Lesser known facts about this inhumane punishment
Ireland's seaside town is a hidden gem just a short train journey from the capital and its bustling crowds. It's a scenic journey along the coast to reach Bray in Co. Wicklow.
Just a short hop from Melbourne, Tasmania is one of the most underexplored parts of Australia. But "Tassie" has over 800 hiking trails waiting to be discovered.
If you're looking for a destination where you can truly get away from it all, look no further than Mongolia. This country is known for its stunning, untouched nature.
A Victorian town, with plenty of seaside amenities, it's also a great base to explore the nearby national park at Glendalough. Enjoy the harbor strip and the scenic rock formations of Bray Head.
Tucked away in Patagonia, the Cochamó Valley offers visitors a slice of vast, breathtaking natural beauty. Spectacular rock arches and magnificent waterfalls dot the landscape.
This idyllic town is one of Romania's hidden gems. Sibiu looks like somewhere in a fairytale, with charming streets begging to be wandered.
The valley's hiking trail is not for the faint of heart or an absolute beginner. The steep granite Andes peaks reach dramatically upwards, while dense, lush forests are found at ground level.
Brimming with charm, the town's proximity to nature means there is plenty to offer adventure enthusiasts, too, with mountain biking, hiking, and walking trails within easy reach.
Cute cobblestones and 12th-century German-Hungarian architecture give this Transylvanian town a distinct look. Enjoy coffee and people-watching at the Piata Mare.
There's more to Bentonville than Walmart! The birthplace of the mega-retailer, this once-sleepy town hidden in the Ozarks is now an arts and culture hub.
It's also a place to catch the Southern Lights—Aurora Australis—in all their glory. During the day, visit art galleries, a UNESCO-listed village at Port Arthur, and the wine regions.
The Argentine Antarctic Institute at Brown Station was established in 1951 and has published over 100 scientific papers across several disciplines. If you're lucky, you might spy seals or orcas when you visit.
There are miles of sandy beaches, wineries aplenty, and more hipster cafes than you can shake a stick at. Soak up the harbor views or take to the ocean on your surfboard to admire the cityscape from the water.
One of the oldest cities in Australia, Newcastle is within easy reach (a two-hour drive) of Sydney, with a much slower pace of life and far fewer crowds.
A nomadic lifestyle prevails in Mongolia, where wild horses run through the wilderness of the steppes. Stay in a yurt to experience a piece of traditional life.
Surrounded by penguins, Brown Station is unique due to its location on the Antarctic continent. A permanent base for research, it's only occupied during the summer months.
São Sebastião is within easy reach (a three-hour drive) of São Paulo, with warm Atlantic waters and miles of secluded, sandy beach.
You might be surprised to find fascinating ecosystems, friendly locals, and local flavors and delicacies that offset the island's finite square mileage.
The smallest province in Canada gets a big recommendation from Time Out. The setting for 'Anne of Green Gables' offers colorful storybook scenery, coastal drives, and plenty of sandy beaches.
Isolated villages stand on hilltops, while some homes dating back centuries have been built below ground. Explore the region by quad bike or take a camel ride in the desert dunes.
The otherworldly landscape of southern Tunisia is a gateway to the Sahara desert. Here, Berber and Bedouin traditions and customs are alive and well.
Located in the heart of Colombia's coffee regions, Filandia is a colorful and uncrowded small town that flies under the radar of most tourists.
Few places have a backdrop as distinct as the city of Cuenca in Ecuador. The myth of El Dorado hovers over Cuenca, a vibrant, artsy, and walkable city that benefits from a temperate climate.
The pretty center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a charming city where colonial architecture meets indigenous heritage.
Tropical temperatures occur year-round on Côn Đảo Island. Visit from November to April to make the most of the dry season.
Crystal-clear waters satisfy beach-goers, and stunning coral reefs make the island an excellent choice for snorkeling and swimming. There are also several forests offering hiking trails.
The awe-inspiring Srebrenik fortress is a medieval Bosnian stronghold. Barely accessible, a single steep and narrow bridge connects the monument to the surrounding landscape.
Wild and unexplored beauty meets traditional Greek villages and dreamy, turquoise water for visitors to Karpathos, the grown-up sister to islands like Kos and Paros.
The legendary waters are fed by cenotes and underground lagoons, varying in shade from turquoise to navy. Laid-back and budget-friendly, sample delicious local cuisine in the town after days spent exploring the jungle or lounging in the lagoon.
Known as the lagoon of seven colors, Lake Bacalar in Mexico is a hidden treasure that was once a strategic point in Mayan civilization.
The fortress is located just 6km (3.7 miles) from the town of Srebrenik. Overlooking the slopes of the Majevica Mountain, the views offer visitors a visual odyssey.
Karpathos remains relatively untouched, but who knows for how long? Enjoy the peaceful, pristine, and picturesque surroundings before everyone else finds out about it.
Nicknamed the 'African Galapagos,' it's one of the least visited places in the world, despite being connected to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, by a direct flight. Explore the jungle rainforest and enjoy deserted beaches on this UNESCO biosphere island.
One of the world's most remote hideaways, São Tomé and Príncipe, is perhaps overlooked for logistical reasons, but it's easier than you think to get there!
Visitors to Plymouth, a scenic port in Devon, can learn all about the area's rich maritime heritage. The Ocean City is one of England's most overlooked destinations.
The spectacular beauty of misty granite peaks, sprawling tea plantations, and magnificent tumbling waterfalls make the Eastern Highlands an unforgettable place for hiking, birding, or simple exploration.
If white sand and turquoise sea is your vibe, look no further than Cabo Rojo. Here, vibrant and colorful beach towns blend with extraordinary ecosystems.
As well as the fresh sea air and stunning views to recommend it, Plymouth is home to museums, marinas, and monuments. Here you can also sample delicious seafood, and perhaps pair it with the locally distilled gin.
Enormous mountains and rolling valleys dominate the landscape of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands region. There are several micro-climates here and a diverse range of flora and fauna to be discovered.
Red-and-white salt flats, towering limestone sea cliffs, mangrove forests, and coral reefs are interspersed by secluded beaches. Puerto Rican criollo (creole) cuisine is also not to be missed!
Skip the hoards of Instagrammers in Bali, you should visit Lombok instead. The island boasts volcanic peaks, pearly white beaches, and majestic waterfalls.
Gippsland separates Melbourne from the New South Wales border, a sprawling 337-mile (542 km) expanse of wilderness and coastal beauty.
For incredible views from above, try climbing Mount Rinjani. But beware, it's an active volcano! The lack of traffic makes Lombok perfect for biking, and the tranquil ambiance is a match for those looking for somewhere more laidback.
Finland's oldest—and second biggest—city is often overlooked for its bigger sibling, Helsinki. But Turku has just as much to offer visitors.
A castle, a cathedral, bustling cafes, and a busy cultural calendar help to give Turku its charm, making it worth a visit this year!
Sources: (Time Out)
See also: Offbeat escapes: underrated destinations you need to visit
Wilson’s Promontory and Tarra Bulga National Park are notable landmarks, while Ninety Mile Beach is one of the longest stretches of unspoilt oceanfront in Australia.
Work up an appetite cycle the beautiful surrounding coffee farms trails before savoring delicious Columbian food fusion (and great coffee) at the Zona Cafetera.
São Sebastião has a compact colonial old town, with cute buildings and historic monuments. The area is surrounded by lush forests, waiting to be explored if you tire of the 62-mile (99.7 km) stretch of beach.
Are you tired of the crowds in your favorite cities? It might be time to take a trip somewhere a bit more low-key. There are plenty of places around the world to be explored that haven't been overrun with tourists... yet. Every year, Time Out magazine consults its trusted team of journalists to compile an updated list of the world's most underrated travel destinations. The results are usually surprising and sometimes unheard-of corners of the globe, waiting to welcome you—without the typical overcrowding!
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to uncover the world's most overlooked travel destinations.
Overlooked travel destinations to discover this year
Add these spots to your bucket list!
TRAVEL Destinations
Are you tired of the crowds in your favorite cities? It might be time to take a trip somewhere a bit more low-key. There are plenty of places around the world to be explored that haven't been overrun with tourists... yet. Every year, Time Out magazine consults its trusted team of journalists to compile an updated list of the world's most underrated travel destinations. The results are usually surprising and sometimes unheard-of corners of the globe, waiting to welcome you—without the typical overcrowding!
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to uncover the world's most overlooked travel destinations.