If you’re anything like us, we’re betting you have a list of dream destinations you ogle every time another meeting invite pops into your work calendar.
We also bet they’re bank-breakingly expensive. The good news is that they don’t have to be. We’ve used our data to find some of summer’s most-searched-for destinations, then scoured average prices for July and August travel to find equally unforgettable – and cheaper – underrated alternatives. They’re gentler on your wallet but richer in rewards. It’s the best of both worlds.
Read on to start making those bucket-list dreams come true.
Like Santorini? Try Tinos
Finding an underrated alternative to one of the most iconic islands in the world is a tall order. But just a 20-minute ferry ride from Mykonos is Tinos, a quiet, unassuming, Cycladic isle with seriously scenic credentials. And while it might not sport the blue domes of Santorini, nor its plethora of Michelin-star restaurants and luxury hotels, it does have 80 windmills, 1,000 artistic dovecotes, 50 villages set on sloping terrain and a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. But its biggest draw (and where it beats its caldera-perched neighbour) is that it’s almost untouched by tourism.
Those seeking a bucket list-worthy romantic escape can enjoy true tranquillity with much the same views, food and once-in-a-lifetime experiences as its more famous neighbour, without the hustle and bustle and for less cash. That said, if you don’t mind sacrificing your personal space to log a truly unforgettable memory, arrive in time for 15 August, when pilgrims crawl 800m on their hands and knees from the ferry port up to the Church of Panagia Evangelistria.
Like Cairo? Try Amman
Souks, shisha and shabtis are just the start of a trip to the Middle East, and luckily, they’re not all confined to Egypt. For a bucket list trip with as much history, culture and eye-opening experiences as Cairo, head to the underrated capital of Jordan, whose old-meets-new dynamic provides a perfect alternative destination. Start with a visit to the ancient Amman Citadel, believed to be one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. It’s home to the imposing Temple of Hercules as well as fragments of an enormous statue of the god. The Umayyad Palace, Roman Theatre and ‘Ain Ghazal should follow, not forgetting an afternoon in the Jordan Museum (the biggest in the country) which holds the Dead Sea Scrolls and some of the oldest statues known to man.
Get out of the city to experience the location’s mesmerising landscapes, particularly the village of Iraq al-Amir, which boasts 10 caves dating back to the Copper Age, along with the remnants of an Ozymandian castle. Non-historical highlights include the Franco-Arab Film Festival (held in July), shoppers’ paradise in downtown’s Souk al-Bukharia (or look to the Gold Souk to splash out) and a foodie’s mecca by way of Souk Al-Sukar selling sweet baklawa. Falafel, mansaf (lamb in sauce) and yalangi (stuffed vine leaves) can also be found on every corner.
Like Hong Kong? Try Taipei
As an ex-British colony, Hong Kong has always been a go-to destination for Brits. If you’ve experienced, or been tempted by soaring skyscrapers, inner-city greenery, comprehensive shopportunity and delicious cuisine, add Taipei to your ‘to visit’ list now. Not only does it have a worthy Victoria Peak substitute – Elephant Mountain – slap bang in the centre of the city, offering great hikes with panoramic views, but also a healthy shopping scene and even healthier gastronomic options.
As the home of international bao bun superstars Din Tai Fung, a meal at any of their chains is a must-ingest, while those seeking Instagrammable settings and haute cuisine should reserve a table at the two Michelin-star L’Atelier by Joël Robuchon, where the finest French fare can be sampled in seductive rouge environs. Set aside at least one evening for some street food, with Shilin Night Market at the top of your list. The largest street food market in the city offers incredible diversity and an incomparable, buzzy atmosphere. Then, relish oyster omelettes and fried taro balls at Ningxia Night Market, before moving onto grilled beef cubes, pepper pork buns and fried tea at Raohe Night Market. A foodie’s alternative bucket list destination if ever there was one.
Like Los Angeles? Try Austin
The self-proclaimed ‘live music capital of the world’ has a reputation to rival Hollywood’s movie-making credentials when it comes to the arts. This liberal Texan city shares LA’s sprawl (if on a smaller scale), artsy kudos, chi chi hotels and award-winning gastronomy. We’re talking mouth-watering BBQ, an infamous nightlife and superlative live music.
If you don’t mind killing hours in a queue, get in line at Franklin’s BBQ for its famous pulled pork, brisket and turkey delicacies. If that seems a bit much, try Beef Ribs at Terry Blacks and succulent steak at J-Prime. Then head to Sixth Street to fill up on booze and live music (country or otherwise). East 6th has a reputation for getting lairy, so head towards the bars on West 6th if you’re looking for a quieter night. If you’re all in though, Pete’s Duelling Piano Bar is raucous fun for an hour or two, then stop by the Recess Arcade Bar and the stylish speakeasy vibes of Eden Cocktail Bar.
Austin is also close to an array of excellent outdoor activities. Running along the Colorado River is a great way to see the city, and can lead up to Barton Springs; a natural pool fed from underground wells. Don’t miss a truly unique Austin experience by securing a place on Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset to see the resident bat colony take flight.
Hole up centrally to make the most of the city’s 24-hour vibe – try the Hilton Austin or the river-side Fairmont.
Like Toronto? Try Tampere
Famously friendly people, a laid-back lifestyle and the best modern amenities capped off by beautiful lake views… How many places on the planet can offer something so idyllic? Well, at least two. Underrated destination Tampere in Finland has all this, plus a July climate only a few degrees cooler than Toronto’s, making it an ideal alternative bucket list destination for those seeking something a little different. What’s more, it actually trumps the Canadian city in terms of lake views as it sits between two (Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi) rather than on the edge of one.
As well as being the sauna capital of the world (spend an afternoon in Saunaravintola Kuuma for a sweat session followed by a devastatingly delicious menu featuring pike-crab cake and grilled Iberico pork sirloin), Tampere, like Toronto, is known for its arts scene. Various art and photography museums, as well as galleries pepper the city, but the main Tampere Art Museum is a great place to start, as it holds over 14,500 pieces including a collection by Moomin artist Tove Jansson (there’s a separate Moomin museum too).
Now for some curveballs…
Best for a once-in-a-lifetime trip: Churchill
If a true bucket list experience is what you’re after, few things qualify quite like watching polar bears in the wild. And beluga whales. And seeing the Northern Lights. Way up in northern Manitoba on the edge of Hudson Bay, accessed only by plane or train, lies Churchill, a remote town offering all these things. Everything Arctic-associated is available here (though it technically lies in the sub-Arctic): dog sled rides, walks near polar bears, whale watching, historic glacier viewing – you name it, they’ve got it.
Plus, with up to 300 days of Northern Lights viewings a year and a burgeoning gastronomy scene (led by Dan’s Diner: haute cuisine on wheels), visitors are likely to get more than they bargained for.
It comes at a cost though: it’s cold, isolated and hardly endowed with luxury accommodations. However, anyone who’s been will tell you it’s worth it. Book with a trusted tour operator to make sure you’re seeing the best of the region, and pack warm, whenever you decide to travel.
Best for surfers: Island of Amrum
Germany might not be the first place travellers associate with island escapes, but the European superpower owns over 100 spits of land up and down its coastline. One of the most underrated is also one of its most beautiful. The Island of Amrum sits off the northern coast of Germany in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. Its crowning glory is Kniepsand Beach, a 10km stretch of sand with great surf. This alternative bucket list destination is perfect for outdoors fanatics, with kitesurfing, windsurfing and regular surfing being particularly popular. It’s also a mecca for bird watchers as various species migrate for breeding along its coastlines. Seafood restaurants and sailor taverns dot the coastline, while its many windmills are also worth investigating.
Motivated to get moving? Try using our Explore Everywhere widget next time you search, which will help you discover unknown destinations and take your travels further.
Average flight prices for the alternative destinations provided were cheaper at the time of publication for travel in July and August 2023. Prices will vary.
