Want to escape the tourist crowds on your next holiday?
We think we know the answer – and so have delved into a Reddit thread in which the contributors have shared destinations they think are vastly underrated – yet free from throngs of visitors.
‘Ice_Creamz992’ kicked off the discussion, asking: ‘What are some countries you felt were not nearly as touristy as one would assume, given how much they have to offer?’
From the U.S region that’s underappreciated to Australia’s hidden gem and a country that’s ‘naturally and culturally beautiful’ but free from crowds… scroll down to find out where to escape for a holiday with less hustle and bustle.
Laos
Tourists say that Laos has it all – except crowds. Pictured above is the Tad Yuang waterfall, close to the southern city of Pakse
Laos, it seems, has it all – except crowds of tourists.
‘Auximines_minotaur’ says: ‘Laos has absolutely stunning nature, lovely people, great food, and very reasonable prices.
‘Yeah, people definitely go there, but I feel it doesn’t have the same level of tourist draw as its neighbours. That’s fine though – more for me!’
‘Spiritsandstories’ adds: ‘Loved Laos when I went in December! Thought the southern area (Pakse) was absolutely stunning and wasn’t overrun with tourists.’
Bolivia
Commenter ‘BradMtW’ was bowled over by Bolivia.
They remarked: ‘Bolivia has so much to offer for its size. Mountains, jungle, swamplands, desert, salt flats, volcanoes, huge lakes. Stunning country.’
Rwanda
Rwanda is described as ‘a lovely place’ with lots of activities, including gorilla trekking
Rwanda is known for its gorilla trekking – but tourists feel safe there, too.
‘Grizzleizzlie’ says: ‘Very safe, beautiful, lots of touristy activities like safari and gorilla trekking.’
‘Chafe3232’ adds: ‘It was such a lovely place and so safe and welcoming.
‘I really hope to go back someday. Rwanda’s roads were also incredible and getting between cities by bus was easy and cheap.’
Suriname
Suriname has ‘beautiful rivers, falls, swimming spots and super-interesting villages’, says one traveller. Pictured above is the Brownsberg Nature Park
Suriname is hard to reach – but worth the effort, say tourists.
‘Mcwobby’ reveals: ‘It’s irritatingly hard to get to from its neighbours and it used to be super hard to get a visa because of having relatively few embassies.
‘However, it is a country that’s pretty rich in things to see and do. The capital is a great little colonial town, architecturally interesting, with a very diverse culture, which in turn means pretty great food.
‘Beautiful rivers, falls, swimming spots and super-interesting villages. Great wildlife-spotting opportunities. And a rich history.’
Slovenia
Go for Lake Bled – but stay for the mountains.
That’s the message from the Redditors in the discussion.
‘The country is more than Lake Bled,’ remarks ‘Starter_fail’.
Slovenia is described as ‘beautiful’ with a ‘less touristy feel’
While ‘Stunning-Dig-5378’ adds: ‘Slovenia is beautiful. Lake Bled really is amazing, along with the Julian Alps. [It’s a] more authentic Europe [with a] less touristy feel. The homes all grow vegetable gardens in their front yards and [the locals] are very friendly.
‘I can’t wait to go back and get off the beaten path even more.’
Taiwan
Commenters rev up the excitement for this road-trip paradise.
‘ClumsyGuy’ says: ‘Taiwan is naturally and culturally beautiful. I talked to so many kind people who were so excited to see me and were thrilled that I loved their island.’
And ‘Phazar989’ adds: ‘Just came back from Taiwan and was about to say this! I was surprised to see how empty the roads were outside of major cities. It was really a pleasure riding around on a motorbike.’
Romania
Bored of run-of-the-mill? Try Romania.
‘Laowailady’ says: ‘I recommend Romania to everyone who wants to go somewhere “different” in Europe.
‘The people are so friendly and helpful, the number of people who speak good English was a huge surprise, the history is very interesting, food is delicious, beautiful old towns and gorgeous countryside!’
‘Platitudinarian’ adds: ‘The salt mines were amazing. I visited Salina Turda (which has a salt lake and a small amusement park inside) and Slanic Prahova (which has a planetarium inside) – they were both breathtaking. The countryside was lovely, accommodation was great.’
The Midwest, USA
One traveller ‘can’t get enough’ of the USA’s Midwest, including cities like Cincinnati (above)
Forget the coasts and head inland for a trip to remember in the USA is the advice on the thread.
‘RainbowCrown71’ says: ‘Cities like Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis had fantastic food, great architecture, friendly locals and I had world-class art museums all to myself.
‘Everyone floods the coast but I keep coming back to the Midwest.
‘I especially love to time it with baseball games or state fairs when the cities are at their most vibrant and fun.’
Tasmania, Australia
Here, there are ‘lots of great nature walks, wineries and bays’, plus ‘a few old historical towns’, according to ‘Greyhounds1992’, who adds: ‘Yet no one goes there.’
