r/travel • u/Obstetrix • 3d ago
Question What is a “slept on” destination you loved?
What it says on the tin, what is a place you traveled to that you absolutely loved but which isn’t commonly recommended as a destination? A place where if you tell people you enjoyed visiting XYZ they say “you went where?”
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u/samy_ret 3d ago edited 3d ago
Tasmania. You hear a lot about New Zealand, but even most Aussies on the mainland don't get to Tas. For being a 2.5 hour flight from Sydney it is just beyond brilliant. Stunning landscapes, endless ocean, vineyards and amazing vino a plenty, the freshest sea food, incredible cheese, a world class museum, historic sights, bustling markets, antique shops, hikes and treks, beautiful national parks and a driver's dream.
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u/MungoShoddy Scotland 3d ago
Does "driver's dream" mean "zero public transport" as it does in New Zealand?
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u/samy_ret 3d ago
I mean if you are someone who loves to drive long distance/do long road trips it's great. Long, vast stretches where you rarely encounter others, but enough small towns, in case of emergencies.
Doesn't look like it has a lot of public transport especially outside of cities.
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u/knorkinator Germany 3d ago
It's a large, sparsely populated island, of course there's next to no public transport. That being said, there are buses connecting the larger settlements that go like twice a day.
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u/throwthatbitchaccoun 3d ago
Sounds wonderful, but I have to ask if you have solved the devil problem?
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u/snowbeast93 3d ago
They are sadly now endangered because of the devil facial tumor disease
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u/throwthatbitchaccoun 3d ago
Oh no, that’s sad. I only wanted to make a reference to a cartoon I used watch. I didn’t mean to receive bad news!
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u/Notnow_Imtoodrunk 3d ago
I'm so lucky - I live in Melbourne but my company HQ is in Tasmania so I get to go to Tas at least every quarter. I always add a few personal days on the end to do some exploring. Such a beautiful place.
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u/tuckertucker Canada 3d ago
I did the Overland Track in November. Absolutely gobsmackingly beautiful.
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u/newyorkloverboi 3d ago edited 3d ago
- Namibia - friendly people, beautiful landscapes
- Krygyzstan - gorgeous mountain ranges, lakes, serene
- Ecuador - diversity of landscapes, wealth of outdoor activities
- Oman - oasis in the desert, not overcrowded, clean
- Laos - relaxing vibes, beautiful lush greenery
source: been to 100+ countries and these are my fav ones under the radar
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u/Fucktastickfantastic 3d ago
Ecuador is so great
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u/-NewYork- 3d ago
How is tourism safety in Ecuador in 2025? I put it on my list circa ~2015, and I heard rumors general tourism safety went down since then?
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u/aksunrise 3d ago
My husband and I were in Quito and the Galapagos in 2022 so they were still recovering from covid and not back to normal tourism numbers.
Quito is like all large cities- there are less safe areas and more safe areas. Our tour company ended up moving us from our original accommodations in the historical area of Quito to a hotel near Plaza Foch because of safety concerns. We did a lot of walking in the Plaza Foch area and felt very safe, even at night.
The 3 islands we stayed on in the Galapagos all felt very safe and all had a small town feel. I walked all the way across Puerto Ayora from our hotel to the Darwin research station by myself one day and never felt unsafe.
I highly recommend Ecuador. It's one of my favorite places I've ever been.
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u/Current-Actuator-864 3d ago
Galapagos is very safe, i wouldnt worry about anything. Quito i think is safe if you stay in the historical area/downtown. Just dont carry anything valuable and keep your phone hidden at all times. We didnt wear any jewelry or our wedding rings, kept our wallets and phones secure in bag belts tucked into our shirts. We were in Quito during carnival which was awesome. Get some foam and be prepared to spray and get sprayed.
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u/joshteacher123 3d ago
I was there a month ago. The coast is sketchy but fine in groups and especially for men. If you are a solo woman, make friends and be a bit cautious. Galápagos is very safe even at night on all islands.
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u/spotthedifferenc 3d ago
not great. there’s been a narco takeover of the country in the last few years. places along the coast like guayaquil are off limits to tourists now.
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u/Smurph269 3d ago
I feel like Namibia is going to blow up as a destination. Not cheap to get to, but very easy for tourists as long as you can drive & camp.
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u/WeathermanOnTheTown 3d ago
Namibia is my #1 destination in Africa. I've never been but I feel like it's calling my name.
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u/ConsecratedSnowfield 3d ago
Slovenia. Most beautiful country I’ve ever been to.
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u/Tildatots 3d ago
This was going to be my answer. Everyone knows Bled but honestly bohinj, the Julian alps etc is some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Also it’s a really affordable country
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u/lefix 3d ago
Taiwan - friendliest people I have met anywhere in the world so far
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u/catsmash 3d ago
taiwan may be my favorite of all the places i've ever visited. not just friendly, inexpensive, & often jaw-droppingly beautiful, but also some of the most efficient & accessible public transportation i've ever experienced (i get excited about this kind of shit, lol). kaohsiung in particular was an unexpected treat - even though i was there in july & the heat was immense. i can't wait to go back.
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u/versusChou 3d ago
My wife teaches so I frequently can only travel in the summer. Sometimes we go back to Taiwan since my family is there and they always are like "Why the hell are you coming here in summer? It sucks."
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u/banoffeetea 3d ago
So good to hear. I’m heading to Taipei today (arrive tomorrow) and then onto Tainan and Kaohsiung. Hopefully after that to the mountains/tea farms and up along the east coast. But was going to see how easily accessible all of that was without a car once I got there.
Excited to get the trains between the cities though.
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u/MustardMan1900 3d ago
Good public transportation makes traveling so much more relaxing and safer. Steering a small metal box on a highway is not vacationing.
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u/aftdeck 3d ago
You want to live in Taiwan?! (iykyk)
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u/Mycomore 3d ago
Hard agree. I like to tell people if they can only go to Asia once, consider Taiwan. I feel like it's the best parts of Japan and China in one place.
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u/Emotional-Cup1894 3d ago
Came here to comment this too! I feel so lucky my husband is Taiwanese and he has a lot of family there so we try to go once a year. I love the country and people so much and the food is the absolute best!
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u/Open-Hedgehog7756 3d ago
I second this! Went with my wife and two young boys last November and the food was amazing, everything was super affordable, and Taiwan loves kids. Beautiful country and Taipei is a city that is worth visiting
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u/ThatWasIntentional 3d ago
Also the food is amazing!
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u/Open-Hedgehog7756 3d ago
What’s your favorite? Mine’s probably spicy beef soup or scallion pancakes
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u/S_thescientist 3d ago
Was just there! So incredible. Taipei is beautiful and such a perfect mix of new, shiny, luxury + genuine, local food and attractions + touristy sites.
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u/Redwood317 3d ago
Lake District England - magical spot. Not well known to US travelers
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u/Obstetrix 3d ago
Unless you’re as obsessed with Pride and Prejudice as I am!
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u/BlueLondon1905 3d ago
take me to the lakes where all the poets went to die
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u/JuanJeanJohn United States 3d ago
Was about to say, us Swifties are very aware of the lakes district 😂 Definitely on my list!
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u/NiagaraThistle 3d ago
this place is amazing. We drove through it on our way from York to Scotland. Just breathtaking.
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u/RealAlePint 3d ago
Americans are required by law to only visit London/Stonehenge/Cotswolds and maybe Bath. /s
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u/travellingjim 3d ago
I took my friend from Argentina to Edale and Castleton in the Peak District to experience a classic staycation location for Brits, she loved it! I took her around the caves, hiking Mam Tor, out for a pub lunch, and up to Peveril Castle, a real school trip or camping with your parents as a kid kind of experience. It was really nice to have someone enjoy the peaks and see one of our classic holiday spots
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u/txcowgrrl 3d ago
I went there because I love Beatrix Potter. Such a beautiful part of the country.
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u/mindxpandr 3d ago
Strong upvote for the Lake District. Lots of good hiking and plenty of quaint shops.
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u/snarfydog 3d ago
Wales, Languedoc. Both fairly sleep, cheap, beautiful, great food, but not logistically or culturally difficult.
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u/ZweigleHots 3d ago
I love Wales so much. I'd already been to Machynlleth 25 years ago (family from there) but I went to Aberystwyth last month, took the train in from Birmingham, and unreal is not even the word for it. The Aberdyfi river delta near Borth, the view of Aberystwyth and the countryside and the sea from Constitution Hill, the winter starling murmurations and the sunsets. I didn't have time/energy to go to Llandudno and other places in/around Snowdonia, but that will be another trip.
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u/Unknownkowalski 3d ago
Tunisia. Drove the scenic route from Tunis all the way down the Sahara and back to the coast. It was amazing.
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u/NiagaraThistle 3d ago
Gimmelwald, Switzerland
Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Kinsale, Ireland (maybe not unknown but most people go to Cork in that region)
Calabria region, Italy (seriously if you enjoyed Rome and Naples actually head to Southern Italy, it get better. But if you hated either, don't - it get much worse)
Bacharach and the Rhine River Valley, Germany (I thought it'd be much busier but there was no one there in June when we were)
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u/jgsmith0627 3d ago
Gimmelwald / Mürren is heaven on earth.
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u/Spacemilk 3d ago
Definitely, but I wouldn’t call it slept on, Lauterbrunnen falls and Murren get posted with some regularity
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u/shozs626 3d ago
ljubljana, slovenia
Not sure if slept on but I don't know many people jumping to visit.
Holy shit - was GORGEOUS. I visited 10+ years ago for a couple days. I remember the nature and scenery. The town. And I remember going white water river rafting (I think that's what it's called lol)
I have old photos and will have to look but 10/10 destination
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u/beepos 3d ago
Malaysia, specifically Penang
Best food city I've ever gone to
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u/alexunderwater1 3d ago edited 3d ago
100% agree.
Malaysia as a whole is my favorite in South East Asia, but it’s often the most overlooked.
It’s a perfect first introductory trip to South East Asia since it’s largely English speaking, good infrastructure, safe, modern amenities, and it’s a melting pot of many other nearby Asian cultures and foods.
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u/Ambry 3d ago edited 3d ago
Same. I think in SEA Malaysia has got the best food, and thats saying something when you've got Thailand and Vietnam! I much prefered it to other spots on my SEA trip, the mix of cultures is so interesting and you can dive, and get your fix of nature/history/big cities etc...
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u/badlydrawngalgo 3d ago
I'm in Cambodia now having left Thailand a little while ago. I visited Laos a few years ago. I'm loving my time here and all of the SE Asian countries are fantastic (Vietnam still to come) but Malaysia still sneaks in as my favourite.
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u/AcceptableBoat7996 3d ago
I’m headed to the airport soon, Singapore and then Malaysia!!
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u/beepos 3d ago
In Kuala Lumpur, try out the Chili Pan Mee at Kin Kin
In Penang, go to 888 Hokkien Mee. Would also recommend a food tour in Penang Best
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u/Mindless_Bee_22 3d ago
YES! Kuala Lumpur is AMAZING. I went to Langkawi instead of Penang and LOVED it! I definitely want to go back and visit Penang
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u/wolfblitzersbeard 3d ago
Oh, this is often my answer! Loved Penang. Backpacked through there 20 years ago and ate like kings. Hindu temples, mosques, and Buddhist temples side by each, and the food to match. So good.
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u/catsmash 3d ago
penang is actually ASTONISHING. so beautiful, such great food, such nice weather, so inexpensive.
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u/BaaBaaTurtle 3d ago
Torino! Everyone made fun of me when I told them. "It's the Detroit of Italy!" Well I loved it. Their Cinema museum was cool, the food was amazing, the people were chill.
I actually feel that way about Detroit, too. And Cleveland (great art museum!). And really any place I've visited, I find something to enjoy.
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u/Jacopo86 Italy 3d ago
Torino is the former capital of Italy, is rich in history.. I agree it is a great destination
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u/boulevardofdef 3d ago
I'm a huge fan of regional tourist destinations -- places that are well known and traveled by people in the general vicinity but are largely unknown in the rest of the country and certainly in the rest of the world. I live in New England and a good example here is Vermont, which is thought of as somewhat of a vacation hotspot by people in the Northeast, but in my experience, people outside this region don't know that at all.
But because I'm not from the area, my favorite example is northern Michigan, or "up north," as they call it there. (Note: This is NOT the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is separate; it's the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.) I attended a family wedding up there and was really taken in by the lakefront beauty and the small-town charm. People in the Midwestern U.S. are generally aware of that and travel there a lot but people here in the Northeast have no idea.
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u/YuckyStench 3d ago
I love Up North. Living in Michigan in the summertime and having access to a place up north is one of life’s great treats.
I was very lucky and fortunate to have grand parents who had an up north house and now have a few friends who do
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u/pinksparklybluebird 3d ago
Door County, WI is like that!
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u/boulevardofdef 3d ago
I've never been there but I've been fascinated with it for a while for exactly that reason. I have a friend in Chicago who goes every year.
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u/_Mariner 3d ago
Traverse City is probably my favorite place in the US, absolutely love it up there. Agreed that it fairly well known in Midwestern/Great Lakes region of US, but arguably deserves more attention. (Not that I'm complaining, I know locals feel it is overrun with tourists and vacationers as is!)
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u/Lost_Feature8488 3d ago
That reminds me of the Oregon Coast for people in the PNW. It’s gorgeous and pretty affordable but mostly only traversed by those from the surrounding areas.
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u/Ambry 3d ago
Ecuador (aside from the Galapagos) and El Salvador were the biggest surprises on my Latin America trip.
Ecuador is very famous for the Galapagos (which is incredible!) but there's tonnes of amazing nature spots all over the country. Big volcanoes, forests, beaches, mountains... I also think Quito is really cool. The food was also surprisingly really delicious!
El Salvador was somewhere I was a bit apprehensive to visit but it was excellent. This was in 2019 so before the big gang crackdown, but even then it was lovely. People were really friendly, there was great nature everywhere (hot spring waterfalls, volcano lakes and volcano hikes, beaches...) and we even met locals who offered to take us around places! Some really good hostels there too.
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u/EggCollectorNum1 3d ago
Bruce Peninsula, Ontario. Absolute stunning water and camp sites.
Sleeping Giant National Park, Ontario. The hiking and cliffs are amazing.
Nopiming Provincial Park, Manitoba. I think sitting on a dock having a coffee looking out to a misty shield lake while loons call might be the most peaceful thing I’ve experienced.
Lewis and Harris Islands, Scotland. Swimming in the North Atlantic from Eoropie Beach on a hot day is something.
Chester, England. It’s like Bath but friendlier.
Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom. Absolutely absurd and different
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u/Alternative_Plan_823 3d ago
As an American, Mexico City. It's fucking amazing. I now go there by myself often, and it's not even on my friend's radar. It's a shame.
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u/DiploHopeful2020 3d ago
The secret is out though for a lot of Americans. That said, incredible place.
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u/Joke_Equivalent 3d ago
My travels around Mexico City (and Mexico in general) has been some of my favorite travels! The food, people and culture is so fantastic! I’ve got a Mexico Travel Series on my YouTube channel. Hopefully, you’ll check it out. https://youtu.be/FdVbehP7Me0
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u/Diligent_Mulberry47 3d ago
Lucca and Livorno, Italy. Both are the kind of cities where the only advice you need is “get lost in the streets”.
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u/EYNLLIB 3d ago
Pretty much all the non popular cities in Italy can go on this list. People hit the major destinations and a few popular Tuscan towns and the rest are still awesome but way less crowded
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u/Solid_Anteater_9801 3d ago
Lucca is my favorite tuscany town but I think it is a very popular daytrip from Florence. My family rented bikes from the bike shop and spent 2 hours exploring and eating Gelato. My advice is to test out the bikes because the seat cushion on some of the bikes are awful.
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u/catluvr709 3d ago
Trieste, Italy. Charming architecture, excellent food & cafe culture, natural beauty, friendly & chill people. Maybe because I visited at the end of March and not in summer, but it didn’t feel busy or overwhelmed at all.
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u/koxxlc 3d ago
Lovely Trieste is also surrounded by gorgeous Slovenia with its coastal towns, Karst wine region and astonishing cave of Postojna, while it's capitol Ljubljana is only about one hour drive away from Trieste.
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u/LunaSaysHey 3d ago
Santiago, Chile is a fantastic city. So much to do and great food. It's also 90 minutes from the beach in one direction and 90 minutes from the Andes in the other. A perfect spot for day trips.
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u/Expensive_Reserve446 3d ago
I went to Malta when I was younger and I’d love to go back 🤷🏻♀️
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u/pearwishing111 3d ago
Soca Valley Slovenia, stunning. Slovenia in general is very underrated…one of my favorite places in Europe.
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u/MastiffArmy 3d ago
Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam
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u/a_gish 3d ago
What did you enjoy in Dar? IMHO it was the worst city for visitors I’ve been to in sub-Saharan Africa and I’m wondering what I missed.
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u/MastiffArmy 3d ago
I loved that it’s a coastal city with a huge waterfront. I enjoyed walking around for hours through the city and along the water. I found it to be very colorful, lots of great food, beautiful water, friendly people, just overall very vibrant. And easy access to ferries to Zanzibar. I’ll add that I have been to many African cities and have mostly enjoyed wandering around most of them. I’m not saying I want to live there. But to visit, yes.
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u/PaintingMinute7248 3d ago
You should definitely check out Armenian wine country. I went last November, and it was absolutely incredible, better than any wine I’ve had in the US. Armenia is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a history of winemaking dating back over 6,000 years. The country’s terroir, with its volcanic soil and high-altitude vineyards, creates wines that are rich, complex, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.
The main wine regions, like Vayots Dzor and Aragatsotn, are stunning, with dramatic mountain landscapes and vineyards stretching across rolling hills. The Areni grape, one of the world's oldest, produces some fantastic reds, bold, fruit-forward, but with great structure and minerality. The whites, especially those made from the Voskehat grape, are crisp, floral, and refreshing.
Beyond the wine itself, the hospitality is next level. Wineries are usually small, family-run, and incredibly welcoming, often inviting you to sit down with the owners and winemakers to hear their stories over homemade cheese, lavash, and fresh local produce. Places like Zorah, Old Bridge, and Voskevaz make world-class wines, and the setting, ancient monasteries, caves where they’ve found evidence of prehistoric winemaking, and vineyards nestled in breathtaking scenery, adds to the experience.
It’s not a place that immediately comes to mind for most travelers, but if you’re into wine, history, and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Armenian wine country is unbeatable.
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u/17693615 3d ago
Newfoundland. I rented a house on a cliff, on the shore in North America in August with no other houses or people in sight. And cheap, too.
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u/HotMountain9383 3d ago
Inverness
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u/anonymasss 3d ago
really,? what's so good about the city? the Highlands ofc, but Inverness?
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u/Varekai79 3d ago
Agreed. The surrounding highlands are stunning, but Inverness itself is just a fairly standard British town.
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u/shelbycake2 3d ago
I loved Inverness. It was very small but it had such a thriving folk music community. Some of the best live music we heard while we were there.
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u/AlloCoco103 3d ago
I actually preferred Inverness over Glasgow or Edinburgh which surprised me as I'm more of a big city person. Inverness felt similar to Zurich.
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u/ohmymind_123 3d ago edited 3d ago
Oslo, Norway is really nice. Maybe because I was there during Oslo World, an amazing music festival, but the city felt cozy, relaxed, very diverse and it has beautiful natural surroundings.
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u/vivaldi1206 3d ago
All of Georgia. What an amazing country and the food is SO good. Loved Tbilisi and Mestia.
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u/farfaraway 3d ago edited 3d ago
Mongolia was by far the most beautiful place that I've been. I rode half wild horses across the steppe. We drove in a beat up Russian jeep into the wild for three weeks. We camped and caught wild fish.
Magical.
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u/patricktherat 3d ago
I thought Almaty Kazakhstan was pretty cool with its blend of old Soviet architecture and monuments in a pretty thriving and modern city (by central asian standards anyway).
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u/LeftReflection6620 3d ago edited 3d ago
Northern England. I bike toured from Manchester through the Lake District and into Scotland and was just awestruck of the natural beauty and the friendliness of the people. The food was also incredible despite stereotypes.
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u/shitshowsusan 3d ago
The Caucasus. I went to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Loved every minute. People were very nice, food is sooo good. Mountains, beaches. Very safe.
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u/Nebresto 3d ago
Shimanami Kaido in Japan.
So many people go to Japan, yet so few know about or visit the Seto inland sea area, especially the islands and the cycle route. Some of the best views in all of Japan, I also recommended it to two of my friends, and it was one of their top highlights as well.
There are a whopping 5 posts on this sub that mention it. Five. Every single one is under 10 upvotes
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u/rocksforever 3d ago
Northern Ireland in particular, but I rarely see recommendations for outside of Dublin and that is the best part of Ireland!
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u/NiagaraThistle 3d ago
Yeah N. Ireland was great. I'm surprised more people don't extend their trips to include it. But also just shake my head when people DO include it, but as a day trip from Dublin on a 7 day trip that also includes Dingle Galway and Cork.
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u/Live_Studio_Emu 3d ago
I’m from there, and it’s an easy recommend.
Growing up I didn’t love it, and I kind of envied places with bigger cities and more going on, but getting older I’ve come to really appreciate it. Coastline, lakeland, mountains, islands, beaches, lochs, open green, forests, dunes… there’s so much natural variety that’s at most two hours from each other.
Most folks visiting don’t see beyond Belfast and the causeway, so if you do venture a bit further, you’ll possibly be the only tourist at some pretty impressive spots.
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u/PrincipleGlad3289 3d ago
Loved Northern Ireland.. stayed at Slieve Denard, enjoyed the spa looking out at the sea, played Royal County Down golf club, toured the town, the country drives.. my wife and I’d favorite part of Ireland by far
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u/SireBobRoss 3d ago
I've never heard of anyone recommending Dublin, the advice here at least is if you're visiting don't spend too long in Dublin because everywhere else in Ireland is nicer (except Drogheda lol)
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u/Critical_Caramel5577 3d ago
tangiers island, in the us, in the chesapeake bay. it's beautiful, and with no cell service, it was perfect for a week away from everything. i'd love to see it in winter, when the bay does freeze.
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u/ItsTheExtreme 3d ago
Cavtat, Croatia. It's a lovely little peninsula town outside the more popular Dubrovnik.
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u/MajesticLilFruitcake 3d ago
Northern Michigan - especially the entire Upper Peninsula and the Mackinac/Traverse City area.
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u/lucius_yakko 3d ago
Went last summer and totally agree. Beaches, crystal clear water, wine country, dunes, forests… just a beautiful and peaceful area.
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u/Past-Suggestion4382 3d ago
I absolutely loved both Romania and Slovenia. Romania captivated me with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and the warmth of its people. The Carpathian Mountains, the charmin villages, and the vibe of Transylvania were unforgettable. Slovenia amazed me with its natural beauty, from Lake Bled to Triglav National Park. Both countries have a unique charm. I would love to go back on eday
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u/Critical_Brain_7565 3d ago
Niagara by the Lake.
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u/Veritas-IV 3d ago
This is an underrated comment. Niagara on the Lake is a magnificent little place, especially the wineries.
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u/yakayaka456 3d ago
I just got back from Garmisch- Partenkirchen, Germany to which so many people gave me a double take when I told them. It’s so beautiful, the Bavarian Alps and German countryside was amazing. Never had a bad meal, every thing was fresh, the beer was amazing, air was crisp, there was beautiful weather.
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u/newoldschool 3d ago
Mauritius
Africas Hawaii great people great food since the culture is Indian French
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u/MissusGalloway 3d ago
The Scottish Lowlands/Galloway-Dumfries/the Borders. I love the Highlands and Edinburgh - but most folks sleep on the southern part of Scotland. The terrain isn’t as dramatic as wild north - but there’s so much history (everything from standing stones to Robert Burns to Roman ruins/Hadrians Wall) and culture, rolling hills and hiking, Wigtown with its books and nearby Bladnoch Distillery, the dark sky forest of Galloway, castles and ruins everywhere, gorgeous coastline… it’s a quiet and slower place, and has been rather easy on the wallet.
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u/asdfjkl_53 3d ago
Uzbekistan - my friend and I just spent a week there and it was so lovely. My favorite part was how kind and proud the people were. The country doesn’t have the issue of over tourism (yet) so we felt welcomed rather than despised lol. Gorgeous architecture, delicious food that was cheap compared to the US. Super interesting hybrid of cultures and histories.
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u/SigmaKnight 3d ago
Whistler, BC, Canada
I never see this recommended and that’s probably because it’s a little expensive and probably more for winter (for skiing). I went between seasons for the fall. There’s plenty of mountain air, it’s relatively quiet, there’s loads of activities, and food is actually pretty good. Drive to it from Vancouver is fun and can be breathtaking (if no fog or low low clouds). I really want to go back. Especially to the crêpe place there.
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u/banananadian 3d ago
The Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). I had zero expectations going there, just mild curiosity and a general proximity, already planning to be in Poland, and I was so pleasantly surprised. The cultures and history are so rich, the cities quaint, clean, and interesting... and the food was unique and surprising. If you're looking for an atypical but fun experience, this certainly was for me!
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u/Camp808 3d ago
ppl by pass bilbao and automatically head to san sebastian. i found the food in bilbao just as amazing and the architecture with the old part of town so charming.
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u/elqueco14 3d ago
Idk about slept on but I don't think Chile gets nearly enough love. I'm fortunate enough to have some friends from there, but AMAZING scenery, absolutely shits on my home state of California. Amazing skiing. Surfing. Amazing people. The cuisine is to die for, some of the best wine in the world. Santiago was an awesome city. I could go on and on.
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u/Salty_Charlemagne 3d ago
Tucson, Arizona. Incredibly beautiful and unique desert environment, gorgeous landscape, cactus forests, and very unique and interesting cross-cultural currents (okay, in practice for a tourist that just means 'good food'). Lots of people hate it for the sprawl or simply never think about it.
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u/In-with-the-new 3d ago
Wales. It outshines all the rest of the UK. Absolutely stunning, charming, friendly and culturally interesting. Don’t just go for a few days. We went for 3 weeks by train to ten towns. Can’t wait to return.
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u/New_Race9503 3d ago
Kumamoto in southern Japan. I dontt know whether the town is popular with domestic tourists, but it's definitely off the beaten path for foreigners. It's a medium sized city with a beautiful castle surrounded by a nice park. The town has a laid back vibe and otherwise a few nice sights. Plus it is the home of Kumamon, the most famous of Japan's many mascots.
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u/Weird-Weakness-3191 3d ago
The Burren in Co Clare in Ireland. Millions visit that part of the world and don't visit. It's a must see.
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u/ahwurtz United States 3d ago
Oslo. A surprisingly nice city in a beautiful country.
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u/Obstetrix 3d ago
Answering my own question, Copenhagen. At least where I live (in the US) it’s not a common destination. My husband and I visited first on a study abroad only because they had classes in my niche major and absolutely loved it. Chill pace, walkable, great public transit, excellent museums, tasty food. We’ve been back since and have always enjoyed visiting the city. Nothing wrong with seeing Paris, London, and Berlin but there are great Northern European cities to visit too.
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u/Wide_Square_7824 3d ago
I don’t think it’s an uncommon destination. Most of my friends who travel abroad have been there. I proposed to my wife there!
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u/MustardMan1900 3d ago
Copenhagen is an excellent city. I think its gotten pretty well known by tourists largely because of its amazing food scene.
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u/BurtucuS 3d ago
Guam and Saipan US territories with really nice beaches and crystal clear water. Not many Americans even know of them. Lol
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u/pb-jelly-time- 3d ago
Rouen, France. It was like stepping back into Midieval times. And the food was fantastic
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u/RealEstateIsDreamy 3d ago
Nimes France. Spent a month there it was lovely. Stayed near the Arena. The market is spectacular. The people were pretty lovely. There are many ancient Roman sites to see and a beautiful large park where people gather. Very refreshing and beautiful.
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u/awidmerwidmer 3d ago
Western Australia (Outside of Perth). Is it hard to get to? Yes. Does it take a long time? Yes. Is it expensive? Yes. But honestly, for those who like nature and lower density areas, WA has it. A lot of small towns in WA are beautiful. The beaches are beautiful, and their national parks are beautiful. The people tend to be nicer than those in New South Wales and Victoria too. This is just my experience though. I’d go back and explore different areas around the state in a heartbeat.
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u/CopRock 3d ago
Berlin is not beautiful, but it was maybe the most fascinating place I've ever visited. It was the capital of an empire, of Nazi Germany, and a battleground showcase for the Cold War. These influences shaped it in a way that is completely unique in the world. I loved my trip.
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u/vbfronkis United States 3d ago
Graz Austria. I was using it as a "base" to go to the F1 race at the (relatively) near by Red Bull Ring. I didn't expect to completely fall in love with the place and want to spend more time there.
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u/chronocapybara 3d ago
Akureyri, Iceland. It was an amazing place, we liked it way more than Reykjavik.
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u/jackass4224 3d ago
Cyprus
Beautiful country. Low population density. Incredible beaches.
Warmest water in the Mediterranean
Mountains
Greek and Roman ruins
Really nice people
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u/RadiantProperty7696 3d ago
Mainland Ecuador blew my mind. The Galapagos Islands are INCREDIBLE, don't get me wrong, but they aren't really slept on. I found zero crowds on the mainland and felt super safe throughout my entire trip. I saw so many incredible birds and butterflies in Mindo, canoed through the Amazon in Cuyabeno, saw huge waterfalls in Baños, and hiked up to the first hut on Cotopaxi to see panoramic views of the valley. There is SO MUCH to see and I cannot wait to go back!
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u/ObjectBrilliant7592 3d ago
I wouldn't say they're "slept on", because France is one of the most heavily touristed countries in the world, but Brittany, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Grand Est are regions of France with some real gems, that are often overlooked. Many people stick to Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel, and the Mediterranean coast, which is leaving out a lot of interesting stuff. Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Biarritz, and Saint-Malo are all worth visiting.
Similarly, the north of Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja and Navarre) has a lot to offer, but is usually overlooked in favor of Madrid, Andalusia, and the rest of the Mediterranean coast. I wouldn't go to the north over the south, since the civil war damaged a lot of the north, but it does have some gems like Santiago and San Sebastian-Donostia.
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u/kingharis US/DE 3d ago
Bosnian wine country. Technically Herzegovina. Sitting on a hillside under a medieval watchtower overlooking a river while sipping fantastic red wine and eating local cheese. And very cheap as well.