It’s easy to see why modern travelers feel so burnt out: our globalized world is littered with tourist traps, letdowns, overrated destinations and just plain crowds.
But what if you could get out ahead of the curve and visit a place BEFORE it started swarming with other humans? Visit these rising stars now, and one day you’ll proudly say, “I knew them when…”
José Ignacio, Uruguay
Only about 300 people actually live here, but in winter (aka South American summer), José Ignacio is clogged with Latin A-listers like Shakira. A new luxury hotel, Bahia Vik, is in the process of opening this spring, and José Ignacio is gearing up to host an international art fair. For at least a while longer, though, you can cruiseartsy bohemian boutiques and enjoy savory steaks at La Huella in (relatively) paparazzi-free peace.
Koh Rong, Cambodia
Visiting this Cambodian island is like stepping into a screensaver. With only a few bungalows, some killer snorkeling, and fishing villages (there are no roads!), many say it’s like Thailand was 20 years ago, before tourists trampled the untouched beaches. Ferries started regularly shuttling tourists to Koh Rong only a few years ago, but things are still pretty quiet… until someone figures out how to build an airport, that is.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Price of Travel named Sofia Europe’s cheapest tourist city for 2014. We’re sure Bulgaria’s capital won’t stay a secret much longer: it’s super walkable and has a young, cosmopolitan vibe mixed with ornate churches, outdoor markets, and Ottoman architecture.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Belize is set to become Central America’s newest hotspot, and if so, Ambergris Caye will be its crowning destination. TripAdvisor named Ambergris a “Destination on the Rise” last year, probably because tourists are catching on to the immense diving potential of the Great Blue Hole.
Read more at HuffingtonPost.Com
