The world’s 14 most underrated places in 2023
<p>The list is aimed at “inspiring and enabling people to discover places which pack a punch in terms of food, culture and experiences but are often overlooked by travellers”, including Plymouth in the UK, Bray in Ireland, Burlington in Vermont, USA, and Gippsland in Australia.</p>
<p>Let’s see how they rank. </p>
<p><strong>14. Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe</strong></p>
<p>“While most travellers to Zimbabwe will make a beeline for the majestic Victoria Falls or the renowned Hwange National Park,” Time Out said, “the country's eastern border is home to a place of equally astonishing beauty that has remained relatively unknown.”</p>
<p>The Eastern Highlands was formed off a trio of hilly ranges, Bvumba, Nyanga, and Chimanimani - and home to the epic Mutarazi Falls, which are 772 metres in height. Visitors can biplane and step out onto a “dizzying” skywalk.</p>
<p><strong>13. Bray, Ireland</strong></p>
<p>When the railway arrived in Bray in 1854, it was an instant attraction, Time Out explained. It was so popular that it became known as the “Brighton of Ireland”.</p>
<p>Now, this seaside town 12 miles south of Dublin “buzzes with cafes and restaurants” after years of decline.</p>
<p>Time Out added, “Stroll from the harbour along the esplanade to the 800-foot-high (243m) Bray Head, worth the hour’s climb for panoramic views from its rocky summit. Refuel at Butler & Barry on the beach, before a Guinness at ace local institution, the Harbour Bar.”</p>
<p><strong>12. Sao Tome and Principe</strong></p>
<p>The volcanic Atlantic Ocean islands of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf of Guinea together form Africa's second-smallest country, “remain one of the unsung beauties of African travel’" according to Time Out.</p>
<p><strong>11. Lombok, Indonesia</strong></p>
<p>“Considering how crowded the beaches can get in neighbouring Bali, it’s astonishing that more people don’t make the short trip over to the island of Lombok,” Time Out said.</p>
<p>“The south’s white-sand beaches see more slow-moving buffalo than traffic, while Instagrammers are a rare breed in the east’s terraced rice fields. Up north, the majestic Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-tallest active volcano at 3,726m/12,224ft in height, offers tough climbs and epic views. For the non-hikers, lush rainforests and thundering waterfalls beckon.”</p>
<p><strong>10. Karpathos, Greece</strong></p>
<p>“While tourists flock to watch the sunset in overcrowded Santorini or bronze back-to-back on Mykonos’s packed beaches,” said Time Out, “Greeks in the know take the four-hour ferry ride from Rhodes to the Dodecanese island of Karpathos.</p>
<p>“Do the same and you’ll find yourself chilling on a string of near-deserted beaches lapped by pristine waters and frequented by Mediterranean monk seals.”</p>
<p><strong>9. Turku, Finland</strong></p>
<p>Nicknamed the “Paris of Finland” - “thanks to its waterside charms on the Aura river and thriving cafe and canteen culture”.</p>
<p>Time Out also mentioned that it’s Finland’s oldest city and is “teeming with medieval attractions like its castle and cathedral”.</p>
<p><strong>8. Burlington, Vermont</strong></p>
<p>The waterfront university town of Burlington has “charm”, Time Out explained and a “bustling restaurant and bar scene”.</p>
<p>The guide said it’s becoming one of America’s’ “unmissable food and drink destinations”.</p>
<p>The two stand-out eateries in the guide are Eastern Mediterranean-influenced Honey Road and May Day.</p>
<p><strong>7. Plymouth, England</strong></p>
<p>Huw Oliver, Time Out’s UK editor, explained why the city on the south coast of Devon made the list, “Plymouth doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds when it comes to planning a seaside getaway or a city break, but it should: you get two for the price of one here. It’s got culture in spades, with The Box offering world-class exhibitions in a beautiful setting and the Market Hall dazzling with its "immersive art dome”.</p>
<p>“And that’s not to mention all the amazing food and drink, from classic fish and chips to England’s oldest gin distillery, plus quite possibly the UK’s best outdoor pool in the Tinside Lido. It offers an idyllic weekend away, right on the stunning Devon coast, and best of all, you’ll likely have a lot of it to yourself.”</p>
<p><strong>6. Gippsland, Australia</strong></p>
<p>“Located in Victoria’s eastern corner - around a 4.5-hour drive from Melbourne - Gippsland is a bountiful wonderland encompassing alpine roads, snaking waterways, fertile farmland and deserted stretches of white-sand beaches,” according to Time Out.</p>
<p>“It also has one-of-a-kind villages and a fast-growing food and drink scene that’s all about championing local produce.”</p>
<p><strong>5. Cabo Roji, Puerto Rico</strong></p>
<p>Time out describes this location as "a colourful beach town on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, Cabo Rojo is home to all the white sands and turquoise seas you expect from a Caribbean getaway. It’s three hours by car from San Juan with a laidback vibe that feels light years away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.</p>
<p>“Void of big resorts, you can find small family-owned inns and vacation rentals such as the family-friendly Combate Beach Resort or the luxury Cuatro Casitas.</p>
<p>“End your day sipping a passion fruit mojito with a view of the sunset the west coast of Puerto Rico is known for.”</p>
<p><strong>4. Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina</strong></p>
<p>“Bosnia and Herzegovina is packed with charming towns, and Srebrenik (87 miles north of Sarajevo) is as charming as it gets,” Time Out explained.</p>
<p>Here you can find Bosnia's “best-preserved medieval fortress”, “vibrant cafes”, and “graceful mosques”.</p>
<p>“A darling waiting to be discovered,” said Time Out.</p>
<p><strong>3. Cuenca, Ecuador</strong></p>
<p>"For a relatively small city, Cuenca packs a mighty punch when it comes to culture,” according to Time Out.</p>
<p>“It’s an architectural beauty whose historic centre was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. It’s home to many artisans and artists, who showcase their work at the city’s annual arts festival, the Bienal de Cuenca.”</p>
<p>The guide added, “it’s here that the renowned Panama hat is made, and travellers can visit workshops to see the intricate hat-making process in full swing”.</p>
<p><strong>2. Lake Bacalar, Mexico</strong></p>
<p>“The tourist towns of Tulum and Cancun tend to dominate dialogue about Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula," Time Out said, 'while 30-mile-long Lake Bacalar – also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours thanks to its forget-me-not, peacock and cyan waters – is often overlooked.</p>
<p>“It makes for a welcome change of pace, where you can take in all the beauty this corner of Mexico has to offer away from the influencers and spring breakers.”</p>
<p><strong>1. Mongolia</strong></p>
<p>Mongolia is the number one most underrated destination and “has to be experienced to be believed”, Time Out said.</p>
<p>The guide notes it’s a land that’s known for its traditional gets, friendly nomadic people, and heard of wild horses, and is now more accessible than ever thanks to a new international airport.</p>
<p>Time Out added, “For a perfect introduction to the country, spend a couple of days in the capital, Ulaanbaatar – it’s surprisingly clustered and easy to explore – then take in the picture-perfect ranges and fresh mountain air of Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Stay the night under the stars in your own ger, and don’t be surprised if nomadic herders stop by to welcome you.”</p>
<p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>
