8 underrated travel destinations you need to visit before everyone else does

[Celerity]

Go beyond the tourist traps

https://www.themanual.com/travel/underrated-travel-destinations/


Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

I love London, New York City, and Paris as much as the next person. But sometimes, the crowds, long lines, and overpriced tourist traps can take the fun out of exploring. That’s why I’m all about discovering underrated travel destinations — the hidden gems that haven’t been overrun by influencers and bus tours (yet). If you’re looking for destinations where you can actually soak up the culture, snap some amazing photos without a million people in the background, and maybe even save a little money, you’re in the right place. Here are eight incredible places you need to visit before everyone else does.

Montenegro



Nestled in the Balkans, Montenegro is often overlooked as a vacation spot. However, the country’s medieval villages, peaceful beaches, and incredible national parks make it one of Europe’s top travel destinations. “Tiny Montenegro equals if not exceeds the beauty and charm of the usual European hotspots in Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, and Croatia,” Fletcher said. “The walls of mountains that surround the bay of Kotor are breathtaking, the historic Kotor Old Town is unbelievably beautiful, and the Adriatic coastline is absolutely stunning.”

Aarhus, Denmark



Most people visiting Denmark make a beeline for Copenhagen, but if you want to experience another side of one of the world’s happiest countries, head to Aarhus. Just a three-hour train ride away from Copenhagen, Denmark’s second-largest city is packed with history and culture. History buffs will love exploring Den Gamle By, an open-air museum that feels like stepping back in time, and the Viking Museum, which takes you underground to Denmark’s past. Art lovers can’t miss ARoS, the city’s iconic museum featuring Your Rainbow Panorama, a 360-degree, rainbow-colored walkway by Olafur Eliasson. Plus, thanks to its large student population, Aarhus is full of lively bars, cozy cafes, and friendly locals.

Amorgos, Greece



When Americans visit the Greek islands, they usually stick to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. But let us tell you, the real gem is Amorgos. It’s just as stunning as Santorini, but without the tourist crowds. Think crystal clear waters, hidden caves, scenic bays, and some of the best hiking in Greece. If you love an adventure, take on the Palia Strata, a four-hour hike that starts in Chora, passes the stunning Monastery of Hozoviotissa, and ends at Aegiali Bay. Prefer something easier? Try Valsamitis, a relaxed one-hour trail leading to ancient ruins. And after all that exploring, nothing beats fresh seafood by the water.

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[sinkingfeeling]

1. You should post this in the travel forum as well.

[cyclonefence]

2. Or why not put your travel dollars

into a US state that desperately needs them and provides scenery and activities that rival many foreign destinations? And at bargain prices, too, even at "out of state" rates. Please consider WV state parks: https://wvstateparks.com/

[Celerity]

3. The articles lists White Sands National Park in New Mexico and Traverse City, Michigan.

We are not allowed to post the entire article, so I just picked 3 that interested me and that I am already familiar with (I live in Sweden, in the EU), plus I put up a pic at the top of a Canadian destination that looks amazing.

[cyclonefence]

4. If you ever travel to the US

although I can't imagine at this point why you'd want to, I invite you, my Swedish friend, to check out WV. It's a beautiful--breathtakingly beautiful--state, and I believe tourism is their only hope out of the morass of drug addiction and racism my wonderful home has been dragged into by right-wing interests.

I would love to visit the places you pictured--I've been only to Iceland, England, Finland, and St. Petersburg. I wish I could travel more. Years ago, I had a very dear friend from Sweden, who was in the US on an exchange program. Her parents were able to visit, and we loved entertaining them at our house. Travel seems so much easier for Europeans