Off the beaten path Articles

Frohnleiten is a small medieval town along the River Mur near Graz, Austria

All, Austria, Czech Republic, Destinations, Europe, France, Germany, Graz, Italy, Off the beaten path, Spain

12 Magical Medieval Small Towns in Europe To Visit

From boulder-shaped settlements to historic hamlets with underground wine tunnels, these small, medieval, European towns are dreamy.

Waking up to views like this in Tajikistan was magical

Africa, All, Asia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Caribbean, Destinations, Dominica, Estonia, Europe, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Oceania, Off the beaten path, Peru, Portugal, seasonal, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, The Americas, Wildlife and Nature

14 Epic Multi-Day Hiking Destinations: From Famed Peaks to Offbeat Trails

Get outside and soothe your soul on one of these offbeat multi-day hiking trails covering peaks, pilgrimages and coastal escapes.

Africa, All, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Destinations, Europe, Fiji, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Islands and Beaches, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Oceania, Off the beaten path, offbeat, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, The Falkland Islands, Wildlife and Nature

25 Unique and Incredible Islands To Visit in 2025

From penguin colonies and dragons to glaciers and temples, these are some of the world's best islands to visit for a unique escape in 2025.

The year-round Christmas village of Seiffen, Saxony, Germany

All, Art and Culture, Destinations, Europe, Festivals and Events, Germany, Off the beaten path, Stories & Features, Winter and Off Season

Traditions, Toys and All the Trimmings: Christmas in Seiffen and Germany’s Ore Mountains

For the perfect pre-Christmas trip, look no further than Saxony's Ore Mountains, where the year-round Christmas town of Seiffen offers festive magic and miners' traditions far from the commercial crowds.

Mechelen's three oldest houses are reflected in the Dyle

All, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Destinations, Europe, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Off the beaten path, offbeat, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK

16 Underrated Cities in Europe You Should Visit

These underrated urban escapes deserve much more attention, so why do they remain some of the most underrated cities in Europe?

Aerial view of St Josephs on Dominicas west coast with a small town alongside it

Adventure, All, Caribbean, Destinations, Dominica, Islands and Beaches, Off the beaten path, stories, Stories & Features, Wildlife and Nature

Dominica, the Caribbean Eden Now Etched in My Heart

My Dominica journey was one of mangos and smiles, canyons and black sands, roaring waterfalls, rainbows and rainforests — welcome to the wild side of the Caribbean.

Adventure, All, Destinations, Off the beaten path, photo, Photography, South America, The Falkland Islands, Wildlife and Nature

The Falklands in Photos: Postcards From the Land of Penguins

Take a photo journey through the Falkland Islands. From penguin colonies and seal sanctuaries to shipwrecks and small planes.

All, ByRoad, Destinations, Europe, Food and Wine, Off the beaten path, Responsible & Eco Tourism, Slovenia, Stories & Features, Wildlife and Nature

In Slovenia’s Vipava Valley, Sustainable Family-Run Wineries, Dining Rooms & Trails Abound

Sustainability is organically the soul of Slovenia's Vipava Valley, where family-run vineyards, farm-to-fork tasting rooms & emerald trails are plentiful. Here's how to visit.

Karkalpakstan is one of the most remote-feeling destinations in the world

Adventure, All, Asia, Australia, Destinations, Europe, Indonesia, Middle East, Oceania, Off the beaten path, Oman, South America, The Americas

8 Remote and Secluded Places to Travel for an Isolated Escape

Experience a true escape at these eight isolated places where you can get away from it all amongst dunes, wildlife or vast, empty nothingness.

All, Art and Culture, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Off the beaten path, Wellness

Val di Non, Italy’s Apple Eden Where The Fruit Isn’t Forbidden

In Trentino's verdant, orchard-heavy Val Di Non, you'll find Italy's unsung valley of castles, mirror-like lakes, and apples aplenty.

Desenzano del Garda is a beautiful small town on Lake Garda

All, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Off the beaten path

20 Beautiful Small Towns in Italy

Italy’s small towns offer charm and charisma away from the country's cohort of star-studded cities. These are some of the most beautiful Italian towns to visit, from longtime favourites to more offbeat retreats.

Ana Martins inspects her cherry trees in Fundão, Central Portugal

All, Destinations, Europe, Food and Wine, Off the beaten path, Portugal, seasonal, Stories & Features, Wildlife and Nature

The Flavours of Fundão, Portugal’s Creative Cherry Capital

Fundão and Castelo Novo are true hinterland hideaways, with historic castles, cherries, vineyards, blossoms, and boutique stays aplenty.

All, Denmark, Destinations, Europe, Islands and Beaches, Off the beaten path, photo, Photography, Wildlife and Nature

The Faroe Islands in Photos: Postcards From An Unforgettable Journey

Discover the far-flung Faroe Islands in photos, to take a peek at the eighteen ethereal islands on Europe's edge.

All, Denmark, Destinations, Europe, Islands and Beaches, Off the beaten path, Portugal, South America, The Americas, The Falkland Islands, Travel Style, Wildlife and Nature

5 Epic Island Escapes for Wildlife and Adventure

From geothermal whale hot spots to remote archipelagos of ice, penguins and puffins, these wild isles are ripe for adventure.

Cesky Krumlov is an excellent second stop on your Austrian city break

All, Art and Culture, City Breaks, Czech Republic, Destinations, Europe, Off the beaten path

Castle and Cute-Town Hopping in South Bohemia, Czechia’s Fairytale Lake District

Explore the fairytale castles and lakes of South Bohemia, Czech Republic, including České Budějovice, Český Krumlov, Hluboká and Třeboň.

The canals of Cervia were central to the city's salt works

All, Destinations, Europe, Islands and Beaches, Italy, Off the beaten path

Visiting Cervia, Italy: Beaches, Canals, Seafood and Storied Salt

Plan a perfect visit to Cervia and Milano Marittima, Emilia Romagna's storied seaside town where sweet salt rules supreme.

Comacchio is one of Emilia Romagna's prettiest coastal towns

Adventure, All, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Off the beaten path, Wellness, Wildlife and Nature

A Guide to Comacchio, Emilia Romagna’s Canal Town and Po Delta Gateway

Explore Etruscan history, quaint canals, and flamingo-dotted lagoons in Comacchio, Emilia Romagna's Po Delta Gateway.

All, Art and Culture, Destinations, Europe, Germany, Off the beaten path, Rail

Places to Visit in Saxony, Germany: Things To Do and Day Trips from Dresden

Discover the best places to visit in Saxony, and day trips from Dresden, such as wine estates, lake palaces, mining towns and forested parks.

All, Destinations, Europe, Off the beaten path, Portugal, region

Algarve Hidden Gems: My 20 Favourite Offbeat Algarve Spots and Beaches

Discover my pick of the best Algarve hidden gems. Whitewashed villages, beautiful beaches, idyllic islands and 'secret Algarve' waterfalls.

Vitorchiano is one of Italy's best off the beaten path destinations

All, Borghi, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Off the beaten path, region, Travel Style

15 Beautiful Small Towns and Villages Near Rome and Across Lazio, Italy

Discover some of the most beautiful villages near Rome and across the Lazio region, from small Italian town stays to day trips near Rome.

The Alcazar of Segovia on a cloudy day perches on a hill

All, Destinations, Europe, Off the beaten path, region, Spain, Travel Style

Best Hidden Gems in Spain: 21 Unique Places To Visit in Spain

Discover some of the top hidden gems in Spain to get off the beaten path. From pretty villages and secret flower festivals to cheese caves and cross-border zip lines.