Everyone knows the famous spots. The challenge is finding the places that make you wonder why they aren’t just as popular. This week we’re highlighting a few destinations that deliver incredible experiences without always making the top of the bucket-list rankings.
It’s a bit of a random list - but these are places worth exploring!
Sabbaday Falls, New Hampshire: Tucked along the Kancamagus Highway, this short hike leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the White Mountains. Easy to reach, family-friendly, and surprisingly overlooked by visitors rushing to bigger attractions. This is a great one for the fall.
The Less-Visited Greek Islands: Santorini and Mykonos get the headlines, but some of Greece’s most memorable experiences happen on islands where the crowds are smaller and the pace is slower. We loved exploring Sifnos!
Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland: Most visitors drive past Iceland’s largest glacier on the Ring Road, but stepping onto the ice with a guide is a completely different experience. Glacier caves, blue ice, and landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. → Read the guide
Hidden Spots in Banff National Park: Banff’s famous lakes deserve the attention they get, but some of the best experiences are found by venturing beyond the busiest viewpoints and trails. → Read the guide
The best hidden gems usually aren’t completely hidden they’re simply one step beyond where most travelers stop.
A few ways to find them:
Look for attractions within 30 minutes of famous destinations.
Search hiking trails instead of viewpoints.
Read recent reviews and look for places with fewer ratings.
Visit early in the morning or later in the evening.
Ask locals what they would show a friend visiting for the first time.
We’ve found that some of our favorite travel experiences happened when we added a single extra stop to an itinerary we already planned.
Hidden gems often require a little more planning than famous attractions. Trailheads may have limited parking, tours may need advance reservations, and some locations have limited services nearby. Spending 15 minutes researching before you arrive can completely change your experience.
A lightweight daypack — Perfect for carrying layers, water, snacks, and camera gear while exploring lesser-known trails and destinations.
An offline maps app — Some of the best places are also the places with the worst cell service. Downloading maps before your trip can save a lot of frustration.
I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.
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The Best Resources to Plan Better Travel - the tools we actually use to plan travel.
Viator – this has lots of tour options often run by local guides.
Get my Guide – I usually search both viator and Get my guide for tours
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Have fun out there,
Gretchen
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