10 underrated travel destinations to visit now

If you’ve trekked Machu Picchu, marvelled at Rome's Colosseum, and cruised the canals of Amsterdam, it’s time to swap the long lines and selfie sticks for real connection, epic landscapes, and stories you want to tell your friends.

That’s where G Adventures' small-group tours come in: trips where you can get under the skin of the places that are just on the cusp of cool, with burgeoning art scenes, mind-blowing food, incredible scenery, welcoming communities, and a sense of unique discovery. We know that the best stories don't come from tourist traps — they come from sitting around a Georgian supra table at 2:00am, learning traditional throat singing in a tented camp in Mongolia, or salsa dancing with locals in the backstreets of Havana, Cuba.

Take a trip with G Adventures to get off the beaten path and experience underrated travel destinations, such as Albania's stunning coastline, El Salvador’s volcanic landscapes, and Madagascar’s epic wildlife. If taking the path less travelled is an experience that feels more rewarding to you, here’s our pick of the 10 most underrated destinations to visit.

Georgia: Europe’s best-kept secret

From its green vineyard-speckled valleys and up-and-coming capital to its historic churches and ornate mountaintop watchtowers, Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth and a treasure trove for walkers, horse riders, cyclists, skiers, rafters, and travellers of every kind.

Highlights of Georgia

Breathtaking scenery, rich culture, kind hospitality, affordability, and safety.

Tbilisi

Kick things off in Tbilisi, where crooked lanes, candy-coloured balconies, and crumbling facades meet a buzzing art and food scene. Wander the Old Town, climb to Narikala Fortress, and admire converted Soviet-era architecture before rewarding yourself with a glass of local wine.

Caucasus Mountains

With the Caucasus Mountains on its doorstep, Georgia is an adventure playground. Hike through alpine valleys, stumble upon ancient monasteries carved into cliffs, and cool off by the Black Sea.

Food

The food scene in Georgia is thriving and unlike anywhere else. Think steaming plates of khinkali (juicy dumplings you slurp before you bite), gooey khachapuri (bread filled with cheese), and feasts where the wine flows like water.

Wine

Speaking of wine, Georgia claims to be its birthplace, and once you’ve sipped a glass straight from a clay qvevri (earthenware vessel) buried in the ground, you’ll believe it.

Experience it for yourself on: Georgia Uncovered

Kyrgyzstan: the heart of Central Asia

A land of epic mountains, nomadic culture, warm hospitality, and wild landscapes, Kyrgyzstan is a one-of-a-kind destination. You’ll find everything from ancient traditions and back-to-basics experiences to thermal lakes, incredible wildlife, soaring peaks, and picturesque pastel-coloured cities.

Highlights of Kyrgyzstan

Raw and varied landscapes, nomadic traditions, escaping the crowds, and getting back to basics.

Yurt stays

After a night of stargazing around the campfire and sipping fermented mare’s milk (a Kyrgyzstan rite of passage), bed down in a traditional felt yurt with hosts who feel like family.

Issyk Kul

Swap city noise for mountain reflections at the lake of Issyk Kul, where you can soak those adventure-weary muscles in soul-soothing thermal springs. It’s Central Asia's answer to a spa day, with the chance of spotting snow leopards, ibex, and wild boar thrown in for good measure.

Ala-Archa Canyon

Trek through the rugged Ala-Archa Canyon with the region's highest peaks as your backdrop or take to horseback to journey across vast, open steppes, where the only traffic you’ll see is a herd of yaks.

Karakol

The real magic happens in places like Karakol, where gingerbread-style cottages line backstreets and Sunday markets overflow with local treasures.

Bishkek-Osh Road

Test your nerve on this legendary road through the Fergana Valley, a hair-raising mountain drive that rewards you with epic panoramas.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan

Colombia: culture and coastline

Today, Colombia sits well ahead of its turbulent past, revealing itself to travellers in search of diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches, ancient culture, outdoor jungle adventures, cryptic archeological ruins, and scenic cobbled colonial cities. As you travel through this diverse country, discover a changing panorama of climate, architecture, wildlife, crafts, and music.

Highlights of Colombia

Every type of trip in one country with tons of things to do, diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and safety.

Cartagena

Step back in time with a visit to Cartagena, a living postcard of cobbled streets, pastel-hued balconies adorned with bougainvillea, colonial architecture, Spanish squares, steaming Colombian street food stalls, beautiful beaches, and salsa beats that spill out of every bar.

Tayrona National Park

Swap city strolls for the unspoiled Caribbean coast in Tayrona National Park, where lush rainforest meets turquoise sea and pristine palm-lined beaches.

Cocora Valley

Head inland to Colombia’s famed coffee region. Learn about the journey from bean to cup as you sip your way through some of the world’s best brews, surrounded by the valley’s iconic towering wax palms and peaks.

San Augustin

Witness 500 enigmatic volcanic stone statues, thought to be a pre-Hispanic ceremonial funeral site, which are scattered throughout rolling green hills and provide a window into pre-Colombian culture.

Ciudad Perdida

Up for a challenge? Lace up your hiking boots and trek through some of Colombia's tropical scenery to Ciudad Perdida, Colombia’s "Lost City", hidden deep in the jungle and dripping with pre-Hispanic history. The journey here is as much of the experience as the terraced site itself.

Bogotá

A city that truly does have it all, Colombia’s capital of Bogotá mixes cosmopolitan cool with political street art, sun-drenched rooftop bars, bustling markets, and epic mountain views.

Experience it for yourself on: Classic Colombia

Albania: the Adriatic’s hidden gem

Wedged between Greece and Montenegro, Albania perfectly showcases the best of the Adriatic and the Balkans without the crowds. While others are jostling for towel space in Croatia or paying peak prices in Greece, you could be leisurely beach hopping along the Albanian Riviera, hiking in the Accursed Mountains, or sightseeing in beautiful Berat. With increasing investment in infrastructure, it's easier than ever to get there and get around, so now’s the time to go.

Highlights of Albania

All the perks and none of the crowds of other Mediterranean countries, tons to see and do, improved infrastructure, affordability, scenic, and manageable size-wise.

Albanian Riviera

Beach-hop from wild stretches like Gjipe — a sandy cove tucked between cliffs — to laid-back Bunec and beautiful Ksamil, where you can swim to three tiny islands to claim your own slice of sandy paradise.

Accursed Mountains

Inland, hike the Valbona-to-Theth trail through the dramatic Accursed Mountains, a jaw-dropper of a trek where alpine villages and hamlets feel untouched by time.

Berat

For a culture fix, visit the UNESCO-listed "City of a Thousand Windows," where cobbled streets, ancient neighbourhoods, and hilltop castles spill over with history.

Lake Koman

Take to the water with a boat ride across spectacular Lake Koman, where you glide through alpine scenery that rivals the landscapes of Switzerland.

Experience it for yourself on: Albania Discovery

Madagascar: wildlife beyond compare

You've seen it in the movie Madagascar — now see if it’s true. From lemurs, fossas, and towering baobabs to rainforests shimmering with chameleons, beaches with spectacular coral reefs, and vast desert landscapes, Madagascar is a one-of-a-kind, eco-conscious destination for nature lovers and travellers in search of weird and wonderful wildlife without the crowds.

Highlights of Madagascar

Epic wildlife, one-of-a-kind ecosystems, varied adventures, Malagasy culture, and being a world away from everyday life.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Madagascar is off the charts. Five percent of the planet’s species are unique to this island, which makes every hike, dive, and forest walk a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Baobab Alley

Catch sunset at Baobab Alley to see Madagascar’s iconic upside-down trees in their best light.

Sainte-Marie

Embrace the enigmatic pirate hideout tales of Sainte-Marie as you take to the water to spot whale sharks.

Varied landscapes

One minute you're hiking through the lush rainforest of Parc National de Ranomafana or taking in Fort Dauphin’s windswept coastline, the next you’re hiking the alien terrain of the Masoala Peninsula.

Malagasy culture

Culture runs deep here, too. Ancestral traditions still shape daily life, and staying in small villages gives you a glimpse into Malagasy spirit and hospitality.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Madagascar

Oman: Arabia’s peaceful escape

The Arabian Gulf has long been synonymous with excessive development, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that the appeal here see-sawed solely between man-made marvels and over-the-top glitz. Meet Oman, an often overlooked jewel in Arabia’s crown that quietly gleams in its traditional, radiant cut.

Oman preserves an enticing balance of new-world wonders and age-old cultures, with an epic natural terrain of turquoise pools and epic canyons rubbing shoulders with high-end hotels. Oman offers an opportunity to experience the grandiose out-doing that the Arab world is known for but, quite uniquely, without the pull of bursting purse strings or the hoards of tourists.

Highlights of Oman

Safe, scenic, and seriously underrated.

Muscat

Start off in Muscat where frankincense-scented markets spill over with spices and silver. Browse the early morning fish market in Mutrah with the locals or head out of the city to bargain hunt at Nizwa’s colourful market or to climb the fort towers of Jabrin and Nakhal.

Wadis

No trip to Oman is complete without experiencing the natural pools of turquoise, crystal-clear water called wadis. Cool off with a swim in Wadi Shab or stand on the edge of Wadi Nakhr, Oman’s answer to the Grand Canyon.

Hajar Mountains

Trek through Oman’s Hajar Mountains to take in rugged peaks, hidden villages, and epic canyon views.

Bedouin camps

By night, trade city lights for desert stars as you settle into a Bedouin-style camp. Think canvas tents, rugs spread under the moon, sweet Omani dates, and strong cardamom coffee shared around a fire.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Oman

Mongolia: land of blue sky and nomads

Known as the "land of blue sky," Mongolia is where endless steppe rolls into Siberian forests, the Gobi Desert stretches to the horizon, and nights under the stars take you a world away from the humdrum.

Highlights of Mongolia

Escapism from everyday life, experiencing unique steppe landscapes, ger (yurt) camps, and nomadic culture.

Gobi Desert

Camp out in the vast Gobi, with its towering dunes and fiery red cliffs, and stay in a traditional ger with nomadic families who’ve roamed these lands for centuries.

Ulaanbaatar

Explore ancient monasteries, bustling markets, and museums that tell stories of pre-Soviet Mongolia.

Scenery

Take in Mongolia’s spectacular landscapes with a horse ride across the peaceful grasslands to witness beautiful panoramas and unique wildlife, such as golden eagles, desert gazelles, and Mongolian horses.

Lake Khövsgöl

This body of water is so clear you can drink straight from it. The fishing here is also legendary because of its unique species.

Naadam Festival

Time your trip for the Naadam Festival, which turns the whole country into one epic celebration of wrestling, archery, and horse racing — traditional sports that locals have been perfecting for centuries.

Experience it for yourself on: Nomadic Mongolia

Moldova: Europe’s quietest corner

Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, tiny Moldova attracts just a fraction of the tourists that flood other European countries, which means you get authentic experiences without the crowds.

Highlights of Moldova

Soviet-era quirks, unique things to do, local drinks, and one of Europe’s least-visited countries.

Chișinău

Start in Chișinău, the capital rebuilt in stark Soviet style, where leafy boulevards meet buzzing markets and late-night wine bars.

Wine country

Head underground into the endless cellars of Cricova and Milestii Mici, home to millions of bottles and some of Europe’s best wine.

Orheiul Vechi Monastery

Out in the countryside, time slows down. Wander through villages where hospitality is heartfelt and climb to the cliffside Orheiul Vechi Monastery, a 13th-century wonder carved straight into the rock.

Transdniestr

For something completely different, cross into Transdniestr, a breakaway region where Lenin statues still stand and the Soviet Union lives on. It’s quirky, surreal, and unforgettable.

Experience it for yourself on: Moldova Discovery

El Salvador: Central America’s rising star

They say the best things come in small packages, and El Salvador is no exception. Central America’s smallest country comes with some of its biggest surprises. Squeezed into a space smaller than Massachusetts, this country has a mix of volcanic peaks, world-class surf breaks, colonial architecture, and some of the planet's best coffee.

Highlights of El Salvador

Coffee, easy to get around, varied adventures, fewer tourists, and affordability.

Volcano hiking

Lace up your boots and hike up active volcanoes to take in views that stretch to the Atlantic and the Pacific on a clear day.

Suchitoto

Wander cobblestone streets, wander through cities of colonial architecture, and discover a happening arts scene in feel-good Suchitoto.

Ruta de las Flores

Follow the Ruta de las Flores through charming highland towns. Weekend food fairs in Juayua serve up unforgettable flavours.

El Tunco

Is surfing more your vibe? Grab a board and hit El Tunco, where the Pacific swells and breaks are top-notch and the beach bars keep the party alive.

Coffee

Caffeine lovers, rejoice. Head to the Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range to sample the incredible flavour of some of El Salvador’s volcanic-soil-grown beans.

Experience it for yourself on: Basic Central America: Guatemala to Costa Rica

Cuba: cool rhythms and vintage vibes

With the anticipation of change hanging over its unique appeal, Cuba has accelerated to the top of travel wish lists of those in the know, and understandably so. This country is a place of magical contrasts, from the battered but beautiful buildings to the classic-cool cars. Cuba intrigues and delights at every salsa-fuelled spin, whether you’re walking the cities’ charismatic streets or sinking your toes into the white sands.

Highlights of Cuba

Salsa dancing, mojitos, culture, vintage cars, history, and authentic experiences.

Havana

Snap photos of 1950s Cadillacs rumbling down Havana's streets, stroll the Malecón (sea wall) at sunset, visit Plaza de la Revolución, sip cocktails at the iconic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, get lost in the pastel-coloured streets of the old city and dance the night away in salsa club. Havana is a one-of-a-kind city.

Viñales Valley

Saddle up and cycle through the lush landscapes of Viñales Valley, stopping at tobacco plantations to learn how to roll the famous Cuban cigar.

Salsa

Put on your dancing shoes and sip a free-pour mojito or two to join the locals in Trinidad's square for a night of salsa dancing to live bands.

Varadero

Slow it down and soak up the sun on the palm-lined, white-sand beaches of beautiful Varadero.

Casa particulares

Get to know the real Cuba and bed down in a Cuban homestay with a local family.

Experience it for yourself on: Treasures of Cuba

Frequently asked questions

Get quick answers to common questions about traveling to underrated destinations with G Adventures.

Why should I book with G Adventures?

G Adventures has been perfecting the art of small-group adventure travel for more than 30 years. We know that the difference between a good trip and a life-changing adventure comes down to three things: the right group size (small enough to be flexible, big enough to be fun), local guides who are part of the community and who know where the real magic happens, and itineraries that balance must-see highlights with those pinch-me moments you never saw coming in unique destinations.

Is G Adventures good for solo travellers?

Absolutely! Most travellers on G Adventures trips are solo, and our small-group adventure tours make it easy to connect fast. You share stories, laughs, and maybe even a tent (although you’ll be able to choose your own room if you prefer). Our Solo-ish tours are specifically designed for solo travel, prioritizing safety while giving ample opportunities to meet locals and other travellers. These tours are perfect for adventurous spirits who want the freedom of solo travel with the security of group support.

Are these underrated destinations safe to visit?

Yep, every spot we visit is carefully vetted. Our local CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) live and breathe these places, so you’re in expert hands from the moment you arrive. We keep it responsible, safe, and big on local know-how, so you can focus on adventure, safe in the knowledge that you’ll be well taken care of.

What is the best underrated country to visit this year?

Tough call. From the surf of El Salvador to Mongolia’s endless steppe, it depends on what lights you up. The real answer? Pick one of these hidden gems to visit and dive in — you can’t go wrong.