Travel is becoming more and more popular. (Well pre-coronavirus it was. And probably post-coronavirus as well.) You may have noticed the increase in numbers of people when you are trying to find a place to lay down your beach towels at a popular spot. Or when you were waiting in a long line for your chance to take a picture in front of a popular icon.
You may have thought about taking a vacation to one of the popular spots around the world, only to quickly ditch the idea when you see the cost of hotels in the area. Or realized that you have to book things so far in advance that you had already missed the winder for the time frame you wanted to go. Or maybe you decided to go anyways. And then you quickly got tired of fighting the crowds to get anywhere or do anything while on your trip.
While some people do like the hustle and bustle of big crowds, and the party like atmosphere that comes along with it, many of us don’t like the chaos. Some of us would rather seek out somewhere quieter to go.
Here you will find the best alternate destinations (also called Off Beat Places, Undiscovered Locations, Hidden Gems, etc…) to some of the most popular tourist destinations around the world.
Tourist Traps
Tourism inevitably changes the culture. Much of the ‘cultural attractions’ become nothing more than an act a few people are putting on to make some money off of tourists. Luau’s in Hawaii for example. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good show, it just means its no longer authentic. These things essentially become tourist traps, places that exist solely to make money off of tourists. And while jobs for locals is a good thing, the experience just isn’t real.
But its not like that everywhere. There are places in in the world where the local culture still outshines the tourism culture. Yet the things that attracted the masses to the known destinations, such as stunning landscapes, history, or adventure are also present. These are places that are equally as wonderful as the known destinations, if not better when considering the lack of crowds. Those places are called ‘alternate destinations’.
Alternate Destinations
One way around the crowds at popular destinations is to travel in the off season. Personally, I love the off season. But its not for everyone. Off season generally comes with less than optimal weather conditions. For example, off season in Paris includes gloomy skies, cold winds, and sometimes snow. But Paris is the most visited city in the world, and during the high season (which is also the best weather) it gets extremely expensive and extremely crowded.
Paris is best known for its historical architecture, delicious food, museums, and cultural flair. That is what people go to Paris for. A Paris alternate would have all of that, but not the high tourism prices and hoards of visitors.
So finding an alternate destination is really about figuring out what you are looking for, and finding a place that has all of that… without the crowds.
European City Charm
If you are looking for a charming European city like Paris, but less well known, consider Luxembourg. This is a very old city in a country of the same name. Luxembourg is squeezed between Belgium, France, and Germany. Yet only receives a fraction of the tourists that those neighboring countries receive. It has all the old European city charms. Grand palaces, ancient castles, large cathedrals (one is actually called Notre Dame), an old town and a new, and its own food culture (with strong influences from the neighboring countries… you can still get your croissants in Luxembourg.)
It is a city built on an ridge line, which means part of the city is much higher than the rest. And that allows for beautiful views that many of the more popular European cities like Paris don’t have. The surrounding countryside has vineyards and beer gardens, rivers, mountains and rolling hills just like you can find outside of Paris. Luxembourg is definitely worth a visit.
Caribbean Beaches and Sunshine
When most people think of the Caribbean, the names that come to mind are Cancun, The Virgin Islands, Aruba, Jamaica, or the Cayman Islands. The problem is, all of these places are small. And they are very popular. The crowds get extremely dense because of it. Good luck finding any peace and quiet on the beaches during the high season. If you want to visit the Caribbean, but with some space to yourself, consider one of these islands:
Saba. A tiny island located in the Lesser Antilles and belonging to the Netherlands. Saba is definitely off the beaten path. It is known as “the unspoiled queen of the Caribbean.” You can expect coral reef, beaches, beautiful landscapes and… most importantly… no cruise ships or chain stores. If you really want to get away from it all in the Caribbean, go to Saba.
Or, for a location with easier access, try one of the Bahamas Out Islands. Not all of the Bahamian Islands are quiet. Nassau is, without a doubt, the hub of this island chain. With Grand Bahamas and Bimini (with its location in reach of ferries from Florida) not too far behind. But the Bahamas are made of up dozens of islands. To escape the crowds, look to one of the lesser visited out islands to escape the crowds. Eleuthera, Long Island, Cat Island, or the Abacos. All of these places have beaches in abundance, and they are beautiful beaches too. But not crowds.
Everyone dreams of a deserted tropical beach. And places like that really do still exist. (Photo taken in Eleuthera, Bahamas)
Hawaiian Allure
Ahhh Hawaii, everyone’s favorite chain of islands. Its hard to rival such a beautiful place. Mountains and ocean all together. And with a superb climate. But the number of people visiting Hawaii each year is getting close to 10 million. Those beautiful islands get very busy. Try one of these three alternates instead.
Dominica. Not to be confused with the better known Dominican Republic. Dominica is a lesser known island destination located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the eastern-most chain of Caribbean Islands. On the the western shore is the Caribbean Sea, and on the eastern is the Atlantic Ocean.
This island is very Hawaii-like in that it is volcanic. With bubbling hot springs, sulfur vents, rugged mountains, lush rainforest, and waterfalls. You can scuba dive with volcanic bubbles and view healthy coral reefs on the same day. Dominica is an unknown Caribbean paradise that looks like Hawaii.
Hawaii is extreme remote, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Another Hawaii alternate that has that same appeal (except that it is in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean) is The Azores. This volcanic chain of islands has some spectacular scenery. Mountains, black sand beaches, and lots and lots of greenery. The one main difference is that the Azores are not tropical. They are located far enough north that they do get some seasonal changes. Nothing as drastic as the mainland, but winter temps can drop into the 60s during the day. But if you are going for the landscape more than the water, this is probably your best alternate option.
Another alternate island destination, one that is tropical and also has Polynesian culture, beautiful water, great beaches, mountains, and plenty of endemic biodiversity, is American Samoa. And another similarity between this island and Hawaii is that US residents do not need a passport to visit. America Samoa gets less than 50,000 visitors a year. That is significant less than Hawaii. Yet much of the charm is the same. This is definitely a lesser known, yet equally alluring, Hawaii-like island destination.
Nordic Adventure
If you are craving some Nordic adventures such as can be found in Iceland, or Norway. But have a hard time believing your eyes when you see how much a box of craft macaroni and cheese costs. Look no further than Newfoundland for your northern adventure. This Canadian Province has rugged coastline very much like the shores of Iceland and Norway located on the other side of the Atlantic.
And the best part is, when most people hear the name “Newfoundland” they think of the big hairy black dog, not the land of the same name. This is definitely a lesser known destination. But very much worth a visit.
National Park Grandeur
The best known American National Parks are, without a doubt, Yellowstone and Yosemite. With Glacier National Park and Arches National Park not far behind. But these are far from the only national parks that are more than worth visiting.
If you want to see Glaciers, needless to say, you will most likely first think of Glacier National Park. But there is another park, far less visited, with plenty of glaciers to explore. And that is North Cascades National Park on the border between Canada and Washington State. Despite being only 3 hours from Seattle, this park is far less known that Glacier. You might just get an entire glacier to yourself.
If Yellowstone’s volcanic attractions are what you are craving, consider Lassen Volcanic National Park. Like Yellowstone, Lassen Volcanic is hydro-thermal. It has steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pits like Yellowstone. It does not have a geyser like Old Faithful. But that is the only thing it lacks. Jagged mountains, flowering meadows, and clear lakes round out the experience. And, again, no crowds.
Banff National Park in Canada is another very popular destination. But many people are unaware that just a short distance from Banff is another, equally beautiful, National Park to visit. Yoho National Park. Being so close by assures that the landscape is very much the same as the popular Banff. Mountains, waterfalls, valleys, hidden lakes, and forests. Yoho is worth a visit.
(Find out all the Lesser Known National Parks in the Lower 48 here)
Tuscan Countryside
Everyone has heard of Tuscany. The beautiful Italian region of sprawling landscapes, historic towns, and abundant vineyards. But Tuscany is very much a found destination. The number of people visiting Tuscany each year is pushing 100 million. That is a lot of people.
A quieter alternative to the Tuscan countryside is the Alentejo Region of Portugal. Located just outside of Lisbon in southern Portugal, this region rivals Tuscany in its beautiful landscapes, history, and wine culture. Dotted with quaint villages and bordered to the west with beautiful coastline, Alentejo is an up and coming destination. Check it out before too many people find it.
Bali Beauty
Bali is another one of the most visited places in the world. People visit Bali for the unique culture (Bali has a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism that makes a cultures all its own) and its beautiful beaches. But because of this, Bali is definitely over visited. Instead, try Sri Lanka. This country is an island nation located at the tip of India. And it is has its own unique character like Bali does.
The culture here is also a mix of Buddhism and Hinduism, though the blend is very much its own. And that is part of what makes it special. There are also gorgeous beaches here. Just like Bali. But Sri Lanka hasn’t yet been discovered like Bali has. But people are starting to learn about this awesome place. Put this one on your to-go list before everyone else does!
Sri Lanka is an awesome alternate to Bali, but another option is to visit one of the other Indonesian Islands. Unlike Sri Lanka, the culture is more Muslim or Christian depending one which island you choose, verse the Balinese Hindu/Buddhist, but the landscape and beaches are still amazing.
Enchanting Thailand
Thailand is a place that brings to mind exotic allure. And it really is an amazing place. But unfortunately, everyone knows about it and it makes the list of top 10 most visited places in the world. But, you can avoid the hoards of tourists by simply visiting one of its neighboring countries.
The name Vietnam may very well make you first think of the war. But, the country has moved on, and so should you. Vietnam is a beautiful county with incredibly friendly people. (I have been all around the world and Vietnam is, by far, one of my favorite places.) The southern and central parts of the country have similar tropical vibes to Thailand.
And those who love Bangkok will also love Ho Chi Ming City. Though of the Vietnamese cities, Hanoi is less touristy, but well worth a visit. In fact, Hanoi is worth considering over Bangkok by those who don’t like the heat as well as those looking to avoid crowds of tourists. The city is located a little further north, and during the non summer months it actually comfortably cool, but still has tropical vibes. Vietnam is a an amazing country that is often over looked because of the past. But for those looking for some Southeast Asian enchantment without the crowds, this is where you should go.
Go Explore
So if you have a particular type of adventure in mind, but want to avoid the crowds and reduce over tourism to do it, consider one of these awesome but lesser known destinations for your next vacation.
Other Ways to Travel Eco Friendly
Picking an alternate destination isn’t the only thing you can do to help off set the pressures of tourism. You can travel closer to home to avoid the high carbon admissions from airplanes. Try out Slow Travel (which means spending more time in one place instead of jumping around a lot, and also taking more eco friendly forms of transport to get there.)
And you can also make some eco friendly switches in how you travel. Such as staying at an eco resort. Or bringing your own reusable gear. Make sure to only eat sustainably caught seafood. And lastly leave no trace when visiting an outdoor space.
Save it for Later
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