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    The Ultimate List Of Underrated Travel Destinations: 42 Must-Visits For 2023

    No shade to Paris and NYC, but this year, it's time to venture off the beaten path. (With recommendations by BuzzFeed staff and co-written by our AI creative assistant.)

    If you've been living on planet Earth and you observed any of the pandemic protocols over the last few years, chances are you may have experienced a little stir-craziness that is now giving you the itch to travel far and wide. Or, maybe you found a way to travel safely this whole time and you're forever on the hunt for your next destination. Either way, we've rounded up some of our favorite and underrated travel destinations that we just can't stop talking about.

    Neon sign that says "VACANCY" in front of a palm tree silhouette

    1. Drake Bay, Costa Rica: Nature lovers' paradise

    Aerial view of clear bay and sandy shoreline with trees lining the beach

    2. Saugerties, New York: For NYC-dwellers craving a small-town escape

    Short brick lighthouse

    3. Alberta, Canada: Northern lights and mountain views

    Morning view of Moraine Lake in Canada's Banff National Park

    4. Calistoga, California: For wine lovers seeking serenity and unique shopping experiences

    Stone building with cross in front of winery with mountains behind.

    5. Brewster, Massachusetts: The ultimate summer destination

    Water and rocky beach at sunset

    6. Bruges, Belgium: For beer enthusiasts and medieval architecture lovers

    Old brick buildings beside a canal with flowers

    7. Lake Kitch-iti-kipi: A mesmerizing wonderland you've never heard of

    8. Albuquerque, New Mexico: A must-visit for thrill-seekers and culture enthusiasts

    Lake with trees and mountaints

    9. St. Maarten: Culinary paradise for boaters and beach seekers

    Aerial view of parasol and su beds on the sandy beach in St Maarten

    10. Mammoth Mountain: Your ultimate ski adventure awaits

    Family on a ski lift taking a selfie

    11. Providence, Rhode Island: A hidden gem of history, art, and (*checks notes*).... carpeted malls

    A historic art studio in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island

    12. Cook Islands: An isolated paradise for beach lovers and puppy enthusiasts

    Island peninsula with trees and clear water surrounding it

    13. Ecuador: A small country with big adventures and diverse landscapes

    Suspension bridge over a river with a tourist boat docked

    14. South Dakota: For nature lovers, history buffs, and speed demons

    15. Kyoto: Where tranquility, beauty, and culture collide

    Snowy winter street with people walking

    16. Eureka Springs, Arkansas: For spooky enthusiasts and artsy explorers

    Lake with small islands in the middle, fall foliage on trees

    17. Marseille, France: A Mediterranean gem bursting with flavor, culture, and beach vibes

    Harbor with boats and large buildings, hill with castle in the background

    18. Point Pleasant, West Virginia: Budget-friendly, spooky, and charming

    19. Amelia Island, Florida: A hidden gem of beaches, golf, and shrimp

    Amelia Island

    20. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: The ultimate hidden gem of California's coast

    People walking down a cobblestone street lined with shops

    21. Stockholm: A charming Nordic gem

    Colorful old rowhouse buildings in Stockholm

    22. Charleston, South Carolina: A foodie's beachy dream

    Palm trees and fountain and hedges on the edge of water at sunset

    23. Aruba: Food, flamingos, and casinos

    Two people kayaking in clear water far from the shore

    24. Georgia (the country): Budget-friendly European charm

    Short turreted buildings on a grassy hill in front of high snowy mountains

    25. Cape May, New Jersey: A relaxing retreat for beach lovers and bird watchers

    Beach dune and houses in cape may, NJ at sunset

    26. Lombok: Secluded beach paradise

    Shoreline of a tropical island with boats in the water and mountains in the background

    27. Montreal: Home away from home

    People walk on the cobblestone streets by a cafe and trendy restaurants and shops in the historic Old Town of Montreal

    28. North Adams, Massachusetts: Food, art, And mother nature

    Sunset landscape over the Hoosic River with the view of Green Mountain in North Adams, Massachusetts.

    29. Sevilla, Spain: For history and architecture-lovers

    Las Setas De Sevilla (Sevilla Mushrooms) center on sunny day, Andalusia, Spain

    30. Stanley, Idaho: A small-town slice of outdoor adventure

    Stars and the milky way above a dark ring of forest in White Cloud Loop, Idaho

    31. The Dolomites: A mountain haven with the best of Italian and Alpine worlds

    Jagged apl mountains reflected in a clear lake with swiss buildings

    32. June Lake, California: Big fish energy, just hours from Los Angeles

    Lake under mountains with yellow and green foliage, June lake, California.

    33. San Juan, Puerto Rico: Budget-friendly beach getaway with vibrant nightlife

    San juan el morro san Felipe castle fortress landscape with a lighthouse from the Caribbean puerto rico tropical island

    34. Morocco: City, sights, And the Sahara

    Wide shot elevated view of woman relaxing in alcove of ornately decorated riad

    35. Connecticut: Quiet, scenic, lobster-town

    Lobster traps resting on the docks at the Guilford Harbor, in Guilford, CT. The building on the right is a fishing shack, located in Guilford Connecticut, at the Guilford Marina.

    36. Prague: A budget-friendly fairytale city for avid explorers

    Pleasure ship Praha in the Canal Certovka, Devil's Canal, also called Little Prague Venice in Prague.

    37. Door County, Wisconsin: A hidden escape for nature enthusiasts

    Fall Color in Door County, Wisconsin

    38. Osaka, Japan: A foodie, friendly, fun-filled city

    A beautiful view of Osaka Castle Park in Osaka Japan

    39. Guatemala: Where life is still simple and the views are breathtaking

    The Acatenango volcano, part of the volcanic chain in the Republic of Guatemala. A hibiscus flower in the foreground with foliage.

    40. Santa Barbara, California: Where beaches and chill vibes collide

    Palm trees and a green lawn in front of terra-cotta roofed buildings in Santa Barbara.

    41. Khumbu, Nepal: The iconic Himalayas

    view of Mount Everest, Lhotse and Makalu with buddhist prayer flags, Mount Everest seen from Renjo La pass - Nepal himalaya mountain, Khumbu valley

    42. Mars: The ultimate escape for true solitude seekers

    Sunset on Mars. Martian landscape. 3D illustration