{"id":792,"date":"2016-10-27T10:36:18","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T10:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/articles\/?p=792"},"modified":"2021-03-07T11:29:49","modified_gmt":"2021-03-07T11:29:49","slug":"15-underrated-absolutely-amazing-vacation-destinations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/15-underrated-absolutely-amazing-vacation-destinations\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Underrated and Absolutely Amazing Vacation Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>My favorite activity is traveling. And while I love traveling to any destination that\u2019s new to me, I enjoy veering off the tourist trail most of all. Sometimes my husband and I exit trains at random stops. Other times, we\u2019ll discover a captivating photo and suddenly find ourselves booking a flight. Thanks to these crazy trip planning methods, we\u2019ve seen some incredible places.<\/p>\n<p>During all of our journeys, we make sure take in the moments, while also snapping photos every now and then. There\u2019s nothing like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/maker\/scrapbook-maker\/\">creating a travel scrapbook<\/a> when we return home, and then reliving our journeys each time we flip through them with friends.<\/p>\n<p>Here are 15 beautiful destinations that we stumbled upon in different ways \u2014 completely underrated and worth a visit.<\/p>\n<h2><strong> El Valle de Anton, Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>My husband and I honeymooned in Panama, and enjoyed the nightlife of Panama City, the coffee tours of Boquete, and the nature of El Valle de Anton. There, we went horseback riding along green hills, covered our faces in revitalizing mud, rinsed off in refreshing hot springs, and walked along flowered paths to the town\u2019s center. El Valle gave us a much needed chance to rest our feet after dancing the night away at our wedding.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-794 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_46250095.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_46250095\" width=\"1000\" height=\"627\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Helsinki, Finland<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This is one of my favorite cities in Europe because it\u2019s easily walkable, boasts many parks, and offers about 100 different ways to eat salmon. But what I love most about Helsinki is its obsession with saunas. My husband and I experienced a blissful afternoon in a no-nonsense, no-frills city sauna. First, we relaxed our muscles in the dry heat, and then we got full-body exfoliating scrub downs. Never has my skin felt so smooth!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tallinn, Estonia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>A short ferry from Helsinki, Tallinn definitely deserves more than a day. But if you, like me, have limited time, spend a few hours traipsing through the beautiful, cobblestoned Old Town. Enter through the historic defensive walls, and you\u2019ll be greeted by rows of pastel-colored buildings. Be sure to stop at the Kalev Marzipan Museum and sample the almond treat that come in shapes of fruit or people. Then, leave the Old Town and grab lunch at the bohemian neighborhood of Kalamaja. Just keep your eye on the time&#8211;unless you don\u2019t mind missing your ferry!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-795\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_417795352.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_417795352\" width=\"1000\" height=\"692\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Vielha, Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Before we knew that our Spanish vacation would, in fact, be a babymoon, my husband and I planned to hike El Camino de Santiago. We\u2019d carry all of our belongings as we hiked miles and miles each day, and then spend the nights in cathedrals. But, a bun in the oven meant a quick search for alternative spots. Enter Vielha, a little town in the midst of the astonishingly gorgeous Pyrenees Mountains. We walked along lush fields, sipped water from natural springs, stared into the blue sky, and breathed in the fresh air. Basically, we relaxed \u2014 which was perfect.&nbsp; Once our little boy is older, I can\u2019t wait to show him the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/maker\/slideshow-maker\/travel\/\">travel slideshow I created<\/a>, pointing out the little bump that would soon become him!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-796\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_173673380.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_173673380\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Sinaia, Romania<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Several years ago, my husband and I escaped bustling, crumbling Bucharest for Sinaia, a mountain resort town named for the biblical Mount Sinai. I recommend spending a day or two there \u2014 hiking the green hills, exploring the Sinaia Cathedral, and staying in lovely hotels at very low rates. We chose one of the nicest hotels \u2014 at $50\/night. We were graduate students at the time, and felt like royalty.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-797\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_285846593.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_285846593\" width=\"1000\" height=\"561\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Nahariya, Israel<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tel Aviv is home to some of Israel\u2019s most popular beaches. But if you\u2019re looking for a quieter experience on a smaller shore, head north to Nahariya. A friend, my little boy, and I took a mini road trip there, and enjoyed dipping our feet into the calm waves, drinking cappuccinos at a charming streetside cafe, admiring the stream that passes through the center of the city, and indulging in ice cream cones on the boardwalk. Yum!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-798\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_483998545.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_483998545\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Minsk, Belarus<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>For Americans, getting to Belarus isn\u2019t simple. You\u2019ll need to purchase a pricey visa, as well as multiple flights. But, if you can pull off the logistics, I recommend a visit. Destroyed during World War II, Minsk was completely rebuilt in the aftermath with stunning green parks, impressive buildings, and enormous avenues. During my trip, I enjoyed taking in the sunrise over the Svislach River, practicing my Russian, and sipping vodka at the hotel bar.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-799\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_318325007.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_318325007\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Bratislava, Slovakia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>After the dusty Museum of Clocks and a subpar tuna salad lunch, my husband and I were worried that we\u2019d experienced everything that Bratislava has to offer. Then, we stumbled into the city\u2019s beautiful Old Town, complete with fantastic restaurants, a lovely fountain, and a breathtaking castle on a hill that overlooks the city. At night, we paid $7 to see an opera. We didn\u2019t understand a word of it, but the music and costumes were fantastic.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-801\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_417795352-1.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_417795352\" width=\"1000\" height=\"692\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kiev, Ukraine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Kiev was the location of one of my first solo adventures. Well, it was meant to be that, but friends of friends took me under their wings and offered to show me the best of their city. Kiev is wonderful. I stayed in an apartment near the grand Besarabsky Market, and nibbled on cheese and fruit each morning for breakfast. I walked along the massive avenues, staring at the austere Soviet buildings, drinking <em>kvass<\/em> from yellow tanks, cooling off in the stunning cathedrals, and watching locals play chess alongside the Dnipro River. After the trip, I created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/maker\/card-maker\/thank-you\/\">personalized thank you cards<\/a> with photos from the trip, and sent them to my new friends.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-802\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_351603791.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_351603791\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Andorra la Vella, Andorra<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To be honest, I had never heard of Andorra before traveling there. But because it was only a few hours drive from Northern Spain, my husband and I decided to check it out. Known for not having sales tax, many Europeans travel to Andorra la Vella for great deals on electronics and luxury items. The snow-capped mountains in the background only enhance the shopping experience. But a quirky tour at the Parliament won me over. For example, did you know that the country\u2019s only prison is half full \u2014 with about 45 prisoners? Incredible!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_317791925.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_317791925\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Queens, New York, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Everyone who flies to New York touches down in Queens, but few actually explore it. I love Queens not just because it\u2019s where I grew up. It\u2019s also the most diverse borough in New York, endlessly fascinating and with so many hidden pockets to explore. Spend a day admiring the colorful sari shops in Jackson Heights, chowing down blini and borscht in Rego Park, drinking bubble tea in Flushing, and appreciating the Manhattan skyline from Long Island City\u2019s peaceful park.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-804\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_104589941.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_104589941\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Lucca, Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Florence is amazing, but after a few days of running from museum to restaurant to church \u2014 and pushing through the crowds, I was ready for the quieter side of Tuscany. Lucca gave me exactly what I was looking for. My husband and I strolled through the historic city with gelato in hand, and then biked the path along the city\u2019s Renaissance walls.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Glasgow, Scotland<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Most people fall for Edinburgh, which is home to a beautiful, medieval town. But it was Glasgow, grittier and more authentic, that charmed me even more. Glasgow\u2019s city center is full of pedestrian walkways, where people congregate to shop, listen to street music, and protest. My husband and I happened to be there during their recent vote for independence, and people could not have been friendlier. They all wanted to know how we\u2019d vote \u2014 if we were Scottish. We shrugged and enjoyed tea at the Hidden Lane Tea Room and lots of fish and chips.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>I was born and bred in America, and yet, I never connected to American movies about college. You see, I attended a college with no school spirit that was located in a big city. Instead of partying, students protested. Instead of watching football games, we went to museums. So, I was enthralled by Ann Arbor, a true-life college town, where students wear college sweatshirts every day, people tailgate before a football game, and frat parties are the place to be on a Saturday night. If that\u2019s not really your scene, head to the beautiful botanical gardens, grab a cup of coffee at a free-trade cafe, and while away the afternoon in a cozy bookstore.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-805\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_122380780.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_122380780\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Fez, Morocco<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>From the multicolored vats of leather dye to the pyramids of spices to the donkeys bleating down the road to the people covered in velvet jalabiyas, Fez blew my mind and shocked my senses. I visited Fez with my brother, who has traveled throughout the Middle East, and he urged me to buy leather slippers, a handmade jacket, or an intricately designed pillow. But I was too mesmerized to do anything but stare and take in my surroundings. Later, I made sense of the extraordinary sights by creating <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/maker\/collage-maker\/\">travel collages<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/shutterstock_91441772.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_91441772\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"><\/p>\n<p>What is the most underrated destination that you\u2019ve visited? I\u2019m always looking for new places to add to my travel wish list!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My favorite activity is traveling. And while I love traveling to any destination that\u2019s new to me, I enjoy veering off the tourist trail most of all. Sometimes my husband and I exit trains at random stops. Other times, we\u2019ll discover a captivating photo and suddenly find ourselves booking a flight. Thanks to these crazy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,9],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v16.0.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover 15 of the most underrated yet stunning vacation spots around the world \u2013 and take these insider tips from an experienced globe-hopper.\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"15 Underrated and Absolutely Amazing Vacation Destinations |Smilebox\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover 15 of the most underrated yet stunning vacation spots around the world \u2013 and take these insider tips from an experienced globe-hopper.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"\/blog\/15-underrated-absolutely-amazing-vacation-destinations\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Smilebox Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smilebox\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2016-10-27T10:36:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-03-07T11:29:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1100\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@smilebox\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@smilebox\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/blog\/#website\",\n\t            \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.smilebox.com\/blog\/\",\n\t            \"name\": \"Smilebox Blog\",\n\t            \"description\": \"Find helpful tips for holidays, family, love, celebrations &amp; work.  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