Most Underrated Destinations That Will Blow You Away
There are the destinations everyone talks about… and then there are the ones that quietly take your breath away. As we look forward to the year ahead, these are the places that stand out to us — not just because they’re beautiful, but because we’ve personally visited and experienced each one.
We chose these destinations because they offer something different — from underrated sister cities where you get a more local feel, to remote, untouched places that most travelers haven’t even discovered yet. Picture epic landscapes, real-deal culture, pinch-me moments, and an authenticity that hasn’t been polished for Instagram. These are the curated destinations we’ve hand-picked — and we think you’ll fall in love with them just like we did.
Go ahead— this is the year to go off the beaten path escape the crowds and visit these destinations that will blow you away!
Papua, Indonesia
Papua in eastern Indonesia made a lasting impression on us right from the start. It feels remote in the truest sense — wild, largely untouched, and far from everywhere. A three hour flight from Bali lands you in Raja Ampat, the most biodiverse marine ecosystem on Earth, with luminous coral gardens, manta rays, and water so clear it hardly seems real. For divers, it’s next-level. What stood out most to us is how undeveloped and under-the-radar it remains — the kind of place you want to visit now, before the rest of the world discovers it. Paired with rich Melanesian culture and community-led traditions, this is the kind of journey that doesn’t fade once you return home.
Our Insider Tip: Sail aboard Aqua Blu, a 60-meter luxury explorer yacht — the first permanently based in East Indonesia. With just 15 suites, chef-driven cuisine, and expert guides, you’ll explore biodiverse reefs, remote islands, and volcano-studded horizons — all in effortless comfort and style.
Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
The Red Sea isn’t just entering the luxury scene —it’s making its entrance like it owns the place. With 19 headline-making properties that opened in 2025 and more on the way — including powerhouses like Four Seasons, Rosewood, Jumeirah, and InterContinental — the Red Sea is instantly playing in the big leagues. Spread across 22 pristine islands, it delivers privacy, dramatic architecture, and polish at a level that feels purpose-built for modern luxury travelers. Add UNESCO-listed heritage and stargazing under impossibly clear skies, and you’re looking at the next must-know address in global luxury.
Our Insider Tip: The first ever direct flights from Europe to the Red Sea Have been recently launched by BeOnd, the worlds first premium luxury airline. Two direct flights weekly are available from Milan to the Red Sea.
Den Bosch, Netherlands
Just an hour by train from Amsterdam, Den Bosch feels like the cool sister city — all the same charm minus the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Once you’re here, the personality kicks in fast: storybook streets, a soaring Gothic cathedral, tucked-away courtyards, and art spaces that feel refreshingly unexpected. To us, it feels authentic, intimate, and seriously underrated — the kind of place we visited once and immediately knew we couldn’t wait to come back to.
Our Insider Tip: Trust us — get a Bossche Bol. This legendary chocolate-covered cream pastry originated right in Den Bosch, and yes… we fully support making it a priority.
Puglia, Italy
We get it — everyone loves Italy. And if you’re the type who dreams in pasta bowls and piazzas, Puglia is your next obsession. Puglia is that golden, coastal corner of Italy that feels delightfully under-the-radar — all olive groves, white-washed villages, and storybook trulli scattered across rolling hills. For us, the magic is in the rhythm of daily life here: wandering Lecce and Ostuni, lingering over rustic, hyper-local dishes, and soaking in a slower, sun-warmed version of Italy that feels endlessly inviting.
Our Insider Tip: Head to Strada Arco Basso in Bari’s Old Town — aka the “Street of the Orecchiette” — where local nonnas hand-make pasta right outside their homes. You can watch, buy pasta, or even eat in their homes.
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
San Juan del Sur is where Nicaragua really turns on the charm — a vibrant, sun-soaked surf town wrapped around a crescent-shaped bay, with beach bars, colorful streets, and laid-back party energy that keeps the vibe going long after sunset. Nearby beaches like Maderas offer consistent surf for every level, while Cristo de la Misericordia overlooks it all from the hills above. There’s coastal hikes and that easy beach-town rhythm that makes days melt together — yet somehow, it still flies under the radar compared to its neighbor Costa Rica. To us, that just makes it even better.
Our Insider Tip: Make time for Ometepe, the world’s largest volcanic island in a freshwater lake — formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicaragua. Expect jungle hikes, ancient petroglyphs, wildlife everywhere and a seriously cool eco-adventure vibe you won’t forget.
Manama, Bahrain
Bahrain caught us off guard in the best way. For a small island nation — and one of the Middle East’s most underrated destinations — it delivers way more personality than we expected. Think UNESCO-listed forts, lively souqs, sleek skyscrapers, and full-throttle F1 energy — Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to ever host a Grand Prix. It’s a rare blend of heritage, innovation, and easygoing warmth — quietly making its mark without ever trying too hard.
Our Insider Tip: You have to shop for pearls in Manama — Bahrain is world-famous for its natural pearls. Visit reputable sellers near Tawawish Road, ask for certification, and consider it the ultimate local souvenir.
Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni isn’t just a place you visit — it’s a reality-shift. This is the world’s largest salt flat, a blindingly white expanse that stretches to the horizon and makes you feel like you’ve stepped off the map. During the wet season it transforms into a giant mirror, reflecting the sky so perfectly it feels like you’re walking on clouds — or straight into a dream. Pair that with surreal sunsets, stargazing that looks galactic, and the thrill of being somewhere that truly feels other-worldly — and Uyuni becomes one of those adventures you’ll talk about forever.
Our Insider Tip: Stay at Palacio de Sal, the iconic hotel built almost entirely from salt — walls, beds, furniture, everything — set right on the edge of Salar de Uyuni for a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime experience surrounded by endless white horizons and mirror-bright skies.
Thousand Islands, New York
Located on the border of Ontario and New York, This is one of those places that feels instantly welcoming — small-town charm paired with the freedom of more than 1,800 scenic islands to boat, dive, and explore. We love the mix of river views, storybook castles, historic lighthouses, and easygoing wineries — it all adds up to a destination that feels cozy, scenic, and wonderfully unhurried.
Our Insider Tip: Pay a visit to the Thousand Islands Inn, which claims to be the birthplace of Thousand Island dressing — taste the “original” recipe right where this culinary icon began.
Palawan, Philipines
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth, so many of them still untouched. Think towering limestone cliffs framing emerald lagoons, that look more like screensavers than reality. Days here are pure discovery: snorkeling UNESCO-protected reefs, kayaking hidden coves, and diving into WWII shipwrecks. Add in laid-back island life and rustic beachfront stays, and you’ve basically got paradise — unfiltered, wild, and exactly the way we like it.
Our Insider Tip: Head to Las Cabañas Beach in El Nido for one of Palawan’s dreamiest sunset spots — soft sand, clear water, relaxed beach bars, and that golden-hour glow.
Hua Hin, Thailand
We know Thailand has no shortage of famous beach destinations — but Hua Hin is the one that surprised us. Once a royal seaside retreat, it still feels like a real, organic beach town — especially if you want to actually dive into the culture instead of just the resort pool. You’ve got serene beaches, buzzing night markets, heritage touches like the classic railway station, and national parks right nearby. For us, it’s that perfect sweet spot for a Thai experience without the main stream crowds often found in other cities throughout the country.
Our Insider Tip: Golf lovers, this is your spot — Hua Hin was Thailand’s first golf destination, and today serves world-class courses with serious heritage vibes, all just minutes from the beach.
