%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-image-EMERGINGDEST0725-3babb2261dd6494ab4f44beff9f6b8c0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
27 Under-the-Radar Places to Visit Before They Get Too Popular, According to Travel Advisors
"Sardinia is where Italians go to escape the hustle and bustle, and it's easy to see why: gorgeous beaches, hiking trails, and wild landscapes that feel like stepping into a postcard. Big luxury resorts are just starting to appear, so travelers should experience the island's laid-back charm before it gets too crowded." — Angela Adto Tepper, AZA Luxury Travel
"The Baja California peninsula in Mexico has activities for all travelers, including the vineyards of Valle de Guadalupe, the whale mating grounds of Laguna San Ignacio, and magical towns like La Paz, Todos Santos, and Loreto. The exceptional wines and cuisine of the north are a closely-held secret among southern Californians, but new luxury hotels like Banyan Tree are drawing attention." — Zachary Rabinor, Journey Mexico A pack of lemurs in Madagascar.
Yann Guichaoua-Photos/Getty Images
"Madagascar can now be reached via Dubai, Paris, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Johannesburg, while new luxury lodges like Voaara and Miavana means greater comfort. The country is home to a plethora of unique cultures, distinctive flora like giant baobab trees, and lemurs which are as cute and furry as you imagine. " — Samantha Gordon, Red Savannah
"Gargano, in northern Puglia, is Italy's most overlooked coastline. Take a boat along the incredible faraglioni (rock formations), taste incredible southern Italian cuisine in the small towns, and visit the countryside for hiking and swimming. Don't skip Monte Sant'Angelo, which is said to have been visited by the Archangel Michael. " — Zoe Shapiro, Stellavision Travel Apple orchards in Asturias, Spain.
"Asturias in northern Spain is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Located between the Cantabrian Sea and the Picos de Europa mountains, the region boasts lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and cute villages. The region is renowned for its food and unique cider, served with a traditional pouring technique. With new high-speed trains and new flights, accessing this captivating area has never been easier." — Nigel Hack, Madrid & Beyond
"The Southern Highlands, just south of Sydney, is largely undiscovered by international visitors—yet the region provides a rich diversity of experiences. Hike to hidden waterfalls, tour historic townships, meet local winemakers, hunt for truffles, spot kangaroos, and more. Fabulous new boutique hotels like Osborn House and Moss Manor entice visitors to stay a little longer. " — Stuart Rigg, Southern Crossings
"Mongolia offers a blend of vast, pristine nature and unique cultural experiences, such as horseback riding with golden eagle hunters. It also boasts a growing fashion scene, highlighted by Michel & Amazonka, the brand that made headlines for its costumes at the Paris Olympics." — Undraa Buyannemekh, Nomadic Expeditions and Three Camel Lodge Driving in Bolivia's salt flats.
Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure
"Bolivia has an amazing diversity of ecosystems, including the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni; the highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca; and the Amazon River. The local culture is diverse, with a large Indigenous population whose traditions and languages are deeply integrated into everyday life." — Carola Fresno, Timbuktu Travel
"The Craigieburn Valley in New Zealand's South Island is rarely visited by foreign travelers. That means uncrowded mountain hikes, biking trails, horse riding, rock climbing, fly fishing, and stargazing. Luxury lodge Flockhill Station has 36,000 acres to explore, while direct flights from San Francisco to Christchurch (just 90 minutes from Craigieburn Valley) have made the region easier to get to." — Sarah Farag, Southern Crossings
"Antarctica is an exciting frontier with glacier hikes, emperor penguin encounters, helicopter rides, and futuristic basecamps featuring outer space-inspired pods and chef-prepared meals. Tour companies like White Desert, Ultima Antarctica, and Antarctica21 offer access via aircraft or smaller ships with under 100 passengers. " — Ruchi Harnal, Harnal Travel
"Tangier and, more broadly, northern Morocco, are wonderful up-and-coming destinations to visit. Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay on the Mediterranean and La Fiermontina Ocean on the Atlantic Coast offer world-class accommodations so travelers can explore the area in comfort. " — Michael Diamond, Cobblestone Private Travel Elephants in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park.
jacques"Mozambique has transformed Gorongosa National Park, once a conflict-ravaged landscape, into a thriving ecosystem teeming with wildlife. Visitors can experience it through game drives, night safaris, waterfall hikes, and rare pangolin conservation encounters. Accommodations like the luxurious Muzimu Lodge and intimate Chicari Camp offer premium comfort and privacy deep within this reborn wilderness." — Karin Jones, Artisans of Safari
"Abruzzo is where Italy's raw beauty comes alive. Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam. On the Costa dei Trabocchi, wooden fishing platforms stretch into the sea, serving up the freshest catch in the most atmospheric setting imaginable. The Tirino, one of the cleanest rivers in Europe, is perfect for kayaking." — Matteo Della Grazia and Daniela Mencarelli, Fuoritinerario - Discover Your Italy
"The Japanese city of Onimichi is experiencing an uptick, though it remains off the tourist circuit. The pioneer is Adrian Zecha, founder of Aman Resorts, who recently opened Azumi Setoda, a 22-room ryokan (Japanese inn) on the island of Ikuchijima. Visit extraordinary cliffside temples offering cinematic views, eat delicious food including ramen and pastries, island-hop via ferry or private boat, and explore the serene landscape by bicycle." — Mark Lakin, The Legacy Untold Travel
"Slovenia is quietly rising in popularity, with fairytale lakes like Bled, charming coastal towns like Piran, and a storybook capital, Ljubljana. What's truly special is the variety of activities offered in such a compact area. Alpine adventures, wine tasting, wellness retreats, and the Adriatic Sea are all within a couple of hours' drive. " — Laura Asilis, Travelwise Kotor, Montenegro.
Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
"Montenegro has the drama of the Amalfi Coast, the heritage of Croatia, and the laid-back charm of the Mediterranean—all without the crowds. Spend the morning exploring medieval towns like Kotor and the afternoon sailing through seemingly untouched bays. Luxury hotels are beginning to quietly move in, but it still feels like a secret." — Dasha Westerfield, River Oaks Travel
"Albania's stunning beaches along the Ionian Sea rival the Amalfi Coast (minus the crowds), while charming mountain villages like Theth offer untouched beauty. The food scene is wildly underrated. Think fresh seafood, homemade rakia, and farm-to-table everything. What makes it really special, though, is the warmth of the people." — Kristin Winkaffe, Winkaffe Global Travel
"Nafplio is the kind of spot Athenians escape to for the weekend, but it's still flying under the radar for international travelers. Located just two hours from Athens, it has neoclassical mansions, cobblestone streets, and Venetian fortresses perched above the sea. If you've already done Santorini and Mykonos and are craving something more authentic, this is it." — Desiree Norman, Onēra
"The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador is full of beautiful culture, rich history, and welcoming people. As the easternmost part of the country, it's full of stunning landscapes and beautiful cities like St. John's that are still relatively tucked away. " — Marc Telio, Entree Canada Wat Xieng Thong temple in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Preto_perola/Getty Images
"Laos, situated between Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China, has beautiful landscapes full of mountains, waterfalls, and caves. And its cities—including Luang Prabang, Thakhek, Savannaket, and Pakse—are full of outstanding Laotian restaurants and French boulangeries." — Bob Preston, GlobeBley
"Milos is on the brink of becoming Greece's next 'It' island. For now, its lunar-like coastlines, secret coves, and authentic Cycladic spirit are beautifully unspoiled. Multiple high-end properties are being built, so now's the time to experience the raw, serene glory before the secret is out." — Christos Stergiou, TrueTrips
"Visit the Pacific coast of Colombia for humpback whale watching before it becomes more popular. The pristine area offers unforgettable natural encounters amid untouched beaches framed by lush jungle landscapes. Its remoteness and rich biodiversity promise a deeply immersive experience." — Boris Seckovic, Amakuna Travel
"From the awe-inspiring Pyramids to the timeless Nile, Egypt combines deep history with modern comfort. The number of travelers has been low in recent years, providing an opportunity to fully absorb these iconic sites before they become bustling hotspots again. It's a rare and fleeting moment in one of the world's oldest civilizations. " — Chris Bazos, Travelous Northern lights over Nuuk, Greenland.
Vadim_Nefedov/Getty Images
"First-time visitors to Greenland find themselves moved by the vibrant Inuit culture, spectacular landscapes, and the special charm that comes from being hard to reach. That sense of remoteness might erode after the recent introduction of direct flights from the U.S., but Greenland isn't the next Iceland—it's a different place entirely." — Ashton Palmer, Expedition Trips
"Uganda is emerging as an exciting destination that blends unique wildlife and top-tier accommodations. The opening of Erebero Hills in 2026 exemplifies this trend, offering luxury amid breathtaking mountains and forests. Additionally, the upcoming Gorilla Forest Lodge is set to further elevate Uganda's appeal to luxury travelers." — Candice Heckel, Africa Endeavours
"Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, has a fascinating architectural blend of New Khmer modern, Art Deco and French Colonial. The style of the city is one of East and West, old and new, classic and casual. And since the average age of Cambodians is just over 25 years old, the city feels incredibly youthful and forward-thinking. It's a hopeful place. " — Ethan Crowley, Asia Desk Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger's Nest, in Bhutan.
"Bhutan is one of the last truly untouched destinations, where culture, spirituality, and sustainability aren't curated for tourists—they're lived daily. The country's 'high-value, low-Impact' tourism model aims to protect its sacred heritage. And with high-class lodges like Six Senses, Gangtey Lodge and Amankora blending seamlessly into the Himalayan landscape, visitors can experience transformational moments without sacrificing comfort." — Jason Oshiokpekhai, Global Travel Collection
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Skift
37 minutes ago
- Skift
Hyatt Opens First JdV by Hyatt Property in Southeast Asia
Macau's Statistics and Census Service reported 2,891,003 visitors arrived in Macau in June, up 13.3% from June 2024. Mainland China visitation was up 20.8% to 1,995,627. The much-sought-after international visitation was up a measly 3% in June to 197,007. The number of same-day visitors was up 22.5% to 1,611,641, while the more important overnight visitor statistic was only up 3.6% to 1,279,362. Singapore Oceanarium officially opened as part of Resorts World Sentosa's S$6.8 billion expansion. The attraction was previously known as Sea Aquarium but was revamped to showcase research-inspired installations, immersive exhibits, hands-on programs, and interactive digital experiences. Coming up will be the opening of The Laurus, a hotel that will tie up with Marriott International. The Laurus at RWS will be a 183 all-suite hotel that is expected to open by the end of the year. The hotel will offer suites as well as courtyard spaces and a function room spanning five
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
True Love on Two Wheels? What Happens When You Motorcycle Around the World With Someone You Just Met on a Dating App
In Sept. 2017, Heather Lea stepped off her BMW G 650 GS in Magadan, Russia, the final stop in a 58,247-mile motorcycle ride through 40 countries. Seven years later, her book about the journey will soon be released, detailing the trials and rewards of embarking on the trip with a man she had started dating only 27 days prior. By all accounts, Lea's life has been one of well-weighed risk versus reward. She says she's 'more inclined to whimsically agree to stuff and then worry about it later,' a way of living that has taken her solo backpacking in Africa and cycling from Paris to Istanbul. Her 2-year motorcycle trip around the world was born in the same way: a serendipitous match on a dating app and a suggestion to ride down to Patagonia — and then keep going. Lea sat down with GearJunkie to chat about the experience, including an excerpt from the book below. 'Riding Full Circle': Excerpt I follow Dave down the dirt track we came up last night, and out onto the logging road, where the morning sun lights up the dust disturbed by his rear tire. We come to a junction and Dave turns left. After crossing a bridge over the St. Joe's River we're back on the Idaho Backcountry Discovery Route. As soon as we hit the double track made for all-terrain vehicles, Dave's off like a flash. He's the only person I know who speeds up when he sees a dirt road, whether he's in a 4×4 truck, or on two wheels. I ride carefully. Ahead on the trail I see two boulders as large as woodstoves that I'll need to squeeze through, but I'm concerned about my hard-case panniers fixed onto luggage racks on both sides of my bike. Am I too wide to fit between them? Slowing to twenty-five miles an hour, I look where I want to go. Just when I think I'm past the rocks, an abrupt impact slams into my body and my motorcycle starts veering out of control. I take in the Ponderosa pines above me, the river to my right, and the ditch on my left. Look where you want to go. Half a second later, I'm stuck under my motorcycle, where it has come to rest in a pine-cone scattered gully. My brain elbows through the last few minutes of memory. I was off-center and hit one of the boulders with the hard aluminum pannier on my right side. The collision was so jarring, it sent me into the ditch. Sound comes flooding back to my ears once the white noise of alarm has quieted. I hear the river and listen for Dave. No sign of my boyfriend. Even his dust has settled on the track ahead, which follows a curved line of deciduous trees dropping golden leaves to the ground. If the stars were aligned any different, I'd be face down in the St. Joe's river right now. Luckily, I'd swerved left instead of right, toward the ditch, not the drop off. A gulping cry-laugh bursts from my mouth. Shit! When Dave suggested we ride our motorcycles around the world, one of my biggest fears was crashing. Now, less than two weeks into a two-year adventure, I'd done just that. Finding my point-and-shoot camera in the tank bag strapped between my handlebars, I walk up the trail for a good perspective of the accident scene. In 20-plus years as a freelance writer, I know a good story is nothing without photos. Snapping off a couple shots, I return to zip the camera back into my bag. It's then a searing pain shoots into my wrist at the base of my right thumb. Adrenaline—nature's morphine—is clearing out and boiling blood rushes up and down my arm. Dizzy and frantic, I sit, cradling my hand. Please don't be broken, please don't be broken. It's September 25, 2015—my 41st birthday. Author Interview: Heather Lea Lea: I had been online dating for about a year and went into my account to actually shut it down because of too many weird experiences. That was when I saw Dave as one of my 'matches.' His profile was different from any of the others I had seen, so I decided to send him an email. And then 27 days into dating, Dave suggested we ride motorcycles to Patagonia together. I said yes before he even finished the question. Yes, and Dave didn't even have a motorcycle yet, but he always wanted one. I hadn't considered getting into long-distance riding until Dave suggested it. We were in his room looking at a big world map, and he said, 'If we're going to ride to Patagonia, why don't we just keep going?' We planned the trip for over a year. We wanted to wait until we took off-roading courses, and I wanted to learn Russian and Spanish, but if we waited for all that to happen, we never would have gone. We actually ended up leaving in September 2015, a year earlier than planned. It started when I was 12 years old. My dad had a motorcycle, and it always scared the shit out of me. But he was selling his bike, and said, 'This is your last chance to ride,' so I went with him. I was blown away and thought, 'This is amazing. I love this feeling!' But my mom worked in emergency rooms, and because I was a 'good daughter,' I put off getting a bike and just had that one ride until later in life. When I was turning 40, I decided I wanted to do something really cool for my birthday, so I learned how to ride. My dad had another motorcycle at that point, and I thought he and I would ride around together and maybe take some trips. But I really loved going out on forest roads and camping, so I knew I needed a different bike than the Harley cruiser-style bike my dad had. After passing my license, I got a Kawasaki Super Sherpa, and then eventually a BMW G 650 GS. The trip began in Revelstoke, British Columbia, in September 2015. I ended up crashing my bike 1,000 miles into the trip and breaking my wrist, which caused a 3-month delay. After that, I met Dave in Arizona, and we were in Mexico by December 2015. By April 2016, we had traveled from Mexico down to the southernmost road accessible point in the world in Ushuaia, Argentina. In May 2016, we went back to Canada and then rode to the Yukon and Alaska. After that, we had to go back home until January of 2017 to wait for our Russian visas, because you can't leave your country without a passport. Finally, in February 2017, we flew ourselves and the bikes to Cape Town, South Africa, and traveled up through Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya. In May, we headed for Europe and rode from Scotland to Ukraine. By June 2017, we were in Russia, and dipped down into Kazakhstan and Mongolia before ending the trip in Magadan, Russia. In 2016, we rode through 15 countries. and in 2017. we rode through 25 countries, totaling 58,247 miles. Dave sold his house, and I sold my business. We really wanted to not have strong ties to anything back at home that might be distracting. After talking to some other long-distance moto travelers, we budgeted about $75,000 total for the trip. Which equals about $18,000 per person per year, or $100 per day. Some days we blew through that, especially when we did off-bike excursions, like boating around the Galapagos Islands or hiking up volcanoes. I fell off my bike 2 weeks into the trip, and I broke my wrist. It felt like such a big deal because I'd been getting all these comments online, mostly from men, about how my bike — the G 650 GS — was too big for me. So, in my head, I'm thinking, 'Everyone was right. I'm too weak to muscle this bike. I can't even get 500 miles from my house. How am I going to get around the world?' I had to go home for 3 months until it healed. Dave stayed out and did some riding on his own, and then I met him in Arizona, where my motorcycle had been trailered to. The first time I got back on my bike after the hiatus, I was scared shitless. What if it happened again? What if this time, I broke my leg, or worse? I didn't want to just stick to paved roads, but that was where I felt safest. Riding off-road terrified me, but the places we wanted to go — mountains, beaches, Baja, Mongolia — none of those were paved. I had to dig deep and basically become an entirely different person who didn't care what people said and could control my inner thoughts about fear and failure. It was a huge challenge. I am clear in my book Riding Full Circle: What the World Taught Me About Motorcycles, Risk, and Someone I Barely Knew that my relationship with Dave was rocky in the beginning. I felt he resented me for taking 3 months away from our trip to heal a broken bone. He felt like I was too stuck in fear to advance in my riding. I was so slow, he often had to wait for me to catch up, and I felt like he was too fast for my comfort level. At times, I wished he were more sympathetic, but eventually, the road ahead helped us start accepting each other. We had to if we wanted to achieve this goal together. Along with the incredible scenery and places we got to see, the top highlights of our entire trip were the people we met. When I broke my wrist, an older couple whom we'd just met for a few minutes at a gas station in Idaho invited us to stay on their ranch for part of my recuperation. More than once, we were given free fuel from people at gas stations who heard what we were doing and offered to fill our tanks. People who had no clue who we were offered to let us stay in their homes. It seemed every time we were having a bad day, someone would come out of nowhere with such genuine kindness and make us smile. You just don't get that in everyday life at home. I wanted to write a book that told the truth about traveling as a new couple doing something extremely hard but also beautiful together. Riding Full Circle was what we called ourselves online for social media. Originally, it was because we were going to start in Revelstoke, British Columbia, and end up back there 2 years later, completing a circle of sorts. But after I got home and started writing this book, I realized the trip had brought me full circle back to myself. A self that — at the beginning of the trip, with all the insecurities that come from dating someone new and dealing with extreme physical and mental challenges — started to get lost. But because of those experiences, at the end of 2 years, she was back and stronger than ever. You do not need to even like motorcycles to enjoy this book. There's far more to it than that. Anyone with a partner will resonate with the experiences we had on the road while getting to know each other, both the good and the bad times. Riding Full Circle was successfully crowdfunded and will be released soon. Reserve your copy at The Best Motorcycle Helmets of 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Allegiant Announces New Nonstop Routes to 12 Cities, Expanding Florida Footprint
LAS VEGAS, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced seven new nonstop routes connecting 12 cities across the country, including a new destination: Fort Myers, Florida via Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $49.* The new routes, launching this fall, will provide convenient, nonstop service between these cities and expand Allegiant's growing presence in popular leisure destinations. As more travelers seek value-driven travel options, Allegiant remains dedicated to making dream vacations possible with budget-friendly fares and excellent customer service. "This expansion reflects our commitment to connecting underserved communities with affordable, convenient travel options," said Drew Wells, Allegiant's chief commercial officer. "By adding Fort Myers and increasing service to multiple beach cities, we're providing travelers nonstop access to sunny destinations, meaning they spend less time at the airport and more time on vacation." The new routes between Fort Myers, Florida via Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and the following cities include: Allentown, Pennsylvania via Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) beginning November 13, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $69.* Appleton, Wisconsin via Appleton International Airport (ATW) beginning November 21, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $69.* Des Moines, Iowa via Des Moines International Airport (DSM) beginning November 21, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $69.* The new route between Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida via Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and Toledo, Ohio via Toledo Express Airport (TOL) begins November 20, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $59.* The new route between Fort Lauderdale, Florida via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Fort Wayne, Indiana via Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) begins November 20, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $59.* The new route between New Orleans via Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Punta Gorda, Florida via Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) begins November 21, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $49.* The new route between Nashville, Tennessee via Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Gulf Shores, Alabama via Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) begins November 21, 2025 with one-way fares as low as $49.* A hallmark of Allegiant's leisure-focused business model is its network of all-nonstop flights, making air travel more seamless and accessible. Passengers spend less time at the airport and more time enjoying their vacation. Tickets for all newly announced routes are now available. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found at *About the introductory one-way fares:Seats and dates are limited and fares are not available on all flights. Flights must be purchased by July 30, 2025 for travel by Feb. 10, 2026. Prices displayed includes taxes, carrier charges & government fees. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Optional baggage charges and additional restrictions may apply. For more details, optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant – Together We FlyTMLas Vegas-based Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is an integrated travel company with an airline at its heart, focused on connecting customers with the people, places and experiences that matter most. Since 1999, Allegiant Air has linked travelers in small-to-medium cities to world-class vacation destinations with all-nonstop flights and industry-low average fares. Today, Allegiant's fleet serves communities across the nation, with base airfares less than half the cost of the average domestic roundtrip ticket. For more information, visit us at Media information, including photos, is available at Media Contact Phone: 702-800-2020Email: mediarelations@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Allegiant Travel Company Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
