Lesser-Known Destinations Worth Visiting

While old standbys are the safe, assured route for a family vacation, there are plenty of lesser-known locations worth exploring. Yes, this can put your family a bit outside their comfort zone and may be even a little challenging to pull off, but it also comes with (typically) fewer tourists and crowds, more authentic cultural experiences and unique travel opportunities and events.

If this sounds more your speed, this list of least-visited destinations may be your new bucket list.

For European Culture

Liechtenstein, a German-speaking European country between Austria and Switzerland, may be lower on travelers’ radars, but boasts the same Medieval architecture, Gothic cathedrals and rich history as any other nation on the continent. Picture The Sound of Music, only with ample Neo-Gothic buildings and even more lush, rolling green hills. Visit incredible sites from the historic Vaduz Castle, royally owned Hofkellerei estate and wine trail to quaint farms, gardens and ski resorts. It’s really the every-man vacation, filled with activity and leisure activities for all ages.

For a Tropical Getaway

If rustic, almost unruly natural beaches are your thing, Dominica is a must. As the least-visited Caribbean country, Dominica is actually a little difficult to get to. The mostly unkempt, but wildly beautiful beaches are a complete escape from reality and are well worth the effort — most travelers who can, get there by way of private jet or chartered ship.

With nearly none of the tourist traffic and commercial shops and restaurants your family would see on a more visited island, you can easily hike along Cabrits National Park with the kids, visit an 18^th-century fort without crowds and peacefully take in the views of the massive ocean around you. Visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park’s volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs and rainforests — this place is a nature lover’s dream. Check out local attractions and activities on the tourism site for more information about the least-visited

Caribbean island.

Instead of Hawai’i

The South Pacific is a scenic refuge offering beaches beyond compare — only problem, it’s pretty far from most heavily populated destinations. Located in the populace of Oceania countries, Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom with more 170 South Pacific islands, most uninhabited.

People celebrate arriving Fuifui Moimoi on Vavau Island, Tonga © Donyanedomam | Dreamstime.com

With that said, this low-populace place offers some of the most beautiful white beaches, coral reefs and tropical rainforests in the world — quite possibly due to its lack of human interaction.

If Tonga sounds familiar, it may be because a certain flag bearer turned Olympian from the last two Olympic games caused quite a stir in the American media and news outlets. Feel free to pause and refresh your memory.

For African Deserts

Besides being fun to say, Djibouti is an East African country worth your family’s attention. It may not be the most popular locale in Africa, but it’s an interesting one. The Danakil Desert may be incredibly dry and hot, but the reprieve of Lake Abbe, a salt-water lake lining half the country, is a much-needed reprieve and beautiful to boot. Enjoy the breeze from the Red Sea and flamingos roaming the sandy banks.

Dive in for some scuba, snorkeling and swimming, or cover up from the heat to ride camels through the desert. Hike the surprisingly lush foliage of Day Forest National Park, located in the Tadjourah Region of Djibouti, along the Goda Mountains. Day Forest is a primitive oasis bursting with natural beauty — much like most of Djibouti.