s/o Most underrated international destination?

[Anonymous]

I agree with Romania. We had a spectacular time. I don't know how crowded it is now, as we were there in 2000.

I also enjoyed our time in Bosnia and Serbia. At the time we visited in 2002, Croatia was also off the beaten path, though that's changed. We took local ferries and fishing boats to small islands where we were the only non-locals. Amazing food, culture and scenery. We particularly love Vis, but I don't know if it's now overrun by tourists.

There are definitely parts of France that aren't commonly touristed by Americans. I loved the Alsace and the Dordogne river valley. The later is pretty popular with brits, but you rarely hear it discussed by Americans.

I'll also ditto Egypt (aside from the pyramids) as really amazing. We loved our trek into the White Desert. One of the more amazing trips we've taken.

We've done both India and New Zealand but I wouldn't put either on the list as underrated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Romania is the only decent answer so far.

Everything else is well trodden or IN THE USA.

Romania is not a good answer either because who wouldn't be excited to go to ROMANIA?! I'm dying to go.

I'm not. So if I did and liked it, then I would consider it underrated. At least by me. I haven't read enough about it from travel experts to know what it's rating is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Romania, particularly Transylvania.

I’m so intrigued by this area! Pp, can you please tell us more?

Transylvania is like stepping back to the Austro Hungarian empire in 1914. I kid you not. People still pitch haystacks and have horse drawn wagons and the villages have ducks and geese wandering the streets. The fortified churches are very unique. The little cities are so charming without being twee. The food is surprisingly good. The Carpathian mountains are worthy. Then you have the painted monasteries of northern Romania near Moldova. And Bucharest.

We'd been planning on going to Hungary but in doing my research various travel blogs talked about going to Hungary and then crossing over to Romania and were blown away by Romania that they weren't in Hungary, which was what sold me. And Romania exceeded expectations.

I'd love to hear more about your itinerary and how you got around! Did you have trouble with the language barrier in rural areas?

I'll add one to the list- Vietnam. Loved it and would love to return.

[Anonymous]

Not telling!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Romania, particularly Transylvania.

I’m so intrigued by this area! Pp, can you please tell us more?

Transylvania is like stepping back to the Austro Hungarian empire in 1914. I kid you not. People still pitch haystacks and have horse drawn wagons and the villages have ducks and geese wandering the streets. The fortified churches are very unique. The little cities are so charming without being twee. The food is surprisingly good. The Carpathian mountains are worthy. Then you have the painted monasteries of northern Romania near Moldova. And Bucharest.

We'd been planning on going to Hungary but in doing my research various travel blogs talked about going to Hungary and then crossing over to Romania and were blown away by Romania that they weren't in Hungary, which was what sold me. And Romania exceeded expectations.

I'd love to hear more about your itinerary and how you got around! Did you have trouble with the language barrier in rural areas?

I'll add one to the list- Vietnam. Loved it and would love to return.

Not PP but this trip report was very detailed and looked great. I'd say Romania definitely qualifies as under-rated- maybe more like not really rated. Have never met anyone who has been there.

https://onemileatatime.com/transylvania-trip-report/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Portugal

How is Portugal underrated

Just got back from Portugal.

Portugal has less "tourist attractions" than most other Western European countries. Portugal's food is not nearly renowned as it's neighbor, Spain. It's top beach region, the Algarve, is said to be populated by trashy Brits on package holiday. There are not stunning mountain areas for hiking, like the Alps. Portugal is a poor country, and appears a bit shabby in places. In some places, like Porto and the Azores, you can't flush your toilet paper.

I somehow found RT tickets to Portugal from IAD for late June for under $500 on multiple airlines (it was under $400 on one of them), so despite never having given a though of going to Portugal, snapped up the tickets and planned a vacation.

And you know what? It far exceeded expectations. We discovered that less "tourist attractions" means less tourist traps. For that reason, Lisbon was a gem. The food was good enough, and it was cheap. The Algarve had it's fair share of Brits, but we were selective in where we stayed and went. The shabbiness didn't bother us...we're used to it....the people were super friendly and it was safe. That matters much more than shabbiness. Sure, we didn't get a spectacular hike in, but the hikes in the Algarve and Sao Miguel were nice. And as long as you have a bidet and a god shower, the toilet paper thing doesn't matter.

Two of the three of us are begging to go back there next year.

Could you tell me more of your itinerary? I'm thinking of a very similar trip for next summer: Lisbon, Algarve, Sao Miguel.

[Anonymous]

We unexpectedly loved Valencia.

While Spain is certainly not an underrated destination (and for good reason; it's a great country to visit), Valencia seems to be overshadowed by so many other Spanish cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Bilbao, etc. The Ciutat Vella (Old Town) is absolutely gorgeous and contrasts nicely with the modern Calatrava architecture elsewhere in the city. Plus, you've got the lovely Mediterranean climate and beaches. And it's the home of paella!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Palm Springs and Puerto Rico are not international.

My word…

lol you need refresh your geology. Puerto is it’s own island; of course it’s another country.

Oh boy.

[Anonymous]

Turkey was an amazing destination although its been 10 years since I went. And I went during the shoulder season so it wasn't at its busiest.

I loved Cambodia more that I expected and wish I had budgeted more time there (it was a 4 day side trip from Thailand).

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala was fabulous, but every backpacker visiting Central America has been there and will say the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Istanbul

I agree. I was there for 4 days once and it wasn’t enough, need to go back. With the exception of a few sites it didn’t feel overrun with tourists, and there is so much variety, great neighborhoods and food.

[Anonymous]

Bolivia, many more great places to travel beyond where most tourists go (La Paz and Salar de Uyuni). Easy place to travel (as is most of SA) if you have basic Spanish and very culturally interesting as there is still a high percent of people living their traditional culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Portugal

How is Portugal underrated

Just got back from Portugal.

Portugal has less "tourist attractions" than most other Western European countries. Portugal's food is not nearly renowned as it's neighbor, Spain. It's top beach region, the Algarve, is said to be populated by trashy Brits on package holiday. There are not stunning mountain areas for hiking, like the Alps. Portugal is a poor country, and appears a bit shabby in places. In some places, like Porto and the Azores, you can't flush your toilet paper.

I somehow found RT tickets to Portugal from IAD for late June for under $500 on multiple airlines (it was under $400 on one of them), so despite never having given a though of going to Portugal, snapped up the tickets and planned a vacation.

And you know what? It far exceeded expectations. We discovered that less "tourist attractions" means less tourist traps. For that reason, Lisbon was a gem. The food was good enough, and it was cheap. The Algarve had it's fair share of Brits, but we were selective in where we stayed and went. The shabbiness didn't bother us...we're used to it....the people were super friendly and it was safe. That matters much more than shabbiness. Sure, we didn't get a spectacular hike in, but the hikes in the Algarve and Sao Miguel were nice. And as long as you have a bidet and a god shower, the toilet paper thing doesn't matter.

Two of the three of us are begging to go back there next year.

Could you tell me more of your itinerary? I'm thinking of a very similar trip for next summer: Lisbon, Algarve, Sao Miguel.

Flew To Lisbon, missed our connection and had to spend the day in Madrid, got to Lisbon very late.
Four nights Lisbon, day trip to Sintra. We found Sintra overcrowded and too touristy...but understand how some people would love it. Mostly just roamed the city in Lisbon and ate and drank. Stayed at Airbnb in Principe Real.
Flew to Sao Miguel, Four nights Sao Miguel, Airbnb in Ribiera Grande. Hiking, hot springs, surfing, tea plantation, pineapple plantation. Rental car of course.
Flew back To Lisbon, picked up rental car and drove to Lagos. Four nights at Airbnb in Lagos. Lovely town, everything walkable. Though we did drive one day to do the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Favorite beach: Marinha Beach.
Drove back to Lisbon, last nitght at a hotel in Lisbon.
Flew home. Didn't miss connecting flight.

If I had to do it again, I might substitute Madeira for Sao Miguel. Nothing wrong with Sao Miguel, but Madeira looks to have more rugged scenery and Sao Miguel to me was more of a one and done place.. And somehow fit Porto in next time.

[Anonymous]

Qatar. I think it is kind of a place most people wouldn't think to vacation. We absolutely loved it and I was pretty shocked by what a great time I had (i admittedly didn't know much about it before we went)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Qatar. I think it is kind of a place most people wouldn't think to vacation. We absolutely loved it and I was pretty shocked by what a great time I had (i admittedly didn't know much about it before we went)

IDK.. I don't think I like the idea of spending my money in a country where women are second class citizens. Just doesn't feel right to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Qatar. I think it is kind of a place most people wouldn't think to vacation. We absolutely loved it and I was pretty shocked by what a great time I had (i admittedly didn't know much about it before we went)

IDK.. I don't think I like the idea of spending my money in a country where women are second class citizens. Just doesn't feel right to me.

+1