Secret Destinations

Are you ready to travel and want to make the most of your trip? Are you looking for a few hidden gems to highlight your adventure? Here then, are 27 of the planet’s secret destinations and activities:

1. Symi, Greece

Symi is a small island off the coast of Rhodes, Greece. Here you’ll find a charming harbor surrounded by striking neoclassical homes. Greece is more than package vacation deals. Its coastline is the 10th longest of any country in the world so there are still many beautiful beaches. Instead of going in the summer, go during spring when parts of the country are actually as lush as the Tropics.

2. Maya Nord, Republic of Congo

Maya Nord is not a luxury travel destination. It is little more than a “bai” (in English “an open clearing”) deep within the forests of the primitive Odzala-Kokoua National Park, located in the Republic of Congo. You’ll travel by plane, automobile, canoe and on foot simply to get to this secret spot. It’s a wilderness paradise complete with chimpanzees, elephants, forest buffalo, gorillas, leopards, and more.

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3. Córdoba, Argentina

The natives love this place, but many foreign travelers overlook progressive Córdoba. Here you will find art and culture, colonial-era architecture, and a distinctive restaurant scene in the hip Güemes neighborhood. The popular Sierras de Córdoba mountain range is a great place for horseback riding.

You can go birdwatching at Mar Chiquita. It’s one of South America’s largest lakes. There’s also paragliding, hang-gliding, pre-Columbian petroglyphs, and the historic Jesuit estancias.

4.The Hsinbyume Pagoda, Burma

People who visit Mandalay often check out the temples. The all-white Hsinbyume Pagoda, a.k.a. Mya Thein Tan (100,000 emeralds), found on the western portion of the Irrawaddy is a true hidden gem. You can see it as part of a river cruise or take the morning ferry from Mandalay to the Mingun jetty. The temple has seven different terraces and secret statues in hidden niches.

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5. Morocco, North Africa

Veteran visitors say shopaholics can “shop with a conscience” in The Kingdom of Morocco. Focus on the “Fair Trade” associations and cooperatives. When you buy food and souvenirs you’ll be supporting the local community.

Browse the 40+ cooperatives located in the Aït Bouguemez, which offer various traditional handmade crafts. Go to Marrakesh . There you can purchase hand-embroidered bed and bath linens made by disabled women at Al Nour.

6. Bristol, England

Travel back through the mists of time at the well-known Kings Weston Estate in north Bristol. During the 1700s, the gorges, woodlands, and view of the Severn Estuary were admired by Jane Austen and visited by royalty. Kings Weston is now a local favorite where people walk their dogs and go for strolls in the woods. Be sure to visit the Echo which is a loggia with a facade of stonework.

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7. The Towpath Café, UK

If you’re visiting London and need to “recharge”, this is the place to be. The Towpath Cafe is found on Regent’s Canal close to Haggerston in East London. Each spring it unceremoniously opens its unassuming shutters and offers people delicious seasonal eats which they serve ‘til some time in late autumn. So stop in, grab a bite, and check out the wildlife as the water refracts the sunlight.

8. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

You can see the rare parasitic Rafflesia, the flower with the world’s largest bloom, here. The record is presently 107 centimeters in diameter. The record weight is 10 kilograms.
The Rafflesia is rare because they’re poached. The flower can be used to treat different injuries and even infertility. The plant flowers for only three to five days so you have to be there at the right time to see it.

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9. San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

San Juan Parangaricutiro is located in Michoacán. This village was nearly totally flooded with lava during a volcanic eruption in 1943. Now all that’s left of the hamlet is the top portion of the church.

Its bell tower remains standing amidst the lava fields from the Paricutin volcano. You can take a horseback ride over the black slopes to the famous spectral church from the neighboring village of Angahuan.

10. Horta, Barcelona

You can spend some time with the famous greek gods at the lovely Labyrinth Park of Horta. Time stands still in these secret gardens. Only 750 tourists at a time are permitted in this park in order to better preserve the place.

Highlights include a maze with a sculpture of the legendary love god Eros, and pavilions containing sculptures of additional gods. There are also flower gardens, ponds, and a waterfall.

11. The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Enter another world. Travel to this remote region of north-eastern Brazil and explore an extraordinary environment of crystalline lakes and rolling sand dunes in this otherworldly national park. You can take tours of this park via four-by-four or boat. If you wish to spend time seeing the freshwater lagoons there then the best time to visit is between July and September when they’re at their fullest.

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12. The Awesome Amazon

This is a popular secret diving destination among those who have been there. Television presenter Jeremy Wade reports that there’s a special spot on one of the mighty Amazon’s southern sub-tributaries that is especially noteworthy. In this secret place, a swimmer can push his/her way through the plants there into a small channel. The channel leads to a crystal clear pool and a surreal undersea landscape. But beware of electric eels!

13. The My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

This sanctuary in Vietnam is a group of religious temples dating from the 300s to the 1200s. Located an hour’s drive out of Hoi An, these structures were left here by the Champa civilization. Due to the sanctuary’s location, it doesn’t get many visitors. Be sure to visit the local graveyard on the nearby hill where the colorful headstones look less like grave markers and more like small dolls’ houses.

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14. The Hidden Falls, Switzerland

If you go to Switzerland, be sure to visit the Lauterbrunnen Valley. There are 72 different waterfalls there. The best falls, however, aren’t easily seen.

In fact, the only way to reach the hidden Trummelbach Falls is by an old cable railway tunnel and lift. You’ll discover ten separate glacial waterfalls and witness as they rush down deep inside a mountain and spray you with a light mist.

15. Poznan, Poland

Perhaps all too often overlooked by tourists, Poznan, Poland is both beautiful and quite memorable. What makes Poznan special? The outskirts, mainly.

Want the big picture? Ride the trams for days and explore the farthest outreaches. The numerous historic buildings, sites, and Old Town are all worth a look, of course, but you really need to go beyond the center of Poznan and get out and meet the locals too.

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16. Holkham Beach, England

While in the UK, be sure to visit Holkham Beach in North Norfolk. It’s an award-winning property with limited parking but you can easily ditch any potential crowd by strolling through the neighboring pine forest or even further down this wide-open beach even during the summer. See if you can spot seals or go bird watching. Finally, relax and have a pint or two in the popular Victoria.

17. The Hôtel-Dieu, France

Close to the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral is an unassuming blue door. Through that nigh anonymous entryway is one of the city’s best-kept secrets: the Hôtel-Dieu complex. It’s reportedly home to Paris’ oldest hospital.

As you pass through the sliding doors, stop and ask someone how to get to the courtyard. It is there you will discover Hausmanian architecture, a piano, and a great place to avoid the crowds.

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18. The Roman Forum, Italy

“When in Rome do as the Romans do . . “ or at least as the smart tourists in Rome do. To wit, do your homework and research the secret bargains. For example, if you wish to avoid long lines snaking around the famous Colosseum stroll across the street and buy your admission tickets at the Roman Forum. The price of your pass also includes special fast track admission into the Colosseum.

19. Essex, England

Essex might be ignored by most of the guidebooks, but for you, that’s a good thing. After all, those in the know say that Essex is England’s most under-appreciated travel destination. There are the coastlines and wildernesses of Rainham Marshes and Two Tree Island that stretch along the famous Thames and the ancient woodlands of Hainault and Epping as well. These are all great places for any nature lover.

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20. Suriname, South America

Most of Suriname remains covered in primary forest. Thus, it is perhaps one of the world’s few remaining secret bastions of true exploration. What’s more, it’s not difficult to reach and is a perfect example of proper resource management. Book a local flight to the wild Kabalebo Nature Resort where you can go wildlife spotting, kayaking down an uncharted river, or take part in a guided ranger trip.

21. Ancient Sites, Morocco

At the peak of their mighty empire, the Romans reached Lixus in Morocco. Despite a few more modern markings, Lixus is not only off the tourist trail it is also one of Morocco’s oldest inhabited sites. Explore the city where the legendary Hercules checked off one of his famous “12 labors.” You can also learn what Roman life was like when you visit Upper Town’s amphitheatre, mosaics, and temple sanctuaries.

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22. The Cenotes, Mexico

The Cenotes are secret sunken caves located in Yucatan, Mexico. Yucatan is a popular place visited by millions of tourists. What appeals to people who like to avoid the tourists is the fact that Yucatan is a hot spot and yet despite the beaches crowded with sun-worshipping travelers, you can drive a mile away from the crowds and have an underground or underwater adventure going where few men have previously gone.

23. Tupiza, Bolivia

The city of Tupiza is situated in Bolivia. It is surrounded by dry river beds and great rock formations and dry river beds. Those in the know say it’s a fun place to walk, hike, and bike.

Head north to the noteworthy Salar de Uyuni salt flat and explore the “Butch and Sundance”-related old mining towns there as well. See the multi-colored lakes, volcanoes, and hot springs too.

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24. Cape Wrath, Scotland

Cape Wrath in northern Scotland is included here on this list because they have flexible hours to suit your schedule. In other words, there’s a special café in the lighthouse there that will actually open for business whenever you’re in need of a bite to eat. There’s nothing better than an interesting place in a foreign land that offers the convenience of back home eateries and convenience stores.

25. Tehran, Iran

When you visit Iran you really must head to Tehran and hit the slopes. While one might not immediately think of winter sports when they think of Iran, this city is actually surrounded by a large crescent of mountains to the north. Head for the highest peak and spend the day at the stunning ski resort at Tochal. It’s less than an hour’s drive from the city.

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26. The Amazon River

River cruises are undoubtedly an exciting way to explore the planet’s greatest rivers. Mind you, they can be expensive. Using long-distance public ferries can provide you with almost the same experience at a lower cost. In fact, you can cruise the Amazon River from Belem to Manaus on a comparatively inexpensive public riverboat. This six-day voyage will run you less than $49.00 US dollars cabin included.

27. Santa Rosa, Bolivia

Santa Rosa is ensconced in the Bolivians lowlands 100 kilometers north-east of Rurrenabaque. From here you can take boat tours on the Río Yacuma. Along the way, you will see caiman, capybara, hoatzin, pink river dolphin, herons, and numerous other birds as well. Check out the forest for capuchin, howler, and squirrel monkeys. Hike through the local marshes and you might spot anaconda and spoonbills too.

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