Mainstream tourist destinations, like the Great Wall of China or Paris’ Eifel Tower, are well-known and swamped by tourists all year-round, but only the travellers who have the patience to ditch their comfort zones get to explore little-know destinations that are packed with adventure and wonder.
We’ve picked out some of the most amazing destinations that you’ve probably never heard of. Here, take a look:
Iguazu Falls, Misiones Province, Argentina
Iguazu Falls are one of the most glorious falls in the world, and while they might not be as famous as Victoria and Niagara Falls, they are most definitely a magical site to behold. This breath-taking destination opens up a beguilingly serene city of waterfalls, nearly 250 that stretch over the expanse of two miles and produce 53,000 cubic feet of water with each fleeting second.
They are surrounded by the wilderness of the exotic South American rainforest, which allows you to explore some of the most impressive nature specimens on Mother Earth.
Iguazu Falls are one of the most glorious falls in the world, and while they might not be as famous as Victoria and Niagara Falls, they are most definitely a magical site to behold. This breath-taking destination opens up a beguilingly serene city of waterfalls, nearly 250 that stretch over the expanse of two miles and produce 53,000 cubic feet of water with each fleeting second.
They are surrounded by the wilderness of the exotic South American rainforest, which allows you to explore some of the most impressive nature specimens on Mother Earth.
Nuku’alofa, Tonga
The capital city of Tonga, an exotic Polynesian Island tucked away on the South Pacific coast, Nuku’alofa is an absolute and utter delight for travelers who seek to lounge around on sandy white beaches, soaking up the sun and enjoy the pleasantries of an incredibly nice weather.
It is home to all the adventurous water activities that you could possibly indulge in, be it snorkeling, swimming with whales, or even surfing. Travelers come to enjoy the beauty of marine life, along with exploring the rich culture this island has to offers. Its amazing family dynamics and traditional values are what make visiting Nuku’alofa such a potent and life-changing experience.
Dean’s Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas
The Caribbean is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, along with some of the craziest cenotes, and if you want to experience both, Dean’s Blue Hole is your ultimate destination. It is the largest underwater blue hole on this planet, and its spectacular stretches of white sandy beaches and limestone walls make it an utterly breath-taking location, undoubtedly a dream for nature photographers and explorers.
You have to muster the courage to descend below the 60ft bottleneck, and Dean’s Blue Hole will welcome you into the largest underwater cenotes found on Earth. Its sparkly turquoise blue water is a magical sight to behold, while you can also feast your on rare sea animals, including tarpons, snappers, and seahorses. It’s a scenic paradise below the surface, and the beaches above are equally heavenly.
Saint-Sauvant, France
Known as the heart of Cognac country, Saint-Sauvant is the ultimate drinking heaven for those who enjoy creative cocktails and finely aged whiskey. It’s a fantastical destination that welcomes you to the quintessentially serene setting of a 14th-century village with four winding streets and a historical fortification tower.
The culturally-rich village has one only hotel to stay, which is the Design Hotel des Francs Garçons. It’s glorious medieval-inspired architecture and the titled roof looks straight out of a fairy-tale. But once you step inside, you witness architectural grandeur with the modernist forest reception, hand-printed trees devoid of leaves, and outdoor swimming pool.
You can visit the glorious 12th-century Romanesque church, which is a powerful monument to learn more about French culture. The cuisine is utterly beguiling with and you can explore some of the most delicious cheese varieties that make French cuisine so famous.
Lençóis Maranhenses, Maranhao, Brazil
This exotic name loosely translates into ‘bedsheets of Maranhao’, and it is tucked away in northeastern Brazil, with coastal dunes moving 600 squares on the shores. The glorious Parnaiba and Preguicas rivers fill up the ocean with sand, which is brought from the heart of the country, only to be carried away by ocean currents and north-easterly winds that blow the sand inland, sending it back to the shoreline with dramatic movements.
The area appears much like a dessert, but during the spring and monsoon season, you can enjoy temporary lagoons along with some of the most spectacular fishing holes.
Batumi, Georgia
Popular as the ‘Little Las Vegas of the Black Sea”, Batumi is one of the least popular and most striking locations of the world, tucked away in a little-known country called Georgia. Batumi is a delightfully scenic location to immerse yourself in the magnificent architecture of Georgia, and of course, the stunning coast of the Black Sea.
Georgian cuisine is a wonderful surprise, and you can enjoy a scrumptious meal without spending too much. The city is brimming with some of the hottest clubs on the coast, and you can even take a cruise, or perhaps visit the astounding casino, which casts a spectacular beauty on the city’s skyline. Batumi offers all the traditional and cultural beauty of a lovely seaside town, and you are bound to lose yourself to the swaying palm trees and strikingly-lit buildings.
Don’t forget to head over to the monument of love, where you can witness the formation of two beautifully entwined statues that go through one another only to get separated and come close to each other again!
Tsingy Forest, Madagascar
Known as the Forest of Knives, this serenely beautiful and downright stunning limestone forest will delight you beyond belief. It welcomes you to explore a forest created with jagged slopes, slabs of rocks rising 200ft towards the sky, limestone peaks and leaves, which create a surreal beauty that begs to be photographed. If you’re a professional and experienced rock climber, this forest will excite your thirst for the thrill with its adventure packed and dangerous slopes.
Lake Retba, Senegal
Senegal’s Lake Retba is the only lake in the world that has pink water, and while it does appear a lot like a food color recipe gone seriously wrong, the sight is absolutely and utterly magical. This pink colored water is no accident, but in fact, it emerged due to the bacteria present in the water, which produces a red pigment to absorb sunlight. It looks like a giant tub of deliciously creamy strawberry milk, and you can also spot some of the rarest marine life species, especially dolphins.
The colorful rocks lining the lake create an artsy setting for nature photography, especially when the sun begins to set and the sky is painted with a kaleidoscope of colors. You can visit Lake Retba from November to June, and even from February to April. It’s best to pick a day that’s not windy, and dry enough to enjoy a lovely drive from Dakar to the Grande Côte.
Sucre, Bolivia
If you want to immerse yourself with a spectacular cultural exchange, and pick out some striking handcrafted textiles, indigenous housewares, and exotically weaved accessories, Sucre will delight you with its rich culture and 70s inspired whitewashed architecture. The culture of this lovely city is truly alluring, and you can’t help but fall in love with the intricately woven textiles and colorfully patterned clothing items. Even the most basic and unimportant of items, like a potato sack, feature such beguilingly vibrant patterns and embroideries.
You can visit the Parador Santa María La Real, a serene venue with interior courtyards and vaulted brick ceilings. The people are extremely friendly, and the women, so proud of their traditional weavings, will invite you into their houses to see their ejidos, which means weavings and handicrafts. If you want to pick out the most luxurious textiles in the world, the shops and fine collections in Sucre will tempt you beyond belief.
