There’s something truly special about uncovering lesser-known locales that aren’t on every traveler’s radar. Sure, popular spots get all the attention, but there are so many amazing places that often go unnoticed. These offbeat destinations offer a kind of thrill and unique experiences that even the most seasoned traveler would appreciate. Here are ten of these truly spectacular places worth learning about. You never know, you might just find your new favorite spot.
1. Socotra, Yemen
Yemen is often publicized as a conflict-torn region, but you probably need to learn about the otherworldly island within its borders. Socotra in Yemen promises to take your breath away while you stand in awe before a colored stretch of far-spread flora and fauna devoid of human contamination. The pristine beaches of this destination beckon travelers seeking a picturesque heavenly paradise on earth.
2. Juizhaigou Valley, China
3. Matera, Italy
Hewned on a limestone cliff in the south of Italy, the “city of stones,” as locals would dub it holds intricate cave dwellings that, in turn, keep the history of times long before modern civilization. If you’re a fan of ancient architecture and the ways of early men, you should see this place.
4. Faroe Island
Unarguably every photographer’s dream, Faroe Islands display offshoots of majestic cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, and villages so perfectly preserved they feel sacred to touch.
5. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Zhangjiajie inspires the floating mountains in the highly successful silver-screen franchise, Avatar. Walking within its walls, you get eclipsed by towering quartz of sandstone pillars, crescendoing lush of colorful vegetation spreading below a glassy sky that reminds you of a fantasy world.
6. Svalbard, Norway
Hidden in the arms of the icy Alps of the arctic ocean, Svalbard is a frozen wilderness of quietude and rare animal species. This location invites you to see the polar bears growl under the mesmerizing northern lights in the landscape that hold the cleanest air that may ever hit your lungs.
7. Kotor, Montenegro
Talk medieval old towns lined along the crisscrossing paths of fjord-like bays; Kotor is nested on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. It is a sparsely populated, hardly toured municipal of cobblestone streets, ancient churches, and an old fortress of war. You should see it.
8. Lalibela, Ethiopia
An Ethiopian town renowned for its mystical landscape offers travelers the awe of rock-hewn churches that make for a Unesco World Heritage site. Lalibela’s holy ground presents architecture carved out of rocks with enviable finesse.
9. Cappadocia, Turkey
The fairytale-like landscape of Cappadocia offers an atmosphere of untainted magic forged through the strength of surreal rock and ancient cave dwellings. Sweet tour treats, including hot air balloon rides over the whimsical landscape, await you when you visit this place of natural wonders.
10. Palawan, Philippines
Dubbed the “Last Ecological Frontier” of the world, Palawan is a paradise for every nature enthusiast. On your journey to this rarely known spot, you’ll run into the most transparent crystal turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches that turn orange when the sun sets over a coral-reefed horizon.
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Source Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Demi Michele is a seasoned traveler, turned freelance writer. Having explored most states and ventured internationally, her love for outdoor cafes, new cuisines, and cultural immersion shines through her wide range of articles. Based in Texas with her family and two Scottish Terriers, Demi turns her adventures into captivating travel narratives to share with readers.