Best 18 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas

Best 18 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas

Summer is a time for exploration and adventure. But if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and high prices of popular tourist destinations, there are plenty of underrated places to visit :-

Here is 18 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas :

1. Door County, Wisconsin, USA

Overview: A scenic peninsula with charming towns, cherry orchards, and a laid-back atmosphere.

• Location: Northeastern Wisconsin, bordering Lake Michigan.
• Tourist Attractions: Lighthouses, kayaking, Washington Island Ferry, Door County cherries.
• Closest Beaches: Sister Bay Beach, Whitefish Dunes State Park, North Beach.
• Closest Airport: Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB)

2. Sardinia, Italy

Overview: Large Mediterranean island with stunning beaches, rugged coastlines, and rich culture.

• Location: South of mainland Italy in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Tourist Attractions: Tharros ruins, scuba diving, Cagliari, Gennargentu National Park.
• Closest Beaches: Cala Brandinchi, Cala Cipolla, Spiaggia Rosa.
• Closest Airport: Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG)

3.Lofoten, Norway

Overview: Dramatic archipelago above the Arctic Circle with jagged peaks, turquoise fjords, and charming villages. Experience the midnight sun during summer.

• Location: Off the northwestern coast of Norway.
• Tourist Attractions: Kayaking, hiking, Henningsvær, whale watching.
• Closest Beaches: Kvalvika Beach, Haukland Beach (pebbled shores).
• Closest Airport: Evenes Airport (EVN)

4. Luang Prabang, Laos

Overview: UNESCO World Heritage city with serene temples, colonial architecture, and a stunning mountain backdrop.

• Location: North-central Laos, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
• Tourist Attractions: Royal Palace Museum, Mount Phousi, alms-giving ceremony, Mekong River boat trip.
• Closest Beaches: Landlocked, but Nam Khan River offers swimming.
• Closest Airport: Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ)

5. Lake Bled, Slovenia

Overview: Picture-perfect glacial lake nestled in the Julian Alps. Explore the island church, hike, or relax by the lake.

• Location: Northwestern Slovenia, close to the border with Austria.
• Tourist Attractions: Bled Island church, Ojstrica or Mala Osojnica hike, Bled cream cake.
• Closest Beaches: No traditional beaches, but swimming possible on the lake shore.
• Closest Airport: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU) – approximately an hour’s drive.

6. The Azores, Portugal

Overview: Volcanic archipelago with stunning natural beauty, dramatic landscapes, geothermal hot springs, and abundant marine life.

• Location: West of mainland Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Tourist Attractions: Whale watching, volcanic craters, thermal pools, Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroísmo.
• Closest Beaches: Praia do Pópulo, Praia Formosa (black volcanic sand).
• Closest Airport: Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) on São Miguel Island.

7. Gaspésie Peninsula, Canada

Overview: Escape to the natural beauty of the Gaspésie Peninsula with charming villages, dramatic cliffs, wildlife, and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Location: Easternmost tip of Quebec jutting out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Tourist Attractions: Forillon National Park, Bonaventure Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Percé with its pierced rock, kayaking.
• Closest Beaches: Grande Anse Beach, Sandy Beach.
• Closest Airport: Mont-Joli Airport (YYY)

8 .PUERTO RICO, USA

Overview: Vibrant Caribbean island with U.S. influences and rich Latino culture. Rainforests, bioluminescent bays, historic forts, and delicious cuisine.

• Location: Island in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, east of the Dominican Republic.
• Tourist Attractions: El Yunque National Forest, Mosquito Bay bioluminescence, Castillo San Felipe del Morro fort, San Juan.
• Closest Beaches: Condado Beach, Flamenco Beach, Ocean Park Beach (over 300 miles of coastline).
• Closest Airport: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) serving San Juan.

9. Hoi An, Vietnam

Overview: Charming ancient town with colorful architecture, tailor shops, and delicious street food. Explore the historic center, boat on the Thu Bon River, or relax on a nearby beach.

• Whare is It : Central Vietnam – along the coast of the South China Sea.
• Tourist Attractions: Japanese Covered Bridge, Old Town, custom-made clothing, My Son ruins.
• Closest Beaches: Cua Dai Beach, An Bang Beach.

10. Huacachina, Peru

• Location: Southwestern Peru, a few hours south of Lima.
• Tourist Attractions: Sandboarding, dune buggy rides, Ica Regional Museum, lagoon boat tour.
• Closest Beaches: Paracas National Reserve offers beaches and wildlife viewing (not directly on the coast).
• Closest Airport: Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, with onward bus connections.

11. Bryce Canyon National Park, USA

• Location: Southern Utah.
• Tourist Attractions: Canyon Rim Trail hike, Inspiration Point views, stargazing.
• Closest Beaches: No beaches, but nearby Navajo Lake offers boating and water activities.
• Closest Airport: McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada, with onward connections to the park.

12. Kerala Backwaters, India

• Location: Network of canals and waterways located in southern India.
• Tourist Attractions: Houseboat tour, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Alappuzha, fresh seafood.
• Closest Beaches: Kerala boasts a beautiful coastline. Kovalam Beach and Alappuzha Beach are popular options near the backwaters.
• Closest Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK) serving Kochi.

13. Cinque Terre, Italy

• Location: String of five villages along the Italian Riviera, north of La Spezia.
• Tourist Attractions: Hiking trails between villages (Manarola to Riomaggiore is popular), Vernazza with its charming harbor, boat tours for coastal views.
• Closest Beaches: All five villages have small beaches or swimming areas. Monterosso al Mare offers the largest beach.
• Closest Airport: Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) with train connections to Cinque Terre villages.

14. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

• Location: Central Croatia, midway between Zagreb and Zadar.
• Tourist Attractions: Wooden trails along Upper or Lower Lakes, Veliki Slap waterfall (the tallest), boat tour on Kozjak Lake.
• Closest Beaches: No beaches, but designated swimming areas in some lakes during summer.
• Closest Airport: Zagreb Airport (ZAG) with onward bus connections to the park.

15. Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, a region of rugged mountains, deep lochs (lakes), and charming villages.

• Location: A large region of northern Scotland.
• Tourist Attractions: Hike or bike through Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle (popular filming location), Loch Ness monster search! Sample whisky and enjoy Scottish hospitality.
• Closest Beaches: The Scottish Highlands have a rugged coastline with beautiful beaches. Achmelvich Beach and Sutherland Beach are popular options.
• Closest Airport: Inverness Airport (INV) is the main airport serving the northern Highlands.

16. Banff National Park, Canada

Immerse yourself in the majestic Canadian Rockies at Banff National Park.

• Location: Province of Alberta, Canada.
• Tourist Attractions: Hike or gondola up Sulphur Mountain for panoramic views, visit Lake Louise (picture-perfect lake surrounded by mountains), soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
• Closest Beaches: Not applicable – Banff is a mountainous region.
• Closest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC) with connections to Banff by bus or shuttle.

17. Zhangjiajie National Park, China

Step into a real-life Pandora at Zhangjiajie National Park, known for its dramatic quartzite pillars that inspired the scenery in Avatar. Hike on scenic trails, explore Huangshan (“Yellow Mountain”), or ride the world’s longest cable car for breathtaking views.

• Location: Hunan Province, China.
• Tourist Attractions: Hike through the Tianzi Mountain area to see the inspiring rock formations, explore the Huanglong Valley with its colorful travertine pools, ride the Bailong Elevator (world’s highest outdoor elevator) for panoramic views.
• Closest Beaches: Zhangjiajie National Park is inland, so there are no beaches nearby.
• Closest Airport: Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) is the closest major airport.

18. The Kimberley, Australia

• Location: Vast region in northwestern Australia.
• Tourist Attractions: Helicopter tour over the Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park), witness the Horizontal Falls where tides create a waterfall illusion, explore the Mitchell Plateau (a tabletop mountain with Aboriginal rock art).
• Closest Beaches: The Kimberley has a coastline with beaches. Cable Beach in Broome is a popular option known for its red sand.
• Closest Airport: Broome International Airport (BME) is the main airport serving the Kimberley region.

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