Bucket List Places You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Though it seems like we’re getting more connected all the time, there are still plenty of opportunities to disconnect. If you’re itching to explore more of Argentina’s gaucho country, Italy’s lesser-known ski towns, Japan’s most incredible art site, or Thailand’s unspoiled beaches, then these 9 places you probably haven’t heard of should be next on your travel itinerary.

Naoshima, a group of islands in the Seto Inland Sea, is four hours by train from Tokyo and outside of the usual tourist routes in Japan, but it attracts ardent art enthusiasts who travel there to see works by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria, as well as the Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Contemporary art has been used to rehabilitate this group of formerly contaminated islands, courtesy of the Benesse Foundation.

There are ski slopes, historical thermal hot springs, a quaint town center where you can sample a variety of cheeses at the neighborhood cheese shop, and a 19th-century distillery that creates the Alpine amaro Braulio using local herbs from the area. This charming Alpine village is three hours from Milan. You can indulge your Wes Anderson fantasies at the sister property QC Terme Grand Hotel Bagni Nuovi, an opulent pink confection that appears to be something the eccentric director dreamed up, or you can stay at the QC Terme Hotel Bagni Vecchi, where you’ll experience you got up inside an old postcard and enjoy a dip in the thermal baths.

This delightful village-like settlement in southern Bohemia is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has a hilltop castle dating back to the 13th century, a charming town square, and well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings. It is divided in half by the Vltava River. In addition to exhibiting works by well-known Czech artists, it is also the location of the Egon Schiele Art Centrum.

Have you heard about the “New Jerusalem” in Ethiopia? That is what King Lalibela of Ethiopia in the 12th century had in mind when he gave the order to build 11 medieval churches carved out of rock in this mountainous city 400 kilometers from Addis Abeba. The churches are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and are still a place of pilgrimage for Coptic Christians.

Naoshima, a group of islands in the Seto Inland Sea, is four hours by train from Tokyo and outside of the usual tourist routes in Japan, but it attracts ardent art enthusiasts who travel there to see works by Yayoi Kusama, James Turrell, and Walter De Maria, as well as the Benesse Art Site Naoshima. Contemporary art has been used to rehabilitate this group of formerly contaminated islands, courtesy of the Benesse Foundation.

Germany’s best-kept secret may be this idyllic lake and the charming Bavarian towns that surround it. It is a popular summer vacation destination for affluent Germans, who travel there to take advantage of the clean air, rural scenery, and old beer gardens like Schlossbrennerei. It is located less than an hour outside of Munich. The ideal driving route is the beautiful stretch of the autobahn.

Although the hamlet of Newberg may not immediately spring to mind, it serves as the ideal entryway to Oregon’s gorgeous Willamette Valley, which is host to some of the nation’s best wineries. The region, which is far less well-known than Napa and Sonoma, is renowned for its outstanding Pinot Noirs. The award-winning Allison Inn & Spa, a 35-acre LEED Gold-certified resort with its gardens, vineyards, and famous spa, is the reason to stay in Newberg.

Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Patagonia are well-known to anybody considering a trip to Argentina, but what about Cafayate? The tallest vineyards in the world are located in this rural community in northern Argentina’s picturesque Calchaqu Valley. Fly into Salta to begin your journey, where you may browse the local shops, and at Grace Cafayate, where you can ride horses among the vines and channel your inner gaucho.

After over 70 years of Communist domination, this unique location—a station on the famed Silk Road and one of Central Asia’s oldest cities—is again opening up to the outside world. The city has a rich tradition of artistry and craftsmanship, which is still very much alive and well in the form of lovely ikat and suzani textiles. It is home to architectural marvels like the Tilla Kari Mosque and Madrasa (one of the most magnificent mosques in the world).