By Artemis Papadopoulou, Konstandina Naka & Apostolia Naka

Travel is a word that is associated with well-known capitals, famous coastlines, and landmarks sealed up across social media and guidebooks. While these destinations can be notable, they show only one version of the world. Behind them there is another side of popular routes that haven’t been explored, where landscapes are wilder, cultures feel more familiar, and discovery seems more personal again.

         Auvergne, France

This type of travel is not about trying to sidestep celebrated destinations, but about getting off course. For example, instead of staying only in Paris, travelers might be  headed south to the ragged landscapes of France’s Auvergne region, where hiking trails and quiet villages substitute mobs. Beyond Barcelona’s busy streets, the Priorat region  provides primitive towns, terraced vineries and an adequate and slower daily basis. These places share the same national identity as their famous neighbors, yet feel worlds apart.

Apennine Mountains, Italy

There are places that people don’t usually think about. But these show nature at its most powerful. The Dolomites are the most beautiful mountain range in Italy. On the other hand, the Apennine Mountains, extend the country on its length and are home to a lot of wildlife, incredible scenery, and hiking trails that attract lots of visitors. In the United States, crowds of travelers visit Yosemite or Yellowstone, while spots like the badlands of South Dakota or the North Cascades in Washington keep staying spectacular.  Here, landscapes are more independent and less managed, letting travelers to savor nature on its own terms, without limits.

 Japanese Mountain

As you see beyond the ordinary, Travel will enrich your connections to culture. Obviously Tokyo and Kyoto are the most frequently visited cities, but areas of Japan that are primarily agricultural, such as the Noto Peninsula or the mountains in Shikoku would also be excellent places to see many of the traditional ways that were developed through isolation and community dependency. Medieval Festivals, family-run traditional hotels, and foods that cannot be found in all the larger cities (and which do not look like they were made for tourists) will give travelers an opportunity to experience how people live in these places.

 Priorat Vineyards

The trend toward traveling to various destinations comes with certain responsible behaviors. Lesser known destinations are usually less protected and require respectful behavior and interactions. The slower we travel, the more opportunity these areas have to profit from visitors, as opposed to having their cultural identity changed by those who visit them. Thoughtfully exploring provides an opportunity for local communities to tell their story without having it taken from them.

   North Cascades

Looking at the unknown, we often discover unexpected differences between. It is common for Norway to associate the dramatic fjord in Geiranger as one of the main attractions, however, the north coast is home to equally stunning, yet less populated coastlines around Helgeland and places like quiet fishing hamlets, a true sense of local community and less of a tourist overload. Similarly, in Morocco, a visit to Marrakech evokes strong emotions of chaos and disorganization; however, the mountainous and desert oases found throughout the Anti-Atlas Mountains provide visitors with a much more peaceful perspective of Morocco. As such, many experiences whilst travelling here are very much about individual experience, rather than the busy hustle and bustle typically associated with tourism.

Anti Atlas Morocco Mountain

At long last, travelling is not only about visiting far-away places, but also hidden gems that are located next to us. Travellers should consider to go off the beaten track and discover less obvious places. In spite of everything, where people choose to travel to, is surely to help them get to know the world from multiple prespectives, since they are to encounter many unique places .

North Peninsula Japan

Sources:

• https://www.freepik.com/search?format=search&last_filter=query&last_value=Apennine+Mountains%2C+Italy+&query=Apennine+Mountains%2C+Italy+
• https://www.tripspi.com/blog/the-beautiful-landscape-of-japan-60ewipugMR
• https://www.freepik.com/search?format=search&last_filter=query&last_value=Auvergne%2C+France++Volcanoes+%26+Rolling+Landscapes&query=Auvergne%2C+France+—