Google Search has released a new feature called Destinations, which uses its massive enviable database pertaining to different locations and lets one plan trips in advance. It is basically includes a mash-up of Google’s popular services such as Google Flights and Hotel Search. This feature is currently only available on mobile devices. All one has to do is enter the area of interest in the Search box followed by the term ‘destination’ or ‘vacation’, and Google will throw up a list of itineraries along with giving flight rates and hotel accommodation rates. You can add more perspective by filtering the search results based on your interest areas, your budget, your tentative dates of flying, and so on.
Say you’re planning to take some time off in June or July, but you haven’t decided exactly when to go. The “Flexible Dates” filter lets you refine your results by month, so you can see when fares and rates are lowest within the time range you want, across multiple destinations, according to Google blog. Google will then throw up search results of flight rates, and hotel availability along with local attractions to check out. This may sound quite similar to the Google Now cards that we get when we reach a new location. But the differentiating aspect with Destinations is that it also gives one a list of itineraries along with map locations.
For instance, things such as walking tours or theme based tours are part of the itineraries along with map locations. This is indeed a great way to have a basic idea of what to do in a new location. For instance, if you look up Barcelona, you get the itineraries such as Gothic Quarter highlights, Barcelona for Art lovers and so on. If you select Vienna, you get a 48 Hours in Vienna type itinerary and so on. Basically, something that you would originally search for on TripAdvisor, you are getting right within your Google Search result.
