Travelling off the beaten track has nothing but advantages. It allows you to discover authentic, unspoiled destinations far removed from mass tourism. What's more, this sustainable tourism practice contributes to the economies of countries that are often developing. What's more, it's an ecotourism approach, since it reduces the pressures of overcrowded tourism that some fashionable destinations experience. These 10 destinations, far removed from mass tourism, have it all.
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Who would have thought that in the heart of Europe, a destination so far removed from mass tourism could be so exotic? Bosnia-Herzegovina is simply intoxicating. It combines a rich history, a fascinating culture influenced by Turkey, sublime oriental architecture and a gastronomy that will win you over. Bosnia-Herzegovina guarantees indelible travel memories.
However, after suffering an extremely violent war in the 1990s, from which it has not fully recovered, Bosnia-Herzegovina has lost the confidence of tourists. This makes it an off-the-beaten-track destination, where you won't come across many Western tourists, although it has already been spotted by tourists from the Persian Gulf. During your trip, make a point of visiting Sarajevo, a city with a rich history, where the First World War began, or Mostar, with its minarets and Ottoman bridge.
2. Suriname
Suriname is still a little-known destination for tourists : with a surface area of just 163,000 km2, it is the smallest country in South America. That doesn't mean it isn't full of treasures, especially for nature lovers. Indeed, 93% of its surface is covered by forest, making it the most forested country in the world ! Lined by the Amazon rainforest, it's the perfect destination for discovering tropical flora and fauna. It's all the more enjoyable because it's a destination far removed from mass tourism, where animals are far less difficult to observe, and less disturbed by tourists. In addition to animal-watching, Suriname offers breathtaking scenery, with numerous rivers tumbling down waterfalls.
On a cultural level, this green destination is also a country rich in discovery, as it is the result of an intense intermingling of populations, where Dutch colonization is still strongly felt. Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, is a lively, dynamic contrast to the unfathomable rainforest that stretches as far as the eye can see across the rest of the country, beyond the coastline.
3. Georgia
Bewitching Georgia is still a well-kept secret. Nestled in the Black Sea and dominated by the Caucasus, it offers a remarkably diverse landscape, from verdant to desert, mountain to coastline. This makes it the perfect destination for all outdoor sports enthusiasts : mountain biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, horse riding, paragliding..
What's more, it's a destination far removed from mass tourism, but close to Europe, so you can reduce your carbon footprint.
Last but not least, beyond its landscapes, Georgia offers an extremely rich culture, all the more authentic in that it has remained largely untouched by mass tourism and globalization. A complex and fascinating history, an ancestral wine culture, a delicious cuisine that is almost never exported internationally (try Khinkali and Khachapuri!), and good living make Georgia a destination with more than one trick up its sleeve, and one that will enable you to discover the countries of Eastern Europe.
4. Burma (Myanmar)
Cut off from the world until recently, Burma is slowly opening up to tourism as democracy takes hold. This is revealing its secrets, which are all the more authentic and confidential for being virtually untouched by mass tourism. Endless sunsets, golden pagodas, traditional boat trips down the Ayeyarwady (also known as the Irrawaddy), superb beaches on the Bay of Bengal, tropical forests and exquisite cuisine influenced by Chinese, Indian and Thai gastronomy are all on the program.
Myanmar, which is much more rural than other Southeast Asian countries and has a strong attachment to spirituality, is particularly exotic, and offers the sensation of discovering a place almost untouched by international influence. For some years now, Burma has been committed to developing sustainable tourism, making it a very welcoming destination for travellers, while remaining far removed from the mass tourism of Asia!
5. Kyrgyzstan
In Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is still largely unknown to travelers, yet it's an ideal destination for budget travelers and budding adventurers. A land of mountains and steppes, it offers landscapes as wild as they are vast. Although the country has been gaining in popularity in recent years, it remains a destination far removed from mass tourism.
With a surface area of 200,000 km2 and a low population density, it's easy to escape the crowds. And yet, it would be a waste to try and isolate yourself, as its welcoming population is always happy to share with the curious its culture, which is as rich as it is little-known internationally. In rural areas, which make up the majority of the country, encounters with semi-nomadic shepherds, who live in yurts, are ones that leave a lasting impression.
6. Oman
The Sultanate of Oman may not be the best known in the region, but it could well be the country with the most to offer travelers on the Arabian Peninsula. It is a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. Open to travelers, highly secure, authentic and rich in landscape and culture, Oman is the best-kept secret in the Orient.
The Bedouin population is particularly welcoming to travellers, and always happy to share its traditions, history and gastronomy, based on marinated lamb, date syrup and other Oriental delicacies. At the end of the meal, the locals will invite you to rinse your hands in rosewater, typical of the country. In Oman, you'll marvel at the deserts as far as the eye can see, disturbed only by ouadis, rivers forming oases teeming with life. Discover here all the must-sees and must-dos in the Sultanate of Oman.
7. Namibia
Looking to escape the crowds? Then Namibia is for you: it has the second lowest population density in the world! In this destination, far from mass tourism, the animals are not disturbed by hordes of tourists in jeeps. You'll have plenty of time to observe them on safaris through some of Africa's most beautiful landscapes, such as the Fish River Canyon. Rhinos, zebras, antelopes, elephants and other large and not-so-large mammals live happily in the country's protected areas. In recent years, the once rare lion has even been on the rise again, thanks to protection measures and a particularly well-preserved natural area.
Beyond these encounters with animals, those with people will also be those that remain engraved in the memory. Several peoples make up the population of 2.5 million, including the emblematic Himba.
The icing on the cake for thrill-seekers: Namibia is a prime destination for extreme sports. You can surf the ocean waves or, more original, the dunes, skydive, quad bike across the desert and much more.
8. The Eswatini
Once known as Swaziland, Eswatini is one of Africa's best-kept secrets. This small landlocked kingdom of just 1.5 million inhabitants is the perfect destination for lovers of nature and tradition. Its landscapes can be explored along superb hiking trails and lodges offering retreats in the heart of nature. The peaceful country enjoys political stability and an absence of racial tensions, combined with strong development and a dense road network, while remaining relatively unurbanized. All conditions that make it a destination far removed from mass tourism.
9. Armenia
Armenia is a land of contrasts, still little-known by tourists. Both Mediterranean and mountainous, it is said to have its head in the West and its heart in the East. These paradoxes will captivate you, while Armenia's rich but troubled history will captivate you.
A land of heritage, Armenia invites you to discover its many monasteries and churches. The country's oldest religious buildings date back to the 7th century! But the real highlight of the country will undoubtedly be the Armenians themselves, warm-hearted and full of temperament, who will be delighted to describe every facet of their culture to you. The best way to loosen their tongues is to accept their invitation to share an oghee, a traditional fruit brandy similar to vodka. Fortunately, you won't have to look far, and the locals will not miss the slightest opportunity to offer you a glass, ideally during a khoravat, the barbecue that is the pride of the Armenians!
10. Belize
Belize is often overlooked by holidaymakers, in favor of other Latin American destinations such as Costa Rica. Yet it has two great assets to offer: a dense rainforest and the beautiful Caribbean Sea. With its coral reef, the longest in the northern hemisphere, which can be explored by sea kayak, and its many animals that can be observed on treks, accompanied or not by a local guide, Belize is a nature destination of choice. Beyond its landscapes, it also offers a veritable melting pot of populations, the result of various migrations and colonizations.
Despite all this, Belize is the least visited country in the Americas after Guyana! These numerous assets make it one of the best destinations away from mass tourism. What's more, although Belize is much less visited than Mexico, which is overrun by tourists from the USA and other countries, it has nothing to envy it. It too is rich in Mayan sites, such as Caracol. This forty-metre-high Mayan palace stands head and shoulders above the Mayan pyramids of other countries.
See also our article dedicated to Ray Caye in Belize: the Central American paradise to discover !
