Looking for an unforgettable travel experience in 2024? Are you weary of overcrowded tourism destinations?
There is no need to look further! This article will provide an exploration of several exceptional destinations that are relatively unknown and underappreciated, yet they merit your attention as travelers.
We have curated a list of twelve extraordinary locations that combine sustainable tourism practices, remote islands, and historic cities to create an unforgettable experience.
Therefore, gather your belongings and prepare to investigate these obscure attractions.
The Indonesian island of Sumba is a peaceful and environmentally friendly place to go to the beach. It’s only an hour’s trip from Bali.
Sumba is the perfect place to get away from the crowds of its more famous neighbor because it has remote villages, untouched forests, ancient traditions, and world-class surf breaks.
Sumba is still mostly unknown, even though it covers more than 4,000 square miles. When the Nihi Sumba resort opened in 2012, it brought a lot of attention to the island. Since then, several more high-end eco-resorts have opened, such as The Sanubari and Cap Karoso.
2. Black Sea Region, Turkey: A Different Side of Turkey
Get away from the crowds of tourists and visit Karadeniz, an area of Turkey on the Black Sea that not many people know about. Because it is cooler here and the landscapes are greener, this area is a nice change from the hot summers in famous Turkish vacation spots.
Experience the beauty of old towns and villages, unwind on beautiful beaches, and do exciting things. In Safranbolu, you can walk through old streets that sound like blacksmiths hitting their hammers.
In Amasra, you can enjoy the beach, and in Sumela, you can be amazed by the ancient monastery that sits on a cliff. White water kayaking and heli-skiing in the Kackar Mountains are musts for people who like to be scared.
3. Tartu, Estonia: A City of Good Thoughts
Tartu, the European Capital of Culture for 2024, invites you to embrace its intellectual and high-minded atmosphere. Known as Estonia’s intellectual center, Tartu is home to its oldest university, the Estonian National Museum, and the impressive Science Centre AHHAA.
While the Old Town is the perfect base for exploration, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Supilinn (“Soup Town”), a historic neighborhood with pretty wooden houses that has transformed into one of the city’s most desirable addresses.
4. Tainan, Taiwan: A Hidden Gem
Celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2024, Tainan has emerged as a hotspot in Taiwan, surpassing the capital, Taipei, in hotel occupancy rates.
The city is renowned as the street food capital of Taiwan, offering delectable dishes such as beef soups and oyster omelets.
Experience the natural beauty of Tainan with its scenic sunsets over salt farms, colorful old temples, and cool new museums.
Tainan was also listed among Booking.com’s top 10 sustainable tourism destinations in 2023, making it an ideal choice for conscious travelers
5. Northwest Michigan, USA: A Year-Round Escape
In the summer, Lake Michigan is packed with tourists. But the Northwest region of Michigan, with its beautiful shoreline, cute towns, and rolling farmland, is a great place to get away any time of the year.
Traverse City, which is on Grand Traverse Bay, is a great place to stay if you want to visit wineries on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas or pick fruit during the harvest.
In the fall, the leaves cover the area in bright colors, and in the winter, you can enjoy the beauty of snow-covered scenery. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see. A hike over the huge dunes will give you stunning views of the Great Lake.
6. Trans Dinarica Cycle Route: A Cyclist's Paradise
The Trans Dinarica Cycle Route will be the first bike path to connect all eight Western Balkan countries when it opens in 2024.
This 100-stage trail goes for 4,000 kilometers and has a mix of quiet asphalt roads, forest trails, and bike tracks for cyclists of all skill levels.
Discover the beautiful beaches of Albania and Croatia, the national parks of Kosovo, the rugged mountains of Montenegro, and the natural beauty of Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
7. Culebra, Puerto Rico: An Island Escape
You don’t have to look any further than Culebra to get away from the liveliness of Puerto Rico. This little paradise is only 20 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico.
It is a peaceful place to get away from it all, surrounded by beautiful nature. You have to go to Flamenco Beach. The calm water is great for swimming and diving.
You can hike, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, fish, and explore the island’s natural haven. Culebra is a great place to relax, whether you only stay for a day or for a longer period of time.
8. Angola: Unveiling Hidden Treasures
Angola is a country that wants to become known as a tourist destination, but not many people know about it yet. Now that a quick-approval tourism e-visa has been made available, it’s the perfect time to visit this off-the-beaten-path spot.
Angola’s capital, Luanda, has a lively party scene, but you should get out of the city to see the country’s stunning scenery and cultural treasures. You can see beautiful Portuguese colonial buildings, the statue of Christ the King, and the Tundavala Gap when you go to Lubango.
Don’t miss the Calendula Falls, the surfing spots of Barra do Kwanza and Cabo Ledo on the Atlantic Ocean, or the friendly people of Angola.
9. Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada: A Charming Gem
Saint John is a charming city in the province of New Brunswick that is a great place to start discovering the Bay of Fundy. The bay is known for having the highest tides in the world, which makes it a truly amazing nature show. There are a lot of historic buildings in Saint John.
The Saint John City Market is a National Historic Site of Canada. The Saint John Arts Centre is in the old Carnegie Building and is a great place to check out the city’s lively arts scene. Saint John has a lot to give travelers. There are many places to stay and eat, so there is something for everyone.
10. Andong, South Korea: Unveiling the Cultural Side
South Korea really does have it all, from towns that look like they are from the future to beautiful buildings from the past. Most tourists go to Seoul and Busan, but Andong shows the more traditional side of Korea.
People call Andong the “Spirit of South Korea,” and it’s where the statue of the seven graves of the ancient Gaya Tumuli is kept. This area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Andong’s historic streets and learn about the city’s rich cultural history.
Don’t miss the chance to see the fascinating Andong Hahoe Folk Village, which is like a real museum showing how people used to live in Korea.
11. Chile: A Country of Diverse Landscapes
With more than 2,700 miles of coastline, Chile has something for everyone. In the north, the Atacama Desert’s otherworldly landscapes enchant tourists, and along the coast, there are thousands of miles of Pacific shoreline.
The tall Andes rule the eastern landscape and are a great place for hikers, climbers, and skiers. In the south, you can find lakes, mountains, and wild Patagonia, which are all incredibly beautiful.
The new Parque Nacional Glaciares covers the most populated area of the country and shows how serious the government is about protecting nature. You can go skiing near Santiago which is among the best in the world, and you can also fully enjoy the rich culture and food that Chile has to offer.
