With 2022 just around the corner and travel planning in full swing ahead, it’s that time of the year when your social feeds are flooded with “Top 10 Travel Destinations for 2022” or “The Places You MUST Travel to in 2022”. While I’m guilty of reading (all of) those articles I come across, I thought, why not add another article to your feed 🙂
It seems like maybe because of some of these articles or because of instagram influencers perhaps, or is it just me, but are your feeds also inundated with travels – from the same places? It seems like everyone’s either in Santorini, Positano or London, and while I’m guilty of having recently been to the first (in my defence, it was my honeymoon), and even though the latter two are on my bucket list, there’s a whole world out there! So while everyone is pouring to the typical crowded spots, let’s talk about a few underrated cities that are also worth exploring.
These cities are great either as complementary stops, or if you’re looking to try an alternate city that is unexpected and charming in other ways! On the list is a mix of European, North and South American as well as African under rated destinations. It’s tough to narrow down options, (and a constant struggle to find the time and money to travel to all of our dream destinations) as there are so many spectacular places to see in the world. I may or may not be biased with these as I’ve lived in two of them, read on to discover and tell me if you’ve been or plan to go!
Ottawa, Canada (instead of Toronto or Montreal)
I still get many ‘Where’s that?’ reactions when I say I’m from Ottawa. Unlike Toronto or Montreal, you often have to specify and add the ‘Canada’ at the end of Ottawa – ‘I’m from Ottawa.. Canada“. Unlike other capital cities like Paris or Tokyo, Ottawa isn’t necessarily a household name or on everyone’s bucket lists. But ladies and gents, that’s just because it’s a well kept secret – it’s the most underrated capital city!
A city that is beautiful to visit at any time of the year – yes even in the winter! Visit in the summer to experience the festivals, fall for the colorful hiking, spring for the infamous tulips and winter (if you are brave!) to try skating on one of the longest outdoor rinks in the world!
Click here for an incredibly comprehensive view of a locals guide to Ottawa, what to see in Ottawa, the best to eat in Ottawa and just general tips only an Ottawa local could provide!
Wrocław, Poland (instead of Warsaw or Krakow)
When you consider travelling to Poland, the first cities to come to mind are often Warsaw and Krakow. But there’s another town, the fourth largest in Poland in fact, that is equally charming and that is growing in popularity. It’s considered the ‘Venice of Poland’ and it’s spelling and pronunciation can be tricky – but don’t let that deter you from visiting! Wrocław is phonetically pronounced ‘Vrohts-wahf’ (W’s are pronounced like V’s in Polish and the L with the line through it is closest to a W).
The city is built between islands, is connected by many bridges and is overrun with gnomes. Gnomes?! For a unique experience, unlike any other city, go scavenger hunting for gnomes. The gnomes have a rich history, and began as anti-Soviet resistance symbols. The popular small figurines are now in the hundreds and you can find them all over the city, particularly around the Old Town square (Rynek in Polish). The Rynek is known for it’s gothic architecture and colorful buildings. While you are there, pay a visit to the Town Hall and St. Elizabeth’s church for incredible panorama city views. The city is very public transportation and bike friendly. There’s a tram that runs through all major areas of the city, it’s easy and accessible!Whether you are planning a Euro Trip or a tour of Poland itself, come to Wroclaw for the gnomes, the architecture and the history, but you’ll definitely stay (and want to come back) because of the perogies!
Aswan, Egypt (instead of Alexandria or Luxor)
If you haven’t heard yet, now is the time to travel to Egypt! Tourism is on the rise and with many investments being made in improving infrastructure, uncovering new relics, there’s so much to see and what better time to see it than without all the crowds! While there are many, MANY incredible cities to visit in Egypt, one of my favourites is without a doubt Aswan. Aswan is a popular city in Egypt to visit and is also known for being the home of Egyptian Pop Legend, Mohamed Mounir, which also much like Mo Salah, you’ll see his poster in many cafes and shops around town!
If you are spending some time in Cairo, it’s quite easy to make a stop here, whether by Nile cruise (the BEST way to see Egypt read about my Nile cruise experience here!), train or plane! Aswan is a city on the Nile, when compared to the pace of life in Cairo, seems to slow down a little and there’s a relaxing atmosphere here. Aswan is the perfect jump off point to visit other areas, depending on your interests. If you come in search of Ancient Egyptian history, then there’s many temples to be seen, some of the best in all of Egypt, Philae and Abu Simbel.
If you only have the option to chose one in between Aswan, Luxor or Alexandria during your stay in Egypt, you can’t go wrong with any of those options, in fact in encourage all three! However, if you are short on time and need to select only one, Aswan is a wonderful option. It has the perfect combination of Egyptian city life, historical cites, natural beauty and it has a certain unique calmness to it, you can only feel it for yourself as you sail along the Nile. The city is also home to the Nubian people, which have a distinct and rich culture and history of their own. Among the top activities to do in Aswan is to take a visit to the colorful Nubian villages.
If you’re planning a longer visit to Egypt and in particular to visit by Nile cruise, the cruises can typically either begin or end in Aswan, so even though you’re passing by several cities, consider spending some extra time in Aswan for additional exploring, there is no shortage of incredible places to see!
Valparaíso, Chile
I thought long and hard about what the alternative options are to Valparaíso, and the reality is, there aren’t many cities like it. Having lived in neighbouring Viña del Mar, a seaside resort town, as a student while I studied in Chile, we frequently visited Valparaíso. Just a short colectivo (taxi) or minibus ride away, this port city is found with it’s uniquely colourful history, art and construction. It used to be a thriving port city but once the Panama Canal construction finished, the city fell on harder times.
What you can expect in Valparaíso (or Valpo as the Chilean say), may not be to everyone’s tastes. Some may describe it as grungy, funky, artsy, or shabby, but whatever adjective you chose, everyone can agree that the city is unlike any other. It’s famous for it’s art murals, steeps hills (crazy workouts!), funiculars and colourful homes. As an artistic city, it’s not surprising that (one of!) the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s homes, now a museum, can be found atop one of the cerros or hills. Highly recommend visiting it as you explore through the narrow streets and make your way up to see an impressive expansive views of the city and port below.
It’s also worth a day or two trip visit from Santiago for the seafood alone! Stay in Valpo or explore further north down the coast passing through Viña del Mar, Reñaca and all the way to Concón to try out the infamous La Gatita giant seafood platters!
Paros, Greece (instead of Santorini or Mykonos)
Ok, I’m cheating here a bit, because I’m comparing islands and not cities, but… if you’ve gotten this far, you get my point! While arguably, every island is Greece is beautiful, surrounded by glittering blue seas, there are certain islands that get a lot of attention (*cough* Santorini and Mykonos *cough*), and others that don’t. It’s as if, only these two islands existed, when in reality there are thousands (about ~200 or so of which are inhabited).
Paros for me (and my husband, as we visited here during our honeymoon) was a special place. It’s a smaller island and it’s relatively flat, unlike Santorini for example, so it’s easier to get around and no fears in renting whatever ATV, buggy, or smart car! Also unlike some of the other more ‘popular’ islands, it’s not a cruise ship port which means it’s less touristy and crowded. Because of the fact that tourists are few and far between, the locals are much friendlier (plus your money goes much further here!). For us, it had a more authentic feel to it. At dinner you’d see the locals out celebrating, so you felt as if you’re genuinely experiencing life on the island. As an alternative to crowded Santorini and Mykonos, Paros is a great option to add to your Greek islands itinerary!
Like this post? Pin it for later!
