10 underrated and cheaper travel destinations for Canadians

As travel increases around the world, many popular destinations have become overcrowded.

Pandemic lockdowns slowed tourism for a few years. United Nations Tourism found the pandemic generated a loss of 2.6 billion international arrivals in 2020, 2021 and 2022 combined.

But travel is bouncing back — international tourist arrivals reached 89 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and 97 per cent in the first quarter of 2024.

With a return to travel comes overtourism in popular spots, which stresses local residents and can make for an unpleasant experience for visitors.

In July, around 2,600 anti-tourism protesters marched in Barcelona carrying banners with slogans including “Tourists go home”, and “Barcelona is not for sale,” according to news reports. Rome also struggles with crowds and started fining tourists for sitting on Spanish Steps back in 2019.

With this in mind, seeking out not-so-popular destinations could be a good idea.

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INsauga.com asked travel company Expedia for recommendations on places with less tourism and American Express financial services company also recently published a list of off-the-radar destinations.

Here are 10 off-the-beaten track destinations:

Yamaguchi, Japan

Yamaguchi Prefecture might be gaining popularity, but travellers can still expect fewer crowds than Tokyo, which is a 1.5-hour flight or a 4.5-hour Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train) away, Expedia says.

Expedia suggests spending a day in Nagato, home of the breathtaking Motonosumi Shrine and trek the Chomonkyo Gorge which is a prime spot for autumn leaf-peeping. Don’t miss a trip to Hagi Castle Town to learn about the history of the samurai and take home a souvenir goldfish lantern, the travel company suggests.

Adelaide Hills, Australia

This place is a great getaway for wine lovers and foodies. The stunning south Australian region produces some of the continent’s finest cool-climate Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, not to mention delicious fruits and vegetables, American Express states in its report.

“Its many excellent restaurants, cellars, and tasting rooms make it one of the most palate-pleasing getaways in Australia,” the report says.

There are also nature hikes, which offer a rare chance to see a koala in the wild. Charming, tree-lined villages, including historically German settlements with attractive stone buildings, have outdoor cafés, and craft shops.

Lichtenstein

One of the smallest countries in the world, nestled between Switzerland and Austria, Lichtenstein provides perfect European charm, Expedia says. Travellers can enjoy scenic mountains and walk llamas before heading back for a cozy stay at JUFA Hotel Malbun.

“This is the ideal place to visit if you are looking for mountain views paired with peace and quiet away from the large tourist crowds as lodging searches are currently down by 19 per cent,” Expedia says.

Bodrum, Türkiye

Sometimes called “Little Istanbul,” this city on the Aegean Sea features bustling bazaars, fresh seafood, active nightlife, and beaches, America Express says.

The port city of Bodrum boasts a Crusades-era castle that looks out over the sea and musicians who perform in an ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre. Shoppers can find exotic leather goods, handmade soaps, and flat-woven Turkish towels in the city’s “maze-like” bazaars.

Bodrum is an ideal base for exploring the Turkish Riviera, which gets less crowded and more glamorous the farther you get from town.

Willemstad, Curaçao

The rainbow-coloured town of Willemstad is on Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island.

While it is becoming more popular, it is still much less crowded than other island destinations and has lower average daily hotel rates, Expedia says.

With an oceanfront view of the aqua waters that inspired the name of Curaçao liqueur, Avila Beach Resort is the perfect place for a beach-side breakfast or an open-air massage. Travellers can enjoy the sunset from a luxury catamaran yacht, or spend an afternoon snorkelling with sea turtles.

Cologne, Germany

Another destination seeing a dip in prices this fall, Cologne offers all the charm of Germany with fewer crowds, Expedia says. Highlights include the the twin-spired Cologne cathedral, Museum Ludwig and the Chocolate Museum.

This 2,000-year-old city sits along the Rhine River and visitors can take a cruise or just enjoy the views.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

American Express calls this inland city one of the world’s most colourful and stimulating.  Perfect for artsy people who don’t care for the beach, San Miguel is a lively creative hub set against a backdrop of colonial Spanish architecture.

“Flower-draped historic buildings line the cobblestone streets; live performances and English-language art workshops regularly happen; and textiles, pottery, and other artisanal products are sold at craft shops that support the local community,” American Express says.

Alongside the many art galleries are some quirky and engaging theme museums: La Esquina is devoted to toys, for example, while Another Face of Mexico focuses on ceremonial masks.

Coimbra, Portugal

Portugal has become increasingly popular over the years, but there are some great hidden gems if you want to avoid busier Lisbon, Expedia says.

Based on lodging searches, Coimbra District is currently down by 13 per cent. For travellers looking for a Portuguese getaway without the crowds, this might be the place.

Adventure seekers can take a buggy tour from Coimbra that will take tourists to the outskirts for an off-road exploration. Travellers can unwind in luxury at Quinta Das Lagrimas at the spa, pool or relax on the terrace.

Luxembourg

Another small, but fascinating country is Luxembourg, which borders Belgium, France and Germany. It is a perfect stop to add to a Europe trip, Expedia says.

Expedia recommends a stay at the chic Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal, which is connected to a shopping centre and is right in the heart of the city.

Visitors can take a guided food tour and soak in the beautiful architecture the capital city has to offer.

Porto Cervo, Italy

Billed as an alternative to the iconic Amalfi Coast, the Costa Smeralda, or “Emerald Coast,” and is home to the tiny, pastel-hued town of Porto Cervo in northern Sardinia.

“Situated midway between Europe and North Africa, it has a rugged landscape of Mediterranean scrub, gnarled junipers, and rocky coastlines overlooking turquoise-green waters,” American Express says.

Visitors can find Bronze Age ruins and wineries producing floral Vermentino, a light-bodied Sardinian wine.

See more on the American Express list here, and Expedia’s fall outlook report here.

Lead photo of Willemstad, Curaçao: Michelle_Raponi