Travel

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know

Considering alternative travel destinations is in no way about settling for second best. Instead, it’s much more about looking beyond the obvious candidates or, dare we say it, the predictable choices when planning your next trip. In some cases, it’s about seeking new horizons rather than just revisiting favourite locations, while in other cases it offers a chance to stay one step ahead of the crowds and to help avoid overtourism at the world’s most popular destinations.

By James Lee-Tullis

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Quaint Canals – Annecy. If you love cities with idyllic canals, then chances are you’ve already visited classic destinations like Amsterdam or Bruges, and you may be mindful of reports of overtourism at locations such as Venice. If that’s the case, then why not consider an alternative in Annecy in southeastern France, often referred to as the Venice of the Alps? The historic town couldn’t be more picturesque with its pastel-coloured houses, cobbled streets and romantic charm.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For The Northern Lights – Isle of Skye. Most people in search of the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis tend to think of destinations like Tromsø in the Norwegian Arctic, Kiruna in Swedish Lapland or Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. The adventurous-minded, however, might be curious to take a trip to the Isle of Skye off the northwest coast of Scotland to seek out the Mirrie Dancers (merry dancers), as the locals so poetically call the northern lights. If you’re unlucky in your attempts to view the fabled lights, you can still revel in the island’s big skies and mystical landscapes.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For The Call Of The Wild – Yukon. It was Jack London’s classic adventure novel The Call of the Wild, published in 1903, that enshrined images of the American Northland in the popular imagination. For most people, those associations connect to Alaska, even though the majority of the book actually depicts the neighbouring Yukon, the smallest of Canada’s three Territories. Visitors can experience all the beauty of that wild, unspoiled nature, as well as revisit relics from the early Klondike gold rush days.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For White Sand Beaches – Tokashiki. When it comes to pristine white sandy beaches, travellers might think of locations such as Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles, or similar examples in the Maldives, the Bahamas, Tahiti, Saint Lucia or Bora Bora. You get the picture… In fact, you’ve probably already seen the pictures in a myriad of films, TV shows and adverts. Our tip is more unexpected. Take a trip to Japan’s Tokashiki Island in the Okinawa archipelago and discover Tokashiku Beach, offering impossibly beautiful white sands and some of the world’s clearest waters for snorkelling and diving.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Urban Cool – Warsaw. It’s no secret that Berlin has established itself as a hipster haven over the past decade or so. The sprawling German capital offers quality of life and a vibrant start-up culture, while also being a magnet for the young and young at heart with its party-loving, live-and-let-live attitude. But with popularity comes gentrification, and many who would have been drawn to the city now find themselves priced out. That’s where Warsaw comes in. The Polish capital is vibrant, entrepreneurial, cultured and, crucially, cheaper – and it can party every bit as hard as Berlin.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Live Music – London. Austin has been heralded in recent years as the ‘live music capital of the world’. It’s great branding, although many other US cities might dispute that title, from Nashville to New York and New Orleans to Los Angeles – not to forget Detroit, Seattle, Chicago and others. Cross the pond, however, and you find little old London, a city that can claim the best live music attributes of all those cities, from grand orchestras to musical theatre and performances of every imaginable musical genre, with an endless variety of venues, and even a thriving culture of street musicians dreaming of their big break.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Island Hopping – The Azores. If island-hopping is your thing, then we imagine you have already discovered a favourite Aegean isle or two within the Greek archipelago, but if you’re yearning for a change of scenery, then the Azores might be just what you’re looking for. With just nine main Azorean islands to explore, this is a more manageable challenge. The volcanic islands promise dramatic scenery, adventure and a pleasantly mild climate, while surfers and divers will tell you that this is also one of the world’s best locations for whale- and dolphin-watching.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Wildlife Watching – Corcovado National Park. While wildlife lovers continue to flock to South Africa’s Kruger National Park in pursuit of the ‘Big Five’ game animals – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo – others realise that all wildlife and biodiversity is to be treasured. This knowledge is bringing increasing numbers of visitors to Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park. One of the most biodiverse locations on the planet, its natural abundance leaves even experienced ecologists speechless – all the better to hear the chirrups and whistles of the diminutive squirrel monkeys.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Street Art – Bogotá. There are many modern cities that pride themselves on providing a platform for the most original graffiti and street art. While some, such as Melbourne, Australia, have long been recognised, others like Bogotá continue to build a growing international reputation. A relaxation of laws prohibiting graffiti over the past decade has inspired increasing numbers of street artists to show off their skills in the pulsating Colombian capital. The popular tourist magnet of La Candelaria provides a perfect entry point to Bogotá’s street art scene with an array of extraordinary murals on display – many with social and political themes.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Grand Boulevards – Buenos Aires. Think of cities with grand boulevards, and we wouldn’t be surprised if your list started with Paris, closely followed by, ahem, Paris. Don’t worry, we had the same thought. If wide boulevards and grand monuments are your thing, then we can confirm that the port city of Buenos Aires can compete pretty well with the City of Light. It isn’t without reason that the Argentine capital is often described as the Paris of South America. Aside from those boulevards, it is the city’s seeming European flair and cultural heritage that most connects it to the French capital.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Traditional Markets – Chichicastenango. There are few better or more authentic travel experiences than visiting a local street market, especially for anyone who truly wants to get under the skin of a place. This fascination leads intrepid travellers from the souks of Marrakech to the bazaars of Jaipur and beyond. Our alternative tip, however, is to consider the Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala, said to be the largest in Latin America. Perched at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres, it is the richness and variety of goods on sale here that will leave you most breathless.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Eternal Happiness – Bhutan. For much of the past 70 years, the pursuit of happiness has led Western tourists to Disneyland and other amusement parks. While they definitely have their appeal – and that’s an appeal for kids of all ages – those in search of deeper spiritual nourishment might want to look further afield. Our tip is the Himalayan mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Any country that prioritises Gross National Happiness must be on to something, and visitors here can expect an unrivalled opportunity for quiet contemplation, reflection and maybe, just maybe, discovering the meaning of happiness.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Arctic Majesty – Greenland. Many visitors looking to experience the Arctic Circle have opted to do so in a decidedly controlled fashion. It is this approach that has made Iceland such a popular destination with visitors able to enjoy a range of experiences, including that of the small Arctic portion of the country beyond the 66°N latitude. The true jewel in the Arctic crown, however, is arguably Greenland. With increasing numbers of visitors looking to experience its majestic glaciers and icebergs, however, it is important to consider the environmental impact of your visit and to seek out the most responsible travel companies.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Lost Civilisations – Easter Island. Few travel experiences generate the same sense of awe as observing the enduring splendours of ancient civilisations. Whether gazing at monumental pyramids or visiting lost cities such as in Machu Picchu, the appeal is obvious and undeniable. Our pick for a once-in-a-lifetime journey is Easter Island. While visitors are unlikely to solve the mysteries of how the ancient Rapanui constructed or moved the monolithic moai into place, the chance to observe and absorb the presence of the looming figures is a humbling and, for many, overwhelming experience.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For A Caribbean Coast – Belize. The beauty and appeal of the Caribbean Coast is encapsulated by the Mexican region of Quintana Roo, offering the contrast of Mayan ruins, ecotourism experiences and popular travel resorts all within easy reach. If you’ve been there and done that, then coastal Belize might be a more unusual location to tick off your travel bucket list. A former British colony, Belize is the only country in Latin America with a monarch (Charles III). Belize also offers visitors a sprinkling of Mayan sites, while its environmental riches such as the Belize Barrier Reef are attracting the more adventurous eco-tourists.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For A Lakeside Promenade – Lake Ohrid. Lovers of European lakes are often drawn to locations like Bavaria with Lake Starnberg – where Ludwig II, ‘the Swan King’, was found dead, or the Tegernsee, Chiemsee or Königssee lakes, which all have a distinct appeal. Others are drawn to northern Italy and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Garda or the upscale appeal of Lake Como. For something less well-known, however, we offer Lake Ohrid, approximately two-thirds of which lies within North Macedonia with the rest in Albania. The largest lake in the Balkans is regarded as one of the world’s most ancient lakes and enjoys designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For A Carnival Celebration – Barranquilla. Experienced carnival lovers will doubtless already be familiar with the Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro, first held in 1723 and regarded as the world’s biggest carnival. But for anyone wanting to expand their carnival experience and perhaps also their knowledge of Latin America, we recommend the Carnaval de Barranquilla in Colombia. A historic gathering in its own right, dating back to the 19^th century, the festival beguiles with its powerful celebration of music, dance and folk traditions. This is truly a carnival like no other, so much so that UNESCO proclaimed it as one of the planet’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. [Photo: Daniel Mayer/Wikimedia Commons]

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Egyptian Pyramids – Dahshur. Sure, the Great Pyramids of Giza rightly rank among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but many travellers will be surprised to learn that other pyramids, which can be visited just 40km south of Cairo, are even older, almost as big, every bit as historically significant and with barely a tourist in sight. The Pyramids of Dahshur, built approximately a century earlier than those in Giza, fascinate so much as they reveal the techniques and ideas that would later be refined and perfected with the Great Pyramids. This is evident in the so-called Bent Pyramid (pictured) with the top section built at a shallower angle than the base – possibly to avoid the structure collapsing. [Photo: Michele Mariani/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0]

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For GoT Location Fans – St Michael’s Mount. One of the many factors that made the original Game of Thrones series so popular was its sense of world-building with contrasting locations, histories and cultures. And part of the fun was spotting the real-world film locations from Malta to Croatia, Iceland, Morocco and beyond. These have spawned a small GoT travel boom, and the same is expected from House of the Dragon, the new GoT prequel. Our pick of the new locations is Cornwall’s iconic St Michael’s Mount, which doubles in Episode Five as the island of Driftmark, home of House Velaryon.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Off-The-Beaten-Path Gourmet Travel – Mekong Delta. While many gourmands love to frequent Michelin-starred temples of fine dining, gourmet travellers often prefer to immerse themselves in the entire dining culture of a region, sampling the humblest of family restaurants with equal enthusiasm as those ‘name’ restaurants. Alongside classic destinations such as regions of Italy and France, gourmet travellers have also focused in recent years on places as diverse as Baja California, northern Spain, Tasmania and Peru. Our tip for the more adventurous foodie is to consider a gastronomic tour of the Mekong Delta for a unique insight into Vietnam’s culinary traditions, while enjoying amazing landscapes and discovering the most distinctive indigenous ingredients.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For A New World Wine Tour – New Zealand. While the wineries of California continue to exert a powerful lure for New World wine lovers eager to experience tours of winemaking regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, our tip is to consider a trip to New Zealand. Regions like Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa in the North Island and Marlborough at the top of the South Island can all be easily visited during a single trip. The biggest challenge will be keeping your focus on the wine trail without being distracted by the country’s extraordinary scenery.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Literary Aficionados – Havana. There are many cities with a rich literary tradition, from London to Paris, Barcelona, Athens, Buenos Aires, Edinburgh, St Petersburg and many more. A more surprising location for book-lovers to discover, however, is Havana. While thoughts of Havana tend more towards its architecture or music, it is also a bona fide capital of literature. The city has generated literary lions such as the notable poets José Martí and Dulce María Loynaz through to popular modern authors such as crime writer Leonardo Padura Fuentes, known for his Havana Quartet, and Pedro Juan Gutiérrez, creator of the picaresque Dirty Havana Trilogy.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Digital Nomads (Asia-Pacific) – Davao. Digital nomads represent a growing community of travellers in today’s connected world. Some travel in search of their next digital base from which to live and work, while others simply stay on and plug in if they like what they see. Recent years have seen Bangkok emerge as a popular location for digital nomads in Asia-Pacific with its vibrant culture, affordable internet and good healthcare – not to mention its status as a perfect base to explore the surrounding region. For anyone seeking a smaller, more manageable base, Davao City in the Philippines could be the answer with similar advantages, plus close proximity to beautiful beaches.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Digital Nomads (Europe/North Africa) – Marrakech. Lisbon has crept up as another popular destination for digital nomads seeking a European or North African base. However, while the Portuguese capital has benefited from being cheaper than larger European capitals, it too is starting to suffer from its own popularity and is seeing a rise in property prices. This makes alternatives such as our pick, Marrakech, seem all the more attractive. An increasing number of coworking spaces, fast internet and affordable rents make this Moroccan city and its year-round warm climate a great option.

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25 Alternative Travel Destinations To Know.

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For Digital Nomads (Americas) – Rio de Janeiro. While digital nomads in the Americas have tended to gather in US cities with vibrant arts scenes like Austin and Asheville, many are now heading south in search of even cheaper options and a different culture and lifestyle. We recommend Rio de Janeiro as a location to watch for digital nomads with the possibility to happily survive and thrive (and party) on a budget of USD 1,000 per month. More than that, the Brazilian city offers all the entertainment options you could wish for, as well as a decidedly laid-back vibe and a spectacular natural backdrop of beaches and mountains, not to mention a large community of international residents.