9 Great Destinations You've Never Heard Of

It's OK to love Paris, Rome, and Tokyo, but when was the last time you fell for someplace new? If you're after a less-traveled take on adventure, tranquilty, history and cultural immersion, you're going to have to step out of your comfort zone. So without slighting your favorites, consider one of these nine unfamiliar yet incredible cities, regions and islands.

Cape Coast, Ghana
History and nature meet in the central region of Ghana, where Cape Coast's notorious slave-trading past is one-upped by its stunning coastline. >>more

Gaziantep, Turkey
Millions of tourists flood through Turkey's major attractions and cities each year, but only a small number ever make it to the far south east of the country and even fewer can boast that they have visited one of Turkey's most historic regions -- the Gaziantep province. >>more

Jericoacoara, Brazil
The pearl of Brazil's Ceará coast, Jericoacoara's attraction is partially its isolation. If you can manage the 4WD drive through the sands, you're rewarded with miles and miles of unspoiled beaches, rock formations, lagoons, mangroves, palm trees, and a Sahara desert landscape of beautiful dunes. >>more

Kangaroo Island, Australia
With pristine landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, beaches that you would only dream of and fewer tourists than you'd imagine, it makes as ideal getaway from Adelaide or a complete destination on its own. >>more

Meknes, Morocco
Exotic, mystical, historic and colorful Menkes, located in the Middle-Atlas foothills, is the smallest of Morocco's four imperial cities -- and easily the most haggle free. >>more

Phu Quoc, Vietnam
What was once a hidden treasure on the Southeast Asia beach circuit is now poised to become the new Phuket, Thailand since a one billion dollar tourism complex was recently approved. Need it spelled out for you? Get there now. >>more

Piran, Slovenia
Easily the loveliest place along Slovenia's tiny slither of Istrian Coast, its beauty draws inevitable comparisons with Venice -- which lorded over it for 500 years -- but its prices and crowds thankfully won't. >>more

Rodez, France
You'd think that every charming medieval town in France would have been overrun by tourists and gift shops years ago, but this gem in the Aveyron region in the Midi-Pyrénées offers a great glimpse of France before the crowds. >>more

San Blas, Mexico
A touch of the way Mexico used to be before the tourist invasion, the mega resorts and the fast food outlets, San Blas, in the state of Nayarit, is a breath of fresh air on the Pacific coastline. >>more