9 Destinations for the Young at Heart That Are Not On The Average TripAdvisor List

TripAdvisor is one of the most renowned and reputable resources for avid travellers who want to find out where they should travel to next, places to eat and what to see and do.

While it’s an incredibly helpful platform, it does seem to only include the most popular tourist destinations, leaving almost every tourist and traveller to visit the same beaten paths.

If you’re looking for an alternative place to travel to this year, check out this list of 9 destinations for the young at heart that do not make it into the average TripAdvisor list.

Tonga

Despite being home to more than 170 islands, Tonga doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as other Oceania destinations such as Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.

However, it’s one of the only places in the entire world where you can enjoy an underwater experience like no other; swimming with humpback whales. These magnificent beasts can be found all around the islands of Tonga and it’s for that reason alone that it should be added straight to the top of your ‘off the beaten path’ destinations bucket list.

Olomouc, Czech Republic

When you think of must-visit places in the Czech Republic, your instant thought will probably be of Prague. However, the city of Olomouc is a place that’s often cited as the smaller version of the Czech capital and might even be dared to be deemed as more beautiful and eclectic.

The stunning streets of Olomouc are quintessentially European and there’s an abundance of delicious eateries, bars and cafes to enjoy, as well as plenty of amazing architecture to admire.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is definitely a great place to head to if you’re looking for a destination that is truly off the beaten path. It combines a heady mix of people from all walks of life, an expansive range of cuisines and intriguing history that you’ll be dying to learn about from various museums, temples and galleries.

Kyrgyzstan also has ample trekking opportunities, with many spectacular mountain ranges, all offering remarkable views of sunrise and sunset that so few people have enjoyed as it’s so remote.

Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago is definitely a place you need to add to your list of places to visit that hasn’t been referred by TripAdvisor.

Home to one of the most remarkable religious pilgrimages in the world, the Camino offers beautiful views and a chance to immerse yourself in nature and spend time reflecting on yourself and your progress.

Whether you’re religious or not, hiking the Camino de Santiago is an absolutely incredible thing to add to your ‘off the beaten path’ bucket list.

Basel, Switzerland

Teeming with spectacular culture and an abundance of history, Basel is a beautiful city in Switzerland.

There are around 40 museums to keep you entertained during your time there, as well as incredible Botanical Gardens, quaint bookshops and vast parks to enjoy a picnic in.

It’s definitely one of the more underrated city breaks in Europe, with most people opting to visit places such as Zurich and Geneva instead. However, while Basel might be slightly less well known, it’s by no means less enchanting and you’re sure to have a wonderful time exploring everything that it has to offer.

Manchester, UK

When you think of the most highly rated places to visit in the UK on TripAdvisor, you’ll most likely come across the likes of London, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

However, the northern city of Manchester is also a happening and hip destination for the young at heart if you’re looking for something slightly different.

Manchester is home to so many wonderful museums, art galleries and restaurants, and while it might not be quite as heaving as London, for example, the lack of intense hustle is actually what makes it so appealing.

San Sebastián, Spain

If Santiago doesn’t take your fancy (although, it definitely should), then perhaps the vibes of San Sebastian, or ‘the Camino of the North’, might take your fancy instead.

Known for being one of the culinary capitals of Spain, San Sebastian is famed for its delectable offering of tapas dishes, stunning red wine and a plethora of Michelin starred restaurants to attract you. It also has an excellent nightlife scene if you would like to check out some of the best bars and clubs in Northern Spain.

Brunei

Despite being a relatively small country, Brunei is teeming with a rich history, culture and delightful areas of rainforest.

If you wish to experience Asia without crowds, Brunei is the place to be as you’ll enjoy all the wonderful architecture and cuisines, but without feeling like you’re being crushed by swarms of tourists.

Brunei is also home to one of the world’s largest water villages, so while you won’t quite get the charming vibes of Italy’s Venice, you will be greeted by warm and welcoming locals, delectable food and superbly stunning mosques.

Istria, Croatia

Croatia is by no means an off the beaten track destination but it is home to some places that many people wouldn’t think twice about visiting. The likes of Dubrovnik, Split and Zagreb are the more renowned tourist hotspots, but Istria is the place to be if you’re looking for a much calmer vibe, luxury accommodation, exquisite cuisine and breath-taking sea views.

Istria is also famed for its black and white truffle production so you can expect the majority of dishes to be truffle-flavoured. Wine is also a popular delicacy in Istria so any wine connoisseur should plan a trip to this region of beatific Croatia!

Hopefully, this list will give you plenty of inspiration about the more remote destinations you should visit if you want to get off the beaten path and experience the places that TripAdvisor often omits from their round-ups.

This post is contributed by: Rebecca Brown
I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveller, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.