It’s the start of the year and time for travel planning! We love the excitement and anticipation of this period, particularly when we are planning to travel in 2024! We have included a list of 15 amazing destinations around the world that we have either visited or researched to visit (looking at you Norway!). This is not a complete guide, however it’s a few of our picks for hidden gems around the world to check out in 2024 and beyond!
A few underrated gems around the world to fuel your travel inspiration
Lake Bled – Slovenia
This storybook lake and surrounding region is magical! While not completely unknown, it’s definitely underrated! Slovenia is within touching distance of Italy (near Venice) and Croatia (near northern Croatia), making it an excellent addition to a road trip or itinerary. Think amazing views, great outdoor activities, cute lakeside accommodation and much more. See our Lake Bled guide here!
Mornington Peninsula – Victoria, Australia
This is a biased recommendation, as it’s our ‘home away from home’ in Victoria. However, after travelling around the world, we truly believe that the Mornington Peninsula holds it’s own, especially in Australian summer. Yes, it’s not underrated for Victorians, but in Australia and worldwide, we think it’s a top spot to visit! See our detailed Mornington Peninsula guide here!
Lofoten Islands – Norway
A true bucket list destination for us that we will be ‘ticking off’ in 2024. We have booked our flights and we can’t wait! While we haven’t visited, our extensive research shows this to be a truly magical place, boasting amazing views, hikes, beaches, fishing towns and in winter – northern lights.
Brasov – Romania
A gem in the heart of Transylvania! We loved our stay in Brasov, marveling at the architecture, cute coffee shops, great restaurants and proximity to other Transylvanian day trip locations. If you are thinking of visiting this Romanian region, we strongly encourage you to consider Brasov! See our Transylvanian guide by clicking here!
Gili Islands – Indonesia
Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world (according to statistics from 2023), however we think there are some incredible options just a short ferry trip away from Bali. The Gili Islands offer picturesque beaches, amazing snorkeling and diving, a variety of atmospheres (party vs relaxed pending the island) and such a unique experience. After spending a week on the islands, we highly recommend! See our Gili Trawangan guide here!
Himare – Albania
The Albanian Riviera was almost unknown to many prior to the last few years. However, after social media clips went viral, it’s now on a lot of travelers radars. The town of Ksamil has taken a lot of the popularity, however we urge you to consider the gem of a town called Himare! With a stunning main beach, cute promenade and close to day trip locations, it’s the perfect spot to base yourself for a bit! See our Himare guide here!
Moulay Idriss – Morocco
This little town in Morocco’s north has only recently been opened to tourists. We visited on a tour around the region, and loved the charm, views, locals and the history! If you are visiting the northern part of Morocco we urge you to consider a visit. Additionally, we highly recommend a homestay with locals to try the food and get an insight into the history with a guide! See our Moulay Idriss guide here!
Antiparos – Greek Islands
The Greek Islands are wildly popular, and for good reason. We have visited a few, and have many more on our list. We found the small island of Antiparos our favourite so far! The sister to larger and more popular Paros, Antiparos has more charm, less tourists and such a cute main town. We would advise at least a day trip from Paros, if not a longer stay on the island! See our trip to Antiparos here!
Gallipoli – Puglia, Italy
Puglia remains one of our favourite travel destinations to date! Filled with southern Italian charm, picturesque coastal towns, amazing beaches and great food! We enjoyed the entire region, but the southern town of Gallipoli holds a special place in our hearts! It’s a little calmer than the insta-famous Polignano A Mare, but has a lot to offer! See our stay in Gallipoli here!
Isla Mujeres – Mexico
Island hopping is one of our favourite things to do on holiday. The Mexican coastline and islands are super popular, and the island of Isla Mjeres remains one of the most picturesque beaches and regions of travels so far! Think ‘island vibes’ and incredible warm, clear water! See a guide to island hopping and a few island picks here!
Zadar – Croatia
The entire Croatian coastline, including the islands, are well known and amazing travel destinations! Slightly north of Split is a ‘less well known’ city called Zadar. Perched on the beautiful Adriatic coastline, this city has charm and is a great destination for a visit. Zadar is also in close proximity to the northern Croatian island and the stunning Plitvice Lakes.
Lake Ohrid – North Macedonia
A week here over summer remains a lovely memory filled with nostalgia and a desire to return. Lake Ohrid is definitely underrated, boasting wonderful views, good food and exceptional prices. While it may be a little challenge to get to from some countries, if you’re wanting a summer destination away from the crowds, consider Lake Ohrid. See our Lake Ohrid guide here!
Uluwatu – Bali
Bali is incredibly popular for tourists worldwide, and definitely from our country of Australia. Many tourists flock to Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud and more, however the southern tip of Bali is less well ventured. The region of Uluwatu was traditionally a surfer paradise, and has gained increasing popularity with fitness lovers (great gyms here) and those wanting to escape the madness. The beaches are beautiful and there’s some of the best cafe’s in Bali in Uluwatu. See our Uluwatu guide here!
Turkish Riviera – Turkey
The Turkish Riviera offers a wonderful coastal alternative to the madness of Greece, Croatia and Italy. With water as clear as anywhere in the world, and cute coastal towns filled with culture, this region is underrated but it shouldn’t be! We spent an amazing week in Kas, a town located a few hours west of Antalya. See our Kas guide here!
Hoi An – Vietnam
The charming town of Hoi An is located in southern Vietnam between Da Nang and Ho Chi Mihn. This French and Japanese inspired town is truly picturesque, so bring your camera! Offering excellent food, great cafe’s and lots to do, it presents a great stop on your Vietnam travels! See our Hoi An travels here!
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