By now you know all about Italy, and New Zealand, and Bali and so on. These are some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and they’re popular for a reason: they’re amazing. Inspiring. Eminently enjoyable.
But the world of travel doesn’t begin and end with a top 10. How about those countries you may never have considered visiting? How about the places that have struggled in the past to attract the attention of tourists, the nations with troubled histories or faint reputations?
How things change. The countries listed here boast attractions both natural and man-made, with rich cultures, long histories, vibrant modern cities and inspiring landscapes. Yet, they are rarely mentioned in the same breath as the world’s big tourism hitters.
These nations have often worked their way out of hardship and only now are able to share their attractions with the world. But what attractions they are, and – for the moment at least – with so few people to share them with.
In this age of mass tourism it’s certainly worthwhile considering these outstanding destinations on your next trip away.
Guatemala
Why we never went It takes effort to get to Guatemala – you’re not going to call through there on your way to somewhere else. This Central American country has never been a popular destination for Australians thanks to a lack of awareness (shared by the rest of the world) of Guatemala’s attractions, and concerns about safety.* *
Why we should go now This country is so much greater than its modest reputation would have you believe. Here you have ancient Mayan ruins in Tikal, the UNESCO-listed charm of Antigua, the beauty and unique culture of the Lake Atitlan area, the rugged joy of mountain towns such as Quetzaltenango, and plenty of volcanoes.
See + do Lake Atitlan is ringed by three volcanoes and dense forest, but the true attraction is the 12 towns that hug its waterfront, from the hippie enclave of San Marcos to the Indigenous cultural hub of San Juan and the hustle of Panajachel, most of which are easily reached by local boat taxis. Tikal offers another incredible highlight: the ruins of a pre-Columbian city, with almost 3000 structures deep in the jungle.* *
More United Airlines flies from Australian ports to Guatemala City, via Los Angeles and Houston Best time to visit is dry season, November to April. See united.com; visitguatemala.gt
Paraguay
Why we never went Pop quiz: what is there to do in Paraguay? What is this country known for? If your answer to both questions is a resounding “dunno”, you’re hardly in the minority. Until the Socceroos met them in the recent FIFA World Cup, there has been little reason for Australians to think about Paraguay. But that should change. * *
Why we should go now Mass tourism essentially doesn’t exist in Paraguay, and yet you still have the natural beauty of the likes of San Rafael, with its forests and wetlands, the low-key charm of cities such as Asuncion, and plenty of indigenous culture and history, which lives on in Paraguay in ways that it doesn’t in neighbouring countries.
See + do The key attraction in Paraguay is surely the UNESCO heritage-listed Jesuit Missions, a large series of ruins, the most impressive of which can be found in La Santisima Trinidad de Parana, and Jesus de Tavarangue, built in the 17th and 19th centuries. Visitors also flock to Los Saltos del Monday, a 45-metre-high waterfall that can be visited as a daytrip from nearby Iguazu Falls.
More Australians can reach Paraguay via Santiago in Chile, flying with LATAM. The country is best to visit from May to September. See latamairlines.com; visitparaguay.travel
Albania
Why we never went Albania’s history, in the 20th century at least, was as chequered as an Italian tablecloth, with lurches into fascism, communism and closure to the outside world, before the country underwent a democratic transformation in the 1990s. It’s very much open for business these days, and rapidly gaining in popularity. * *
Why we should go now To understand Albania’s riches you only have to consider the countries that surround it: Greece to the south, Montenegro and Croatia to the north, and Italy across the Adriatic. Albania has long stretches of gorgeous coastline, rugged mountains in its interior, an energetic and rapidly changing capital in Tirana, and Greek and Roman history in Butrint.
See + do The Albanian Riviera is establishing a reputation for summer holiday perfection to rival that of the nearby Greek islands and Dalmatian coast: it’s equally beautiful and more affordable than its neighbours. Don’t miss Butrint, at the far south of the Riviera, a UNESCO-listed site, with well-preserved ruins from the Greek, Roman and Venetian empires. * *
More Emirates flies from Australia to Tirana via Dubai. Alternatively, fly into Corfu, Greece, and take the ferry across to the tourist town of Saranda. June, July and August are high season months, though May and September are also pleasant. See emirates.com; akt.gov.al
Palau
Why we never went To be blunt, many of us just didn’t know it was there. The Pacific is vast and it contains many countries, including Fiji (which Australian travellers have been obsessed with for a long time) as well as Vanuatu, Hawaii and French Polynesia. Palau who?* *
Why we should go now A push from Palau authorities to increase Australians’ awareness of this small island nation has certainly helped raise its visibility. The country has obvious charms – we just needed to know about it. Palau has a cautious approach to tourism. Its mandatory environmental commitment, the “Palau Pledge”, must be signed by every visitor on arrival. But its economy relies on those visitors, who are increasingly being drawn by Palau’s unsullied natural beauty.
See + do If the underwater world is your thing, you’re going to love Palau, a world-class scuba-diving and snorkelling destination with brilliantly clear water and abundant marine life. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is UNESCO-listed for a reason. There are World War II shipwrecks here too, plus forest hiking and modest, charming accommodation.* *
More Qantas flies direct from Brisbane to Palau with weekly departures. Dry season, December to April, is the best time to visit. See qantas.com; pristineparadisepalau.com
Rwanda
Why we never went Bad reputations take a long time to shed, particularly when you’re an African nation. Many people associate Rwanda with the genocide of 1994, which the country itself has gone a long way towards recovering from. To the outside world, that association to a tragedy has taken much longer to shake off. * *
Why we should go now Very few African nations are given a green, “exercise normal safety precautions” rating by Smartraveller, but Rwanda is one of them (the others are Zambia, Botswana and Namibia). Safety aside, there’s much to recommend in this country, not least the chance to see mountain gorillas in the wild, though there’s plenty more wildlife across the nation’s many reserves and national parks. The capital, Kigali, is a pleasant and safe place to spend a few days.
See + do Obviously, it has to be the gorillas. In Volcanoes National Park, near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), visitors can trek through the jungle and have an hour-long, up-close encounter with a family of gorillas. Elsewhere, Akagera National Park offers the sort of classic “big five” safaris many southern African countries are more famous for.* *
More Etihad offers codeshare flights with Ethiopian Airlines, taking passengers to Kigali with two stops. The dry seasons in Rwanda are June to September, and December to February. See etihad.com; visitrwanda.com
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Why we never went As with many of the nations mentioned here, Bosnia and Herzegovina has had a difficult recent past, including civil war in the 1990s. In the 21st century it has increasingly opened to tourism – visitor numbers have doubled in the 10 years since 2015 – and become more stable. * *
Why we should go now There’s incredibly rich history to enjoy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with remnants of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian empires, as well as reminders of the period under the rule of the socialist Yugoslavia. This country also boasts some beautiful countryside and is one of Europe’s most affordable destinations, with prices well below the likes of France or Italy.
See + do The city of Mostar is a must, with its famed 16th-century Stari Most bridge (and the people who make money diving from it). Sarajevo is also a popular destination thanks to its mix of architectural styles, reflecting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s long history in its mosques, churches and synagogues, plus its museums that explore more recent events. * *
More Emirates flies from Australian ports to Sarajevo, via Dubai. The European summer months of June, July and August are peak season; look to shoulder seasons for smaller crowds and lower prices. See emirates.com; tourismbih.com
Taiwan
Why we never went It’s natural to be overshadowed by one of the world’s most populous nations when it’s right next door. And so Taiwan has tended to be a footnote in conversations about China, a diplomatic stumbling block rather than a destination in its own right. But that is rapidly changing.* *
Why we should go now Travellers are waking up to the riches of Taiwan, most notably cultural draws such as its top-notch food scene. From noodle soups to dumplings to local fried chicken – not to mention three three-Michelin-starred restaurants and seven with two stars – this is a serious gastronomic destination. Taiwan is also safe and easy to get around, relatively affordable, and has natural attractions to match its man-made draws.
See + do Many first-time visitors stick to Taipei, and there’s plenty in the capital to keep you entertained: head to the top of Taipei 101 tower, visit Raohe Night Market, see cultural attractions such as Longshan Temple and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and take a short hike up Elephant Mountain to enjoy the views. * *
More China Airlines flies direct from Melbourne and Sydney to Taipei. Autumn and spring are the best times to visit. See china-airlines.com; eng.taiwan.net.tw
Kazakhstan
Why we never went You can blame the actor Sacha Baron Cohen – aka Borat – in part for Kazakhstan’s poor and unfounded reputation around the world, though a turbulent history as part of the Soviet Union and then under the authoritarian leadership of Nursultan Nazarbayev hasn’t helped attract visitors either.
Why we should go now Kazakhstan has so much to offer, and there are very few tourists to share it with. Almaty is a vibrant city ringed by snow-capped peaks; Astana features some eye-popping modern architecture; while the Kazakh Steppe is a vast tract of land inhabited by people who live a traditional, nomadic life.
See + do Anyone with even a passing interest in space exploration should visit Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world’s oldest and largest operational space launch facility, where Sputnik 1 was launched (visit permits are required). Elsewhere, Charyn Canyon, accessible from Almaty, is a spectacular gorge with a 154-kilometre span.* *
More China Southern flies from Australian ports to Almaty, via Guangzhou. Summer is the best time to visit. See csair.com; kazakhstan.travel
Bulgaria
Why we never went Eastern Europe has never enjoyed the popularity with tourists that the West basks in; for Bulgaria, communist rule until the 1990s and a difficult period of transition to democracy afterwards has further held back widespread appeal. It’s only now that visitors are being drawn by Bulgaria’s affordability and stability.
Why we should go now Europe is expensive, they say – but they haven’t been to Bulgaria, where hotels, dining and attractions cost around 40 to 50 per cent less than in the likes of the UK and Germany. Bulgaria also has one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities (Plovdiv), Roman ruins and Soviet architecture in Sofia, and spectacular hilltop Veliko Tarnovo.
See + do Sofia makes Bulgaria worthy of a visit on its own: the Central Sofia Market Hall and Vitosha Boulevard showcase modern Bulgarian culture, while sights like St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral display its past. Don’t forget the natural attractions in this country, too: Rila and Pirin national parks are both UNESCO world heritage listed.* *
More Emirates flies from Australian ports to Sofia, via Dubai. Bulgaria is busiest in summer, though it’s also an increasingly popular skiing destination in winter. See emirates.com; visitbulgaria.com
Indonesia (not Bali)
Why we never went It’s natural that when travellers feel like they’re onto a good thing, they stick with it. And so it has been with Bali: why look elsewhere when the island is so idyllic? That’s a large part of the reason the rest of Indonesia has taken a long time to emerge as a popular destination for Australians.* *
Why we should go now Indonesian authorities are making a concerted effort to tempt visitors away from Bali and to other parts of the country. There’s a plan in place to develop five “new Balis”, to ease overtourism issues on the island and spread the tourist dollar around, with the likes of Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Java and Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara being developed with tourism in mind. It might be a case of getting there before everyone else does.
See + do Even if the new Balis aren’t your thing, there’s plenty to do in Indonesia. Borneo has orangutans on jungle treks; the climb up Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java, is bucket-list stuff; and Komodo National Park, home of the famed dragons, needs little explanation. * *
More Jakarta is a good hopping-off point for all these destinations; Garuda flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne. May to October is the best time to visit. See garuda-indonesia.com; indonesia.travel
Please reconsider: Five beloved countries to return to
ChinaThe world has had a fractured relationship with China, and the country was very slow to reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has meant this huge and enticing nation has been off the list for many travellers for some time now. However, new visa-free arrangements with Australia, plus relaxed restrictions, makes this a country to revisit. cnto.org.au
MexicoIt feels like there’s always something happening in Mexico, always some bad news to consider before you commit to a trip there. Half the country is rated yellow by Smartraveller, while half is orange. Our tip? Head to Mexico City. Be alert, as they say, but not alarmed. And enjoy one of the world’s great destinations. visitmexico.com
USATourist numbers are down in the US, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why. The presidency of Donald Trump has been divisive, and news of ICE raids on foreigners has been disturbing. But the recent FIFA World Cup has shown the US at its finest: friendly, warm, and always able to put on a memorable show. visittheusa.com
ZimbabweFor the past decade or more, Zimbabwe has always seemed to appear in the news for the wrong reasons. Political unrest has been commonplace in this southern African nation, and many tourists have been turned off. However, the country now has an orange, “exercise a high degree of caution” rating from Smartraveller, a reflection of the relative stability Zimbabwe now enjoys. Given its obvious riches, this is certainly a country to consider once again. zimbabwetourism.net
PeruHere’s another country that has struggled to recover its tourism numbers since COVID-19 border closures, with a variety of factors contributing. Now, however, Peru is stable and open for business, and visitors are sure to be drawn by its mix of rich history and world-leading gastronomy. peru.travel