Tourists reveal the world’s best “non-mainstream” cities
<p dir="ltr">While many eager travellers head to a nation’s capital city when travelling abroad, others prefer to steer off the beaten track for a more authentic experience. </p>
<p dir="ltr">A group of keen tourists discussed their favourite “non-mainstream” cities in a popular travel thread on Reddit, with eight destinations around the world coming out on top. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Turin, Italy</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Most travellers that head to Italy tend to stick to the main tourist-driven cities of Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, according to one traveller, the city of Turin (also known as Torino) is “one of the best cities in the country and it gets ignored by most tourists.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Great architecture, very walkable, fantastic museums, delicious regional dishes and stunning Alpine backdrop.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Another agreed, adding, “Torino is really great. [It] feels different to any other Italian city. [It's] also totally uncrowded even during peak season.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Oulu, Finland</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Aside from the Finnish capital of Helsinki in the far south of the country, some travellers prefer to venture up north into colder climates away from the bustling city. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One hotspot is the city of Oulu, which offers a more relaxed pace of life despite its harsh weather. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One traveller wrote, “I really enjoyed Oulu in Finland. So much space between buildings, green trees everywhere, a nice beach to relax on and watch the sunset, [and] beautiful parks.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">“To me, it looked like the ideal city to live in. I was there in July. I think winters can be harsh.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Ouray, Colorado, USA</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, Ouray is often referred to as the 'Switzerland of America', with many travellers in awe of its beauty. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One person simply wrote, “Ouray is stunningly beautiful!” sharing their love for the quaint city. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Nuremberg, Germany</strong> </p>
<p dir="ltr">Germany’s most visited cities are usually Berlin and Munich, but Nuremberg also offers a unique glimpse into Germany’s history and culture. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One traveller described the city as “amazing” while another said they “absolutely loved the place”. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Another claimed that Nuremberg was “so beautiful, magical and fun” during wintertime that it “ruined Christmas for the rest of my life”.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Townsville, Australia</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">When you think of coastal Aussie getaways, many think of Noosa or the Gold Coast as the best places to visit. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, others encouraged travellers to head to the “super-underrated” Townsville in northeastern Queensland instead.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One traveller remarked that it has “great bars and restaurants”, adding, “It was a good base to get around the place. I found the locals friendly, [it] wasn't overrun with tourists like Cairns. My wife and I both thought it was a super-underrated place and we'll be back.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Khiva, Uzbekistan </strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">The city of Khiva, locally pronounced 'Heevah', is more than 2,500 years old and is a keen holiday destination for history buffs. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One traveller wrote of the charming city, “The old city inside the walls is so well preserved that it's like entering another time. Early morning and after dark, when the tourist market has closed, and the buses have left, makes for a magical experience. I've been to a lot of places in the world but will never forget the magic of that place.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Salta, Argentina</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Located in the north of the country, Salta is “definitely not on the mainstream path”, but worth the journey.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One tourist wrote, “The city itself isn't the most exciting but it's safe, the food is incredible, and it's the gateway to some of the most beautiful natural areas I've seen in my life.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Kastoria, Greece</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Located in northern Greece in the region of Western Macedonia, Kastoria sits on the shore of Lake Orestiada and is surrounded by limestone mountains. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One traveller fell in love with the Greek destination, writing, “This is the definition of a hidden gem. It's deep in northern Greece and on a peninsula jutting into the middle of a lake, so it's just this incredibly serene and picturesque setting. There's history on every street corner, too.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>
