are a few things you must remember.
5. Boston
It may be a mid-sized city but there is a reason why Boston is called the Athens of America. The metropolitan Boston area itself has more than 50 educational institutions for higher education that attract scholars from around the world.
Known as much for its world-class architecture and its eternally-packed cultural calendar, Boston rounded off the top five destinations that users searched for on Google India.
4. Bali
Marvellous beaches, lush rice plains, misty mountains, thick forests, live volcanic mountains and endless temples will welcome you in Bali.
The picture-perfect Indonesian island ranked number four in Google's list.
Mahesh Patil visited Bali on his honeymoon and returned with a bagful of these memories.
3. Mauritius
Lonely Planet quite rightly calls it a 'world-in-one-island slice of paradise'. If the pristine white beaches and clear blue seas don't appeal to you, its many historic sights and cultural diversity most certainly will.
Add warm and hospitable people to the list and you have a winning destination on your hand.
2. Maldives
Surf, snorkel and dive to your heart's content in Maldives, arguably the best place for water sports in the world.
Explore the rich marine life -- including the whale shark, the world's largest fish -- and mingle with the locals by opting to stay in a small private guesthouse rather than a large private luxury hotel.
There may not be a lot 'to do' besides this but Maldives is just the place to go if you want to get away from the bustle of your city life.
1. Macau
Topping the list is Macay which has much to offer besides its many casinos. A visit to Old Macau will reveal a side that your non-gambling self might just enjoy.
Travel writer Lakshmi Sharath discovered that Old Macau with its 15th century A-Ma temple (from which Macu gets its name) and the Ruins of St Paul's among other things offer a good lesson in history too.