Travelers Are Sleeping on These Emerging Destinations

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:35 AM ET, Mon February 5, 2024

It’s 2024, and our travel bucket lists are full of time-honored destinations to visit, yet there are also a few, lesser-known destinations we can’t wait to visit, destinations just beginning to emerge onto the global travel scene.

Emerging destinations are up-and-coming kinds of destinations, places that are gaining traction on social media, haven’t been very popular destinations for Americans to visit, or are getting new attention because they’re often cheaper and less crowded by tourists than their more popular counterparts — an attractive bonus for well-seasoned travelers, or younger travelers who simply want to get off the beaten path and discover something truly unique.

We put together a list of seven of our favorite emerging destinations this year, along with some reasons why you should consider putting these on your travel bucket list — before they become all the rage.

Bulgaria

The Balkans and Eastern Europe are getting increasingly more attention as tourist destinations, and Bulgaria is a great option for travelers wanting to discover a different, less touristy side of Europe (and a cheaper one, too).

Located along the Black Sea to the east and to Greece, Romania and Serbia on its other sides, Bulgaria offers a stunning wealth of natural beauty combined with a multicultural history, with ancient Greek, Slavic, Ottoman and Persian influences.

It offers ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites to its fame, including two Thracian tombs, the ancient city of Nessebar, the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo and the Central Balkan National Park, where travelers can discover the untouched ancient beech forests that once covered much of the area.

Travelers will also love experiencing Bulgaria’s cuisine, with its many flavors and culinary heritages. Make sure to try the rose-flavored foods, desserts and drinks that are the country’s specialty, as 70 percent of the world’s rose oil production is produced in Bulgaria. If you’re curious about its rose production, head out to the Rose Valley in Plovdiv during the growing season. We guarantee it’ll be a magical experience.

Georgia

Georgia, the country on the opposite side of the Black Sea to Bulgaria (not the state in the U.S.), is another affordable Eastern European country that is ready for some amazing adventures.

The capital, Tbilisi, is unlike any other city in Europe, and it only takes a quick Google Images search to see why, with its colorful balconies and winding streets.

The country offers a history dating back to the ancient world, and it was one of the first regions of the world to adopt Christianity, bringing with it some incredibly old churches and monasteries. It’s also home to one of the oldest wine-making traditions in the world, and it’s most famous for its amber-colored wine, an effect from its production.

Georgia is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the relict forests from the last Ice Age, which travelers can discover in several protected areas, including the Kolkheti and Mtirala national parks. The historic sites include the ancient capital of Mtskheta, the medieval areas of Upper Svaneti and the Gelati Monastery, built in 1106.

Malawi

Malawi, nicknamed “the warm heart of Africa,” for its friendliness, is an ideal adventure travel destination. The country is home to several game parks offering opportunities to go on safari, like Liwonde National Park and Kasungu National Park.

The scenic and UNESCO-designated Lake Malawi is the fifth largest lake by volume in the world and is home to hundreds of endemic cichlids, called mbuna. It provides the best water activities and natural scenery in the country, and is not to be missed during a trip there.

Another UNESCO site is the Chongoni Rock-Art Area. Located near Lake Malawi, the area offers the highest concentration of rock art in Central Africa. It boasts 127 sites offering displays of rock art from the Stone Age to the 20th century, primarily created by the Chewa people, and women especially.

South Korea

South Korea is quickly gaining in popularity as a cheaper alternative to high-priced Japan, but it’s also becoming recognized for its own unique history, culture, culinary heritage and, of course, for the K-Wave in global entertainment.

From its hyper-modern capital in Seoul (which offers its own plethora of historic palaces and hanok houses to take you back to Korea’s past), to its stunning mountain ranges and charming coastal villages, travelers of all kinds will have no lack of opportunities to experience something special in this small but might country. It also offers a unique opportunity through its Temple Stay program, which provides you an immersive glimpse into how Korean Buddhist monks live, work and pray.

This small country also boasts sixteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites! From the various historic palaces and sites in Seoul to Jeju Island, which boasts a stunning volcanic past and lush island escape, to historic villages and ancient sites, such as the region of Gyeongju, South Korea offers plenty to explore, all connected by a great public transit and train system that is easy for travelers to use.

Quebec, Canada

Quebec City, Quebec in winter, Christmas destinations, holiday destinations, Petit Champlain

The Canadian province of Quebec is unlike any other: it offers European-style cities dating as far back as the 1600s and a lively French heritage that continues to this day. If you’re afraid of heading across the pond to Europe, check out Montreal or Quebec City instead — both cities offer incredible historic areas with European-style stone buildings and cobblestone streets, opportunities to practice your French and incredible food (maple syrup and poutine are just the beginning of your Quebecoise foodie journey).

UNESCO-designated Old Quebec is a must-visit destination in the province. It’s where the much-photographed hotel, the Chateau de Frontenac, is located. The province of Quebec also features seven other UNESCO-designated sites, all natural wonders featuring some breathtaking views and insights into the geography and geology of this beautiful region of the world. We recommend the Gault Nature Reserve, Lac Saint-Pierre and Charlevoix.

While the region definitely has its fair share of tourists during popular times of the year (it’s known for its fall foliage), we recommend going on the off-season to explore the region without as many tourists.

Greenland

While many confuse this nation with Iceland, the Arctic nation of Greenland offers a unique opportunity for cultural and natural discovery. It’s an emerging destination among expedition cruisers, with more and more Arctic cruises to Iceland, Canada and the northernmost Norwegian Isles offering at least one stop at a Greenland port.

Here, travelers can discover how life thrives in harsh Arctic conditions and discover the Indigenous people who’ve inhabited the island for thousands of years. Today, the island features three different UNESCO sites: the Ilulissat Icefjord; Kujataa, a region known for its intersection between Indigenous history and Viking settlements; and Aasivissuit – Nipisat, the largest ice-free section of Greenland that has been used as a hunting ground for over 4,000 years.

We recommend true winter, nature and adventure lovers to visit this enigmatic nation.

Dominica

Often confused with the resort-heavy Dominican Republic, Dominica is a neighboring Caribbean island that offers a different side to the island vacation. Its largest attraction is the UNESCO-designated Morne Trois Pitons National Park, which is home to a forest with breathtaking biodiversity, five volcanoes, several hot springs and a so-called boiling lake, perfect for nature and adventure lovers.

Yet the fun doesn’t stop at the national park: it’s also home to its own Champagne Reef, beautiful beaches and Caribbean culture. We also love that the island is home to the last remnant of the Carib people, known on the island as the Kalinago. Today, travelers can visit Kalinago territory to learn about how they are able to perpetuate their culture and practices to the present day.

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