← Back to ‘Your Introduction to Outdoor and Adventure Travel`
We’ve got an insatiable thirst for wanderlust and constantly find ourselves searching for new and offbeat destinations to visit. So when we stumbled across this PureWow article on gorgeous, under the radar destinations to visit, we felt inspired to plan our next vacation (even if it’s just a daydream at the moment). We’ve picked five of our favorite destinations from PureWow’s list, and we’ve added in our top choices for where to stay. Ready to kickstart your wanderlust? Read on:
Goreme, Turkey
PureWow: The only thing better than seeing Goreme’s stunning rock formation (into which enormous, beautiful churches have been built)? Experiencing them from a hot-air balloon, hundreds of feet overhead.
AllTheRooms recommends: What we love about the Museum Hotel in Cappadocia: We’re in awe of the stunning panoramic views of Goreme Valley, the bedrooms made of ancient caves and stone houses, and the eco-friendly garden with vegetables used by the hotel’s restaurant. With an interior just as breathtaking as the surrounding views, it’s hard to find a reason why anyone wouldn’t want to stay here.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Manarola, Italy
PW: Go to Manarola, the oldest and second smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, for fresh seafood from the Ligurian Sea, sweet Sciacchetrà wine and some peace and quiet (no cars are allowed). To get there, take the Pisa Centrale train from any of the Cinque Terre towns, which costs less than $10 and runs multiple times per day.
AllTheRooms recommends: Manarola is a seaside village in Cinque Terre, Italy, so what better way to experience it than by staying at sea? Rent this Monterosso 295 Motorboat, located in Monterosso al Mare, equipped with TV, WiFi, a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette. Not for those prone to seasickness, the gorgeous views of the vibrant buildings stacked along the cliffs will make the experience one you won’t forget.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Ikaria, Greece
PW: There must be something in the water on this Grecian island, where residents typically live to 100 years old. Visit during the summer for Panagiria, the huge festivals celebrating various religious holidays, which happen once or twice a week between May and October.
AllTheRooms recommends: From your hotel room at the Erofili Beach Hotel, you can watch the pastel sunset fade behind the ocean’s horizon. Spend your day at the instantly accessible beach with sapphire waters or lounge by the pool. This homey hotel has everything you could need for the perfect Mediterranean getaway in Ikaria.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Kotor, Montenegro
PW: The coastal town of Kotor is actually a submerged river canyon. It’s super-secluded, surrounded by limestone cliffs and has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in the world.
AllTheRooms recommends: The 5-star Hotel Forza Mare in Kotor boasts an array of desirable amenities: rooms inspired by Africa, India, Dubai, Japan and China, as well as a wellness and spa center, an outdoor swimming pool, dinner on the dock, and rentable luxury yachts with a driver to explore the Bay of Boka Kotorska. This hotel is the perfect blend of intimacy and adventure.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
Rovinj, Croatia
PW: Located on the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj is an active fishing port (hello, amazingly fresh meals) and boasts incredible Mediterranean weather. Also nearby is the Brijuni Island National Park, where you can see ancient Roman villas and the remains of a Byzantine Palace.
AllTheRooms recommends: The Maistra Monte Mulini in Rovinj is nothing short of incredible, and we can hardly keep up with all of the amenities they have to offer. Prepare yourself, it’s a lot: the hotel has a lounge, a library, indoor and outdoor pools with a pool bar, a sauna and fitness center, a limousine service, a conference room for business, complimentary WiFi and free breakfast. Oh, and the list goes on. Even better? This space is pet-friendly! Book a room at this 5-star luxury hotel and you won’t be disappointed.
The best vacation rentals for the lowest price
The above excerpt has been edited and condensed from the original article on PureWow, with our added suggestions for which luxury accommodations to stay at in these locations. You can read the original article in full here.