These unique top destinations stand out as extraordinary travel experiences for a variety of reasons and have been selected by a team of global editors. Known for being "under the radar, ahead of the curve, and ready for you to explore," these destinations are truly unique and have much to offer travelers who dare to venture off the beaten path.
Selected destinations fall into one of five categories: Culture, Nature, Community, Family, and Adventure, and represent what we believe to be best in each respective area. This list really packs a punch for travelers looking for something high-end. -Top notch travel inspiration.
Culture
One of the main reasons people travel is to experience the culture of another place. History, food, art and local customs play an important role in culture and are elements that shape the identity of a place. Exploring the local culture is a great way to get to know the true essence of a place.
Busan, South Korea
Busan known for its unique cultural travel experience. As the second largest city in South Korea, Busan is a center for the creative arts, serving world-class cuisine and home to an interesting military history. The city`s markets, especially the Jagalchi market, offer tourists an amazing and culturally immersive experience. This 600-year-old market makes the most of Busan`s seaside location by selling and selling local seafood to satisfy locals and tourists alike.
Nature
Exploring the natural beauty of a place can give travelers a new appreciation for the grandeur and vastness of the physical world.
Big Bend National Park doesn`t have the name recognition of some of America`s more touristy parks, but its hidden status doesn`t make it worth visiting. Especially attractive to travelers who want to immerse themselves in a vast and impressive natural environment, Big Bend is a treasure trove of geology and natural beauty.
This mini West Texas is located along the Rio Grande on the border with Mexico and is full of places to explore. Over time, the river carved deep canyons into the landscape, revealing fossils dating back 130 million years and creating habitat for more than 1,200 plants and more than 4,100 animals, including 400 species of birds.
Community
Community-based tourism and responsible travel are becoming increasingly popular ways to see the world while having a positive social, environmental or economic impact, and can often be a more authentic and rewarding way to travel.
The West African country of Ghana is fast becoming a popular tourist destination thanks to the country`s efforts to reconnect Africans with their ancestral roots. Ghana is investing in its tourism potential not only with infrastructure improvements, but also by creating unique opportunities for visitors to learn more about and connect with their African heritage.
Visitors are encouraged to take part in modern cultural and artistic events, explore Ghanaian history, and recapture a piece of their past lost to slavery by becoming honorary members of Ghana`s beautiful community.
Family
The world is full of wonder, especially when seen through the eyes of a child. Traveling as a family is about more than just spending quality time together – it can inspire and shape people, no matter their age. That being said, some destinations are inherently more accessible and enjoyable for family travel than others.
Manchester has plenty of attractions to keep active and curious families busy, and 2023 will see more programming than ever before. Home to exciting festivals, urban outdoor adventures and eclectic museums, Manchester is an up-and-coming destination. Of particular note is the newly built Castlefield Viaduct, an elevated walkway where visitors can explore the city`s industrial heritage while taking in views of Manchester`s historic heart.
Adventure
We all know someone who is always looking for their next adrenaline rush. Adventure travel is popular and diverse and is a great way to make sure your vacation is never without excitement.
Revillagigedo National Park, known as the "Galapagos of Mexico," is a 57,000-square-mile underwater park that allows visitors to get up close and personal with a wide variety of marine life. Located 400 miles from the tip of the Baja California peninsula, Revillagigedo is popular with scuba divers for obvious reasons.
The park is home to dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, whales, giant manta rays, and 26 species of fish found nowhere else on Earth.
