The Least Visited Destinations of the World

They are forgotten, away from the most wanted tourist routes and less-traveled. Still, the least visited destinations can boast amazing heritage, natural wonders and welcoming locals and that is exactly why untrodden trails could be an ideal travel destination in 2011!

Murcia, Spain

You wouldn’t expect Spain to be on the list but of the least visited destinations, but the region of Murcia is the answer. While the entire country with its popular hot spots is one of the most visited countries on the globe, Murcia has preserved quiet beaches, uncrowded “costas” and tranquil surroundings.

The 250 km of beaches in Murcia are called Costa Cálida (Warm Coast). Bordered by popular Valencia’s coast to the north and famed Andalucía to the south, is one of the least invaded (by tourists) spots on the Mediterranean coast. Still, the entire region does not lack any qualities of the superb seaside resorts. Actually it has it all: 300 days of sunshine a year, long white sandy beaches, pristine waters of the Mediterranean Sea, excellent wineries, and historic towns.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde, an archipelago located off the western coast of Africa, is one of the least crowded and developed island resorts. Thanks to the isolation, the country, comprised of ten islands, has remained an unspoilt oasis with no large developments, huge hotel zones or mass tourism.

Empty beaches, excellent windsurfing and diving spots, unexplored hiking trails, and local hospitality make Cape Verde a precious and rewarding destination. Moreover, the archipelago’s great advantage are moderate temperatures in contrast to other African countries. It is a year-round destination, even during the rainy season (August-October) when weeks can go by with no rain at all.

Moldova

It is hard to believe that Europe, home to the world’s most popular tourist destinations, has some hidden and unexplored secrets. Still, the eastern part of the continent is relatively undiscovered – Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Macedonia, Ukraine…only a few examples of Europe’s off-the-beaten track countries. Moldova is a tiny state of beautiful hilly lands and a home to a huge vineyard industry that offers superb wines of the highest quality and hundreds of variations. But wine is not the only tourist magnet the country can pride on. Chi?in?u, the capital, is a vibrant party town, while Orheiul Vechi and ?ipova are stunning Moldavian historical sites – fantastic monastery complexes that cannot be missed while in the country.

Tasmania

While millions of tourists from every corner of the world flood Australia (apologies for the choice of word) every year, the isolated Tasmania remains a wild, uncrowded and unspoiled piece of the Australian territory. The unique nature of the island has been the country’s best kept secret and today more and more people are visiting Tasmania to enjoy the island’s wild character, escape the crowds, relax and sample gourmet food and wine. Tasmania is a paradise for hikers, bikers, bush walkers, kayakers, surfers and nature addicts. While beaches of Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth are packed with sunbathers, the excellent Tasmanian coast is all for you: quiet, empty and beautiful.

Paraguay

If you don’t want to follow guidebook paths of tourist-invaded South America, head for Paraguay. According to Lonely Planet “the backpackers are rarer than pumas” in the country, which means it might be a proper destination for anyone looking for wild, remote and lonely spots.

This landlocked country too has plenty to offer to die-hard travelers. Wild nature, amazing Trinidad (world’s least-visited UNESCO site), splendid Río Paraguay, surrealistic Filadelfia (a historic colonial town) are among the country’s highlights. Paraguay is a perfect destination for those who want to escape touristic craziness and enjoy a slow pace of traveling and life.

Antarctica

An article on the least visited destinations can never be complete without mentioning Antarctica!

The South Pole is the ultimate bucket list destination. It is a place most people visit only once, arriving home transformed by the experience. Though tourists who travel to Antarctica are allowed to visit some 200 sites, most choose to stop at the top thirty-five. And even these sites receive only hundreds of visitors on Antarctica tours each year, not thousands, attracting travelers with environmental and wildlife interests, who aren’t deterred by a little cold weather.