I’m a Travel Expert: 6 Unexpected Travel Destinations You Should Visit in 2025
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Cara Danielle Brown
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Amber Barkley
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Looking to take a quality vacation at budget rates? It turns out there are destinations in all corners of the globe offering high value, affordable prices and little congestion… and not many people even know about them.
Professional globe-trotter and travel expert Andrea Affinati is the founder of Voyaged Magazine, which has been offering in-depth travel guides since 2013. Here, she breaks down six unexpected travel destinations that aren’t on everyone’s radar yet, but definitely should be.
The Peloponnese, Greece
A peninsula at the southern tip of the mainland, the Peloponnese region was the birth place of the Olympic Games.
“People fly across the world to squeeze into Santorini, when they could be here, with empty beaches, ancient ruins older than the Parthenon, mountain villages and incredible food,” said Affinati, who cannot believe this region is still under the radar.
Only a two-hour drive from Athens, Peloponnese offers boutique hotel stays for about $100 per night and entire seafood feasts for roughly $20 per meal.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
The deepest lake in Central America, Lake Atitlan is located inside a massive volcanic crater and surrounded by little villages with their own unique personalities.
Affinati described this location as “unreal. … You can hop between towns by boat for just a few bucks.”
Offering exquisite views and hiking opportunities, Lake Atitlan has boutique hotels between $50 and $80 per night and meals costing a mere $15.
Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal
Nicknamed “The Green Island” (Ilha Verde), Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago.
“You can explore hot springs, crater lakes, black sand beaches and incredible hiking trails,” said Affinati, who likened Sao Miguel to Portugal’s version of Hawaii.
Only a five-hour flight from the East Coast of the United States, cozy guesthouses are available for $100 per night and fresh seafood meals cost around $20.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
“This is one of the most insane places in the world for diving and snorkeling, and yet it still feels untouched,” Affinati said.
Consisting of hundreds of jungle-covered islands, The Raja Ampat (Four Kings) Islands are an archipelago off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua.
“You get Maldives-level beauty without Maldives prices, with eco-resorts and overwater bungalows starting at $100 a night,” said Affinati, who cautioned this location can be a bit difficult to get to — but that’s exactly what makes it a hidden gem.
Le Marche, Italy
While the Italians know about Le Marche, tourists have yet to catch on. Affinati described this destination, located in the eastern central region of Italy, as offering the beauty of Tuscany without the crowds or sky-high prices.
The region offers “rolling vineyards, medieval hill towns, great beaches and no busloads of tourists. You can stay in an agriturismo — a typical farmhouse hotel — for $100 a night, and you’re eating truffle pasta for $15,” she said.
Le Marche is also known for its artisanal crafts like ceramics, leather goods and lace-making… so there’s plenty of opportunity to bring back one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Luang Prabang, Laos
In the northern part of Laos lies the picturesque town of Luang Prabang, the royal capital of this Asian country up until 1975.
Known for its well-preserved architecture, religious sites and gorgeous surroundings, the town is “all about temples, waterfalls, mountains and no mass tourism,” said Affinati, who described Luang Prabang as a mix between Thailand’s Chiang Mai and Vietnam’s Hoi An, “but with way fewer people” and an opportunity to “experience Buddhist culture in a way that doesn’t feel commercialized.”
Luang Prabang offers boutique hotels for $100 per night, delicious food for $15 a meal and ample opportunities to explore on a budget via biking, outdoor activities and night markets.
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