Attention everyone building their must-see travel lists for the next few weeks, months, years, or lifetime ahead: luxury vacation company Kuoni has a few data-driven suggestions.
The company analyzed Google data, parsing through information gathered from 210 countries to uncover the most searched-for “rare” travel experiences. It defined those experiences as “those that occur twice a year or less,” including “wandering colorful and bustling streets at city festivals to experiencing dazzling natural wonders.”
After looking at all the data from the searches, Kuoni found that the ultra-rare “Manhattanhenge” is the most searched-for experience across the globe.
“The setting or rising sun aligns with the east-west streets within the main grid of Manhattan, creating a ‘skyrise tunnel’ which leads to the golden sun framed beautifully at the end,” Kuoni explained about the Manhattanhenge experience in its findings. “This phenomenon occurs just twice a year; May 28 and July 13 is when the sunset aligns, while Dec. 5 and Jan. 8 is when the sunrise version takes place.”
Following Manhattanhenge, Kuoni named Italy’s Venice Carnival as the second-most searched experience. “The 10-day fiesta has taken place annually since the Middle Ages,” it explained. “It involves costumes with elaborate and beautifully crafted masks worn throughout.”
And rounding out the top three experiences was one more party to remember: Brazil’s Carnival. “Every year, millions of people flock to the streets of Rio to experience the annual carnival of impressive and ornate floats, dancers, and colorful outfits,” Kuoni noted. “Vibrant celebrations occur each year in the days leading up to Lent, with samba parades, street parties, and glamorous balls all on offer.”
More of the top 10 experiences included Mexico’s Day of the Dead in fourth, London’s Chelsea Flower Show in fifth, followed by Ōgon Shūkan, otherwise known as Golden Week in Japan in sixth. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta came in seventh, seeing Lapland’s Northern Lights in eighth, Oktoberfest in Munich in ninth, and Japan’s Obon Festival in 10th place.
If, for some reason, this isn’t enough inspiration for you, that’s OK. We’ve got 21 life-changing trips everyone should experience at least once right here.