The Places You'll Go: The Underrated List For 2025

As with everything, there are always broadly two kinds of travellers—those who follow the trend and those always in search of new ground to break. But the thing with the human desire for the new is, the right way to go about it is by looking for overlooked gems. As travel continues to take new forms and definitions, ways to explore the world exist away from the spotlight. In 2025, even with burgeoning concepts like wellness, sleep vacays and AI-facilitated generating buzz, the simple pleasure of experiencing life elsewhere and without a sense of hustle or conquest. Here’s where to go if you’re looking for something extraordinary.

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Chiang Mai if you're on a break from drinking

Sober curiosity is having a quite a moment. That means that you can now comfortably express your desire to skip the booze, without worrying about coming across as rude or a spoilsport. Try Thailand. Yes, Chiang Mai’s tranquil mountainous sprawl, with its beautiful temples and thriving wellness scene, is an unexpectedly perfect destination for the sober explorer. Unlike the country’s party-heavy islands—Tao, Samui and Phangan—that have been steadily emerging from the shadow of Phuket and Pattaya, this northern city will need you to be more mindful of life's pace. Think sunrise meditation at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, afternoons spent in organic cafés and evenings immersed in live music without the impending anticipation of alcohol. With a strong community of digital nomads and expats, finding sober-friendly social spaces is easy, making it more like a lifestyle destination where you can spend some time instead of ticking off spots.

Algeria to Chase Stunning Roman Ruins

Few experiences can match the strong emotions of impermanence, intellectual fulfilment—along, admittedly, with some amount of admiration for the past—that wash over you while gazing upon dramatic tangible remnants of the past. While most suckers for classical history rush to Italy and Greece to wring out their money's worth, might we interest you in the North African country that quietly holds some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world—without the tourist throngs? Timgad, often called the "Pompeii of Africa," stuns with its perfectly gridded streets and grand archways, while Djemila’s mosaics rival those of any European museum. The ruins at Tipasa, set against the Mediterranean, add a breathtaking coastal backdrop to history. Exploring Algeria’s ancient sites feels like stepping into a forgotten empire, where time slows and the echoes of the past remain undisturbed.

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Taiwan for Nocturnal Creatures

If buzzy nighttime city explorations and great street grub is always your jam, Taiwan is what you've been missing all your life. The capital of Taipei delivers some of the best late-night energy in Asia without the overhyped crowds of Tokyo or Bangkok. Hop between speakeasies, grab a xiaolongbao fix at Din Tai Fung past 10pm, and still feel safe walking around at 3am. It’s the kind of city that glows instead of sleeps, with 24-hour bookstores like Eslite, karaoke lounges where you can scream your lungs out till sunrise and steaming hot springs in Beitou and Wulai that stay open late. Shilin, Raohe and Liuhe—no matter where you are, you’re never far from a chaotic, neon-lit feast. And the best part? It’s all effortless. Unlike some other major food hubs, Taipei’s MRT is efficient, clean and runs late, so you’re not stranded in the middle of the city after crushing five plates of dumplings. Everything is affordable, meaning you can eat like royalty without breaking the bank.

Dominica for Lovers of Wildlife

The mountainous Caribbean islands easily scores over its more commercialised counterparts in the region, like Barbados, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, which focus more on resorts and beaches than raw nature. Unlike those places, Dominica is more of an untamed wilderness. It’s home to one of the largest remaining populations of the endangered Sisserou parrot, and its national parks, like Morne Trois Pitons, are packed with rare plant and animal species you won’t easily find elsewhere in the region. For marine wildlife lovers, it also outshines places like Jamaica or Puerto Rico when it comes to whale watching. Dominica is one of the few places in the world with a year-round resident population of sperm whales, meaning you don’t have to time your trip around a migration season. The island’s underwater world is also more pristine compared to more tourist-heavy diving spots in the Caribbean. And what's more—Indian tourists don't need a visa for up to six months.

Czechia to Guzzle Beer

Czechia, the birthplace of Pilsner, is a pilgrimage site for beer lovers—yet somehow, it doesn’t get the same hype as Belgium or Germany. The country boasts the highest beer consumption per capita, and for good reason: from the historic breweries of Pilsen to the underground taverns of Prague, beer is woven into Czech culture. Unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell from a tank, dark lagers in ancient cellars, and even beer spas where you can soak in a tub of hops—Czechia takes its brewing seriously. Here, every pint comes with history, craftsmanship and a deep appreciation for the art of drinking well.

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Norway for Fjord-Seekers

Bergen is more than just a gateway to Norway’s fjords—it’s a destination that embodies the rugged, misty beauty of the country’s western coastline. The city itself is a picture-perfect blend of colorful wharf houses, cobblestone streets, and a vibrant cultural scene. But step beyond, and you’ll find yourself on some of the world’s most awe-inspiring fjord cruises, cutting through narrow waterways flanked by towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Whether you hike Mount Fløyen for a panoramic view or take the legendary Norway in a Nutshell tour, Bergen is the starting point of an unforgettable fjord adventure.

Atacama Desert for Stargazers

The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, offers a night sky so crisp and clear that it feels almost surreal. With minimal light pollution and high-altitude plateaus, this Chilean wonderland has become a mecca for astronomers and stargazers alike. The Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) provides an otherworldly setting to watch the Milky Way unfold in all its glory, while the ALMA Observatory allows for a deeper dive into the cosmos. Whether you're an astrophotography enthusiast or just someone seeking the quiet awe of the universe, the Atacama delivers celestial magic like nowhere else.