{"id":903,"date":"2025-02-01T17:15:05","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T17:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/these-are-the-10-most-underrated-places-to-travel-say-travel-agents\/"},"modified":"2025-02-01T17:15:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-01T17:15:05","slug":"these-are-the-10-most-underrated-places-to-travel-say-travel-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finzexpert.com\/blog\/these-are-the-10-most-underrated-places-to-travel-say-travel-agents\/","title":{"rendered":"These are the 10 most underrated places to travel, say travel agents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Klaus Vedfelt | Digitalvision | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Looking for travel inspiration for 2025 and beyond?<\/p>\n

Look no further: CNBC asked 10 travel agents for their recommendations of the most underhyped destinations in the world. We compiled their written answers below, including can’t-miss activities for each locale and the best times of year to visit.<\/p>\n

You’ll also find average round-trip airfare from U.S. airports. The data, provided by travel app Hopper, is based on average fares that were available to book from Jan. 15 to Jan. 22. Prices are for May-July 2025, when most Americans plan to take their longer vacations, Hopper said.<\/p>\n

Travelers should aim to book over the next few weeks to score the best prices, it said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Albania<\/h2>\n
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Valbona National Park, Albania.<\/p>\n

Eduardo Fonseca Arraes | Moment | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Recommended by:<\/strong> <\/em>Scott Abbott, managing director of Wilderness Travel<\/p>\n

Why to visit: “<\/strong>The Albanian Alps, also known as the Accursed Mountains, are a mountain range very few <\/strong>people <\/strong>know about, so are totally untouched by tourism. But have some of the most gorgeous and dramatic hikes in all of Europe. They also have guesthouses, mountain huts and hotels that feel like what the Alps were like 30-plus years ago, all owned by local families and run in a traditional way very authentic to the place and culture.”<\/p>\n

Can’t-miss:<\/strong> Hiking in Valbona Valley National Park<\/p>\n

Best time to go:<\/strong> June to September<\/p>\n

Average flight price:<\/strong> $926 to Tirana, Albania<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Ecuadorian cloud forest<\/h2>\n
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Cloud forest in Ecuador.<\/p>\n

Gerard Puigmal | Moment | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Recommended by:<\/strong> <\/em>Allie Almario, South America and Galapagos expert at Premier Tours<\/p>\n

Why to visit: “<\/strong>Most people think of Costa Rica when they think of cloud forest, but Ecuador also has the lure of the Galapagos Islands, so it’s a terrific combination. About three hours from the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, the cloud forest feels primeval and otherworldly.<\/p>\n

“I love the Mashpi Eco Lodge, which is on the cusp of the rain and cloud forest in a private sanctuary. You’ve got incredibly rich biodiversity in this remote area \u2014 so remote the silence is almost deafening.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Can’t-miss: “<\/strong>Mashpi Lodge offers an activity called the Dragon Fly<\/a> \u2014 it is up to an hour ride in an open air cable car (seating only for four guests at a time and a naturalist) where you soar over the tree canopy. You hear nothing but the wind and bird calls and the distant crash of waterfalls 500 feet below you. The butterflies are like confetti.”<\/p>\n

Best time to go: “<\/strong>Temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year, but the main difference is rainy vs. dry season. Be prepared and either way, hiking in the cloud and rain forest will always be an adventure.”<\/p>\n

Average flight price:<\/strong> $588 to Quito, Ecuador<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Hamburg, Germany<\/h2>\n
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The canals of Hamburg, Germany<\/p>\n

Inigo Cia | Moment | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Recommended by:<\/strong> <\/em>Kareem George, CEO of Culture Traveler<\/p>\n

Why to visit: “<\/strong>This ultra chic city is beautiful, sophisticated and extremely fun, with\u00a0a variety of attractions for diverse ages and interests. The setting of the city is quite picturesque, nestled between the Elbe River and Alster Lake with many canals in between. It is an extremely walkable city with many historic attractions in the city center \u2014 such as the Rathaus (City Hall) and St. Nikolai Church \u2014 flanked by very cool neighborhoods such as the Speicherstadt (Warehouse) District, raucous St. Pauli and the quirky Schanzenviertel.”<\/p>\n

Can’t-miss: “<\/strong>Two of the many must-see attractions are the iconic Elbphilharmonie<\/a> and the unique Miniatur Wunderland<\/a>. Advance tickets are highly recommended for both.”<\/p>\n

Best time to go: “<\/strong>Hamburg is truly a destination for all seasons, however I particularly\u00a0enjoyed a recent visit in the fall. The weather was perfect and it was wonderful to stroll along the lake, canals and to explore several neighborhoods on foot.”<\/p>\n

Average flight price:<\/strong> $1,090<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kyushu, Japan<\/h2>\n
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A hot spring resort in Kurokawa Onsen, in Kyushu, Japan.<\/p>\n

Bohistock | Moment | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Recommended by:<\/strong> <\/em>Kristin Braswell, founder of CrushGlobal Travel<\/p>\n

Why to visit: “<\/strong>Brimming with natural beauty at every corner, the southern island of Japan’s Kyushu may be overlooked for its popular northern neighbors like Tokyo and Kyoto, but it’s just as thrilling. Teeming with active volcanoes, palm-forested coastlines and bubbling onsens [hot springs] to retreat in, you will be enamored at every turn by the great, wide outdoors here. I highly recommend\u00a0visiting the electric metropolis, Fukuoka, and Beppu, a mountainside jewel that is home to the most spring waters in the country.”<\/p>\n

Can’t-miss: “<\/strong>Visiting the famous onsens, particularly\u00a0the Jigoku Circuit, which are all grouped and within walking distance. They are a sight to see.”<\/p>\n

Best time to go: “<\/strong>In spring, during cherry-blossom season and when\u00a0the weather is pleasantly\u00a0warm, or the fall, as the foliage begins to change with the seasons.”<\/p>\n

Average flight price:<\/strong> Top three airports in Kyushu, by popularity from U.S. cities based on search demand:<\/p>\n