The places worth the detour.
Lesser-known destinations, honest itineraries and the small tricks that make a trip cheaper and calmer. Picked by people who went, not by a ranking algorithm.
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- Colombia beyond Medellín: coffee towns and colonial villages6 guides
- Mexico off the beaten path: Oaxaca from the city to the coast4 guides
- Portugal slow travel: by train and bus, without a car3 guides
- Southeast Asia practical: visas, scams and staying safe on the road3 guides
- Travel money, entry rules and packing light3 guides
Destinations
Off-the-beaten-path places most visitors never get to.
See all destinations-
Bacalar, Mexico travel guide: the lagoon, getting there by Tren Maya and what it costs
Bacalar is a quiet lagoon town in southern Quintana Roo, now reachable by Tren Maya. Here is when to go, how to get there, what to do and typical costs.
- Best time
- Best time: November to April
- Budget
- Medium budget
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Barichara vs Villa de Leyva: which colonial town to visit from Bogotá
Villa de Leyva is the easy pick from Bogotá at about four hours by bus; Barichara is quieter and many think prettier, but takes most of a day to reach via San Gil. Here is how they compare on access, climate, crowds and things to do.
- Best time
- Best time: Midweek outside Colombian long weekends, Semana Santa and December holidays
- Budget
- Medium budget
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Guanajuato City travel guide: getting there, when to go and what it costs
Guanajuato is a colonial mining town of tunnels, painted hillsides and student serenades, cheaper than San Miguel de Allende. Here is how to get there, when to go, entry fees and what a day costs.
- Best time
- Best time: November to April
- Budget
- Low budget
Itineraries
Day-by-day plans with the stops, costs and best seasons worked out.
See all itineraries-
Slovenia without a car: a 6-day itinerary from Ljubljana to Bled, Bohinj and Piran
Six days in Slovenia by bus and train: Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, the Škocjan or Postojna caves and the coast at Piran, with fares, entry prices and timing.
- Length
- 6 days
- Budget
- About $450
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Puglia without a car: a 6-day train and bus itinerary
Six days from Bari to Lecce by train and bus, via Polignano, Monopoli, Alberobello, Locorotondo and Ostuni. Which operator runs which line, where FSE is running replacement buses in 2026, and what it all costs.
- Length
- 6 days
- Budget
- About $750
-
Yucatán without a car: 7 days from Cancún airport to Mérida by Tren Maya
A one-week Yucatán route by train, bus and colectivo: Valladolid for Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam, a night in Izamal, and Mérida with a day trip to Uxmal.
- Length
- 7 days
- Budget
- About $950
Travel tips
Small habits that make trips cheaper, calmer and safer.
See all travel tips-
Ha Giang Loop self drive vs easy rider after the 2026 crackdown
Since the April 2026 safety directive, Ha Giang Loop riders face more licence checks. Here is what you legally need to self-drive, how insurance treats unlicensed riders, and when an easy rider is the smarter choice.
- Topic
- Safety
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Thailand visa free 30 days: what changed on 15 September 2026
From 15 September 2026, tourists from 60 countries get 30 days visa-free in Thailand instead of 60. Here is who qualifies, how the extension and land-border cap work, and when a Tourist Visa makes more sense.
- Topic
- Visas
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Europe's Entry/Exit System (EES): what travelers need to know
Europe's Entry/Exit System has been fully live since 10 April 2026. Here's who must register, what happens at the border, how it enforces the 90/180-day rule, and where ETIAS stands.
- Topic
- Entry rules
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