5 secret destinations you haven’t heard about (yet)
Everyone can visit the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. But if you want a holiday with a difference, you should consider these five secret destinations. Take our word for it: these incredible locations won’t remain a secret for much longer.
1. Palau, Micronesia
The travel train through Southeast Asia is, by now, well worn. So smart travellers are on the lookout for a new hotspot in the region – enter Palau. Sitting more than 2,000 kilometres north of Darwin, these 500 or so islands are some of the most remote on earth, which means they’ve managed to stay well off the radar. The snorkelling and diving is incredible, arguably the best in the world, and you’ll be plunging into gin-clear waters filled with fish, sharks, turtles, manta rays, sea snakes and dugongs.
2. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Celebrities and spring breakers flock to the beaches of Cancun or Cabo in Mexico, resort havens where the main appeal is sun, sand and margaritas. It’s essentially the Disney-like version of Mexico. On the Pacific Coast, the surfer town of Puerto Escondido has retained more of its authentic charm. You can sit at a beachside restaurant, Corona in hand, and watch fishermen pull in the days catch before it’s fried up and brought to your table. The surf is incredible, so bring your board and get ready to ride.
3. Shimokitazawa, Japan
In 2014 Vogue named this quirky Tokyo suburb the coolest in the world for its distinctive street style, oddball boutiques and tiny vintage shops. Everything is on the scale of a dollhouse with hole in the wall bars and restaurants serving up fantastic eats to just half a dozen people at a time. Tiny boutiques stock emerging local designers, vintage clothes in excellent quality or retro records. It’s one of the most popular suburbs for young people in Tokyo to live, so you can always find live music or a lively bar for a few Japanese whiskies.
4. Manono, Samoa
This place takes the meaning of the phrase “off the beaten track” to a whole new level. Electricity only came to the island of Manono just over a decade ago and you still won’t find any cars – or any tourists for that matter. It’s just a 20-minute boat ride from the most populated island, Upolu, yet it feels like you’ve arrived in another time. Discover a tiny private beach for a swim, eat fresh fish that’s just come from the ocean and spend the night in tiny family-run villas. It’s the ultimate place to check in and check out.
5. Cienfuegos, Cuba
Cuba is the next big thing in travel, but most visitors will be heading straight for the capital Havana. Instead, the experts agree that colonial town of Cienfuegos is the best kept secret. It’s known as the Pearl of the South and has an elegant Parisian spirit underscored by a feisty Caribbean beat. The UNESCO listed city is easily the most beautiful in the country (though a little run down) and the beaches are just as lovely. A visit to Cienfuegos is all about interacting with the locals, so grab a mojito and start chatting.
Have you visited any of the destinations mentioned above? Are there any that you think we should add to our list? Let us know in the comments section.
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