The moment people start talking about somewhere they’ve found that’s off the beaten track, it’s only a matter of time before said track is, well… err, beaten. But can you keep a secret? Because we’ve discovered some must-see places worthy of adding to your travel bucket list, and they’re so incredible that it’d be criminal to keep to them ourselves.
Search flights to the Grand Canyon
Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland
Everyone’s always jetting off to Iceland, but who forgot about Greenland? And specifically, who forgot about Ittoqqortoormiit?
Ittoqqortoormiit (pronounced it-doc-cut-door-meat) is a remote settlement in easternmost Greenland, where visitors – few and far between, though they may be – have the opportunity to experience Greenlandic hunting culture, ride dog sleds, and bathe in hot springs. The sea here is frozen for nine months per year, and the glacier-ridden landscape is spectacular to behold, comprising the largest fjord complex in the world at nearby Scoresby Sound.
Egadi Islands, Sicily
Time hardly exists on this magical archipelago, so ditch the watch before you arrive.
Closer to Tunisia than mainland Italy, not many people have heard about this place – and those who have would like to keep it that way. The small but perfectly formed archipelago is composed of three main islands: Marettimo, Levanzo, and Favignana, with Marettimo being the most remote and unspoilt.
Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal
Not so much off the track as literally on it, the 1,700km hike along the Great Himalaya Trail will lead you through some of the most remote mountain territories in the world.
It’s a challenging trek and you’ll need a good level of fitness and experience to begin with, but that’s probably why the route hasn’t been overrun. From the far eastern province of Kanchenjunga, the trail winds its way cross-country through mountain passes and ancient villages to the high Tibetan borders in the west.
Bottom of the Grand Canyon, Arizona
More trekking, we’re afraid; everyone’s seen the Grand Canyon from above, and peered tiptoed over the edge into the great chasm below. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand at the bottom, looking up?
Intrepid pioneers should venture down during the winter season, when the cavernous landscape is beautiful and desolate, and they may not see more than a dozen other hikers for days.
Cheap flights to the Grand Canyon
Feature © Artfully79/iStock/Thinkstock
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas.
