Welcome to Off the Beaten Travel! Your Hub for Hidden Gems

Latest Hidden Travel Gem Blogs

9 Top Hidden Gems in Europe: Best Vacation Spots for 2024

Looking for the best places to visit in Europe without the crowds? Check out these 9 hidden gems, from fjords in Montenegro or the Northern Lights in Finland. There are still many great off the beaten path places to visit in Europe, from spectacular, affordable beaches in Albania to amazing mountain hikes next to gourmet restaurants in France to skiing for $35 a day in Serbia. Here are our top picks for hidden gems in Europe for 2024.

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Europe, Quick trips, Wine tasting Sasha Europe, Quick trips, Wine tasting Sasha

14 Hidden Gems of Paris

Looking for things to do in Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower? Don’t miss these 13 hidden gems in Paris to make your trip magical and an authentic Parisian experience. From the perfect spot to picnic with wine & cheese where Parisians go to ultra-discount tickets to the Paris opera to fantastic cocktail bar overlooking the Moulin Rouge to a Paris ‘chocolate walk.’

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9 Hidden Gems in California You Have to See in 2024

Things to do in California beyond Hollywood in 2024 — hidden beaches, underrated parks to see the redwoods, hidden gem wineries, charming towns. California has many hidden gems, from the spectacular Lost Coast to skiing inside Yosemite to hidden beaches in San Diego County to hidden gem wineries in Sonoma. We spent over a year exploring California, and here are our top hidden gems for 2024.

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10 Underrated National Parks You Have to See

10 best underrated national parks to visit in the US. Find gorgeous mountain vistas, great hikes, the best parks for family trips, & underrated national parks for off the beaten path vacations. From stunning glacier lakes in North Cascades to ancient Native American dwellings in Chaco Canyon, find the top national parks to visit in 2024.

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10 Amazing Underrated Cities to Visit

Looking for the best cities to visit for a quick trip in 2024? Check out these 10 underrated cities in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa. How about a hidden gem city with a safari, hot springs overlooking mountains, or sandy beaches? Whale watching in Hermanus, South Africa, feeding giraffes in Nairobi, or mountain hiking in Missoula. Here are our hidden gem cities for 2024.

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Middle-East, Quick trips Sasha Middle-East, Quick trips Sasha

10 Hidden Gems of Abu Dhabi

Traveling to the UAE & looking for hidden gems in Abu Dhabi? Check out this awesome list from a local. Free beaches, great art galleries, local coffee houses, & Michelin star restaurants. 1) Al Wathba Salt Lake, 2) Abu Dhabi Fossil Dunes, 3) Manarat al Saadiyat gallery & more. This is off the beaten track Abu Dhabi & includes many free things to do in Abu Dhabi.

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Asia Sasha Asia Sasha

8 Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan

8 best things to do in Uzbekistan, a hidden gem in Central Asia & magical country on the Silk Road. Discover hidden gems in Tashkent, hidden gem hikes in the Nurata Mountains, swim in Lake Aydarkul, see the ancient Persian city of Bukhara, visit Khiva, eat samsas, explore the Chorsu Bazar, Minor Mosque, and more. Off the beaten track in Central Asia, a great region to travel in 2024.

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11 Best Places to Visit in the Southwest

Looking for places to visit in the Southwest beyond the Grand Canyon? Check out these 11 hidden gems of the Southwest: national parks, hiking areas, & hidden gems. A less crowded version of Monument Valley, outdoor adventures similar to the Wave hike, the amazing Chaco Canyon, the hidden gem of Antelope Canyon, one of the best places to go kayaking. Your Southwestern US trip itinerary is here.

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Africa Sasha Africa Sasha

Top Destinations in Africa: 7 Hidden Gems

The best countries to visit in Africa in 2024, from Tanzania and its incredible Zanzibar beaches to Uganda & its underrated safaris to Hermanus, South Africa, a hidden gem on the Western Cape. These travel destinations offer safaris but much more — unique cultural experiences, wine tasting in stunning settings, rock hewn churches, some of the world’s best beaches, scuba diving with whale sharks.

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Coming soon

Stay tuned for upcoming hidden travel gem posts —

  • Unique Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico

  • Best coffee shops in Portland, Oregon

  • Hidden gems of Portugal

  • Best wine travel destinations

  • Hidden gems of Washington, DC

  • Tuscany without the tourists: Umbria, Italy

  • Best weekend trips from Seattle

  • Hidden travel gem in France: Tourrettes-sur-Loup.

And many more…