If you’ve been to Europe in summer in recent years, you know the feeling: the lineups, the crowds, the high prices, the heat. It’s always great to explore the cities of Europe. It’s also certainly wonderful that everyone wants to travel these days, but it sure does feel like everyone wants to travel these days when you’re visiting some of the world’s most famous destinations. To combat this feeling, more travellers are going off the beaten path on their vacation. This also helps them enjoy more authentic travel experiences and combat overtourism.
In fact, the stats are downright startling when it comes to off the beaten path travel. Sixty-three percent of travellers are seeking out Destination Detours, which are less-popular destinations next to popular hotspots, while 67% of travellers are using tools such as AI to discover lesser-visited destinations with fewer crowds.
In many cases, travelling off the beaten path is more affordable and less crowded. It also provides a sense of adventure and authenticity and helps you stick out from the crowd, which always feels good when you explore other parts of the world.
If you want to go off the beaten path, avoid overtourism, and stand out from your fellow travellers, where should you go? We chatted with some of our Goway travel experts to learn about some of the top off the beaten path destinations and why they’re so appealing to the modern traveller.
Cook Islands
Travellers looking for a Pacific island getaway should head to the Cook Islands. This small island chain northeast of New Zealand is as authentic and untouched as you’re likely to get on an island vacation. The population is small, only around 17,000, but they’re incredibly proud of their Cook Islander Māori heritage and welcoming hosts who love to show off the islands’ collection of crystal-clear lagoons, coral reefs, and lush tropical landscape. Stay in a small resort right on the ocean and unplug from the world, enjoying the laidback rhythm of island time.
"While the island of Aitutaki is fairly well known, many people don’t fully appreciate the incredible beauty it has to offer,” says Jessica Scott, Goway Destination Specialist. “Some travellers with limited time might stay only on Rarotonga, but I highly recommend taking at least a day trip to Aitutaki. Its crystal-clear lagoon and pristine white sandy beaches are truly unforgettable. A day tour of Aitutaki is a fantastic option for exploring the island when you’re short on time!”
Luang Prabang, Laos
Travellers looking to venture beyond Thailand and Bali when exploring Southeast Asia should make for Laos. In particular, they should explore the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, a city with a startlingly quiet atmosphere that lets you connect with the nation’s Buddhist heritage. The local temples and palaces are gorgeous, particularly the 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace. It’s also a short drive south to Kuang Si Falls, one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Southeast Asia.
“Perhaps the most striking part of visiting Luang Prabang is joining the almsgiving each morning,” says Carolyn Weppler, Goway Senior Vice President. “Around 5:30 am each day, Buddhist monks move down the street in their iconic saffron robes with their bowls outstretched to receive offerings from the townsfolk. They walk slowly and people place food or money into their bowls. It’s unlike any other cultural experience I’ve seen, although it's important to remember that this is a spiritual practice and remain appropriately respectful when observing it as a visitor.”
Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile
Everyone recognizes the moai of Rapa Nui, commonly known as Easter Island, the massive stone statue heads that are littered across the grassy landscape of this Pacific island. You might recognize the statues, but you likely don’t know that this is an isolated destination defined by its incredible history and inspiring community. The Rapa Nui people are proud of their Polynesian heritage and ready to share stories that have been passed down verbally generation after generation. Everyone knows everyone here and it makes for an undeniably appealing experience when you visit, where you can really feel that you’re being welcomed into a tight-knit community. Petroglyphs and the moai are scattered around everywhere, not just on the Ahu, where you can see standing moai, which are truly spectacular.
“While there are very few trees due to over exploitation, there is a beautiful palm grove on the north side of the island called Anakena Beach that has its own Ahu, Ahu Nau Nau, with seven moai,” says Susan Moore, Goway Sales Performance Manager. “It has turquoise waters that are swimmable and is a popular picnic spot for locals. The island is also home to the navel of the world at Te Pito Kura, where a magnetic round boulder believed to have been brought by the first king Hotu Matu'a will cause your compass to lose direction.”
Rwanda
One of Africa’s smallest countries, Rwanda is only around the size of Maryland, but within its borders in East Africa you’ll find a lot of variety. Track gorillas in the misty volcanic rainforests of the Virunga Mountains of the northwest or go on safari game drives to see lions, leopards, and rhinos in Akagera National Park in the east. Rwanda is easy navigable and remarkably safe. It’s also shocking how much the geography can shift in this red-earth land of a thousand hills. And best of all: you’re never contending with the same crowds you get in more popular safari destinations.
“After the thrill of the gorilla trek, you should retreat to elegant lodges or drift across Lake Kivu at sunset and join the fishermen,” says Elise Umulisa, Goway Destination Specialist. “There’s so much to do here: taste coffee at its source or test your aim with traditional archery in timeless traditions. Rwanda offers an African vacation for travellers who crave the unexpected.”
Slovenia
Tucked between Italy to the west and Croatia to the south and east, Slovenia is slowly finding a place in the western imagination (we can likely thank Instagram posts of Lake Bled for that). However, it’s still relatively unknown to the average North American traveller, making it an ideal place to enjoy the Adriatic without contending with the same crowds that visit its neighbours. It offers an impressive variety for such a small country. Within an hour’s drive, you can explore the medieval architecture of the capital of Ljubljana, discover waterfalls and caves in the mountains (Postojna Cave is one of the top spots to visit), or reach the Adriatic coastline for a relaxing time at the beach.
"Slovenia also has a strong identity rooted in authenticity,” says Jacqueline Fagioli, Goway Destination Specialist. “It specializes in original wines such as orange wine (still made from grapes), focuses on genuine local food, and boasts a huge honey production. It offers a genuine taste of things you cannot find anywhere else.”
South Australia
People forget how large Australia is. It’s roughly the same size as the continental USA and an entire continent within a country. There’s so much variety to explore here and many opportunities to leave the tourist trail behind and discover authentic travel experiences. South Australia is a great place to start. Located along the southern coast to the west of Melbourne, South Australia is home to the picturesque city of Adelaide, the remarkable animals and rock formations of Kangaroo Island, and the awe-inspiring outback stretches of the Flinders Ranges.
“South Australia also has some of the best wine regions in the country, including the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills,” says Alice Teramoto, Goway Reservation Supervisor. “Add in the breathtaking natural scenery, delicious gourmet food, and outstanding wildlife experiences, and it’s no wonder it’s called the WOW state: Wine, Outback, and Wildlife. This really highlights the essence of what South Australia has to offer.”
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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