Buzz
Earlier this year, a popular article circulated online, ranking the world's most frequented tourist spots. Iceland's Blue Lagoon secured the ninth position, while Niagara Falls, straddling the US and Canada, claimed the top spot. Annually, the falls attract approximately 30 million visitors, excluding the unusual year of 2020.
Yet, there are moments when bustling crowds or overexposed landmarks don’t appeal. Instead, you might crave a serene escape to a location untouched by mass tourism—a spot that remains under the radar for most travelers.
For your next getaway, why not explore a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination? The stunning images below might just inspire your next adventure.
10. Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas
Known as a Texas cenote, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a stunning emerald-green natural swimming hole formed thousands of years ago by the collapse of an underground river. A waterfall cascades into the pool, which is encircled by towering limestone formations. Part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, this area has been a protected nature reserve since 1990. While it has long been a favorite spot for locals and visitors, it remains a lesser-known treasure in the US, overshadowed by more crowded and popular destinations.
9. The Sunken Garden, Australia
Approximately 40 million years ago, the southeastern region of South Australia was underwater. Over time, limestone layers formed on the ocean floor and eventually rose above the sea. Centuries of water erosion carved out underground caves in the exposed limestone, which later collapsed, creating over 50 sinkholes in the area.
In 1886, James Umpherston, a farmer, purchased a plot of land that included one of the sinkholes. He transformed the area by planting lush greenery and named it “The Caves.” Today, this sinkhole is known as the Umpherston Sinkhole or The Sunken Garden, a verdant oasis with a breathtaking view of the sky above. Visitors often describe it as ‘enchanting’ and ‘straight out of a fairy tale.’
8. Alberto de Agostini National Park, Chile
Alberto de Agostini National Park, Chile's third-largest national park, is accessible only by boat and is one of Patagonia's most pristine and secluded regions. The park marks the southern end of the Andes Mountains as they descend into the surrounding ocean. It features towering glaciers, the subpolar Magellanic forest, colonies of elephant seals, Chilean dolphins, and even Andean condors.
7. Hell’s Gate National Park, Kenya
Despite its intimidating name, Hell’s Gate National Park is a breathtaking holiday spot, featuring the iconic Fischer’s Tower. This volcanic plug, named after German explorer Gustav Fischer, is steeped in local legend. According to folklore, the tower is a young Masai girl who was turned to stone for glancing back at her home while journeying to her future husband.
Beyond the tower, the park boasts Hell’s Gate Gorge, along with diverse wildlife including lions, cheetahs, leopards, vultures, zebras, and antelopes. It’s no wonder the park’s landscape inspired the setting for the 1994 film, The Lion King.
6. Lake Morskie Oko, Poland
Poland attracts history and art enthusiasts with its medieval architecture and WWII landmarks. Visitors can explore the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps in Oswiecim, the Warsaw Old Market Place, and the unique Crooked Forest in Gryfino.
For those seeking lesser-known gems, Poland is home to Morskie Oko, or “Eye of the Sea.” Nestled in Tatra National Park, this lake shifts hues throughout the year, ranging from deep blue to light turquoise. Framed by mountains and Swiss pines, it offers a postcard-worthy escape.
5. Split Apple Rock, New Zealand
New Zealand is a treasure trove of quirky and breathtaking destinations. From the enigmatic Moeraki boulders and Teapotland to Stonehenge Aotearoa and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the country never fails to amaze.
In Tasman Bay, off the northern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, lies Tokangawhā, or Split Apple Rock. According to legend, millions of years ago, gods fought over a golden apple. During the struggle, the apple slipped from their grasp, fell to Earth, and split upon impact, turning to stone. Another tale suggests the gods were tugging at a boulder, causing it to split in two.
The rock, which strikingly resembles a split apple, actually cracked due to water seeping into its crevices, freezing, and expanding. It sits about 50 meters offshore in the Tasman Sea and can be reached by wading through the water at low tide.
4. Yakushima Island, Japan
Yakushima, a subtropical island in Kagoshima Prefecture, is home to some of Japan’s oldest cedar trees, with some exceeding 7,000 years in age. Parts of the island were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993. The Shiratani Unsui-kyo Ravine is a hiker’s paradise, offering trails ranging from one-hour strolls to six-hour treks. Despite frequent rainfall, the island’s beauty remains unmatched, featuring rare flora and fauna, including the Yaku monkey.
3. Naeroyfjord, Norway
For those seeking the perfect Instagram-worthy destination, Naeroyfjord in Norway is a dream come true. Towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and snow-covered fields frame this breathtaking fjord. Stretching approximately 20 kilometers, its shallowest point is 12 meters deep. As an arm of the Sognefjord, it is one of Europe’s narrowest fjords, measuring just 250 meters at its slimmest point.
Year-round passenger boats, along with seasonal charter boats and cruise ships, offer access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its enchanting beauty even inspired the fictional town of Arendelle in the beloved animated film, Frozen.
2. Fort St. John the Baptist, Portugal
The Berlengas archipelago consists of Berlenga Grande, the largest island, and two clusters of smaller islets: the Estelas Inlets and the Farilhões-Forcados Islets. Access is restricted to a limited number of tourists as the area is a protected reserve for local wildlife.
Dominating Berlenga Grande is the Fort of the Berlengas, also called Fort St. John the Baptist. Built in the 17th century from the ruins of an abandoned monastery, it served as a government-owned hotel in the 1950s before being abandoned after the 1974 revolution. Today, it stands as a remarkable tourist attraction and a photographer’s delight.
1. Floating Church, India
Ruins hold a timeless fascination, no matter their location. In Shettihalli village, Karnataka, India, the remnants of the Gothic-style Rosary Church, constructed in the 1860s, stand as a testament to history. During the monsoon season, from July to October, the church becomes partially submerged, creating the illusion of a floating structure. Due to its remote setting, visitors are advised to bring their own food if planning a picnic nearby.
