Top 5 Overlooked Countries to Travel To

 Top 5 Overlooked Countries to Travel To

In a traveler’s search for new experiences, knowing where to look is the best way to secure a great vacation. But in the process of finding that next getaway, anyone would find an array of ready-made cookie-cutter vacation plans to destination countries the public generally deems as the best vacation spot there is. And with this, the true gems are overlooked, left to the dust with no recognition, waiting only for the travelers that truly seek an experience like no other. 

And if you’re looking to really have a unique and one-of-a-kind experience of your lifetime, these are the countries overlooked but  are on par, maybe even better, than any other country everyone is already familiar with. Have a go at these destinations that promise something more than the tried-and-tested spots and be one of the first to experience what they have to offer. 

Cape Verde 

The tropical beach paradise that is Cape Verde sits at around 350 miles off the coast of Senegal. From the exquisite mountain vistas to the idyllic beaches, this country knows how to offer the best-of-the-best experience for travelers looking to have a getaway like no other. Its colonial towns, along with shipwrecks and whales, all present themselves in the gorgeous lands and waters of this country, making it a go-to for tourists searching for an adventure. But this instagram-worthy relaxation spot and nature-seeker’s pick has more than just the aesthetic as Cape Verde’s multicultural society is also an aspect of the island nation to look forward to. 

In the 15th century, the Portuguese arrived to the arid and uninhabited land of Cape Verde and since then, the country has fought through the societal and national struggles that have led them to where they are now with their 10 mesmerizing islands, each known for their colonial heritage and identity as a nation. At present, the country is home to the stews of Senegal with its rich and nutty charms, the culture of the Portuguese, the party-loving character of Brazil, the democratic stance and system of Ghana, and the French’s expertise and love for wine. All of this is tied in together by their national music style, the Morna, which intertwines the struggles, sorrows, and joys of the nation’s history into a celebration for its complexity that goes in harmony with the beauty of the island nation, marking its past struggles and the present as the guiding light to its future. 

Georgia

In continuous redefinition to search and build their definitive national identity, Georgia has, in the last decade, reduced crime rates all over the country and fulfilled its plans to connect the people within and outside the country by paving roads, building new airports, and promoting itself all over the globe. But the country remains dangerous, that is, dangerously alluring for its zillion-proof moonshine, Chacha, which is a high-alcoholic Georgian vodka that the locals will sell to you the moment you arrive at Georgia’s outdoor markets. And despite the relatively diminutive geography of the country, everything here promises an experience that’s beyond the norm, with all the over-the-top things it has to offer, from the cheesy khachapuri to the folk dances, and even to the Caucasus mountains that tower over the beautiful landscape of Georgia. 

Anywhere in this country would greet you with the kind of hospitality of the old world where, at every turn, a stream of wine can be found for your drinking. And with Georgia’s cuisine, the East-infused West meals from soup dumplings to herb-dominated salads, even to the walnut-thickened stews, grants any foodie the opportunity to have a taste of their tasty culinary culture. After eating, hiking up Georgia’s new Transcaucasian Trail that reaches to some of the highest settlements in Europe would put you at a truly “top of the world” experience. 

Uruguay

In between Brazil and Argentina, the small country of Uruguay competes and is up to par with its neighboring nations in the aspects of tourism, even more when it comes to the culinary gift of its people, to the arts and design of the artistic landscape, and to the natural beauty of this nation. From the cosmopolitan capital of Montevideo to the beach towns of the wine region Garzon, all the major sites of Uruguay are only within an hour or two away from each other. This ease of travel promises the maximization of the time spent here since there’s no need to travel long distances to experience what the country has to offer. 

Jordan

The dry country of Jordan that’s often associated with deserts and camels is one destination you’d least expect to have an underwater experience, but this country offers this through scuba diving and snorkeling with the warm waters of the Red Sea. And if a traveler seeks to experience the Arabian night, joining the nomadic Bedouins in their adventures by camping with them beneath the starry sky in the gorgeous desert of Wadi Rum. This desert is rightfully called the “Valley of the Moon” and is just one of the varying UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country of Jordan. The other sites included on the list are the ancient ruins of Petra, the desert castle of Quseir Amra, and the Roman military camp, Umm er-Rasas. 

Laos

And lastly, Laos with its enduring backpack culture still grants any traveler the opportunity to meditate with monks and stay in dollar beach huts. One of which are the hostels that stand on the quiet waters of the Mekong River’s “4,000 islands,” particularly in Don Det, or even the incredible limestone mountains around Luang Prabang, which is considered by many as the country’s cultural and formerly royal capital that is now the center and mark of Laos’ spiritual, natural, and modern identity.

Since the country of Laos shares its borders with countries like Thailand and Vietnam, the nation is also known for being the home of the best food in Asial, as it draws its culinary heritage from within and around the country’s lands. Laos offers world-class coffee as well since many of the plantations around the waterfalls of the verdant Bolaven Plateau offer its taste while also providing overnight stays, making it a great base for exploration of the plateau’s cave systems and underwater lakes.