Travelers Share The 24 Underrated Vacations That Blew Their Minds

These lesser-known destinations are well worth the trip.

Choosing where to book a vacation is a tough decision. In such a big world full of incredible places, how do you decide on your next adventure?

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So we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the underrated trips that blew their minds. Here are some of their best responses.

1. Alesund, Norway

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"The people are lovely and the scenery will change your life." — ynwa1973

2. Bruges, Belgium

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"It may be the cutest and quaintest city in the planet. It was like walking through a fairy tale!" — Mbpanda

3. Lake Michigan

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"The east coast of Lake Michigan is amazing. The water is beautiful and clear and there are tons of great beaches. The towns along the coast have cute little shops and delicious mom-and-pop restaurants. There are wineries all up and down the coast and lots of bed and breakfasts to stay at. The sunsets are stunning, people are friendly, and there are activities for people of all ages." — Karimann

4. Bilbao, Spain

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"This beautiful city in the north of Spain ⁠— Basque Country ⁠— is known for its breathtaking architecture, and it's home to the Guggenheim Museum." — marinaheckendorn

5. Luthuania

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"The country is pretty small, but it's got something for everyone. Vilnius is a charming old town with lots of shops and cafes. There's great local beer and frequent outdoor concerts and musical events. Just about every city is close to forests and green parks, and you'll find surprisingly good beaches on the coast like Nida and Palanga." — gracek20

6. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

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"Lots of people visit the Florida Keys for vacation, but many don't know about Dry Tortugas National Park. To get there, you take a ferry from Key West. The park sits 20 miles from Cuba, and it's so beautiful. You can explore the fort and snorkel in the crystal clear water." — leahd472a94326

7. Alentejo, Portugal

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"If you're looking for a quiet vacation, Alentejo is for you. You can visit Roman ruins, old churches, and see Moorish architecture in southern Portugal. There's also a ton of natural beauty from lakes to rolling hills and big, open farms. The region makes great local wine and the food is delicious too. You can easily combine a trip to Alentejo with a visit to Spain, a beachy getaway in the Algarve, or a city escape to Lisbon." — sarapm

8. The Adirondacks, New York

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"Lake George is a popular tourist destination, but if you travel just about an hour north, you'll reach Lake Champlain, a bigger and arguably more beautiful lake. You can rent a cabin on the lake, and there's so much to do. Rent a boat for water activities and explore the lake’s gorgeous islands like Valcour and Skylar." — Ibbe

9. Beaufort, South Carolina

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"We spent a week here and it was amazing. We were able to take day trips to Savannah, Hilton Head, and Charleston. We walked and rode bikes everywhere, went to the beach, and saw a drive-in movie. It's an adorable laid back coastal town worthy of a visit." — Seashel

10. Belgrade, Serbia

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"Serbia is a great destination for budget travel. It's ripe in history, the food is great yet cheap, the nightlife is happening, and easy access to nature. For example there's a big lake you can swim in right in the middle of the town called the Belgrade Sea." tamaram4a1a1e2fd

11. Alaska

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"Last year I visited Alaska and it was incredible. I spent most of my time in Kenai, but I also took a three-hour boat tour of the Kenai Fjords the town of Whitter, and a tour of Denali. Everything was so beautiful." — lpricenighthawk

12. Louisville, Kentucky

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"It's one of my favorite places to vacation. The Kentucky Bourbon trail tours are inexpensive and a great way to spend the day. Plus, the city boasts great restaurants and nightlife. Plus, the scenic drives to some of the distilleries are amazing in their own right." — runner1399

13. Romania

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I was born there in a city called Sighetu Marmației, and although I was raised in Italy, I go to Romania almost every year to visit my grandmothers. It’s such a beautiful and uderrated country, especially the Northen region called Maramures." — rebeccas4dd4e8fc4

14. Bainbridge, Washington

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"Right off the ferry from Seattle, Bainbridge is a beautiful island. The surrounding forest area is stunning, and it’s a great place to go hiking and see wildlife, rivers, and waterfalls. I wish I knew to spend more time there." — ellezmera

15. Tromsø, Norway

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"If you're hoping to catch the Northern Lights, don't overlook Tromsø in Northern Norway. Seeing this natural phenomenon here was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life." — ajpurplegirl

16. Guatemala

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"The small country is full of gorgeous natural landscapes like Lake Atitlán or Semuc Champey. Make sure to visit the colonial city, Antigua Guatemala, the Mayan Ruins, and the rainforest in northern Petén. All are relatively close to one another and affordable to visit." — MarceP2906

17. Nova Scotia, Canada

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"I'd recommend taking the ferry from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth Nova Scotia. From there, you can drive up to Cape Breton Island. The scenery is beyond gorgeous and you'll see tons of puffins along the coast." — mattp4bc87e52d

18. Ölandsgatan, Sweden

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"This island off the coast of Kalmar has so much to do for travelers of all ages. There's gorgeous scenery, cute towns, and beautiful beaches." — sarahh419f3ba26

19. Rugovë, Kosovo

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"The mountainous region of Rugovë is awe-inspiring. The water from the mountains is ice cold and so pure and the views are gorgeous. Visiting feels like stepping back in time." — kosovarek

20. The Burren, Ireland

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"Most tourists just drive through The Burren to see the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Isles and then they leave, but there’s so much more to the area. For history buffs there are cool Neolithic sites, an ancient tomb, and the sacred well of St. Brigid. The town of Doolin has bands playing traditional Irish music every night and there are lots of food-related festivals and events." — corellianne

21. Colmar, France

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"This city, located in the Alsace region is home to amazing food and wine. The village of Riquewihr looks like the inspiration for the French village in Beauty and the Beast." — lyndsayo3

22. St. Petersburg, Russia

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"I just went on a Baltic Sea cruise that stopped in St. Petersburg, Russia, which was a highlight. I loved watching all of the draw bridges go up at night while lights flashed and music played. Plus there is so much Russian history in the city." — Alexvas

23. Rimini, Italy

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This city on the Adriatic coast offers all the great food and shopping that comes with a busier, more touristed city. Plus, you have the sea and the mountains." — r4b2c323a8

24. Northeast India

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"Way too many foreigners come to India and visit only a few key cities like Mumbai and Jaipur, but northeastern India is stunning and has so much to offer. You can see rhinos in Assam or root bridges made of trees and waterfalls in Meghalaya, and there's amazing food throughout." — raimab

Have you traveled to an under-the-radar destination that you absolutely loved? Tell us in the comments below!