I've been to 175 countries – but I always go back to these underrated gems

Metro

a day ago

With the UK boiling once again, it's hard not to daydream about misty mountains, empty beaches, and anywhere but here.
These are just some of the lesser-known destinations recommended by Michael Zervos, a Greek-American explorer who's attempting to travel to every country in the world faster than anyone ever has.
Some are far-flung and exotic, but many are right on the UK's doorstep. All offer fascinating (and generally affordable) alternatives to overcrowded tourist hubs.
Here are the 9 underrated places that should be on every bucket list, according to a man who's been to 175 countries out of 195 so far.
'Morocco gets all the hype, but Tunisia surprised me in the best way,' says Michael, who grew up in Detroit, Michigan.
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'The people are so down-to-earth, warm, and genuinely curious about visitors – without the constant tourist hustle.'
With a fascinating blend of North African soul and Mediterranean charm, Tunisia is home to many wonders: the ancient ruins of Carthage, whitewashed coastal towns like Sidi Bou Said, and vast desert landscapes straight out of a Star Wars set (literally).
But what truly hooked Michael was the food.
'Tunis has one of the best street food scenes I've ever encountered,' he says of the capital.
'I did a food tour with my buddy Mehdi, who runs the YouTube channel Tunisian Street Food, and I still dream about the stuff we tried. Fricassés, brik, grilled merguez – it was unforgettable.'
Beyond the capital, you can explore Roman amphitheatres that rival Italy's, sip mint tea in maze-like medinas, or take a camel trek into the Sahara.
'There are so many layers to Tunisia,' says Michael. 'It's not just beautiful – it's complex, creative, and full of contrasts.'
Flight time to UK: Roughly 3 hours.
Overshadowed by its Soviet past, few people realise the incredible natural beauty that lies just beyond Kazakhstan's cities.
Kazakhstan has eight million annual visitors per year, and offers easily accessible natural landscapes a stone's throw away from Almaty, its vibrant former capital.
Within hours of arriving, you can be hiking around Big Almaty Lake, skiing at Shymbulak, or marveling at the dramatic Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan's breathtaking answer to the Grand Canyon.
Wild camping is permitted nearly everywhere, allowing visitors to wake up immersed in untouched nature.
Michael recommends heading to Shymbulak Mountain and taking the funicular up to the ski resort at the top.
'It's unreal,' he says. 'If you love the Alps but want fewer crowds and lower prices, Kazakhstan will truly blow you away.'
For a different kind of adventure, space enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to watch a live rocket launch at Baikonur, the world's first and largest spaceport.
Feel the ground shake, hear the deafening roar, and witness humanity's next step into space, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Flight time to UK: Between 9 and 10 hours.
Metro's picture editor Luke Brighty recently journeyed across Kazakhstan and discovered a destination packed with adventure, culture that connects you to local lives, and the warmest of welcomes you could ever hope for.
You can read all about Luke's adventure, as well as how to get to Kazakhstan and the best things to do, here.
With just 160,000 annual visitors per year, the Pacific island of Samoa is a pristine paradise where villages compete in 'tidy town' pageants that preserve its untouched beauty.
Michael says the best thing about the island is that most people don't realise how affordable it can be.
'The word 'paradise' gets thrown around a lot when describing the Pacific, but Samoa truly matches my idea of paradise on Earth,' he explains.
Beyond the stunning coastline and pristine white-sand beaches, the inland waterfalls, freshwater pools, and lush jungle trails make Samoa an explorer's dream.
Michael's top recommendation is the To Sua Ocean Trench, a 'jaw-dropping' natural sinkhole filled with azure water.
'It's one of the most unique swimming spots I've ever encountered,' he says.
One reason Samoa remains so beautifully preserved is its deeply rooted Fa'a Samoa culture (The Samoan Way), which has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. This traditional way of life guides everything from social structures to daily interactions, emphasizing community, respect, and hospitality.
It's refreshing to hear that the environment always takes priority here.
Flight time to UK: More than 33 hours, with multiple stops.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Samoa. In fact, there are no straightforward routes at all.
The quickest and most popular route would be to fly from London to Auckland or Fiji, stopping over in either Doha or Los Angeles.
From Auckland or Fiji, you can catch a direct flight to Faleolo International Airport, where Samoa's main international airport is based. All in, the journey takes more than 33 hours.
Much has been written about this Mediterranean gem with ancient history rivaling Greece and Italy.
'Malta feels like one of the greatest hits of Europe, but with fewer tourists and more surprises,' Michael says.
But Malta recorded a record-breaking 3.56million visitors last year, so it looks like it won't stay quiet for long.
This sun-drenched gem is a melting pot of influences; you'll hear a language that sounds like Arabic, see architecture that feels Italian, and find cultural layers shaped by occupiers including the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and the British.
The walled city of Mdina looks lifted from a medieval fairytale, while the Blue Grotto's sapphire waters rival those of Capri.
'History lovers will lose their minds here,' says Zervos. 'Malta's temples are older than the pyramids. And where else can you visit prehistoric sites, medieval fortresses, and WWII bunkers all in one afternoon?'
Unlike its flashier neighbours, Malta is affordable, scenic, historic, and sunny all year round — even in winter.
Flight time to UK: Between 3.5 and 4 hours.
Metro's Chris Rickett jetted to Malta in 2023 to find the best the island has to offer. If you've only got a weekend to spare, here's how to make the most of Malta
Day 1
Morning: Get yourself a coffee and pastizz and prepare to loop Valletta (1) from City Gate to Upper Barrakka Gardens, making sure to visit St John's Cathedral and St George's Square. Ride the Upper Barrakka Lift down to sea level and catch a water taxi ride to Three Cities (2).
Afternoon: Enjoy a well-earned lunch immediately on Birgu's marina. Then, hire a Rolling Geek and explore Three Cities, making a point to turn into any interesting side street no matter how narrow it looks.
Evening: Tour Mdina (3) before the sun goes down and the streets are mostly clear of tourists. Dinner at Medina Restaurant is highly recommended.
Day 2
Morning: Transfer to Cirkewwa to catch a ferry crossing to Gozo (4), making sure to have a pitstop overlooking Popeye Village (5). Take a tuk-tuk from Mgarr to Xewkija (6). Do some sight-seeing on a Segway by riding from Gozo Segway Tours base in Victoria to Gozo's northern-most bays and the Salt Pans (7).
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch beside Marsalforn Bay, Il-Kartell recommended (8). Arrange to meet Gozo Segway Tours for an e-bike ride to Sanap Cliffs (9). Make your ferry back to Malta.
Evening: Take a taxi to Gharghur and sample the delicious food and wine at Cent'Anni Bistro and Wine bar (10).
Metro's Gergana Krasteva recently wrote that of the 10 countries she visited in 2024, Bhutan trumped them all.
Michael agrees that the isolated Himalayan kingdom is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
From the ethereal mist draping the capital Thimphu to the sheer cliffs where Tiger's Nest Monastery clings, this mystic enclave feels like it exists outside of time.
Bhutan has just 135,739 annual visitors, and in a world of overtourism, it's a must-visit for 2025.
'It's the kind of place that stays with you, haunting your thoughts long after you leave,' Michael explains.
'I think about my time in this beautiful country every week. Walking through Thimphu felt like walking on clouds.'
Landlocked between India and China, tiny Bhutan – with its cliff-hanging monasteries, verdant valleys and eastern mysticism – is a playground for eco-conscious travellers. The world's first carbon-negative country, Bhutan's constitution requires at least 60% of the country to be covered with forest; plastic has been banned since 1999.
Bhutan is special in another way. It's the only country in the world that prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) over economic growth.
Its commitment to sustainability means that tourism is carefully managed, culture is deeply protected, and nature is revered.
But change is coming: the country has recently relaxed entry requirements and reduced its fees, making now the perfect time to visit before the crowds catch on.
Flight time to UK: 13 hours 45 minutes.
There are no direct flights to Bhutan from the UK or Europe. Most flights have a stopover in neighbouring India. Bhutan is served by two national airlines: Drukair, which has plenty of connections from Kolkata and New Delhi, and Bhutan Air, which flies into Paro.
The most straightforward route from the UK is with EVA Air, followed by a connection with Bhutan Air. Return fares from London Heathrow to Bangkok start at £715.59 in Economy Class, and £3104.59 in Royal Laurel (Business) Class, including all taxes and charges.
EVA Air flies from London Heathrow to Bangkok year-round, with daily flights seven days a week.
Metro insider travel tip: On the last leg of your journey to Bhutan, snag a seat on the left of the plane to watch it drop right between the mountains, avoiding clusters of monasteries in the green valley of Paro.
Madagascar is a wild mash-up of dense rainforests, coral-ringed beaches, dramatic rock formations, and deep-blue diving spots.
'If you want nature, wildlife, adventure, and coastline all in one place, this island will leave you speechless,' Michael says.
'It feels prehistoric. Like stepping into a lost world.'
With 300,000 annual visitors, Madagascar is a haven of biodiversity with extraordinary wildlife that exists nowhere else on Earth.
The lemurs – hyperactive, wide-eyed forest acrobats with tails longer than their bodies – often steal the spotlight. But it's the surreal landscapes that truly linger in your memory.
'The Avenue of the Baobabs looks like something out of a sci-fi film,' Michael says. 'You're standing among trees that have been there for centuries, it's otherworldly.'
While unpaved roads make the island tricky to navigate, the Fianarantsoa-Côte Est railway has got you covered.
Its rickety carriages rattle through dense jungles, endless rice paddies, and remote villages, where children rush to greet you at every stop.
Michael says it's a true embodiment of 'mora, mora' (slow, slow), perfectly capturing Madagascar's unhurried, laid-back way of life.
Flight time to UK: Just over 15 hours.
The fastest way to get to Madagascar from the UK is to fly from London Heathrow, with one stop in Dubai.
There, you can change for a connection to Ivato International Airport, the island's main airport 16km north of the capital Antananarivo.
On the shores of the Baltic Sea, Estonia feels like stepping into a fairytale — especially in winter.
'In December, the old town of Tallinn transforms into a Christmas wonderland,' Michael says. 'It's like something out of A Christmas Carol.'
Winter in Estonia also offers a unique, crowd-free Northern Lights experience at just a fraction of the cost of Norway or Iceland. In remote spots like Lahemaa or Saaremaa, you can enjoy the magic Aurora in untouched landscapes, without pricey tours and within just a short drive from the city.
The best way to experience it all? Just walk.
'If you want that cozy winter feeling but without the crazy crowds of Paris or Vienna, a stroll through the cobbled streets of Tallinn is the way to go,' says Michael.
Known as one of the world's most 'absurdly photogenic' places, Tallinn was recently named among the most relaxing cities on Earth thanks to its lively yet peaceful atmosphere with easy access to nature.
Flight time to UK: Just under three hours.
Michael loves Tallinn, but Metro's Alice Murphy argues that the nearby city of Vilnius is the most underrated destination in the Baltic region.
After visiting in November, she wrote that Lithuania's pocket-sized capital is on the brink of a moment. You can read her full report and 48-hour itinerary here.
Sitting at the highest average altitude of any country on Earth, Lesotho offers landscapes that feel celestial.
Yet the landlocked enclave, entirely surrounded by South Africa, welcomes just over 1 million visitors each year.
The Sani Pass, a rugged and bumpy 4×4 route, delivers an exhilarating ride – often dubbed an 'African massage' – before rewarding passengers with stunning views and new friends at Africa's highest pub.
Michael describes Lesotho as raw, friendly, and ridiculously scenic.
'Riding on horseback through the mountains here felt like a movie scene it's absolutely breathtaking,' he says.
Lesotho is also home to Afriski, Africa's only ski resort. Here, you can carve through fresh snow at over 3,000 meters between timeworn shepherd trails, a rare experience on the continent.
Flight time to UK: Anywhere from 15 to 19 hours, with stops.
Flying to Lesotho from the UK is tricky, but surprisingly affordable.
The cheapest route is with Norse Atlantic and Lift Airlines, starting from London Gatwick to Cape Town. From there, you'll catch a short domestic flight to Johannesburg, before flying on to Lesotho's Masuru Airport.
It's a long journey, but one-way fares will set you back just £427 if you fly in April.
While India is known for its chaotic energy, the path to Pakistan is one less travelled.
Michael says: 'The people, the food, the landscapes, and the sheer affordability make Pakistan a must-visit for adventurers like me.'
Metro recently named Pakistan as an unmissable destination to visit in 2025 thanks to its vast valleys and mountain ranges in the north, and we're not the only ones noticing all the country has to offer.
Back in the 1970s, Pakistan was a hotspot for adventure travel. It was a popular spot on the 'hippie trail' from Europe to south Asia, a form of alternative tourism that focused on travelling cheaply.
Decades of political instability put an end to that, but Pakistan is slowly regaining its reputation.
In 2023, the south Asian country saw international tourist numbers increase by 115% compared to previous post-Covid years.
Earlier this year, Pakistan's national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), resumed flights to Europe on January 10, ending a four-year ban by the European Union's aviation agency over safety standards.
The EU blocked PIA in 2020 after one of its Airbus A-320s crashed in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, killing 97 people.
Now, the airline has relaunched flights to Paris, and is looking at running direct flights to Oslo and Copenhagen, with potential plans to launch Barcelona as an independent destination soon.
PIA also has ambitions to restart flights to London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Pakistan recently introduced visa fee waivers for 126 nationalities. Since August 2024, visitors from countries including the UK, US, Australia and all EU member states have been issued free online visas within 24 hours of application.
Annabel Grossman, global travel editor for The Independent, and Maureen O'Hare, senior travel producer at CNN, both named Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan as a top place to visit in 2025.
The mountainous region is fast becoming a destination dupe for the more overcrowded Himalayas, where the allure of Everest has seen the region overrun with commercial tourism, placing a huge strain on the natural environment.
As for the cities, Michael recommends starting with Peshawar.
'You've got bustling bazaars, intricately carved wooden doors, and centuries-old architecture, without the overwhelming crowds of Delhi or Mumbai,' he says.
But it's not just about aesthetics. The country offers immense value for travellers, whether it's handmade garments tailored within hours or fresh and flavourful food for next to nothing.
And if Nepal is on your radar for mountain adventures, Pakistan offers even more dramatic peaks and untouched trails, with epic road trips along five of the world's 14 tallest mountains.
Flight time to UK: Roughly 11 hours.
Despite the political instability Pakistan has experienced, the south Asian country offers many areas that are safe and open to international tourists.
Travel tour companies including Intrepid and G Adventures run tours to Lahore, Islamabad, the Hunza Valley and the Karakoram Mountains — always follow Foreign Office advice on the regions to avoid.
Areas where the Foreign Office advises against travel: Within 10 miles of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province All travel to Balochistan Province, and all but essential travel to the coast of Balochistan (where the New Gwadar International Airport is) Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Pete Royall, Pakistan expert at adventure travel company KE Adventure, tells Metro that the country is a hospitable, friendly place.
'Almost everywhere you go you get a warm welcome,' he says. 'There are regions best not to visit but they are few and far between, and areas like this exist in most countries.
'Of course it's important to be observant and respectful of local customs. For example, when visiting towns and villages women should wear a headscarf and a long skirt or trousers.'
Through his ambitious Project Kosmos, supported by iVisa, Michael is on track to breaking the World Record for the fastest person to visit every country on Earth. More Trending
With 175 of 195 countries visited, he is closing in on his goal by May 2025.
For Michael, these countries represent more than just passport stamps: he believes they prove that true adventure lies beyond overcrowded tourist hubs.
'There's something powerful about stepping into a place where you're not just another tourist,' he says.
'It's about connecting with people, experiencing cultures firsthand, and discovering landscapes that take your breath away.'
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