It’s time to go where the action isn’t
We all want to be unique, just like everyone else, but when it comes to travel many of us would rather follow the herd. Whether that’s down to FOMO, insta-envy, dodgy research skills, or good old-fashioned lack of adventure, it’s high-time that holiday-makers spread themselves out a bit more. Add tourism protests and attractions limiting visitor numbers, and it makes perfect sense.
So to freshen things up a bit, here’s some places which should be more off your radar; where many have dared to tread but few have dared to slag off. And to prove that this isn’t some lazy excuse for an article, we’ve backed up our opinions with some breaks from the norm, to help brighten your bucket list.
1. Orlando
Has this become the U.S number one for Brits? With Norse Atlantic Airways now offering relatively cheap flights direct from Gatwick, it’d be no surprise. Still, this doesn’t disguise all that’s bad about Florida’s second city, however hard it tries. There’s nothing wrong with Disneyworld or the Kennedy Space Centre, but remember that this is the home of SeaWorld. There’s also the chance to swim among stingrays in a man-made facility, with – you’ve guessed it – their stings removed.
Jeez, just give this place a miss already and try Jacksonville instead. A great Floridian city that’s nearer the beach and is still close to all the state’s natural wonders (in American terms, at least). The gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp is within easy reach, a wetland as impressive and important as the Everglades, so why it doesn’t attract more foreigners is a mystery.
2. Croatia
It wasn’t that long ago that this jewel of the former Yugoslavia was considered overlooked and arguably one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Sadly, it didn’t take long for those days to become a distant memory in the sands of Adriatic beaches. As gorgeous as Croatia’s coast remains, the added combo of fine food and a hedonistic party scene sent prices rocketing, to the point where it’s taken away a couple of handfuls of the fairydust.
If you long for a hark back to the good old days, you could do worse than hopping over Croatia’s southern border into North Macedonia. It’s got most of what its more famous neighbour has, even outperforming it in some departments, and who said the best beaches had to be by the sea? For something truly unique, walk the cobbled streets that lead to Lake Ohrid, where crystal-clear waters meet a Swiss Alps-style backdrop.
3. Barbados
In a part of the world that’s vastly overpriced, Barbados stands out. Sure, this admittedly paradise island has the beaches, the nature, the food and the cocktails, but there are so many places that do these better for a fraction of the cost. There’s no doubting its beauty, and the trappings of its Commonwealth past make it a hit with Brits in particular. However, there’s a reason Barbados and so much of the Caribbean are such a big deal among A-listers: they’re unkind to the wallet.
For a destination that ticks all of these boxes and then some, look no further than the Philippines. Okay, it’s nowhere near the West Indies, but many of its 7,641 islands will make you wonder why you always had tunnel vision for Barbados and its ilk. The food’s miles better, the rum is cheaper than coca-cola (good luck finding that in the Caribbean), and a lot of the time you’ll feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself.
4. Dubai
We slip into more familiar territory here, but with Dubai’s PR campaign on such a whopping, never-ending scale, seemingly at odds with a draconian set of laws that are more stifling than the heat, it’s hardly surprising. Still, if shopping in a concrete jungle’s your thing, go for it. There’s so many places relatively nearby that don’t receive a fraction of the promotion they should, that it’s reason enough to put Dubai up on offer.
When it comes to those places, we’re not really thinking of anywhere in the war-torn, human rights-depraved Middle East, but slightly north of the region. With its heady mix of stunning scenery and beaches, great food and wine, Georgia is the pick. Steeped in Soviet and Silk Road history, and a beauty of a destination for solo travellers and honeymooners alike, it really does have it all – and your bank balance will thank you for it.
5. Any big Italian city
It’s with a heavy heart that this entry goes on the list, but every cloud has a silver lining. For whilst it seems folly (not to mention a tad brave) to bring the likes of Milan, Rome and Florence into the firing line, doesn’t queueing for what seems like forever, for tourist attractions that aren’t always the best, seem a little bit of a waste of your precious holiday time? Every region of Italy prides itself on being different to the rest, and the only way to truly appreciate this is to dive deeper, beyond the crowds.
If you get off the beaten track you’ll find hidden gems like Livorno, which is a mere thirty minutes from Pisa (plus an excuse to avoid the most overrated attraction of all), but it’s Perugia that should be top of your list. Mixing medieval and modern to create possibly the tastiest slices of the Italian pie, it’s arguably the most walkable city in the entire country. It’s also home to the National Gallery of Umbria as well as the annual Eurochocolate Festival.
6. Loch Ness
Okay, this isn’t anywhere near as big a draw as the rest, but for a mere village it’s certainly nailed its place onto the tourist trail, and for what? There’s nothing wrong with a bit of cryptozoology, especially as species are being discovered and rediscovered all the time, but if there’s a contender for the least-likely-mythical-creature-to exist-crown, the Loch Ness Monster wins at a canter.
Funnily enough, none of the eyewitnesses over the years mention it cantering, but it would be impossible for such an animal to survive here. So if you want a Scottish break that’ll put faith in your heart as well as a smile on your face, look no further than Oban. With countless outdoor activities (in season, of course), premier league seafood and local produce, plus easy access to the many islands, it’s easy to see why celebs such as guitar God Eric Clapton are regular visitors. And if it’s good enough for him…
7. Sydney
Why not end on an epically controversial note? When you stop and think about it, is Australia’s largest city really all that? Bondi Beach, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge are rightly reversed, but if you’re going to take up the TV ad’s invitation to come and say “G’day”, isn’t there better stuff to see and do? There’s more beaches than stars in the sky Down Under, and would it really be your top pick to see some opera?
Thought not. You could do Ayers Rock, you could dive the Great Barrier Reef, but if it’s another city to knock Sydney off its perch, why not try the criminally-underrated Brisbane? Situated on the stunning Gold Coast, the usual suspects like surfing, koalas and wine tours are available, plus day trips (or overnight stays if you’d like) to the magical Moreton and Stadbroke islands beckon. P.S, if wine’s not your thing, try a tour of the XXXX brewery.
Is there anywhere which you think should definitely not be missing from this list? From the tried and tested to the gloriously untouched? Post your comments below.
The Early Whistle 