Ever wanted to run away to escape the tourist traps? Ever dreamed of walking down trails with only your footprints? There are hidden travel gems, removed from over-the-top neon signs and claustrophobically-packed streets.
This is for the wanderers. The seekers of solitude. The travelers who want something more real. No mainstream spots, no overcrowded sights—just pure, unspoilt beauty, ready to be discovered.
Welcome to the world of unconventional travel.
Why Walk the Road Less Taken?
The world is vast. But, instead, most tourists flock to the same few destinations — Paris, Rome, Manhattan, Bali. Naturally, these places are stunning. But what about places that don’t appear in glossy travel brochures? The destinations where culture is unrefined, nature unfolds naturally and experiences are unedited?
Opting for the path less taken will free the world of authenticity. You help sustain small communities, explore traditions that have yet to be trespassed by mass tourism and, most important, have the kind of adventure that’s increasingly hard to come by.
Let’s discover some of these lesser-known places. But the saddest part is that you don’t have a choice for it, Pack your bag because it’s about to get exciting!
Colmar Tropicale, Malaysia – One French village in South East Asia
Deep in the verdant hills of Bukit Tinggi, Malaysia, a village looks as if it’s been pulled from the pages of a fairy tale. Colmar Tropicale is France in the centre of Asia. Timber-framed houses, cobblestone streets, cozy cafes — everything about the place screams Alsace but it remains one of Malaysia’s best-kept secrets.
Why visit? The air is cool, the setting quiet and the crowd limited. If you adore European architecture but want to avoid the crowds of Paris, this could be the getaway for you. And, it’s only a one-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, so an easy weekend trip.
From the North: Albarracín, Spain – A Medieval Time Capsule
When you think Spain, you probably think Madrid or Barcelona. But let me take you to a different place —Albarracín.
This medieval hilltop town hidden away in Spain reads like a page out of a fairy tale. It was the pink-shaded buildings which made the whole town seem to glow with a warm rosy tone. Meander through narrow alleyways, discover ancient churches and admire sweeping views over the Guadalaviar River.
And the best part? Few tourists know about it. You can soak up history without the elbowing masses.
10 — Meteora, Greece — Monasteries in the Sky
Most travelers who go to Greece flock to Santorini or Athens. But there’s anotherworldly treat up to the north — Meteora.
Here, ancient monasteries sit astride giant rock pillars, defying the force of gravity and the passage of time. These monasteries were built by monks in search of solitude, and the remarkable views come with an atmosphere of profound serenity. As the sun sets from Meteora, it truly feels as though you are touching the sky.
If you’re into stunning landscapes with a side of spirituality, this is the destination for you.
Lofoten Islands, Northern Norway — A Slice of the Arctic
Imagine this: dramatic fjords, red fishing huts, endless stretches of unspoiled Arctic beauty. That’s Lofoten.
Secreted above the Arctic Circle, this Norwegian delight is like no other. Travel in summer for the Midnight Sun, when the daylight is 24 hours Or, when the Northern Lights swirl overhead in winter, above snow-cover peaks. Lofoten, one way or another, is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Yet not many tourists come here. Why? Perhaps the chill drives them away. But for those who do go, it’s pure magic.
Svaneti, Georgia — A World Forgotten
Georgia — the country, not the U.S. state — has a hidden gem: Svaneti. This remote mountainous region is dotted with medieval watchtowers, deep valleys and ancient traditions.
The Svan people have called this place home for centuries, their traditions unstained by the outside world. Hike through emerald-green landscapes, sleep in traditional stone houses and witness a way of life unburdened by modernity.
It’s a place for the real explorer, away from the crowds.
Faroe Islands – The Wild Frontier of Europe
The Faroe Islands, somewhere between Iceland and Norway, is land of steep cliffs, roaring waterfalls and misty green hills. It’s straight out of a Viking saga.
The terrain here is raw and dramatic, yet the islands are delightfully naïve of mass tourism. There are more sheep than people, and nature rules. Rent a car, hit the winding coastal roads and get lost in the wild beauty of this Nordic wonderland.
Jiufen, Taiwan — The Real-Life Spirited Away Town
If you have watched the Studio Ghibli film Spirited Away, Jiufen will feel eerily familiar. Lanterns strung across cobbled alleyways, cozy tea houses and breathtaking mountain vistas—it’s just the right blend of mystery and nostalgia.
Once a bustling gold mining village, Jiufen attract visitors with its old world charm. But it’s rarely considered, and even less often visited, in favor of Taipei’s modern attractions. But you don’t want to miss this, trust me.
Enjoy some oolong tea, some local street food, and lap up the enchanting vibe. It’s like nothing else you’ve ever experienced.”
Cres, Croatia: An Alternative to Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is stunning. But also? Crowded.
If you want Croatia’s beauty without the crush of tourists, go to Cres. This tranquil isle enjoys unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, and quaint hamlets frozen in time.
Go hiking in the Tramuntana Forest, explore medieval towns or lay around the Adriatic. It’s Croatia — but with a peacefulness you won’t see anywhere else.
The Excitement of the Unexpected
It’s kind of a thrill to discover somewhere before the world comes to love it. That sense of having a place all to yourself, of experiencing a culture without the commercialism. That’s the beauty of off-the-beaten-path travel.
So, where will you go next? Will it be the mystical monasteries of Meteora? The Lofoten’s arctic scenery? Or the storybook town of Albarracín?
Wherever it is, may it be an adventure that’s all your own.
Happy travels!