Welcome to Off the Beaten Travel! Your Hub for Hidden Gems
Latest Hidden Travel Gem Blogs
14 Hidden Gems of Paris
Looking for things to do in Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower? Don’t miss these 13 hidden gems in Paris to make your trip magical and an authentic Parisian experience. From the perfect spot to picnic with wine & cheese where Parisians go to ultra-discount tickets to the Paris opera to fantastic cocktail bar overlooking the Moulin Rouge to a Paris ‘chocolate walk.’
12 Hidden Gems in Seattle: Explore Beyond the Space Needle
Looking for cool things to do in Seattle beyond the Space Needle? Find Seattle’s best hidden gems: activities, restaurants, coffee shops & wineries. Go kayaking in the city, rent a floating tub, take a coffee tour. The best of off the beaten path Seattle.
11 Best Places to Visit in the Southwest
Looking for places to visit in the Southwest beyond the Grand Canyon? Check out these 11 hidden gems of the Southwest: national parks, hiking areas, & hidden gems. A less crowded version of Monument Valley, outdoor adventures similar to the Wave hike, the amazing Chaco Canyon, the hidden gem of Antelope Canyon, one of the best places to go kayaking. Your Southwestern US trip itinerary is here.
8 Best Sonoma Wineries: The Ones You Need to Know
Looking for the best Sonoma wineries to go wine tasting near San Francisco? We tasted at dozens & these were by far the best. 8 Sonoma wineries with spectacular Pinot Noir & personal wine tasting experiences.
10 Underrated National Parks You Have to See
10 best underrated national parks to visit in the US. Find gorgeous mountain vistas, great hikes, the best parks for family trips, & underrated national parks for off the beaten path vacations. From stunning glacier lakes in North Cascades to ancient Native American dwellings in Chaco Canyon, find the top national parks to visit in 2024.
8 Underrated Countries You Should Visit in 2025
Looking for hidden gem destinations? Check out these underrated countries to visit in 2024 with hidden beaches, gorilla trekking, & amazing outdoor adventures. From the spectacular Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia to hidden beaches in Albania to seeing the Northern Lights in Finland.
9 Hidden Gems in California You Have to See in 2025
Things to do in California beyond Hollywood in 2024 — hidden beaches, underrated parks to see the redwoods, hidden gem wineries, charming towns. California has many hidden gems, from the spectacular Lost Coast to skiing inside Yosemite to hidden beaches in San Diego County to hidden gem wineries in Sonoma. We spent over a year exploring California, and here are our top hidden gems for 2024.
9 Top Hidden Gems in Europe: Best Vacation Spots for 2024
Looking for the best places to visit in Europe without the crowds? Check out these 9 hidden gems, from fjords in Montenegro or the Northern Lights in Finland. There are still many great off the beaten path places to visit in Europe, from spectacular, affordable beaches in Albania to amazing mountain hikes next to gourmet restaurants in France to skiing for $35 a day in Serbia. Here are our top picks for hidden gems in Europe for 2024.
Explore 30 of the World’s Best Hidden Beaches
Discover 30 amazing hidden beaches, from secret spots in Puerto Rico to Zanzibar to California to southern Europe. Best scuba diving, surfing, & cocktail spots.
10 Amazing Underrated Cities to Visit
Looking for the best cities to visit for a quick trip in 2024? Check out these 10 underrated cities in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa. How about a hidden gem city with a safari, hot springs overlooking mountains, or sandy beaches? Whale watching in Hermanus, South Africa, feeding giraffes in Nairobi, or mountain hiking in Missoula. Here are our hidden gem cities for 2024.
10 Hidden Gems of Abu Dhabi
Traveling to the UAE & looking for hidden gems in Abu Dhabi? Check out this awesome list from a local. Free beaches, great art galleries, local coffee houses, & Michelin star restaurants. 1) Al Wathba Salt Lake, 2) Abu Dhabi Fossil Dunes, 3) Manarat al Saadiyat gallery & more. This is off the beaten track Abu Dhabi & includes many free things to do in Abu Dhabi.
8 Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan
8 best things to do in Uzbekistan, a hidden gem in Central Asia & magical country on the Silk Road. Discover hidden gems in Tashkent, hidden gem hikes in the Nurata Mountains, swim in Lake Aydarkul, see the ancient Persian city of Bukhara, visit Khiva, eat samsas, explore the Chorsu Bazar, Minor Mosque, and more. Off the beaten track in Central Asia, a great region to travel in 2024.
Top Destinations in Africa: 7 Hidden Gems
The best countries to visit in Africa in 2024, from Tanzania and its incredible Zanzibar beaches to Uganda & its underrated safaris to Hermanus, South Africa, a hidden gem on the Western Cape. These travel destinations offer safaris but much more — unique cultural experiences, wine tasting in stunning settings, rock hewn churches, some of the world’s best beaches, scuba diving with whale sharks.
Coming soon
Stay tuned for upcoming hidden travel gem posts —
Unique Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Best coffee shops in Portland, Oregon
Hidden gems of Portugal
Best wine travel destinations
Hidden gems of Washington, DC
Tuscany without the tourists: Umbria, Italy
Best weekend trips from Seattle
Hidden travel gem in France: Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
And many more…