10 Alternative Destinations That Are Less Traveled

My goal is to the see the world, so I’m hardly recommending skipping any place. However, sometimes I need to get away from the crowds. Sometimes I’m more interested in culture or beauty and less interested in having the option of pizza and tourist traps. Here are 10 great alternatives to the more crowded options, for equally beautiful (and sometimes more beautiful) destinations around the world.

1) Zakynthos, Greece (instead of other Greek/Mediterranean islands)

Zakynthos is the most underrated travel destination we’ve been to. It isn’t completely unknown and it’s famous Navagio beach is getting plastered everywhere since TripAdvisor made it prominent in their design. But the amount of tourism it gets is absolutely tiny compared to so many other Greek islands.

Also, the culture and food resembles a lot of Italy due to its Italian rule for many years. It is a fabulous mix of the best of Greece and the best of Italy. From the culture to the crystal water, this is a must visit.

 

2) Copper Canyon (instead of the Grand Canyon)

Truth is that if you want to experience the Grand Canyon, hike down in it. It’s an absolute blast and a great experience. But the Copper Canyon in Mexico is actually bigger and deeper (in parts). And what’s really crazy is that there is a train that goes through it. Plus, the rates for the train are pretty cheap. It is perfectly set up for tourism and yet, it’s hardly known compared to the Grand Canyon.

 

3) Newfoundland (instead of Ireland)

Carrie’s family did this trip before my time. Though Carrie would hardly recommend skipping Ireland, she said that Newfoundland is one of her favorite trips. And the funny thing is that there is an “Irish Loop” settled by Irish years ago. Irish accents and music included.

Although it’s the natural beauty that draws people to Newfoundland.

 

4) Yap and Palau (instead of Fiji, Bora Bora)

There are hidden gem islands all over the world (like the Andaman islands) but Yap and Palau are incredibly easy to get to with miles as United has tons of flights from Guam.

I wish I made a little more effort while in Guam and Saipan and tried to include this in our Pacific Hopper trip. While I loved Fiji and Rarotonga, I’m itching to do an alternative version with Yap and Palau instead.

These islands have the beauty of other pacific islands but really interesting twists. Yap has an untouched culture, giant stone money, and some of the best diving in the world. And Palau is also a great dive spot, but is incredibly scenic with unique dome rocks scattered with mazes of crystal blue water.

Not only is this beautiful, and less touristy, it’s actually easier to get to. The Yasawas in Fiji required a long and relatively expensive boat ride, and that’s after you got from the airport to the pier. Fiji, but especially the main island, is bigger than you think.

 

5) Sri Lanka (instead of India or Chiang Mai)

Sri Lanka has everything but in a small area. Personally, I think Sri Lanka is a less intense, more tourist friendly version of India, and it’s easier to travel because it’s size is much smaller. It still has beaches, safaris, mountains, culture, food, etc…

Now it doesn’t have the mountains of the Himalayas. But believe it or not I say this is a way more farflung alternative to northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is a hugely visited place and while I don’t care for the backpacker scene and therefore probably miss that part of the appeal is comradery, I don’t get it. I love Thailand, but instead of visiting the rice fields there, go to the tea plantations in Sri Lanka.

If you’re going for culture, skip the infinite row of hostels and pizza shops and go to Sri Lanka. It is beautiful.

 

6) Tunisia’s Colloseum

Tunisia is an alternative in a few ways to many places. For example the history of Carthage and the colosseum near there will absolutely rival the colosseum of Rome,  and have way fewer tourists. But in many other ways (culture, food, landscape) it might not resemble Italy at all.

So if you’re thinking about the Middle East or a tour for history, think about Tunisia. If I can give one huge fact to make you want to go: I heard Stefan from Rapid Travel Chai (who has been nearly everywhere on earth) has said it’s one of this favorite countries.

 

7) Bay of Kotor (instead of Dubrovnik)

Right around the corner from Dubrovnik and way cheaper is Montenegro. Everything I hear about the area is rave. It’s beautiful and cheap, enough said.

 

8) Thailand: Ko Lipe, Ko Lanta, and Ko Tao (instead of Phuket)

Honestly, these islands are well less touristy than many other beaches in Thailand, not just Phuket and Krabi. However, we were visiting the north side Phi Phi islands and southwest side of Ko Samui. These are already not the “backpacker” areas, and you can be a long way from the parties (my preference). But we were also there during off-season and during the coup.

So it’s definitely possible to avoid the crowds, and actually, even in Phuket the area of Mai Khao was really quiet. However, the “lesser” known islands are Ko Lipe and Ko Lanta, which aren’t far from Krabi or Phuket. And a boat ride away from Ko Samui is Ko Tao, and I hear awesome things about Ko Tao, although I haven’t made the ride over myself.

 

9) Quebec City (instead of France)

We briefly passed through in 2011 and I would love to go back. Some of the old sites are beautiful and classically European. And when we were in restaurants our waiters only spoke french. The only non french thing about it is that no one says, “now you tried to learn french before coming to Quebec, right?”.

 

10) Slovenia (instead of Prague)

Slovenia is incredible and it has it all in a short distance. Ljubljana is a quaint capital city with an old town built along the river.

Bled, which is really incredible, is only an hour train ride north of there. Can’t speak highly enough about this area. And just to the southwest is Koper, another town similar to Dubrovnik.

The alps, castles on hills, and beautiful old towns makes Slovenia an absolute gem.