If you want to enjoy a special holiday without continuously running into people who live down the street from you, you need to travel the roads less travelled. Some destinations out there can give you everything that the resorts can give you, plus a whole lot more. They’ve remained relatively crowd-free and have preserved their culture, creating a more authentic experience for the tourist. Sure, you can save some money and see the sights in more popular places on cheap holiday deals, but below are some of the most underrated destinations around the globe.
Underrated Destinations Around the Globe
Šibenik, Croatia
Croatia is fast becoming one of the Mediterranean’s top destinations and cheap holiday deals normally focus on Dubrovnik or Split. However, Šibenik, located along the central Dalmatian coast, is one of the oldest cities founded by Croats rather than Romans or Greeks and used to be the seat of the 11th century Croat king Peter Krešimir. Sights in Šibenik include ancient fortifications such as St. Nicholas Fortress as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cathedral of St. James. The city also boasts great beaches and is a gateway to the Kornati archipelago and the Krka National Park.
Granada, Nicaragua
For Latin American charm combined with unforgettable nature experiences, many people head to Costa Rica. A cheaper alternative is neighboring Nicaragua and the ultimate base here is the colonial city of Granada. Granada boasts cobbled streets, gorgeous architecture and a selection of restaurants, cafes and hotels. It has a spectacular setting on Lake Nicaragua and is a gateway to many of the region’s attractions. These include Isla de Ometepe with its twin volcanoes, the crafts hotspot of Masaya, the Pacific beaches and adventures such as zipline tours or the unique activity of volcano-boarding in a tropical climate.
Durban, South Africa
You don’t have to go to India to enjoy Indian cuisine (as nice as that would be!). South Africa’s third largest city is home to the largest Indian population outside of India and they’ve shaped Durban’s culinary landscape with fiery dishes like the Durban red curry and the bunny chow. For more Indian flavor, get some mother-in-law spice at the Victoria Street Market or attend a Hindu festival. The largest ethnic group in the city is the Zulu and there’s also a rich British colonial heritage. South Africans love ‘Durbs’ for its subtropical climate, sandy beaches and attractions such as the colorful rickshaws. Unlike Cape Town, Durban offers warm-water bathing and wetsuit-free surfing.
Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide is often overlooked as visitors to Down Under head to Sydney or Melbourne. However, the South Australian capital has historic neighborhoods such as Glenelg and Port Adelaide to explore, parks where you can go bushwalking and getting close to koalas and wallabies, a wealth of museums and galleries as well as glorious beaches. Adelaide is a foodie paradise too, with excellent restaurants and markets and easy access to wine country such as the Barossa Valley.
Vientiane, Laos
For many visitors to Southeast Asia, cities such as Bangkok and Saigon are a little too noisy and crowded. Laos offers the perfect alternative in its relaxed capital, Vientiane along the Mekong River. Here you’ll find Buddhist temples such as Wat Si Muang, stupas such as Pha That Luang and a host of museums, monasteries and spas. The markets offer exotic dishes and the surrounding countryside offers trekking, river cruises and other outdoor activities.
These are just a few destinations where you can get away from the throngs of tourists and see somewhere beautiful and authentic. You can enjoy these genuine sights and take away a different experience home with you.
Images by pululante, Adalberto.H.Vega, Linh Do, Rexness and Willy Verhulst used under creative commons license.