50 Underrated Tourist Destinations Around The World

Most travelers think of Punta Cana when considering a trip to the Dominican Republic, but Bayahibe offers local charm with more secluded beaches and some of the country's best places to scuba dive. When you want to take a break from water activities, Bayahibe has ranches where tourists can go horseback riding and a jungle river tour that lets tourists visit the locations of famous films like "Apocalypse Now" and "Jurassic Park."

Nicknamed the "Little Paris of Middle Europe," Budapest, Hungary, is rich with history, notable art, music traditions and more. The city is also home to numerous World Heritage Sites, like the Banks of Danube, Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue. Under Andrássy Avenue sits the Millennium Underground Railway, one of Europe's oldest metro lines.

One word defines why Charlotte, North Carolina, is a destination worth the trip: NASCAR. More than 85% of NASCAR teams are located in the area, along with the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Time your trip right and you can see the Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. And if race cars aren't your thing, try riding the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster — the 325-foot-tall Fury 325 at Carowinds amusement park — or visiting the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where you can participate in activities that range from outdoor yoga to mountain climbing.

Idaho was recently dubbed the "New North Hollywood" by TMZ thanks to visits from stars like Kim Kardashian, Harry Styles and Adam Levine. Celebs love to stay in Coeur d'Alene, one of the best coastal towns in America. Here, you can enjoy eating, relaxing and touring the city like your favorite stars.

Darwin, Australia, is a warm-weather destination with many fun adventures worth trying. When you're not enjoying great eats, swim with the crocodiles in Crocosaurus Cove's "Cage of Death” or go bushwalking or snorkeling at Berry Springs. And after you're done enjoying daring activities, take a relaxing walk through the Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

If you want to lounge on a stunning remote island free of the noise of active beach-goers, Espíritu Santo in Mexico is the place to be. North of La Paz, Espíritu Santo has seven beaches and 11 hiking paths, so there's always a new adventure to embark on whether you want to explore the deep sea or stay dry. You'll also discover the natures of wonder at Espíritu Santo — the island has more than 30 registered species of reptiles, over 90 species of birds and several species of marine mammals.

Nestled between Iceland and Norway, Denmark's Faroe Islands are a perfect getaway far from the noise. One of the top travel destinations of the year, this spot is made up of 18 volcanic islands, and sheep outnumber humans 70,000 to 50,000. While you're there, hike, drive, bike or take a horseback ride to explore the countryside and visit the stunning Mulafossur Waterfall.

Here's a fun fact about Gisborne, New Zealand: it's the first city in the world to see the sun rise each morning. And forget Napa, Gisborne is the unofficial "Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand." Nature lovers will get a treat out of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum — it's home to exotic and native trees and shrubs. And if you're feeling adventurous, embark on a Waikereru Horse Riding Adventure. You'll be treated to a personalized ride through the beautiful New Zealand countryside.

One of the most overlooked national parks in America, Haleakala National Park in Hawaii should be on your list of places to visit for one reason: the sunrises. It's one of the most spectacular sunrise spots in the world. The demand to witness the sunrises at the Haleakala National Park is so high that tourists are often prompted to make sunrise viewing reservations. It's worth the early alarm clock and the pre-planning to see the sun rise over the crater walls and onto the Maui mountain peaks.

There are plenty of things to do in Florida that aren't Disney World or the beach. Nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale is Hollywood, Florida — a city with beautiful oceanfront views and a thriving art scene. Tour the 2.5-mile Hollywood Beach Boardwalk or the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project, which features more than 20 murals across buildings.

In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, the past and the present meld together for an experience like no other. Centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist religious sites will make you feel like you've stepped into the pages of a history book, while remarkable restaurants that blend traditional recipes with new flavors will make you wonder how you've ever lived without the cuisine. When the food has settled and you feel adventurous, go ballooning above the Kathmandu Valley or bungee jumping off an almost 500-foot suspension bridge nestled within the mountains.

La Paz, Mexico, might not have the name recognition of Cabo San Lucas, but many visitors prefer it that way. La Paz is less flashy, more laid back and less crowded but still offers a beautiful waterfront and water activities like swimming with whale sharks.

Known as one of the safest tourist spots in the world, Luxembourg is a tiny country nestled between Belgium, Germany and France. A plethora of leisure and sports activities, like hiking, horseback riding and biking define what makes Luxembourg such a great place to visit. But the serene country is also dotted with castles taken straight from a fairy tale.

You'll see some of the best cherry blossoms in the world in Macon, Georgia, which has been dubbed the "cherry blossom capital of the world." Visit during spring to view more than 350,000 Yoshino trees and participate in the International Cherry Blossom Festival.

Often overlooked by travelers in favor of Tokyo and Kyoto, Nara also deserves a spot on your Japanese itinerary. Visit three historic World Heritage sites in Nara, home to 20 individual venues including the Todaiji Temple, where the world's largest bronze Buddha lives. While wandering between ancient cultural landmarks at Nara Park, you can feed some of the 1,400 friendly wild deer that roam freely. The deer were once considered divine, and are protected as national treasures.

France has many world-famous cities and regions — Paris, Provence, Bordeaux and Champagne are just a few. But if you're dying to travel to France, don't pass over the chance to spend time in Normandy, a northern region of France. History buffs can visit the beaches of D-Day and other WWII locations or tour medieval towns and castles, such as the island of Mont Saint-Michel. Art and food lovers can view the Bayeux tapestry and visit creperies, fromageries and wineries.

About 100 miles northwest of Seattle, away from the throng of people visiting the much-frequented Pike Place and Space Needle, is the Orcas Island. Known as "the gem of the San Juans," Orcas Island has a bit of something for everyone. Travelers who love the great outdoors can try their hands at hiking, nature watching and horseback riding. And if the weather permits and you'd rather spend your time exploring nearby waters, whale-watching, kayaking and fishing are popular activities.

Petra, Jordan, is one of the most mesmerizing places on Earth. Recognized as the "Rose City," Petra is a series of caves, temples, tombs and ruins carved from pink sandstone. And if you've ever wanted to live like the fictional adventurer Indiana Jones, Petra is where you need to be. Al Khazneh, a giant sandstone temple located in the city, was featured in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" as the Canyon of the Crescent Moon.

At Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam, you'll find the world's largest cave, the Son Doong. Discovered in 1990, but not open to the public until 2013, Son Doong Cave is a must-visit for travelers. The cave is so large that it has its own weather system and a 747 airplane could easily navigate its way through it. This jaw-dropping wonder is so underrated that more people have stood at the summit of Mount Everest than explored the cave.

If you want a French-Canadian vacation free of the Montreal crowds that is still rich with history at an affordable rate, Quebec City should be at the top of your travel list. In Quebec City, you'll get to dive deep into French-Canadian history while exploring museums, the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec or the National Battlefield Park.

When travelers visit Spain, they usually flock to popular metropolises of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia or to well-known beach hangouts like Ibiza. But the seaside community of San Sebastian offers a unique blend of beautiful, less crowded beaches and a glimpse at the unique Basque culture. Visitors can partake in a local food experience by sampling the Basque version of tapas, called pintxos, or dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.

Atlanta is a popular destination that sees plenty of tourists thanks to it being home to the busiest airport in the world. But if you want to escape the crowd without sacrificing the chance to have fun in the state, St. Simons Island is the place for you. Home to the popular East Beach, St. Simons Island offers fun beach activities like shelling and kiteboarding. And if you love history, no place is better in Georgia than St. Simons Island. The island is packed with historic attractions, like the Bloody Marsh Battle Site where British and Scottish soldiers defeated Spanish forces in July 1742, and the Cannon's Point Preserve with middens on site that date back to 2500 B.C.

If you grew up watching Western TV series and dreaming of being a cowboy, visiting Tombstone, Arizona, will feel like a dream come true. Tombstone is home to the O.K. Corral, where one of America's most infamous gunfights took place. Tourists can relive the days of the Old West thanks to popular attractions in town that include gunfight reenactments, themed shopping and saloons. And here's a bonus for thrill-seekers: rumor has it that Big Nose Kate's, one of the oldest bars in America, is haunted.

Located on the west side of the island of Great Britain, Wales has one of the highest concentrations of castles in Europe along with gorgeous coastlines and national parks, and unique language and culture.

China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a location that resembles something straight from your favorite sci-fi movie and was the inspiration for "Avatar." The most fascinating feature of the park is the thousands of rock pillars. Tourists can take the world's tallest outdoor elevator or cross the world's highest and longest glass-bottom bridge to experience the pillars from above.