Five Underrated Destinations Worth Booking Before Everyone Else Does
From a Himalayan cold desert to a hill-country railway, five places that reward the curious traveller, while they are still quiet.
Every famous destination was once somebody’s secret. These five aren’t secrets, exactly. But they remain far quieter than their beauty deserves, and each one rewards travellers who go a little out of their way.
1. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
A high-altitude cold desert on the edge of Tibet, Spiti is all wide valleys, turquoise rivers and ancient monasteries clinging to ridges. Villages are small, nights are cold and the stars are astonishing. The roads are open for only part of the year, roughly early summer to autumn, and the altitude needs respect, so a slow, well-paced itinerary makes all the difference.
Best for: active travellers and anyone who wants the mountains without the crowds.
2. Meghalaya, North-East India
Rolling green hills, deep gorges, waterfalls and the famous living root bridges, grown over generations by Khasi communities from the roots of rubber trees. Meghalaya is one of the wettest regions on earth, which is exactly why it is so green. Combine walks to the root bridges with time in quiet villages and a boat on a river so clear the boats seem to float on air.
Best for: nature lovers and families with older children.
3. Svaneti, Georgia
High in the Caucasus, Upper Svaneti is known for its medieval stone defensive towers rising above villages, set against snow-capped peaks. Ushguli, a cluster of hamlets at the head of the valley, is among the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Georgian hospitality, and Georgian food, make it as warm as it is wild.
Best for: curious travellers who love walking, history and long dinners.
4. The Albanian Riviera
Albania’s Ionian coastline offers clear water, small bays and hillside villages, often at a fraction of the cost and crowds of its better-known Mediterranean neighbours. Pair a few days on the coast with the old stone towns inland for a journey that feels genuinely undiscovered.
Best for: couples and slow travellers who want the Mediterranean, quietly.
5. Sri Lanka’s Hill Country by train
The railway from Kandy into the hills is one of the loveliest train journeys in the world, winding past tea estates, waterfalls and misty ridges. Base yourself in a small bungalow among the plantations, walk between villages and drink tea where it is grown.
Best for: honeymooners and multi-generational families alike.
A note on timing
Seasons matter in all of these places, sometimes a great deal. The right month can be the difference between an unforgettable trip and a difficult one. That is part of what we plan for you.
Drawn to one of these, or to somewhere else entirely? Let’s talk.
