Most underrated vacation spots?

[newt_101]

My boss worked for the UN for over 15 years and has been to every country with the exception of 2. When I asked here what the best gems were, other than Indonesia (which her and I both would highly suggest), she mentioned: Malta, Cyprus and Morocco.

One of those, along with perhaps the Philippines, shall be my next stop.

[Maximaro]

I agree, and same with Greece, I've heard there are so many tourists there sometimes that it seems like there are more of them than there are locals.

On another note, this is a very interesting thread topic. I'm also always curious about places people have gone to that may not be as popular as other destinations.

Depends when you go and where in Greece.

I went right before tourist season (late April) and it was splendid. Not many tourists.

Some islands are bound to be full of tourists, like Mykonos. I went to Syros as a stopover and wished I had more time there! As the capital of teh Cyclades, many people dismiss it as a boring island but just the nature is great. And I stayed in a great hotel for 40€ (for two people) per night.

[Rocketo]

Maldives...is very low key

[gilboman]

I totally agree with this. Not only would I never ever consider an "all-inclusive" vacation, but I tend to avoid areas visited by the "AI" herd, like the plague. I mean, so many people go to Cuba, but they have no idea what the real Cuba is all about. Half of my friends who went to "Cuba" didn't even take a chance to go see Havana!! I mean, come on!

and why would you think its nescessary? it's like people saying mandarin is not authentic chinese food...so? unless the point of going was to see the authentic/local/real cuba, many people just go for the beaches and cheap food/alcohol that it provides.

I went to cuba, saw the cities and the locals, but that was my choice, lots just go for the beach and to relax/party and could careless if its cuba/mexico or whereever as long as it fits the budget and what they are looking to do.

[lillilland]

Did you go to resorts on your previous vacations? If so, try doing non-resort types of trips... I love looking at the gapadventures.com tours for inspiration.

They have trips everywhere in the world (Central/South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, etc), and the itineraries give great ideas for different trip types even if you're not going with them.

[Talamasca]

and why would you think its nescessary? it's like people saying mandarin is not authentic chinese food...so? unless the point of going was to see the authentic/local/real cuba, many people just go for the beaches and cheap food/alcohol that it provides.

I went to cuba, saw the cities and the locals, but that was my choice, lots just go for the beach and to relax/party and could careless if its cuba/mexico or whereever as long as it fits the budget and what they are looking to do.

I can't speak for anyone else but for me, travel is all about expanding your horizons, opening your mind, and experiencing new things. I think I'd be bored stiff if I was at an AI for a week, unless there were extensive activities available to see the "real" country.

I completely understand why people go to these places. There is a certain appeal to lounging around in a tropical paradise with unlimited amounts of food and drink available. It's basically heaven! I just prefer a more immersive experience, interacting with the local culture for my vacations.

[wetnose]

Hi everyone-

My girlfriend and I are looking to vacation in early-to-mid September. After being disappointed by, what we felt were, really overrated vacation spots, ie. Cuba (bad food), Cancun (drunk fratboys abound), among others, I'd like to know what underrated vacation spots you've all stumbled upon.

What we're looking for: Relaxed, low-key. Great food, friendly locals, warm sandy beaches, outside of North America

What we're hoping to avoid: Big crowds, places with a tourist-y feel.

Any suggestions? A friend of mine recommended Martinique, but we'd like to continue exploring other places that are sort of off the beaten path.

I can suggest the Cayman Islands...Sep is low season for them (you may run risk of hurricanes though) BUT it fills all of your needs:

1) Very chill
2) Decent locals
3) One of the best beaches in the world, IMO. Better than Hawaii. Crystal clear calm water....like swimming in a really big swimming pool. NO sharks =).
4) About 6 hours from Toronto, same time zone as Toronto...no jet lag!
5) Sep is low season, so not many crowds.
6) Some of the most amazing restaurants in the Caribbean.
7) Half hour flight away from Havana and they have flights almost daily.

Downside: a little pricey...figure on paying 20-30% more than Canadian prices for the same thing. But this is the fact that keeps the hoards away.

[oceania]

Budget: ~$1500 per person
Preference: All inclusive, if possible

Seychelles sounds interesting- any experience there?

You won't find what you're looking. If you want an under-rated (non touristy place) than you can't expect an all-inclusive for $1500. So choose, do you want an all-inclusive for $1500? If yes, Cuba or Cancun. If you want an under-rated all-inclusive you will have to spend way more than that...try Tahiti or something. My recommendation would be not to do an all-inclusive as all the money goes to multi-national corporations. Instead do some independent travelling and get out and see the real world instead of through a superficial resort.

[IceBlueShoes]

I can't speak for anyone else but for me, travel is all about expanding your horizons, opening your mind, and experiencing new things. I think I'd be bored stiff if I was at an AI for a week, unless there were extensive activities available to see the "real" country.

I completely understand why people go to these places. There is a certain appeal to lounging around in a tropical paradise with unlimited amounts of food and drink available. It's basically heaven! I just prefer a more immersive experience, interacting with the local culture for my vacations.

I fall into this category. beach vacations aren't for me. 1 maybe 2 days is more then enough. Not saying I'd never do it again, but no where near a top priority. I'd rather learn something about a culture and not simply gorge myself full of food. I can go to a buffet for that, but to each their own...
If I went to Cuba, I'd want to check out Havana and see the real Cuba, not an Americanized version...
But whatever...

[gilboman]

I fall into this category. beach vacations aren't for me. 1 maybe 2 days is more then enough. Not saying I'd never do it again, but no where near a top priority. I'd rather learn something about a culture and not simply gorge myself full of food. I can go to a buffet for that, but to each their own...
If I went to Cuba, I'd want to check out Havana and see the real Cuba, not an Americanized version...
But whatever...

I don't think there's an americanized version of cuba you won't even find many if any americans there at all