Every year, millions of travel searches reveal where the world wants to go next. Some destinations trend because of viral moments, others because new flight routes make them more accessible, and some simply never lose their appeal.
Over the past year, certain destinations have consistently dominated Google searches as travellers hunted for everything from winter aurora adventures to beach escapes. And when destinations trend upward in search data, cash fares tend to follow, which is usually the moment to look at your Avios balance.
In this article, we’re listing the most Googled destinations of the past year and showing how you can get there using Avios reward flights. We’ll also cover how to collect Avios at hotels along the way and answer the question many travellers still ask: how do I use Avios points for the best value redemptions?
Barbados
It’s no coincidence that both Barbados and beaches start with the letter B. Packed with sandy white coasts and azure waters teeming with marine life, this Caribbean paradise knocks you out as soon as you land. With over 80 beaches circling the island, you can take your pick from family-friendly shores like Rockley Beach, the surf-lashed scenery of Bathsheba, or escape the crowds along quieter stretches such as Cattlewash.
There’s as much activity beneath the surface as there is above, with coral reefs, shipwrecks, and turtle-filled waters making snorkelling and diving just as rewarding as the view from the sand.
If you choose to venture inland, you’ll find lush botanical gardens, historic sugar plantations like St Nicholas Abbey, and the dramatic underground world of Harrison’s Cave. Trade winds keep the island lively for surfers and kiteboarders, Friday-night fish fries in Oistins add flavour to evenings, and the mix of rum heritage, cricket culture, and easygoing Caribbean charm proves that Barbados definitely has a lot more to offer than just a classic beach break.
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Quick tips:
- Public buses and shared minibuses are cheap and surprisingly efficient for getting around the island.
- East coast beaches are dramatic but often too rough for swimming. Check local advice.
- Local rum distillery tours (Mount Gay or Foursquare) give deeper cultural insight beyond resort areas.
- Reserve rental cars early during UK school holidays, when supply can get tight.
- Tap water is safe to drink, so bring a reusable bottle.
If you’re wondering “how do I use Avios points,” return off-peak Premium Economy British Airways Avios reward flights between London Heathrow and Bridgetown cost 104,500 Avios plus £400, while Business Class will set you back 198,000 Avios plus £499.
The new Club Suite operates on this route, so be sure to use Reward Flight Finder (RFF)'s Club Suite Filter and set an Alert, as demand for Barbados is usually high.
You can also earn Avios on hotels through loyalty transfers while you travel. Hilton properties let you collect Hilton Honors points, Radisson hotels earn Radisson Rewards points, Marriott stays collect Marriott Bonvoy points, and IHG hotels earn IHG One Rewards points, all of which can be transferred into Avios. Conveniently, each of these brands has resort options in Barbados.
Ibiza
Before you make an excuse about your age, we’ve got news for you: there’s more to Ibiza than dance clubs and nightlife. Beyond the legendary DJs and sunset parties lies an island packed with crystal-clear coves, golden beaches such as Cala Comte, and dramatic viewpoints overlooking the mysterious rock of Es Vedrà.
You can slip on your flipflops and wander through Dalt Vila’s historic streets, browse bohemian markets like Las Dalias, or find your way to the peaceful northern countryside. The funny thing about Ibiza is that once you stop chasing the party, you’ll see the island’s many different personalities. The music fades into the background, the crowds thin out, and suddenly you’re here for the sea, the sun, and the space to just be.
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Quick tips:
- Book beach restaurants well ahead in summer. Even casual spots fill up quickly.
- Water taxis between beaches can save the hassle of long drives during peak traffic.
- The island has excellent hiking routes in spring and autumn, especially along coastal paths.
- Local markets vary by day of the week. Plan your itinerary around market schedules.
- Many boutique hotels offer yoga or wellness sessions that don’t require overnight stays.
You can book British Airways Avios reward flights to Ibiza from London Heathrow, Gatwick, City or Stansted, with return off-peak Economy seats starting from around 26,000 Avios plus £2, and multiple daily departures making it easy to plan a quick escape.
If you’re wondering how to collect Avios while you travel, stay with Hilton or Marriott properties on the island and earn Avios that can later be transferred into Avios for future trips.
Krakow
If you’re a fan of Schindler’s List, the classic Steven Spielberg movie about the industrialist who saved over a 1,000 Jews from being deported to extermination camps, this is your chance to step inside history by visiting Schindler’s Factory exhibition, a museum set inside his original factory that walks visitors through everyday life in Kraków during the war, using photographs, recreated spaces, and personal stories.
The city’s past is impossible to ignore, especially on a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. It’s a sobering experience that stays with you long after you leave. It deserves time and reflection, but Kraków is also a fully functioning city. Step back into the centre, and you’ll find live music in dive bars, retro milk bars serving pierogi, and street carts selling fresh obwarzanek.
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Quick tips:
- Cash is still useful for small bakeries or local vendors despite widespread card acceptance.
- Try zapiekanka in Kazimierz for a classic late-night street food experience.
- Try to visit the Old Town at sunrise before tour groups arrive.
- Underground museums and salt mines nearby provide good rainy-day alternatives.
- Polish milk bars provide traditional dishes at very low prices.
Return off-peak Economy reward flights from London Heathrow to Kraków start from 26,000 Avios plus £2, and flights operate daily except Mondays. As with the other destinations, consider staying with Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, or IHG properties across the city to earn Avios while you’re there.
Malaga
Málaga has everything you’d expect from a Spanish holiday: sunshine, historical buildings, beaches, good food, and it sprinkles its own Andalucian touch on top. The coastline sits right next to the city centre, so you can sink your feet in the golden sand of La Malagueta Beach or cool off in the clear water for a swim whenever you feel like it.
You can wander into the old town without a map and somehow keep ending up somewhere interesting, whether that’s a tiny bar serving anchovies straight from the fryer or a quiet square where nothing much happens except the light shifting across old stone walls. Málaga works best when you stop treating it like a checklist. Walk a little slower, follow whichever street looks interesting, and let the day decide where you end up.
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Quick tips:
- Visit local markets like Atarazanas early for the best atmosphere and fresh produce.
- Evening paseos (slow strolls) along the waterfront are part of local culture.
- Many museums have free entry hours. Check schedules ahead of time.
- Chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) often specialise in charcoal-grilled sardines.
- Day trips into inland Andalusia are easy by regional train.
You can book Avios reward flights from London Heathrow, London City, or Gatwick to Málaga, with return off-peak Economy seats starting from around 26,000 Avios plus £2, and multiple daily departures available. Summer availability can be competitive, so it’s worth setting a RFF Alert early if you’re planning a peak-season trip. Don’t forget our tip: book hotels with Hilton, Marriott, or IHG to earn Avios for your stays.
Reykjavik
Aurora borealis. Need we say more? It’s the main character here, let’s be honest. You book the trip for the lights, download three different aurora forecast apps, and spend your first evening staring at the sky.
But Reykjavik itself has a low-key charm that creeps up on you. It’s small enough that you can walk pretty much everywhere, yet interesting enough that you keep getting distracted along the way. Bright tin-roofed houses line quiet streets, cafés feel like living rooms with better coffee, and no one seems remotely bothered by the weather doing whatever it feels like that day.
And when the aurora finally does appear, the whole city steps outside to look up together, and it feels strangely intimate. Some of the best views come from just outside town, or from a hot pool where you’re warm enough to forget how cold the night really is.
The city also serves as the perfect base camp if you want to explore the countryside and take in the waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and black-sand beaches.
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Quick tips:
- Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, even small cafés and pools.
- Grocery stores like Bónus help keep food costs manageable.
- Northern Lights tours often allow free rebooking if conditions aren’t ideal.
- Sunrise and sunset times change dramatically. Check daylight hours before planning activities.
- Wind chill matters more than temperature. Bring proper outer layers.
You can book BA reward flights from London Heathrow, London City or Gatwick to Reykjavík, with return off-peak Economy seats starting from around 30,000 Avios plus £2, and regular daily departures.
Winter is peak Northern Lights season, so availability can run out quickly. Make sure to set an Alert early. You’ll find Hilton, Marriott and Radisson properties in Reykjavik as well, so check them out if you want to earn Avios on your trip.
Basel
Is it any wonder that the city that gave us Roger Federer is almost too good to be true? Basel has the same easy composure you’d expect from its famous son. The old town looks like something out of a storybook, with colourful facades, narrow lanes, and the Rhine cutting right through the middle of it all.
The city sits at the meeting point of Switzerland, France and Germany, which means you can cross borders before lunch and still be back by dinner. Trams glide silently past medieval buildings, and galleries sit next to bakeries that take their pastries very seriously. Thanks to its location at the crossroads of three countries, it also makes a perfect base for exploring more of central Europe.
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Quick tips:
- Hotels often include a BaselCard for free public transport and museum discounts. Ask at check-in.
- Sunday closures are common in Switzerland, so plan shopping ahead.
- The Rhine promenade is best experienced at golden hour when locals gather.
- Basel Airport serves three countries. Check which exit corresponds to your destination.
- Border-crossing day trips are easiest by train rather than by car.
You can fly from London Heathrow to Basel using Avios reward flights, with return off-peak Economy seats starting from around 20,000 Avios plus £2, and multiple daily departures. Don’t forget to check out Radisson, Marriott or IHG if you want to collect Avios on hotels.
