In a world of endless travel blogs and top 10 lists that all seem to recommend the same handful of cities, savvy travelers are constantly asking the same question: where should we actually go next?
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of visiting the same old tourist hubs, but the most memorable trips often happen when we venture somewhere with a little more personality.
That’s why when a team of travel experts pulls back the curtain on their personal picks, we listen.
The pros at FlightHub have just done exactly that, revealing their hand-selected list of the top 10 destinations that perfectly blend outstanding value with unforgettable character. But which one is best for you to visit? We created a tool below to help you find out.
This isn’t just another generic list. These are the places that generated the most buzz, curiosity, and genuine excitement among a team that lives and breathes travel.
And the results are a fantastic mix of rising stars and underrated gems that should be on every traveler’s radar.
What is ‘Best Value & Character’?
This list isn’t about finding the absolute cheapest flight or the most luxurious hotel. It’s about hitting that travel sweet spot: destinations that deliver incredible, authentic experiences without the tourist-trap price tags. It’s about finding places with a true sense of identity, from the serene alpine calm of Banff, Canada, to the sparkling white-sand beaches of Boracay, Philippines, or the rich cultural layers of Vienna, Austria.
The expert selections span the entire globe, reflecting the trends and hidden corners that are capturing the imagination of those in the know. You’ll find the vibrant, food-forward cities of Lima, Peru, and Busan, South Korea, alongside the modern luxury of Doha, Qatar, and the tranquil Mediterranean charm of Vis, Croatia, and Hammamet, Tunisia.
It’s a list that encourages you to step off the beaten path and discover a destination with a real story to tell—one that you’ll be excited to share when you get back home.
Find Your Perfect Expert-Approved Escape
With a list this diverse, the only question left is: which of these ten incredible, high-value destinations is the right one for you? While one person’s dream trip is a cultural deep-dive in a historic European city, another’s is a relaxing week on an untouched tropical beach.
To help you find your perfect match, we’ve taken these ten expert-approved destinations and built a brand-new interactive quiz. In just three quick questions, our tool will analyze your personal travel style—whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, a culture vulture, or a relaxation seeker—and match you with the destination from the list that you were meant to discover.
Ready to find out where the experts think you should go next? Take our quick and fun quiz below to reveal your perfect match and start planning a trip with a little more character.
What’s your ideal trip vibe?
😌
Total Relaxation
My main goal is to unwind on a beautiful beach or in a calm setting.
🏞️
Outdoor Adventure
I want to hike, swim, and explore stunning natural landscapes.
🏛️
Culture & History
I love exploring museums, historic sites, and city life.
🍜
Foodie Discovery
My trip is centered around trying new and exciting cuisines.
Which landscape calls to you most?
🏝️
Tropical Beaches
Powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water.
🏔️
Alpine Mountains
Majestic peaks, serene lakes, and crisp, fresh air.
🌊
Mediterranean Coast
Charming old towns meeting the Adriatic or Mediterranean Sea.
🏙️
Vibrant Cityscapes
A mix of historic architecture and modern energy.
Which region are you leaning towards?
The Top 10 ‘Best Value & Character’ Destinations
Banff, Canada
Boracay, Philippines
Vienna, Austria
Puglia, Italy
Lima, Peru
Busan, South Korea
Doha, Qatar
Vis, Croatia
Hammamet, Tunisia
San Blas, Panama
So what was your perfect match? Let us know in the comments below!
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
Winter vacation—two words that conjure images of cozy escapes, festive markets, or a sun-drenched beach to beat the cold. But let’s be real: the gap between the trip you see on Instagram and the reality on the ground can be massive, especially in winter.
As the experienced team of editors and writers here at Travel Off Path, we’ve seen it all. We know the disappointment of arriving in a “dream” destination only to find it cold, gray, and completely shut down for the season. This isn’t about avoiding these wonderful places forever; it’s about avoiding them when they might disappoint.
So, drawing on our collective knowledge and current travel trends, here are 7 destinations we’re advising caution on for this winter. We’ve also included a smart alternative for each, because the goal is to travel smarter, not harder.
1. The Greek Islands (Mykonos, Santorini)
The Problem: The “Ghost Town” Vibe
Ah, those iconic blue domes and whitewashed villages. The problem is, the Greece you see in pictures is a summer phenomenon. In winter, popular islands like Mykonos and Santorini are not just quiet; they’re practically ghost towns compared to peak season. The weather is often cold, wet, and windy, and most of the charming hotels, vibrant restaurants, and even the inter-island ferries are shut down until spring. You’ll be met with a lonely, dreary reality, not the sun-soaked paradise you were dreaming of.
Instead, consider: The Canary Islands, Spain. For a European island escape that actually delivers on winter sun, head here. Destinations like Tenerife and Gran Canaria are fully operational year-round, offering warm weather, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and bustling towns.
2. The Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Problem: The “Closed for Business” Vibe
The glamorous, cliffside towns of the Amalfi Coast are a summer dream. In winter, however, that dream is on hiatus. The famous beach clubs in Positano are closed, the weather is frequently cool and rainy, and that chic, see-and-be-seen energy is completely gone. While the views are still there, you’ll find most of the shops and restaurants that give the coast its buzz are shuttered for the season, making for a surprisingly sleepy trip.
Instead, consider: Madeira, Portugal. Known as the “Island of Eternal Spring,” this Portuguese archipelago is a fantastic winter destination. The weather is consistently mild, the dramatic landscapes are lush and green, and it’s a world-class spot for hiking and exploring.
Marrakech, Morocco
The Problem: The “Exotic Deep Freeze” Trap
The photos are intoxicating: sun-drenched courtyards in vibrant riads, bustling souks filled with spices, and romantic dinners under the stars. Travelers book a trip expecting an exotic and, most importantly, warm escape from the North American winter.
The reality? Marrakech can be surprisingly cold. While daytime temperatures in the 60s can be pleasant, they plummet into the 40s at night. The biggest trap, which floods travel forums every winter, is that those beautiful, open-air riads are built to stay cool and often have no central heating, leading to uncomfortably chilly nights. Popular day trips to the Atlas Mountains or the desert are also very cold, not the warm Sahara escape many envision.
Instead, consider: Egypt (Luxor & Aswan). For travelers seeking a genuinely warm, exotic, and culturally rich winter escape, the Nile Valley is the perfect alternative. During our winter, the weather there is idyllic—sunny, dry, and consistently in the 70s, delivering the truly warm weather that Marrakech only promises in photos.
4. Dublin, Ireland
The Problem: The “Perpetual Gloom”
While Dublin’s pubs are always cozy, the real issue for tourists in winter isn’t just the cold and rain; it’s the extremely limited daylight. In December, the sun can set before 4 PM. This makes sightseeing difficult and can be genuinely depressing for travelers who came to see the famous green landscapes of Ireland, only to spend most of their time in the dark.
Instead, consider: Lisbon, Portugal. It’s one of Western Europe’s sunniest and mildest winter capitals. It offers world-class history, incredible food, and a vibrant atmosphere without the oppressive winter darkness.
5. Paris, France (Specifically Around The Holidays)
The Problem: The “Poor Value Proposition”
Paris during Christmas and New Year’s is undeniably magical, but it comes at a cost—a very high one. Flights and hotels hit their absolute peak prices, and the city becomes incredibly crowded. You’ll spend a huge chunk of your trip waiting in long queues in the cold, damp weather. It’s a classic case of paying the most for the biggest crowds.
Instead, consider: Prague, Czech Republic. It offers a Christmas market experience that is arguably even more magical, with fairytale architecture and a cozy, festive atmosphere, all for a fraction of the cost of Paris.
6. Iceland
The Problem: The “High-Stakes Gamble”
Everyone goes to Iceland in winter for one reason: the Northern Lights. But the reality for many is a trip plagued by extreme weather, blizzards, frequent road closures, and only 4-5 hours of daylight. Seeing the lights is a gamble, not a guarantee, making this a very expensive trip with a high potential for disappointment if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Instead, consider: Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi). It offers a more “guaranteed” winter wonderland experience. You can visit Santa Claus Village, go on reindeer and husky safaris, and the infrastructure is built for the extreme winter conditions, making it a much more reliable and magical trip.
7. Northern Italy’s Lake Region (Lake Como, Lake Garda)
The Problem: The “Hollywood vs. Reality” Trap
Americans see movies of George Clooney on a boat on a sparkling, sun-drenched Lake Como. The reality of a winter trip is very different. Most of the iconic lake towns become extremely quiet and are often shrouded in cold fog. Many of the grand villas, famous gardens, and even the ferry services operate on severely limited schedules or are closed entirely until spring. It’s beautiful, but it does not deliver the lively, glamorous Italian lake getaway you’ve seen on screen.
Instead, consider: Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada. It offers that same stunning combination of a deep blue lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, but it is a destination that is built for winter. The ski resorts are world-class, the lakeside towns are bustling and cozy, and it delivers a magical winter wonderland experience that is fully operational.
Winter Travel: The Savvy List
Some popular spots don’t live up to the hype in winter. Click on a destination below to see the “Instagram vs. Reality” breakdown and our smart alternative.
The Problem: The “Ghost Town” Vibe
• Most hotels, shops, and restaurants are closed for the season.
• Weather is often cold, windy, and rainy.
• Ferry services are severely limited, making travel difficult.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️The Canary Islands, Spain: Offers genuine winter sun and stays fully operational year-round.
The Problem: The “Closed for Business” Vibe
• The famous glamorous energy is completely absent in winter.
• Beach clubs and many iconic hotels are shuttered.
• The weather is often cool, gray, and damp.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Madeira, Portugal: The “Island of Eternal Spring” has mild weather and lush landscapes perfect for hiking.
The Problem: The “Exotic Deep Freeze” Trap
• Daytime temps are pleasant, but nights are surprisingly cold (40s F).
• Iconic riads often lack central heating, leading to chilly nights.
• Day trips to the mountains or desert are also very cold.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Egypt (Luxor & Aswan): Offers genuine, consistent winter warmth and epic history.
The Problem: The “Perpetual Gloom”
• Extremely limited daylight, with sunsets before 4 PM in December.
• Makes sightseeing difficult and can feel oppressive.
• Cold, damp weather is the norm.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Lisbon, Portugal: One of Europe’s sunniest and mildest winter capitals.
The Problem: The “Poor Value” Proposition
• Flights and hotels are at their most expensive for the year.
• Massive crowds at all major attractions and markets.
• You’ll spend most of your time waiting in queues in the cold.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Prague, Czech Republic: Offers a more magical Christmas market experience for a fraction of the price.
The Problem: The “High-Stakes Gamble”
• Seeing the Northern Lights is a gamble, not a guarantee.
• Risk of extreme weather, blizzards, and frequent road closures.
• Very limited daylight (4-5 hours) for other activities.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi): A more reliable “winter wonderland” with activities like reindeer safaris.
The Problem: The “Hollywood vs. Reality” Trap
• The glamorous, vibrant summer vibe is completely gone.
• Many grand villas, gardens, and ferry services are closed.
• The weather is often cold, foggy, and sleepy.
The Smart Alternative:
➡️Lake Tahoe, CA/NV: A stunning lake and mountain destination that is built for and fully operational in winter.
Choosing the right destination for the season is the ultimate travel hack. Before you book your smart alternative, run our essential 1 Minute Trip Check to instantly verify all current entry requirements and travel advisories for your vacation!
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
It’s only natural that, when planning a trip in a European country, tourists will usually start with the capital.
After all, it’s usually the largest city, most cosmopolitan hub, and a cultural heart of sorts.
Think London and its bustling streets, double-decker buses, and iconic red telephone boxes, Paris with the Eiffel Tower and elegant Haussmann boulevards, or Berlin and its edgy urban art scene and electrifying nightlife.
Occasionally, however, the capital will not be the best representation of, much less the ideal introduction to, a nation.
That’s something we at Travel Off Path have picked up on years ago, and what’s inspired us to chase after lesser-known, underrated alternatives, but it’s finally drawing the attention of other major outlets.
Are Second Cities Better?
Just recently, the popular luggage storage company Radical Storage published a list of Europe’s top-rated “second” cities. As in, the most populous urban areas after a capital.
In that list, the overall tourist experience was better in 10 out of 44 second cities was “better”, taking into account factors like accommodation, food, culture, and local attractions.
3 in particular stand out, as unless you’re an avid Travel Off Path reader and well-versed in European hidden gems at this point, some of these names might surprise you:
Novi Sad, Belgrade
Instead of Belgrade
Trailing after a million-people-strong Belgrade, with a population of around 368,000, Novi Sad is often treated as Serbia’s second-best offer, but could it be that it’s just been overlooked all along?
Home to a postcard Old Town, cut through with winding cobbled streets, peppered with traditional eateries, and dominated by a soaring Neo-Gothic cathedral, in a striking yellow, it is Belgrade’s more calm, idyllic sister.
Much like the Serbian capital, it sits on the banks of the Danube, lined with an imposing Petrovaradin and inviting riverside bars, and it just exudes Old World charm.
According to Radical Storage, Novi Sad boasts a whopping 102 attractions rated over 4/5 stars. With an average meal price of $9.80 per person and hotels costing roughly $ 39 per night, it ranks among Europe’s most affordable city breaks.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Instead of Bucharest
Unless you’re particularly enthusiastic about communist building blocks and that 20th-century modernist blight, chances are you won’t find what you seek in Bucharest, Romania’s sprawling, overly gray capital.
Now, if you’re dreaming of pointy church spires, narrow winding lanes, and Transylvanian aesthetics, you should head to Cluj-Napoca instead:
Boasting less urban pollution and more medieval allure than Bucharest, the beautiful Cluj is characterized by its lush gardens, most notably Cetatuita Park, landmark Saint Michael Church, a Gothic marvel dating back to the Middle Ages, and proximity to nature.
The mystic Hoia-Baciu Forest, famous for its twisted trees, is a short half-hour drive away, and Cluj itself is a gateway to the verdant Apuseni Mountains, a hiker’s paradise in central Romania.
As a cultural hub, it features 155 attractions with 4 stars and above, and its restaurants are equally well-rated.
Speaking of food, ordering yourself a Transylvanian lamb stew with onion and some beer will set you back by no more than $7.95.
Kutaisi, Georgia
Instead of Tbilisi
Last but not least, Tbilisi has become quite the trendy off-path destination in recent years since its discovery as a digital nomad hub.
Other than remote workers, short-term visitors have been flocking there for the great wine—did you know Georgia is where wine was invented?—lively social scene, and ancient sights, but very few have been said about Kutaisi.
Georgia’s second-busiest hub, and a fast-growing metropolis in the wine region of Kakheti, it makes for a great Tbilisi dupe due to its historical significance and natural attractions.
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the medieval Bagrati Cathedral is one of the largest in Georgia, and in the very center of town, the monumental, gold-clad Colchis Fountain celebrates the country’s rich past.
Other must-sees include the Soviet-era State Opera and the Green Bazaar, a farmers market where you can buy freshly-baked Georgian dumplings and homegrown wine straight from Georgian hands.
In the vicinity of the city, you’ll find an UNESCO-listed Gelati Monastery, the aeons-old Prometheus Cave, a complex system of underground rivers and naturally-illuminated stalactite chambers, and the emerald-green Martvili Canyon.
Additionally, you’ll be spending an average $42.33 per night in hotels here, compared to Tbilisi’s pricier $63.60.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
September is here, so you know what that means now that Labor Day has swiftly passed us by.
It’s time to swap out your summery white attire for checkered flannels and comfy jeans to enjoy the cool breeze with a soulful PSL in hand.
This time of year, as some beaches become less desirable as temperatures begin to dwindle, more of us are inclined toward weekend getaways in rustic mountain towns and vibrant parks, many of which can be found in the South.
If you’ve been following us at Travel Off Path, you know how much we’re drawn to the South, whether it be paradise beaches, underrated metropolises or small town hideaways.
Though this time, we’re happy to share a highly underrated state park that travel experts at Southern Living are raving about as one of their next go-to destinations.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in some of Appalachia’s most beautiful autumn scenery with far fewer crowds than the household names we’ve all grown to love, the Blackwater Falls State Park is just the place.
‘Take Me Home’ To West Virginia’s Majestic State Park
With the kids back in school, that’s not the only sigh of relief this fall. You can visit breathtaking destinations in a postcard setting.
Yosemite or Yellowstone likely come to mind first when it comes to a dreamy getaway surrounded by lush nature, but don’t skip the flip side of America that somehow largely remains under wraps.
Appalachia is quite a sprawl covering numerous states, but one that sticks out the most to avoid the hordes of selfie sticks ready to poke your eye out is West Virginia.
Despite John Denver’s best try, the “Mountain State” still remains a true hidden gem for most.
Despite holding an impressive 4.8 Google rating with over 6,000 reviews, you don’t have to worry about being another face in the crowd here.
Lines, if any, are reasonable, fellow hikers are respectable and won’t cramp the trails, and photo-ops won’t cause a ruckus.
Of course, with a name like Blackwater Falls, you can probably muster up an excellent guess for the top attractions.
Cue TLC because it’s time to go waterfall chasin’, but given its lesser-known status, you likely aren’t ‘used to’ these rivers and…well… there are no lakes, actually.
The Blackwater River fuels the park’s signature waterfall, the staggering Blackwater Falls, which stands approximately 60 feet high and features an easily accessible observation deck below to take in the awe-inspiring view. Additionally, the Elakala Falls series comprises a set of four alternative cascades along Shay Run.
One Of The Most Photographed Destinations In West Virginia
Whether it be calendars, billboards, or tourists snapping unforgettable pics, Blackwater Falls State Park is one of WV’s most photographed destinations…
…and it’s not solely for the cascading falls.
This park is also a leaf-peeper’s paradise — so much so that West Virginia’s tourism board just released its annual Fall Foliage Forecast so you can time your trip just right to witness the park in its autumn glory.
Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook are the best spots for sweeping views of kaleidoscopic canopies from elevated viewpoints.
There are over 20 miles of trails through the vibrant forestry for skills of all levels. And there are other fun activities, such as biking and fishing, too, as the river is stocked with numerous species of fish, including Catfish and, most famously, Rainbow Trout.
Plus, there are ample cabins to rent that include wifi. No need to wait to upload your epic photos!
Southern Living Hypes Up 2 Neighboring Towns
Southern Living’s editors claim to be chomping at the bit to find themselves in the midst of full autumnal bloom in this vast state park.
But there are also a couple of charming heartthrobs nearby that shouldn’t be skipped either. Those would be the towns of Thomas and Davis.
Boasting the new Valley View Cabin Resort costing a whopping $20mil to complete, rave reviews have poured in.
Find yourself waking up to stunning scenery from your private cabanas (with jacuzzis!), smokeless fire pits, and expansive front porches with views stretching for miles on end.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
The Travel Experts at Fodor’s have released their “Go List” for 2023, highlighting destinations across the globe that are sure to offer impactful travel experiences. Travel pushes us beyond our comfort zones to try new things and meet new people. In its purest form, travel can reshape our thoughts about the world for the better.
For that reason, we’ve highlighted 10 destinations from this year’s “Go List” that will undoubtedly leave travelers feeling they’ve expanded their horizons and brought more than just souvenirs home with them.
Fodor’s also recently released a “No List,” highlighting destinations they believe travelers should pass on for the coming year, covered here. The “No List” isn’t meant to reflect poorly on the destinations but rather give the areas a chance to lessen the impacts of overtourism.
However, the following 10 destinations are on the “Go List” and are definitely worth exploring in 2023!
Bacalar, Mexico
Bacalar is a small town in Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo. The town is one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos and is steeped in historical significance and beauty. While it doesn’t lie directly on the ocean like some of its more frequented neighbors like Tulum or Chetumal, it has direct access to Lake Bacalar, one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Known as the Lake of the Seven Colors, Lake Bacalar is an incredible place to swim and take in the natural beauty of Bacalar.
The perfect blend of nature and history, Mariposa Grove is home to some of the oldest living things on Earth, giant sequoia trees. Some are even estimated to be over 3,000 years old! Mariposa Grove is one of the most popular things to do in Yosemite National Park and can be reached via shuttle bus or by hiking a 4-mile loop. For a unique take on the area, travelers can even ride to the Grove on horseback.
Crete, Greece
Crete is a beautiful and temperate destination in the summer and winter. Home to gorgeous beaches like Agios Nikolaos, stunning clifftop villages, and wine and food that’s to die for, Crete is an excellent alternative to the over-touristed Santorini. History lovers will feel right at home in Crete, as it is home to relics from one of the oldest civilizations known, the Minoans, who lived on the island from around 3000 to 1100 BCE.
Wadi Shab, Oman
Wadi Shab offers incredible views and is a gorge with clear water, hidden caves, and unique rock pools just outside Muscat, Oman. To get to the main trail, you’ll have to cross a small river for about $2.50 USD, which takes under a minute. Once across, a hike through a true desert oasis awaits. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, and definitely don’t forget a camera!
Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
Puerto Iguazu lies on the border of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil, and is home to an extensive collection of waterfalls called Iguazu that falls within Iguazú National Park. Home to 275 waterfalls, Iguazú National Park is the main attraction frequented by visitors to Puerto Iguazu. The best time to visit is August and September, when the falls have the highest water levers, and the weather is great for hiking the park.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The Pearl of the Far East, Ho Chi Minh City, is a perfect place to make your first stop on a tour of Vietnam. Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh will entertain you with its delicious food, vibrant nightlife, and charming, chaotic atmosphere. As the country’s largest city, it can feel hectic but in an energetic and thrilling way.
Ghent, Belgium
Brussels seems to get all the attention when travelers think of Belgium, but Ghent is a worthy destination all on its own. The best time to visit for a unique experience is in July when Ghent has a 10-day celebration that takes over every street corner. Plays, workshops, markets, concerts, and more can be found all over the city, and there’s no time or room to be bored.
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ayutthaya is a popular day trip from the country’s capital of Bangkok. However, Ayutthaya is a worthy destination in its own right and certainly worth a stay of at least two days. It will be hard to see everything there is to see with any less time, and there is plenty worth seeing! Gorgeous temples like Wat Mahathat, bustling markets like Chao Phrom, and fascinating museums like Chao Sam Phraya will leave you with plenty to see and do for a few days in Ayutthaya.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is a nature lover’s dream. Gorgeous beaches give way to stunning coral gardens at Mnemba Island, allowing snorkelers and divers to explore the beautiful scenery below. For those that prefer to stay above water, Chwaka Bay National Park offers one of the best monkey-viewing opportunities in Africa. Tired of exploring? Head to Bwejuu beach for an afternoon of relaxation.
Curaçao
Curaçao is the perfect Caribbean island to visit all year round, as it lies below the hurricane belt. The island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is apparent in its unique architecture. Divers love the island, as it is one of the best diving destinations in the world. Many of the resorts on the island are near coral reefs, meaning you can explore the world below right from the beach. For the ultimate relaxing getaway, travelers can book a stay at one of the island’s all-inclusives.
The world has so many experiences to offer all kinds of travelers that sometimes it is hard to choose. There are places, things, and activities you didn’t even know existed. Luckily for ambitious travelers searching for new challenges or life-changing moments, there’s a new exciting list with amazing ideas and travel experiences.
Experts from the New York Times have organized a debate to choose the 25 must-have travel experiences and invited a jury composed of writers Pico Iyer and Aatish Taseer, landscape photographer Victoria Sambunaris, chef and food scientist David Zilber, and architect Toshiko Mori.
From 55 ideas, experts chose 25 —encouraging travelers to do their own research and consider safety prior to travel— that should be unforgettable and appealing to different kinds of travelers. Are you ready to add more items to your bucket list? At Travel Off Path, we have considered these 7 experiences to be some of the most interesting for our readers:
Spotting the aurora borealis in Norway
This impressive phenomenon, also known as “the northern lights,” will amaze any lucky traveler who gets to see them. It’s one of the most special experiences for winter travel, and Norway is the best destination in the world to admire this impressive natural show.
Eating Delicious Food In Crete
Visiting Crete, the largest Greek island, is already a magical experience. Here travelers will find some of the warmest beaches in Europe during winter, beautiful landscapes, and delicious Mediterranean food. Experts at the New York Times recommend the restaurant Ntounias, hosted by chef Stelios Trilyrakis, considered to have the most authentic and tasty local food. Zilber said: “The island itself is one of the oldest continually inhabited civilizations in all of Europe. It has a crazy history, and just going there and eating this food, the way that he cooks it, it’s so honest.”
Oases do exist, and the best ones are in Oman. This country has been highlighted by experts to be a great destination in the Middle East, Mori said: “It’s absolutely gorgeous, the air is clear, the food is great, and the climate is wonderful. It’s so easy for people to go here, yet Dubai takes all the tourists”. Here travelers will find many desert valleys called wadis, and the best one is Wadi Bani Khalid. It takes a three-hour drive to visit it from Muscat, the capital.
Hike The Kumano Hongu Taisha In Japan
Japan’s southern peninsula offers travelers fascinating ocean views and dense forests. The tranquility and beauty of the hike of the Kumano Kodo attract millions of travelers every year for spiritual experiences at the impressive and ancient network of trails. Mori said: “It’s arduous, and that makes it a strange spiritual experience unlike anything else.”
Eat Delicious Mexican Food In Oaxaca
If you love Mexican culture and food, you must visit Oaxaca! This region has been gaining popularity for its culinary experiences. Oaxaca city has fascinating restaurants where tourists can taste the best moles, quesillo, tacos, and local barbecue. Taseer explained more about what makes this experience so unique, especially at restaurants like Levadura de la Olla: “Besides the food being wonderful, it seemed like a real break from the sort of fine dining you find elsewhere.”
Drive The Pan-American Highway
For a life-changing road trip experience, the experts recommend the Panamerican Highway. This impressive route goes from Argentina to Alaska, around 19,000 miles, crossing 14 countries and only interrupted by the Darién forest between Panama and Colombia. It crosses deserts, forests, colonial cities, and lakes and goes near beaches and volcanoes.
Visit The Atacama Desert In Chile
If you want to feel like you are walking on Mars, you must visit this impressive desert in the north of Chile. Tourists will get to see flamingos near salt lakes, perfectly shaped volcanoes, and the most amazing starry nights. Mori said: “You can have an amazing time looking at stars, and it’s incredibly dry, so the atmosphere is very different. A truly visceral experience.”
The cost of travel has skyrocketed this year. After two years of a confusing pandemic, the rise in travel demand and low availability of staff resulted in inflated airfares across the board, but as travel experts have noted, those who are booking flights on their mobile phones are being hit the hardest, being more susceptible to paying more.
This is a particularly worrying statement, seeing that in the current climate, up to 48% of adults aged 20-40 in the United States shop on their phones – a far higher number than the global average of 34%. The data, obtained from a survey of 3,250 American customers carried out by Klarna, is precisely what has analysts concerned:
The Hidden Dangers Of Drip Pricing When Shopping For Flights
Drip pricing is a term employed in the industry to refer to the infamous add-on fees on flights. While a much cheaper ticket fare is usually displayed on the initial page, this is generally a ‘starting price’, or merely the seat itself: hold luggage, in-flight entertainment, meals and seat selection all come at an additional, and usually crippling, price.
During the purchasing process, as the customer proceeds in ticking boxes, adding their travel essentials or customizing their trip, the cost begins increasing dramatically. In fact, adding luggage on some flights can be more expensive than a standard Economy seat. Interestingly, heavy phone usage may be a contributing factor to the overcharging of some.
Pymnts.com, a website dedicated to analyzing the role of payments in new tech, the majority of travel service purchases were made on a mobile device in February 2022. As proved by Pymnts.com, more than half (51.4%) of travel purchases in the U.S. were made on mobile in February of this year.
The data comprises the month of February alone, but we’re guessing the trend hasn’t reversed based on the record-breaking profits some airlines are reporting, and the role of mobiles. As early as 2021, a study conducted by Marketing Science confirmed shoppers are induced to make ‘suboptimal’ choices in ‘drip-pricing situations’.
Travelers Are Less Likely To Compare Flight Prices In Drip-Pricing Situations
They observed travelers usually compare initial prices between competing carriers as opposed to the final price, which is higher most of the time. Regarding this phenomenon, Shelle Santana, a co-author in the study and Assistant Professor of Marketing at Bentley University, stated companies adopting the ‘drip pricing’ strategy usually come out winning.
‘The initial price is almost always lower than a competitor’s all-in price‘, Santana was quoted saying, alluding to the never-ending battle between low-cost, drip-priced airlines and other full service ones: ‘But once they start to add on amenities such as a checked bag, seat options, etc., that different in price (across firms) diminishes and sometimes reverses.’
As Santana puts it, shopping on the phone influences customers to accept whatever extra charge has been applied to the original product, as re-starting the entire process, a decision that usually entails losing all information provided, or opening up a new tab to find cheaper options, is perceived as time-consuming and a bigger hassle (in a small screen).
Booking flights can take several long minutes, as you add your name, personal information, passport details and make selections, so giving up halfway through over the cost of ‘add-ons’, under the notion there is no way to circumvent them, and that full-service airlines are always the costlier pick, is discouraging for many.
Customers End Up Paying More Finalizing Purchases On Their Mobiles
The researchers were surprised to learn that, even after the final price had risen, customers buying tickets on their phones were extremely ‘unwilling’ to compare different providers: ‘consumers perceive high search costs associated with starting their decision process over, and they think they will save less money than they actually will’, added Santana.
Just think for a sec: how many times have you switched between apps when booking a trip? There is the airline’s own app to account for, then there’s either Booking.com or AirBnB when it comes to accommodation, the calendar app, where you’ll need to check your own availability, and of course, flight-search tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner, among others.
That is a lot of tabs active on your phone browser simultaneously, and no matter how fast you are with your fingers, the chances of overlooking relevant information, or even forgetting that you had a secondary tab for comparison open in the first place is substantially higher. On larger screens, the decision-making process tends to be more comfortable.
In being comfortable, it may help shoppers think clearly before reaching for their wallets. There is an even earlier study to corroborate this: back in 2018, the Journal of Marketing analyzed customer behavior from more than one million sessions on a shopping website, and their results inform us those who concluded purchases from their phones paid higher fees.
Additionally, the higher conversion rate was far more noticeable with higher-priced products, a category comprising flight tickets. Concluding, Santana advised her fellow travelers to ‘always shop for travel on a desktop’: ‘I like to have several tabs open at once and toggle between them to make sure I understand price differences and drivers across firms‘.
