Whether you’re thinking about planning your next vacation or simply fantasizing about booking a trip, there are no shortage of incredible places to visit. But think beyond Paris and Tokyo — the world is full of hidden gems that deserve way more attention. So, Redditor Obstetrix asked, “What is a ‘slept on’ destination you loved?” Here’s what people said.
1.
“Malaysia, specifically Penang. If you’re a food-minded traveler, it’s the best culinary city I’ve ever visited.”
2.
“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. Gorgeous architecture and delicious food that was cheap compared to the US. It boasts a super interesting hybrid of cultures and histories.”
3.
“Trieste, Italy. There’s charming architecture, excellent food and cafe culture, natural beauty, plus friendly people. Maybe because I visited at the end of March and not during the summer, it didn’t feel busy or overwhelmed at all.”
4.
“Taiwan may be my favorite of all the places I’ve ever visited. It’s not just friendly, inexpensive, and jaw-droppingly beautiful, but Taiwan also has some of the most efficient & accessible public transportation I’ve ever experienced. Even though I was there in July and the heat was pretty serious, I can’t wait to return.”
5.
“Bosnian wine country (technically located in Herzegovina). I’ll never forget sitting on a hillside under a medieval watchtower overlooking a river while sipping fantastic red wine and eating local cheese. Everything was very cheap as well.”
6.
“Tasmania. You hear a lot about New Zealand, but even most Aussies on the mainland don’t get to Tas. For being a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Sydney, it’s just beyond brilliant. Think: Stunning landscapes, endless ocean, vineyards and amazing wine, the freshest seafood, incredible cheese, a world-class museum, historic sights, bustling markets, antique shops, hikes and treks, beautiful national parks, and a driver’s dream.”
7.
“Ljubljana, Slovenia. I don’t know many people who are running to visit this city. Holy shit, it was GORGEOUS. I visited 10+ years ago for a couple of days. I remember the nature and scenery, the quaint town, and going white water rafting. It was a 10/10 destination.”
8.
“I’m a huge fan of regional tourist destinations, meaning 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. 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 it and travel there a lot, but people from elsewhere have no idea.”
9.
“Lucca and Livorno, Italy. Both are the kind of cities where the only advice you need is ‘get lost in the streets.'”
10.
“Ecuador was one of the biggest surprises for me. Ecuador is very famous for the Galapagos (which is incredible!), but there are tons of amazing nature spots everywhere. Big volcanoes, forests, beaches, mountains… I also think Quito is really cool. The food was also surprisingly really delicious!”
11.
“Lake District England. It’s a magical spot, but for some reason, it’s not well known to US travelers.”
12.
“I was blown away by Reunion Island. The nature there is out of this world.”
13.
“Slovenia. Everyone knows Bled, but honestly, Bohinj in the Julian Alps offers some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever come across. Also, it’s a really affordable country.”
14.
“Santiago, Chile is a fantastic city. There’s 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, making it a perfect base for day trips.”
15.
“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. It was magical.”
16.
“All of Georgia. What an amazing country. The food is so good. Loved Tbilisi and Mestia.”
17.
“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 rich, complex wines unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere…”
18.
“Tucson, Arizona. It’s an incredibly beautiful and unique desert environment with gorgeous landscapes (think: cactus forests) and very good food. Lots of people simply never think about visiting.”
19.
“I just got back from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. So many people gave me a double take when I told them about this destination. It’s so beautiful. The Bavarian Alps and German countryside were amazing. I never had a bad meal there. Everything was fresh, the beer was amazing, the air was crisp, and there was beautiful weather.”
20.
“Oslo. I spent a week there because I was flying from there and thought I should see it. I absolutely loved the fiords, world-class art galleries, saunas, and great coffee. I’m going back later this year to spend more time there.”
21.
“Wales. IMO, it outshines all the rest of the UK. It’s Absolutely stunning, charming, friendly, and culturally interesting. Don’t just go for a few days. We went for three weeks by train to ten towns. I can’t wait to return.”
22.
“Lyon, France. People talk all about Paris, but Lyon is the best food city I’ve ever been to.”
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