Discover Hidden Gems: Alternatives to Popular Destinations
- Jess
- Sep 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Europe Hidden Gems: Alternatives to Paris, Rome, London, and Barcelona
Classic Trip: Paris, France
Why people go: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, croissants, and “Emily in Paris” cosplay.
Pros: Iconic, walkable, great food, endless museums.
Cons: Crowds that make Disney look empty, overpriced coffee, and Parisians who are over it.
Jess Alternative: Lyon
France’s actual food capital.
Roman amphitheater ruins you can walk into without a three-hour line.
Feels like Paris’ cooler, less stressed cousin.
Jess Wildcard: Porto, Portugal
Gorgeous river city with azulejo tiles and port wine cellars.
Cheaper than Paris, friendlier vibe, still old-world Europe but not overrun.
Bonus: the Francesinha sandwich (basically a meat bomb with gravy) is worth the trip alone.
Classic Trip: Rome, Italy
Why people go: Colosseum, Vatican, gelato.
Pros: Layers of history, incredible food, pure Italy energy.
Cons: The crowds, the scammers, the “skip-the-line” tours that still take forever.
Jess Alternative: Bologna
Foodie heaven (lasagna, tortellini, mortadella = all born here).
Portico-lined streets, towers, and real Italian student culture.
Still gives you that Italy romance without the gladiator cosplay.
Jess Wildcard: Valletta, Malta
Tiny island capital that’s basically an open-air museum.
Baroque architecture, sea views everywhere, Knights of St. John history.
You’ll feel like you found Europe’s secret level.
Classic Trip: London, England
Why people go: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, pubs.
Pros: Theater, history, royal gossip.
Cons: Prices that make your credit card sweat, constant rain, and tourists standing on the wrong side of the escalator.
Jess Alternative: Edinburgh
Dramatic castle on a hill, medieval Old Town, cobblestones galore.
Scotland’s capital mixes history with whisky and bagpipes.
Basically London’s moodier, more photogenic cousin.
Canals, Gothic spires, and zero London chaos.
Edgier than Bruges, with more students, nightlife, and art.
Feels like the Europe people think they’re booking when they hit “London.”
Classic Trip: Barcelona, Spain
Why people go: Gaudí buildings, tapas, beaches.
Pros: Great nightlife, architecture you can’t miss, Mediterranean lifestyle.
Cons: Pickpockets, stag parties, and more selfie sticks than oxygen.
Jess Alternative: Valencia
Same coastal vibe but fewer tourists.
Birthplace of paella (the real stuff).
Gothic old town + futuristic architecture mashup.
Flamenco, orange trees, and one of the most stunning cathedrals in Europe.
Warmer, more traditional, and somehow even prettier.
Bonus: everyone hasn’t already been there.
Asia Hidden Gems: Alternatives to Tokyo, Bali, and Bangkok
Classic Trip: Tokyo, Japan
Why people go: Shibuya Crossing, sushi, anime pilgrimages.
Pros: Hyper-modern meets tradition, neon lights, endless ramen.
Cons: Overwhelming, pricey, and tourists packed tighter than the Yamanote Line at rush hour.
Jess Alternative: Kanazawa
Edo-era districts that look like a samurai movie set.
World-class gardens (Kenrokuen) without Tokyo crowds.
Actual geisha houses, but without the cosplay vibe.
Jess Wildcard: Busan, South Korea
Beaches + street food markets + mountains in one city.
Friendlier pace than Seoul, but still modern and buzzing.
Oh, and the seafood will ruin you for life.
Classic Trip: Bali, Indonesia
Why people go: Beaches, “Eat Pray Love” vibes, yoga retreats.
Pros: Gorgeous scenery, Instagrammable rice terraces, cheap villas.
Cons: Traffic jams, influencer circus, and temples that feel like theme parks.
Jess Alternative: Lombok
Bali’s neighbor, with way fewer tourists.
Pink beaches, volcano treks, and local villages that actually feel local.
Surfing without having to dodge selfie sticks.
Jess Wildcard: Sri Lanka’s South Coast
Galle Fort, whale watching, tea country, and tropical beaches.
Affordable and diverse — history + wildlife + ocean in one.
Still feels undiscovered compared to Bali’s circus.
Classic Trip: Bangkok, Thailand
Why people go: Street food, nightlife, temples.
Pros: Cheap, vibrant, always something happening.
Cons: Pollution, scams, and way too many bachelor parties.
Jess Alternative: Chiang Mai
Mountain city with temples on every corner.
Elephant sanctuaries, night markets, and calmer vibes.
Way cheaper, too.
Jess Wildcard: Luang Prabang, Laos
UNESCO-listed old town on the Mekong.
Monks collecting alms at sunrise, waterfalls, French-Indochinese vibe.
Bangkok on mute, but still magical.
North America Hidden Gems: Alternatives to Banff, Yellowstone, and Cancún
Classic Trip: Banff, Canada
Why people go: Glacier lakes, mountain Instagram shots, “Canada but make it dramatic.”
Pros: Stunning, accessible, and every angle looks like a Windows wallpaper.
Cons: Crowds, tour buses, and hotel prices that make you think you booked wrong.
Jess Alternative: Jasper National Park
Same jaw-dropping Rockies, fewer people.
Wildlife actually shows up here (elk, bears, bighorn sheep).
Less of a selfie circus, more of a true outdoors experience.
Jess Wildcard: Vancouver Island, Canada
Rainforests, surf towns, and orca-spotting.
Feels like Canada’s secret coastal retreat.
If Banff is a tourist zoo, Vancouver Island is the wild cousin who skipped the crowds.
Classic Trip: Yellowstone, USA
Why people go: Old Faithful, geysers, bison, the original national park flex.
Pros: Epic landscapes, American heritage, and easy to road trip.
Cons: Traffic jams (caused by actual bison), long entry lines, and people leaning over geysers for TikTok.
Jess Alternative: Grand Teton National Park
Just south of Yellowstone, but way less chaos.
Jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and a hiker’s dream.
Still delivers that “wow” factor without the slow-moving parade of RVs.
Jess Wildcard: Glacier National Park, USA
Northern Montana’s crown jewel — turquoise lakes, epic mountain passes, and glaciers (while they last).
Feels wilder, less commercial, and every drive is a postcard.
Basically Yellowstone’s moodier, less touristy sibling.
Classic Trip: Cancún, Mexico
Why people go: All-inclusive resorts, beaches, cheap flights.
Pros: Easy, sunny, reliable beach party.
Cons: Overbuilt, crowded, and full of frat bros doing tequila shots at 10 a.m.
Jess Alternative: Isla Holbox
No cars, just golf carts and sandy streets.
Chill island vibe, bioluminescent waters at night.
The opposite of Cancún’s spring break circus.
Jess Wildcard: Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Nosara — take your pick.
Beaches, rainforests, wildlife, and surf culture.
It’s like Cancún if it got therapy and learned balance.
South America Hidden Gems: Alternatives to Rio, Buenos Aires, and Machu Picchu
Classic Trip: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Why people go: Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, Carnaval.
Pros: Beach city energy, iconic landmarks, vibrant nightlife.
Cons: Crowds, pickpockets, and humidity that’ll make you regret jeans.
Jess Alternative: Salvador
Afro-Brazilian culture, colonial architecture, and capoeira in the streets.
Food that hits way harder than your average Rio caipirinha.
Still Brazilian flair, minus the chaos of Rio’s tourist bubble.
Jess Wildcard: Medellín, Colombia
Once infamous, now reborn as South America’s coolest city.
Cable cars over the mountains, thriving art scene, spring weather year-round.
It’s Rio’s comeback story — just in Colombia.
Classic Trip: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why people go: Tango, steak, wine, and that European-in-South America vibe.
Pros: Culture-packed, stylish, and foodie heaven.
Cons: Inflation headaches, tourist-priced tango shows, and the occasional protest blocking your Uber.
Jess Alternative: Mendoza
Wine country at the foot of the Andes.
Malbec tastings, mountain backdrops, and relaxed Argentine charm.
Less noise, more vino.
Jess Wildcard: Montevideo, Uruguay
Across the river, laid-back capital with beach promenades.
Feels like Buenos Aires but calmer and smaller scale.
Also, Uruguay = underrated as hell.
Classic Trip: Machu Picchu, Peru
Why people go: The Inca Trail, bucket-list ruins, classic “lost city” shot.
Pros: Jaw-dropping history, once-in-a-lifetime hike.
Cons: Permits, altitude sickness, and tourists bottlenecking for selfies.
Jess Alternative: Choquequirao
Larger than Machu Picchu but barely visited.
Multi-day trek means you actually earn it.
Real “lost city” vibes without the tour bus army.
Jess Wildcard: Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s biggest salt flat = nature’s mirror.
Surreal landscapes, flamingos, and train graveyards.
Swap the Inca stairs for trippy reflections.
FAQ: Off the Beaten Path Travel Alternatives
What’s the best alternative to Paris for fewer tourists? Lyon. It’s France’s food capital, has Roman ruins, and you won’t be waiting two hours to get into a museum. Bonus: the locals actually seem happy you showed up.
Where can I go instead of Bali for authentic beaches? Lombok. It’s Bali’s quieter neighbor with pink beaches, volcano hikes, and surf towns that aren’t clogged with Instagrammers doing yoga poses.
What is a less touristy alternative to Yellowstone? Grand Teton National Park. Same mountain drama, fewer RV traffic jams. If you want something even wilder, Glacier National Park in Montana feels like Yellowstone without the circus.
Is Isla Holbox safer than Cancún? Yes. Holbox is chill — no cars, sandy streets, and locals who prefer hammocks to nightclubs. It’s the opposite of Cancún’s spring break chaos.
What’s the best alternative to Machu Picchu with fewer crowds? Choquequirao. It’s bigger than Machu Picchu, barely visited, and requires a multi-day hike. You’ll actually feel like you discovered something instead of waiting in a selfie line.
Where should I go in South America that’s not Rio or Buenos Aires? Medellín, Colombia. It’s gone from notorious to one of South America’s coolest cities, with cable cars, mountain views, and year-round spring weather.
