Visit Mostar© © RossHelen - Shutterstock.com

What if, for your next trip, you decided to explore lands still unknown to the general public? While many destinations today have a certain aura and attract travelers in droves, let's not forget that the Earth is vast and that there are a multitude of territories which, while they may not make the front pages of magazines and web blogs, are nonetheless brimming with treasures. In Europe, Africa, America or lost somewhere in the middle of the ocean, the Petit Futé presents 10 destinations little-known to tourists, but far from lacking in potential to enchant a future escapade.

1- Mostar, the pearl of Bosnia

© Boris Stroujko - Shutterstock.com

Europe is rich in historic cities, as everyone knows. Are you looking for an alternative to Dubrovnik or Prague, busy cities in the east of the Old Continent? Then head for Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina! The first thing that catches your eye is Stari Most, with its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old bridge spanning the blue waters of the Neretva. The stroll continues through the picturesque and colorful Old Town. You'll love the boutiques with their old-fashioned Oriental bazaar feel, as well as the bars and restaurants where you can enjoy the local cuisine. Mostar is also home to a beautiful mosque and a covered market. Traces of the past war are still visible in the city, but its history, soul and rugged landscapes make it a must-see in the Balkans.

Read more: 8 tours to discover the rural splendours of the Western Balkans

2- Suriname, the alternative of choice in South America

Commewjine River© © R. de Bruijn_Photography - Shutterstock.com

Brazil and Peru are popular destinations in South America. But have you ever heard of Suriname, a country that shares borders with Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil? One of our Top 10 most eco-friendly destinations to travel to, Suriname boasts large areas of rainforest, a godsend for lovers of nature in its raw state. The Galibi Coppename Nature Reserve attracts many turtles during the nesting season, Borwnsberg Nature Park is home to hundreds of rare plant and animal species, and cruising along the Commewijne River allows you to stop off at former coffee and cocoa plantation estates. The capital, Paramaribo, is also worth a visit, with its North American, Creole and Dutch-influenced architecture.

3- Papua New Guinea, an interlude in the Pacific

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Head for Oceania, not Australia or New Zealand, but Papua New Guinea. Here, nature is wonderfully unspoiled and untouched by mass tourism. A cruise on the Sepik River allows you to observe the crocodile and meet many local communities who perpetuate their ancestral traditions. In fact, many of the country's tribes regularly organize "Sing-Sing" festivals to showcase their culture. In the south-east of the country, the province of Oro offers the opportunity to stay in a lodge in the middle of a fjord! Papua New Guinea is also renowned for its rich seabed, with coral, colorful fish and World War II wrecks.

4- Tajikistan, wild and unknown lands

Yak in the Pamir region© © NOWAK LUKASZ - Shutterstock.com

A land of vast plains and mountains in Central Asia, Tajikistan is a country of great natural beauty and undeniably one of the world's most beautiful and little-known destinations. A true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. The Fanskye Mountains, to the north-west of the capital, offer panoramic views of arid terrain, snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys. And what about Lake Iskanderkoul, where legend has it that Alexander the Great made a stopover on his way to India. Tajikistan also boasts one of the world's most beautiful roads, the Pamir Highway, which you can explore by bike, for example. With its steep-sided valleys, herds of yaks and unspoilt villages, you're guaranteed a change of scenery. In fact, the whole country is a marvel, like the Geisev, Wakhan and Pshart valleys. Mineral landscapes dotted with rivers and lakes. Simply splendid!

Read more: Top 5 unusual destinations to discover in Central Asia

5- Galicica National Park, a stopover in Northern Macedonia

Galicica National Park© © marketa1982 - Shutterstock.com

Far less touristy than neighboring Greece, North Macedonia is a must-see country in the southeastern part of Europe, and one of the world's lesser-known destinations. The Galicica National Park, located between Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, is a great place to hike. The landscapes are varied, with beech and birch forests where you'll come across chamois and bears, as well as high-altitude moors. The Livada pass offers superb panoramic views of lakes and mountains. And then, once you've reached Lake Prespa, you can treat yourself to a day or two of rest in the charming traditional village of Brajcino, located on its shores.

Read more: What to see and do in Macedonia The 15 most beautiful places to visit

6- Matera, Italy's unsuspected treasure

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Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan... There are countless Italian cities that attract tourists from all over the world. For a trip away from the crowds in Italy, we recommend a stop in Matera, in the south of the country. Nestled in the heart of the Basilicata region, Matera is said to be one of the oldest cities in the world. A stroll through the town is an opportunity to admire its unmissable sassis, troglodyte dwellings dug into the cliffs and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Matera is also home to superb rock churches and other more classical clerical buildings. Our tip for a lifetime of memories: find the perfect spot in the vicinity for a bird's-eye view of the town and its illuminated windows (and read our article What to do and see in Matera? The 19 must-sees )

Read more: What to see and do in Basilicata The 13 must-sees

7- Champassak, a peaceful town in Laos

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Looking for an alternative to Thailand in Asia? Why not travel through the hidden paradise of Laos to the charming town of Champassak? Those rushing to the 4,000 islands don't think to stop here. Yet this city in the south of the country is radiant, with its architecture alternating between traditional Lao and colonial styles. And it's worth noting that descendants of the royal family still occupy the beautiful princely houses. All year round, Champassak is alive with cultural events. And while you're here for a few days, don't miss another gem in the area, the Wat Phou temple, perched high on the hill of the Pasak mountains.

Read more: What to see and do in Laos The 17 most beautiful places to visit

8- Togo, another stopover in West Africa and one of the world's lesser-known destinations

Cascade de Kpime? a? Kpalime?© (c) Africanway - iStockphoto.com

Senegal is a country that attracts many tourists in West Africa. More discreetly, Togo is another fabulous territory for memorable vacations , one of the world's little-known destinations. Lomé is a bustling capital where you should spend a few days. Tamberma country is also a must-see, for its traditional fortress houses built by the Batammaribas. Nature is incredible in Togo, and there's something for everyone. Lake Togo is the perfect place to take a leisurely pirogue trip, the Kéran National Park is a great place to see many animals, the Plateaux region is a great place to photograph impressive waterfalls, and the coast is a great place to beach yourself on wide stretches of sand, protected by tall palm trees.

9- Saudi Arabia, now open to tourism

Madain Saleh© (c) xavierarnau - iStockphoto.com

Now thatSaudi Arabia is open to tourism, it's too good an opportunity not to see just how sublime this country is. Visit the Tuwaiq Palace, the archaeological site of Madain Saleh and the ancient city of Dariya to see some architectural marvels. In KAEC, you can enjoy urban strolls, swimming and horseback riding on the beach. 70 km west of Riyadh, the Reem reserve offers camel rides in the desert and overnight stays in Bedouin tents. Photograph sand cascades in Aflaj, scuba dive in the Red Sea or observe works of art at the Giant Sculpture Park in Jeddah: there are a thousand things to see and do in Saudi Arabia.

Read more: What to do in Saudi Arabia 13 places to visit

10- Vanuatu, the gentle way of life

Espiritu Santo island© © Martin Valigursky - Shutterstock.com

It's one of the world's least-known tourist destinations: Vanuatu, one of the South Pacific's top destinations. This archipelago in the South Pacific boasts dreamy landscapes, such as the paradisiacal beaches found on the island of Espiritu Santo. A wink at Lonnoc beach. Espiritu Santo also boastsa number of natural swimming pools. The largest island, Éfaté, is perfect for a stroll around the human-sized capital, Port-Vila, before embarking on a road trip that reveals incredible panoramas of lush vegetation and the sea. Change of atmosphere as you climb the world's most accessible active volcano. It's called Yasur and takes place on the island of Tanna. Last but not least, Vanuatu offers the opportunity to dive and see the wrecks of World War II ships. You can also see car wrecks and other military equipment!