07 May Travel Tip Tuesday – Under-The-Radar Destinations!

While your bucket list may be full of popular cities like Thailand or Santorini, there are also many under-the-radar destinations that you should consider adding to your list. These hidden gems offer more than you think – giving you a completely new perspective of the world and a new outlook on life. We understand that choosing a destination like this may be difficult, so we have compiled a list of unexpected places you will want to visit!

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this cultural hub has so much to discover. Oaxaca is home to Mexico’s most vibrant and colorful festivities, which you can experience several months out of the year. With its mild temperatures year-round, there is no bad time to visit Oaxaca. Your taste buds will be bursting with the traditional flavors Oaxaca’s food offers from tlayudas (also known as Mexican Pizzas) to tamales oaxaqueños – tamales that are wrapped in banana leaves. Apart from its culture and savory food, you can expect to find a lot of things to do. Explore one of Oaxaca’s clear water beaches such as Puerto Escondido or visit the Monte Albán pyramids that display a court in which the game Tlachtli was played centuries ago. A visit to Oaxaca is the perfect getaway to an underrated place.

This small Island may not be very popular, but it boasts some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Rendezvous is amongst the best beaches on the island, displaying white-sand beaches and calm waters. On certain days of the week, you can find live music to enjoy. Sunsets don’t get any better than in Anguilla. Be sure to book a snorkel tour to Little Bay, one of the seven marine parks surrounding the island. Enjoy the jaw-dropping pink sunset on the boat ride back. Discover the fresh flavors Anguilla offers with their locally caught grilled fish or lobster while you sip on local Pyrat rum. Enjoy a night out in the Sandy Ground Village where you will find colorful beach bars and restaurants that come alive with music and dancing. The west end of the island is home to most of the five-star resorts for those looking for a more luxurious experience. Resorts like the famous CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Resort and Residences, and Malliouhana are amongst some of the properties to choose from. Regardless of what type of traveler you are, we guarantee you will fall in love with the charm and beauty that is Anguilla.

Zanzibar is composed of the Zanzibar archipelago in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Africa. It consists of multiple small islands and two big islands. Zanzibar, once known mainly for their fragrant spices, has transformed into a luxury destination for travelers. The island is full of some of the best restaurants. If you are looking for a truly unique experience, book a reservation at The Rock Restaurant – built on top of a rock on the shore. You can walk right up when the tide is low, however, when it is high, you will need to take a short boat ride. If you are a lover of history, stop by Stone Town to learn about the palaces, bathhouses, and mosques here that belonged to the Sultans centuries ago. If you are looking for adventure, Zanzibar offers some of the best reefs and colorful marine life. If Zanzibar is not yet on your bucket list, it is definitely one to add!

Many people traveling to Indonesia are usually headed for Bali and miss out on the beauty that is Lombok. If you are traveling to Bali and want to experience this incredible island, it is only a ferry ride away! If you are looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure – this is the place for you! Lombok is home to the famous Mount Rinjani – an active volcano at 3,726 meters above sea level, making it the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Trek up the mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views. Lombok is also known for their gorgeous emerald jungles and cascading waterfalls like the Tiu Kelep Waterfall. Wind down at one of the many dining options. Enjoy a hilltop dinner surrounded by lush jungle and a gorgeous view of the bay at Ashtari, or indulge in Moroccan tagines at El Bazar. Lombok truly offers an abundance of things to do, without having to worry about crowds. 

Bilbao is the perfect destination for the modern traveler and city lover. The city of Bilbao is design-driven when it comes to architecture and is home to many boutique hotels, boutique stores, and world-class art museums. When in Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum is a must-see, as it was named one of the most important buildings completed since 1980. Enjoy the unique, modern, and contemporary art the museum has to offer, and end the evening dining at one of the Michelin starred restaurants. Experience the traditional flavors from this part of Spain at restaurants like Casa Rufo, which is more than 100 years old and serves traditional basque food and wines. One of the best ways to explore this art hub is by boat via the Ría del Nervión river, or take the old funicular cable railway up Mount Artxanda where you will get sweeping views of the beautiful city. With so much to discover, you will always find something to do while visiting Bilbao.