Starting your journey in some of the world’s least visited countries can lead to incredible experiences that are both enriching and memorable. These hidden gems are often overlooked by travelers, but they offer unique landscapes, cultures, and adventures.
Moldova
Moldova: While many Western wine drinkers are unfamiliar with Moldovan vintages, this tiny Eastern European country has been making wine for at least 5,000 years.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu: Rising waters are the biggest threat to this tiny South Pacific nation, where only the main island, Funafuti, has an airport. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful powdered sugar beaches, despite the risks from rising sea levels.
Kiribati
Kiribati: The faraway isles of Kiribati are truly isolated, with neighboring Fiji being relatively close at 1,394 miles away. Few travelers embark on this journey, making it an exceptional destination for the adventurous.
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands: The islands were made famous by US nuclear testing on Bikini Atoll. Although still radioactive, the surrounding waters have transformed into an exquisite scuba diving site.
Montserrat
Montserrat: The eruptions of the Soufrière Hills volcano in the 1990s significantly shaped the landscape of this Caribbean island, attracting visits from those wanting to witness the aftermath.
Niue
Niue: From July through October, visitors can join trained guides to swim with humpback whales, making it one of the few locations globally where this is possible.
American Samoa
American Samoa: This South Pacific island group serves as a US territory and features breathtaking landscapes, including Matafao Peak overlooking Pago Pago Harbor.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands: The ocean floor around these islands holds remnants from World War II, including sunken seaplanes and submarines, offering thrilling exploration opportunities for divers.
Comoros
Comoros: Known as the “Perfume Isles,” Comoros lies between Madagascar and Mozambique, boasting lovely beaches and a rich history of cultivating aromatic plants.
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe: Located in the Gulf of Guinea, these islands are rich in endemic plants and animals, including the stunning volcanic peak of Pico Cao Grande.
Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia: This area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nan Madol, featuring 100 man-made islets built by a great Pacific dynasty from 1,200 to 1,500 AD.
Djibouti
Djibouti: Located at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Djibouti features white-salt beaches surrounding the hyper-saline Lake Assal, creating an otherworldly landscape.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Often remembered for its troubled past, this country boasts beautiful powdery beaches, surf breaks, and is home to nesting sea turtles, particularly at Tokeh beach near Freetown.
Guinea
Guinea: With a guide, you can embark on a memorable trek through Guinea’s rocky landscape, where rain-flushed waterfalls and sharp canyons await along with Guinean hospitality.
Tonga
Tonga: This Kingdom in the South Pacific offers hidden beaches to explore, where hollow channels in volcanic rock create breathtaking blowholes.
Anguilla
Anguilla: A British overseas territory known for its stunning beaches, Anguilla remains relatively unexplored due to limited high-end resort tourism.
Timor Leste
Timor Leste: The mountainous regions that once sheltered resistance fighters now serve as a backdrop for the Tour de Timor, a challenging 5-day mountain bike race.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: An international airport opened in 2017, leading to increased but still limited discovery of this paradise beyond the private yacht crowd.
San Marino
San Marino: Surrounded entirely by Italy, this tiny republic is the world’s oldest surviving republic, with a rich history dating back to 301 AD.
Dominica
Dominica: Since 2010, the island’s volcanic landscape has attracted hikers to the Caribbean’s first long-distance trail, the 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein: Nestled between Austria and Switzerland, this principality features historic castles like Gutenberg Castle, making it a quaint escape.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu: Venture deep into the South Pacific for stunning island vistas, but exercise caution around Mount Yasur, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis: These enchanting Caribbean islands are known for their splendid beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, having captivated visitors for centuries.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia: This French overseas territory offers stunning lagoons teeming with diverse marine life, perfect for sailing, snorkeling, or simply swimming.
Eritrea
Eritrea: Despite some risks, Eritrea entices travelers with world-class scuba diving, rich cultural experiences, and diverse traditional foods.
