5 off-the-beaten-track destinations that are worth the trip

‍Skip the crowds, pack your sense of adventure and come explore some unforgettable places that remind us why we travel in the first place.

By Bron Maxabella

Let me tell you a secret: while not convenient in any sense of the word, it’s still deeply satisfying to go far out of your way to visit a place that hasn’t been completely Instagrammed to death. The goal here isn’t to turn the world’s hidden corners into the next big thing, but rather to gently visit  and leave behind nothing but gratitude (and maybe a couple of five-star Google reviews).

If you’re thinking the same, here are my picks for destinations that promise new perspectives and a genuine sense of discovery. Plus, you can tap into the travel-hunting tools of the modern world to help you get there.

Read this one too: Why now is the time to plan future adventures

1. Jordan: cool history, warm hearts

Ah, Petra. We rode out of the desert into the buzz of Amman on a dusty overland truck, not quite sure whether Jordan would deliver, but oh, it did. 

Petra alone is worth the trip: the sandstone cliffs carved with ancient tombs, the silent canyon entrance, and finally, that moment when the iconic Treasury emerges, glowing like an historic portal.

If Petra is the headline act, then the rest of Jordan is the story that lingers. The Wadi Rum desert is pure cinematic splendour and staying overnight in a Bedouin camp showed us the true meaning of hospitality (hint: it’s mint tea).

Then there’s Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy, where you can stroll colonnaded streets where chariots once raced, then stop for a cheeky falafel. The contrast between ancient grandeur and modern street life is deliciously Jordanian.

We topped our trip off by reading the newspaper while floating in the Dead Sea (as all good tourists should). Nevermind that my husband actually sank like a stone, much to the fascination of the locals. It was a different kind of refreshing to know that his lifelong, unfulfilled ambition to learn how to swim really wasn’t his fault at all…

Getting there: There are no direct flights from Australia to Jordan, but it’s easy to reach Amman (AMM) via one stop through major hubs like Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates) or Abu Dhabi (Etihad). Flight time averages around 18–20 hours including transit. Once in Amman, you can explore the country easily by car or with organised tours to Petra and Wadi Rum.

✈️ Find flights and stays in Jordan on Expedia. Book through the Citro app for Citro Rewards.

2. Bhutan: punchy scenery, gentle rhythm

In a world rushing for the next big destination, Bhutan holds its pace. This tiny Himalayan kingdom has built its identity around the idea that happiness, not GDP, is the truest measure of success. 

It’s a mindset that seeps into everything: the rhythm of daily life, the gentle courtesy of the people and the harmony with nature. Here, traffic lights are replaced by white-gloved policemen who actually smile at you and visitors are asked to tread lightly.

The scenery is nothing short of staggering. High mountain passes give way to valleys dotted with prayer flags and farmhouses. Mist curls around ancient dzongs (fortresses) and monasteries that cling improbably to cliffs, the most famous being Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, perched 900 metres above the valley floor. The air is crisp and impossibly clear, and every winding road seems to open onto another jaw-dropping view.

Bhutan isn’t the easiest country to reach – visitor numbers are carefully managed and a sustainable tourism fee applies – but that’s part of its charm. Those who make the journey find themselves slowing down, breathing deeper and perhaps reconsidering what makes a life feel full. Whether you’re joining the Thimphu Tshechu festival, meditating in a mountainside monastery or sipping suja (butter tea), Bhutan is a rare gift.

Getting there: You’ll likely need to visit Bhutan as part of a guided package (required for most visitors) which includes transport, accommodation and your visa. Getting to Bhutan is part of the adventure. You’ll first fly from Australia to Bangkok, Singapore or Delhi, then connect with Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines into Paro (PBH), one of the world’s most scenic airport descents. 

✈️ Enquire about travel requirements to Bhutan at Expedia. 

3. Kyrgyzstan: new friends, solo wanders

Imagine wide open steppes stretching farther than your eyes can wander, snow-dusted peaks on the horizon and nights spent in yurts beneath a cathedral of stars. Kyrgyzstan is gloriously free of crowds and pretence. It’s the kind of place where time slows to match the pace of a horse and your biggest decision is whether to have another cup of kumis (fermented mare’s milk) before bed. 

Tucked in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan feels like the world’s best-kept travel secret. You can hike through wildflower meadows to the alpine lake of Song-Kul, gallop across vast plains or soak in hot springs framed by glacial peaks. The hospitality is as expansive as the landscape, it’s not uncommon to be invited into a family’s yurt for tea. 

There’s adventure here, yes, but also a rare stillness that gets under your skin. In a world obsessed with selfies, Kyrgyzstan offers the quiet thrill of being completely, wonderfully alone.

Getting there: From Australia, fly via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul to Bishkek (FRU), the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Travel time is about 20-24 hours depending on connections. From Bishkek, you can hire a car, join a local tour or hop a domestic flight to Osh or Karakol for alpine adventures and yurt stays.

✈️ Search flights and stays in Kyrgyzstan on Expedia. Book through the Citro app for Citro Rewards.

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4. Albania: soft landing, strong coffee

Tucked between Greece and Montenegro, Albania has always been hiding in plain sight. Here, the Adriatic sparkles just as blue as in Italy, but the beaches are blissfully uncrowded and the seafood lunches cost less than a Sydney coffee round. The country’s coastline – known as the Albanian Riviera – is filled with small coves where locals swim, chat and nap without an Instagrammer in sight.

But there’s more to Albania than sun and sea. Head inland and you’ll find stone villages like Gjirokastër and Berat, where cobbled streets wind past Ottoman houses and locals invite you in for strong coffee and stronger raki. The capital, Tirana, buzzes with colour and creativity. It’s a city that’s shaken off its grey communist past and replaced it with street art, rooftop bars and a sense of optimism that’s downright contagious. And if you like your travel served with a side of spontaneity, you’ll love Albania’s go-with-the-flow energy. Timetables are flexible, strangers are friends-in-waiting, and every wrong turn seems to lead to something delicious.

Getting there: The easiest route from Australia is to fly via Doha, Dubai or Singapore into Tirana (TIA). Most itineraries take around 20-22 hours with one stop. From Tirana, rent a car or bus your way along the stunning Albanian Riviera. Border crossings to Montenegro and Greece are easy if you’re exploring more of the Balkans.

✈️ Plan your Albanian adventure through Expedia. Book through the Citro app for Citro Rewards.

5. Bolivia: high peaks, friendly locals

If you think South America begins with Machu Picchu and ends with Rio, Bolivia is the beautiful in-between you’ve been missing. Bolivia demands a bit more effort – altitude tablets, sturdy lungs, flexible plans – but what it gives in return is adventure in its purest form. 

Landlocked but limitless, it’s a country of icy Andean peaks and lush Amazon jungle. La Paz, the world’s highest capital, hangs in a mountain bowl like a city built on the edge of the sky. The cable car network here isn’t just for transport, it’s also the best sightseeing trip going, gliding over terracotta rooftops as market stalls bustle below and thunderclouds gather above.

Then there’s the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, where the earth feels like walking on the moon. Travellers sleep in salt-brick hotels and wake up to watch pink flamingos feeding in the dawn light. Further north, the Laguna Colorada glows crimson under the watch of smoking volcanoes, while to the east, the lush Madidi National Park hums with monkeys and macaws. In fact, every corner of Bolivia feels a little wild and wonderful.

Getting there: You’ll fly from Australia to Santiago (Chile) or Lima (Peru) with Qantas or LATAM, then connect to La Paz (LPB) or Santa Cruz (VVI). Total travel time: around 25-30 hours depending on layovers. Bolivia’s domestic flights are short and scenic, or you can go full adventurer and travel by bus or 4WD between regions.

✈️ Book flights, hotels and salt flat tours on Expedia. Book through the Citro app for Citro Rewards.

Why this kind of travel matters

As we crossed day-long deserts as we made our way into Jordan, I felt alive in a way few travel experiences can offer. Off-the-beaten-track means fewer crowds, more authenticity, unexpected kindness and narratives that don’t end with “and then we queued for 5 hours to see a painting”. 

But nothing is really ‘remote’ these days. Here’s the modern-traveller’s advantage: platforms like Expedia make adventures in faraway places super easy to plan. You can book flights and accommodation all over the world with the click of a button.

Want more inspiration? Explore Expedia’s “Off the Beaten Path” story series which showcases more lesser-known places worth your time.

Adventure is out there. Let’s go!

^{Feature image of Kyrgyzstan: iStock/VisualStories}

Which off-the-beaten-track spot is on your radar?

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