Quiz Result: Lesser-Known Destinations [Where To Travel Next]

eagle hunter with an eagle in Kyrgyzstan — Tailgate and his trusty golden eagle Aitunuk in Kyrgyzstan

You love to seek out lesser-known places and venture off the beaten path when you travel. You’re constantly in search of unique destinations around the globe.

Keep reading for tips on how to book these types of trips as well as suggestions for lesser-known destinations that are safe, fun, and memorable to visit!

Note that this page contains affiliate links to trusted partners I think you’ll love, which means if a booking is made I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tips For Booking Off-The-Beaten-Path Trips

1) Start with an activity or aspect of travel that you love to explore and build your trip from there. For example, as someone who loves hiking and outdoor adventure as well as going to places that aren’t touristy, I recently spent 2 weeks hiking around Kyrgyzstan.

2) Use local forums, threads, and social media. The best recommendations come from locals or at least people who have been where you’re planning to go.

Read travel blogs for inspiration or ask fellow travelers in Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel and the Going Travel Community.

You can also utilize local travel Facebook groups and Reddit forums, such as the AskNYC Reddit forum, where you’ll get answers from local New Yorkers.

Finally, share a post on your social media platform of choice asking for recommendations. People love to give their input!

3) Consider a homestay over a hotel, which can lead to a less cookie-cutter experience. Platforms like Homestay.com make it easy to find these, as does CouchSurfing—though with the latter double-check the type of accommodation it is, as you’ll sometimes have a room while other times it will be a couch (for free!).

If you’re a female traveler, you can also check out Her House, which is like CouchSurfing for women and also offers housesitting and home swapping.

Interested in a workcation? Platforms like WWOOF let you work on organic farms around the world in exchange for room and board.

4) Use tour companies known for their unique offerings. An additional bonus is that having a guide allows you to learn about a place from a local’s perspective. Personally, I’m a fan of:

Atlas Obscura. Their small-group trips focus on storytelling and curiosity over general sightseeing.
- You can also research for your specific destination. For example, when searching “off the beaten path tours in Italy” a travel planning company run by locals called Italy Beyond The Obvious came up.
EatWith. This platform helps you find opportunities to dine in local homes and attend cooking classes and tours led by locals.
Context Travel. This company offers unique tours and experiences that go beyond surface-level information and are led by true experts.
Airbnb Experiences. These experiences are created and led by locals. I’ve gotten to do and see some truly unique things through this platform, like hiking to a secret waterfall in Puerto Rico far away from touristy Old San Juan.
WithLocals. Book private experiences created and hosted by locals, or have a local create something custom for you.

While popular booking platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, and Klook tend to have more popular tours, you can still find lesser-known experiences if you search.

5) Book lesser-known places or add a unique twist to popular destinations. For instance, you might explore a place via a unique mode of transportation to change things up.

You can also create a trip mission using this template: “Exploring [place] beyond [the obvious]”. Examples: