Underrated places to visit

Das Reich · 18-04-2021 5:20pm

Molise, the last region in Italy by number of tourists, with the beautiful coast city of Termoli, and many pictoresque mountain towns like Pietrabbondante, Pescopennataro and Bagnoli del Trigno. The region have many Roman building and a lot of castles.

Das Reich · 18-04-2021 5:33pm

And why not the state I am from in Brazil called Mato Grosso do Sul. Have 350.000 km2 so the size of Germany and less than 3 million people. Relatevely rich and safer than the rest of the country, home to the Pantanal, a unique biome with a very big biodiversity. Here is a video in English (there are better ones in Portuguese on youtube) of Bonito:

Bummer1234 · 18-04-2021 5:52pm

Was in tunisa a year before the terrorist attack on a holiday,found the resort lovely and great that it was so cheap, definitely different than Spain, but the Men where a little creepy to the misses walking down the street plus you would struggle to find a decent beer out and about as of course it was a dry area.

A lovely city I was before was Bratislava,architecturally it is a lovely city and everything is so so cheap,would recommend it for people to do for a weekend with cheap ryanair flights and can always get a train to Vienna or Budapest easily.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 18-04-2021 5:56pm

Colombia is a great place to visit, but suffers from a very bad reputation.

18-04-2021 5:56pm

notsoyoungwan wrote: »

Yeah like I said, I felt a constant threat there and was afraid. I’ve travelled solo quite a bit and haven’t had a similar experience anywhere, though I don’t tend to go off the beaten track much. But in Istanbul it really was horrendous. Three days in we cut our losses and got out of there before something bad happened. I’ve never ever even remotely considered that anywhere else I’ve been.

The ‘hard sell’ I referred to was so different to the “oh special price for you, lovely lady” patter you get in markets elsewhere, it was being brought to a shop I hadn’t asked to be brought to, being ushered in without any explanation, the door closed behind me and two men there pressuring me to buy and speaking among themselves presumably about me, with no obvious means of exit for me as the taxi driver was blocking the door, and a general seedy/creepy vibe in the atmosphere.

My sister's kept getting sexually harassed and assaulted every night.

According to some on here they were probably overreacting to having being grabbed all over their body on a nightly basis.

18-04-2021 6:04pm

Probably not too underrated anymore, but Montenegro is a great place to holiday.
Same as Croatia and quarter the price.
Kotor Bay is one of my favourite places, beautiful.

Das Reich · 18-04-2021 6:08pm

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Colombia is a great place to visit, but suffers from a very bad reputation.

It is not "bad reputation" and any statistic figures proves that.

bubblypop wrote: »

I spent a lot of time in Istanbul, I'm a single woman but I didn't get any of that behaviour at all.
The 'hard sell' is something everybody gets in Turkey, if you just ignore it, it stops, you don't have to engage. I have spent days walking around markets and a simple headshake was enough for them to ignore you!
I never felt any fear and I have stayed in the city as a single woman.
Coastal resorts are much worse and not somewhere I would go to as a single woman, unless you were just planning on staying in a hotel for the whole time.
Friend of mine is very dark, actually looks foreign and not at all Irish, she doesn't get a second of hassle, she's totally ignored

It's a pity you didn't like Istanbul, I think it's an amazing city with so much to do and see.

She is definately not darker than me, 1,90 metre big muscled Brazilian man with beard. And you know what? Was follow by some insistent man.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 18-04-2021 7:00pm

Das Reich wrote: »

It is not "bad reputation" and any statistic figures proves that.

It has a worse reputation than other countries in the region which are equally dangerous, or have a similarly violent history.

18-04-2021 7:08pm

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

It has a worse reputation than other countries in the region which are equally dangerous, or have a similarly violent history.

It's like comparing Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy.

Did you smash it · 18-04-2021 7:11pm

Salisbury for it’s cathedral

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 18-04-2021 7:11pm

Deleted User wrote: »

It's like comparing Ted Bundy to John Wayne Gacy.

Brazil, for instance, has a higher homicide rate than Colombia. Peru is a country that a vicious civil war like Colombia. But Colombia's reputation is much worse than either of them. Funnily enough, when I first came to Colombia older Irish people were appalled and younger people didn't know anything about the place. That changed because of a certain Netflix show.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer · 18-04-2021 7:12pm

I agree with the people mentioning Korea here. There's a lot to see there, but it doesn't seem to get so many tourists.

Zaney · 18-04-2021 7:22pm

Hamsterchops wrote: »

Wales.

... and it's on our doorstep.

We’ve nearly booked to go to Wales many times, but have never found good value accommodation. Doesn’t help that we’ve kids and are restricted to school holidays and we can’t go away in July because of my husband’s work. Any suggestions?

pauliebdub · 18-04-2021 7:30pm

Deleted User wrote: »

My sister's said the same. Sounds like a horrible country.

Your sister is right the harassment is a real nuisance and it occurred frequently while I was there. There was also a bit of an edge about the place as it was around the time of the attempted coup. Stunning city but I wouldn't go back.

NSAman · 18-04-2021 7:31pm

Internationally, Istanbul. I love the city, it’s a shame Irdogan is there but as a city it’s like New York in Asia. La Digue in Seychelles paradise with nothing there except beaches and beauty. Rwanda in Africa. Fantastic country, beautiful and the people are wonderful. Seoul Korea, while the business district is dead after hours, the side streets,,,,wow!

At home, Caherciveen just love the calmness the local walks the beaches, quieter than Waterville and less tourists that portmagee, it also has a sense of community.

pauliebdub · 18-04-2021 7:37pm

snowstorm445 wrote: »

Valencia in Spain is a lovely city, far less busy than Barcelona, filled with history, and very walkable.

Great call. It's a fabulous city that doesn't get a huge number of visitors like Barcelona or Madrid but I think it's nicer than either. Malaga is another great underrated city, many people fly to Malaga and completely skip the town in favour of the resort's.

Mullinabreena · 18-04-2021 7:58pm

Any one got some under rated places in Ireland for when things start to open up more?

phelixoflaherty · 18-04-2021 8:00pm

Your Face wrote: »

I wouldnt share that info for fear it would turn into a major tourist destination.

I think the word is Infestation.

tdf7187 · 18-04-2021 8:01pm

Did you smash it wrote: »

Salisbury for it’s cathedral

Popular holiday destination for Russians, I heard.

Feenix · 18-04-2021 10:05pm

Wroclaw

silliussoddius · 18-04-2021 10:23pm

pauliebdub wrote: »

Great call. It's a fabulous city that doesn't get a huge number of visitors like Barcelona or Madrid but I think it's nicer than either. Malaga is another great underrated city, many people fly to Malaga and completely skip the town in favour of the resort's.

I’d always wanted to go as the La Tomatina festival is held nearby.

alias no.9 · 18-04-2021 10:36pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

I had a great three-day trip to Porto.

Just a two-hour flight from Dublin.

Great architecture, friendly locals, affordable meals and drink. Plenty of accommodation.

While the city is very walkable, there is a very modern metro that also serves the airport.

You can take boat trips down the River Douro, sample the port wine in Gaia, attend an FC Porto match, climb the church towers, saunter across the spectacular Luis I bridge and visit the bookstore that inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter. I think she worked there.

It's about 15 years ago now but we really loved Porto, purely by chance we were there for Feasta Sao Joao, I'd recommend it.

Around the same time we travelled the coastline from Trieste in Italy as far as Pula in Croatia, some spectacular scenery, warm seas, quaint towns and amazing seafood.

uch · 18-04-2021 10:55pm

Was in Dar es salaam in 2008, have to say best place I ever visited, typical African city, business district really fancy, but move 10k outside this and you see real poverty but real africans, everybody is really friendly and wants to talk to you, in bars you are central of attention because you are white mzungu, never came across any hostility, nicest people I've ever met the Tanzanians

fryup · 18-04-2021 10:58pm

fryup wrote: »

Coral Bay in western australia on the ningaloo reef, stumbled upon it by chance many moons ago - gorgeous!

silliussoddius wrote: »

Went there to swim with Whale Sharks. Beautiful place in the middle of nowhere, I liked that it wasn’t over developed back then.

ya i wonder has it changed? i was there in the 90's

retalivity · 18-04-2021 11:02pm

silliussoddius wrote: »

I’d always wanted to go as the La Tomatina festival is held nearby.

I was at it 5-6 years ago, and spent a few days in valencia beforehand. La tomatina is great craic, and valencia is just a nice place to hang out

Sharpyshoot · 18-04-2021 11:05pm

The galtees, yes they do lick out their sisters before the dinner in the middle of the day.

gypsy79 · 18-04-2021 11:08pm

The first place that comes to mind is nearly completely unknown BUT it isnt underrated by anyone that has heard of it is Ishafan

Damascus WAS one of the most amazing cities in the world

Not underrated but awesome for a night out is Addis

In Europe, boring but Brussels is GREAT if you let it be

chosen1 · 18-04-2021 11:26pm

Did you smash it wrote: »

Salisbury for it’s cathedral

Cathedral is fantastic and it is a pretty city, very close to Stonehenge.

Don't expect much entertainment come night time though. Dead as a doornail after 11 o'clock.

lc180 · 18-04-2021 11:26pm

gypsy79 wrote: »

In Europe, boring but Brussels is GREAT if you let it be

I think I've been to Brussels about 5 times. My go to city in Europe for a relaxed weekend away. Not the most exciting city in the world but great for concerts, food and nice beers. Can get great deals on hotels at the weekend after all the suits leave town.

Porklife · 18-04-2021 11:28pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I don't know who you are therefore I don't trust you.

Goodbye.

ðŸ˜… I'm not even sure why but this comment made me laugh!

Belgrade is a cool city that wouldn't be listed as a hot spot. Really friendly people and they love the Irish. We were given free beers on a boat trip as soon as the guide heard we were Irish. He made an announcement that there were Irish people on board and everyone clapped.
We weren't expecting it at all but alot of bars play U2 or trad music and there are Irish flags on the walls.
A tour guide explained to us that Serbian people relate to the Irish because of our history and they're rooting for the underdog. They are passionate about music and love a good session and just love Ireland!
The food was amazing. There are alot of farms around the city and the produce is so fresh. It's cheap, cracking weather and there are parties on the boats along the canal in the evening.
A really fun city.

silliussoddius · 18-04-2021 11:28pm

fryup wrote: »

ya i wonder has it changed? i was there in the 90's

I was there in 2004 and I just remember there being a hostel, campground/caravan park and a small hotel. I was impressed that it wasn’t some sprawling tacky resort type development.

gypsy79 · 18-04-2021 11:33pm

lc180 wrote: »

I think I've been to Brussels about 5 times. My go to city in Europe for a relaxed weekend away. Not the most exciting city in the world but great for concerts, food and nice beers. Can get great deals on hotels at the weekend after all the suits leave town.

Thats exactly what I was saying. But most people cant see what it has going

18-04-2021 11:34pm

Porklife wrote: »

ðŸ˜… I'm not even sure why but this comment made me laugh!

Belgrade is a cool city that wouldn't be listed as a hot spot. Really friendly people and they love the Irish. We were given free beers on a boat trip as soon as the guide heard we were Irish. He made an announcement that there were Irish people on board and everyone clapped.
We weren't expecting it at all but alot of bars play U2 or trad music and there are Irish flags on the walls.
A tour guide explained to us that Serbian people relate to the Irish because of our history and they're rooting for the underdog. They are passionate about music and love a good session and just love Ireland!
The food was amazing. There are alot of farms around the city and the produce is so fresh. It's cheap, cracking weather and there are parties on the boats along the canal in the evening.
A really fun city.

That's gas because Serbia is basically England if you think about trying to compare our history!

gypsy79 · 18-04-2021 11:37pm

bubblypop wrote: »

That's gas because Serbia is basically England if you think about trying to compare our history!

Belgrade has a nasty side to it.

Once ended up in Free Radovan Karadžić march there and met some of the lowest of the low

Muahahaha · 18-04-2021 11:44pm

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

I had a great three-day trip to Porto.

Just a two-hour flight from Dublin.

Great architecture, friendly locals, affordable meals and drink. Plenty of accommodation.

While the city is very walkable, there is a very modern metro that also serves the airport.

You can take boat trips down the River Douro, sample the port wine in Gaia, attend an FC Porto match, climb the church towers, saunter across the spectacular Luis I bridge and visit the bookstore that inspired JK Rowling for Harry Potter. I think she worked there.

+1 on Porto, a really nice city with some good things to see. FC Porto werent playing at home the weekend we were there but another team called Braga 50kms up the road were playing at home so we got a train there for a game instead. Got some surprise to see their stadium is built at the side of a cliff face, pretty unique

whomadewho · 18-04-2021 11:44pm

Dick phelan wrote: »

Inspired by the "most boring place you visited" thread, how about the opposite, somewhere you've visited that's not a major tourist destination but you'd recommend. For me I don't know how underrated it really is but I really liked Busan in Korea.

Budapest is great city, Kathmandu in Nepal, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia are great Island loads to see and do. I loved Korea when I was there, friends were teaching English in Chung Ju City, Had a brilliant night on the beer in Seoul one Saturday, 20 years ago now.

VG31 · 18-04-2021 11:45pm

bubblypop wrote: »

That's gas because Serbia is basically England if you think about trying to compare our history!

I was thinking the same. It would make more sense in Bosnia or Kosovo.

humberklog · 18-04-2021 11:50pm

chosen1 wrote: »

Cathedral is fantastic and it is a pretty city, very close to Stonehenge.

Don't expect much entertainment come night time though. Dead as a doornail after 11 o'clock.

There used to be a nightclub called Churchill's in the town and it would be full of squaddies, it was rough as boots.

I met Ted Heath at a Bulgarian Folk concert in the cathedral back in the 90's. Nice man, knew lots about Co. Cork- more than me anyway.

A lot of England is a bit overlooked by Irish. Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are lovely fun places to holiday. London is a cracking city to visit- a major city on our doorstep and we speaky the lingo. You'd seldom hear an Irish person saying they were heading to London on a city break. I lived there but one thing I always thought brought London down a bit for weekend breaks was the hotels. A lot are surprisingly dingy, outdated and unfriendly.

19-04-2021 12:07am

VG31 wrote: »

I was thinking the same. It would make more sense in Bosnia or Kosovo.

The kosovars do indeed love the Irish, there have been many working there over the years and they have the affinity with them, kind of a shared experience. Although not quite the same

Porklife · 19-04-2021 12:16am

bubblypop wrote: »

The kosovars do indeed love the Irish, there have been many working there over the years and they have the affinity with them, kind of a shared experience. Although not quite the same

I agree. We drove from Belgrade to Bosnia with a really cool tour guide but there was a level of aggression in the car the whole time. It was roasting hot and without asking he started smoking cigarettes. He kept spitting out the window too. He was telling us all about the history but at times it was scary how angry he was getting.
Crossing the border was a nightmare. He kept saying if this guy looks at me again, ill shoot him. I honestly think he had a gun under his seat or in the glovebox.
Definitely an edge to Belgrade and it is rough but i still enjoyed it and rate it highly.

L1011 · 19-04-2021 12:18am

Vigo in Spain. Used to be direct flights but obviously wasn't popular enough.

seenitall · 19-04-2021 12:49am

alias no.9 wrote: »

Around the same time we travelled the coastline from Trieste in Italy as far as Pula in Croatia, some spectacular scenery, warm seas, quaint towns and amazing seafood.

Lol as far as

Sorry, I’m sure you had a fab time, it’s just that distance is about the same as Cork to Waterford, half a day’s drive max but more like a couple of hours, so that got me a bit

but it sounds like you stopped off plenty to admire the scenery and eat well so good for you!

So yeah, on that note, that peninsula, Istria, is quite underrated in international tourism terms (if it’s Croatia, it has to be Dubrovnik, right?), it’s gorgeous with medieval little towns perched on hills and the standard beautiful coastline, and gastronomically blessed (especially if you like good wines, and truffles...). The Roman amphitheatre in Pula is one of the best preserved ones overall, and is good for concerts.

Charles Babbage · 19-04-2021 1:39am

Muahahaha wrote: »

+1 on Porto, a really nice city with so

me good things to see.

Great festival in Porto 3rd week in June. Traditionally, everyone hits other people with vegetables, but nowadays they use plastic hammers.

we were there but another team called Braga 50kms up the road were playing at home so we got a train there for a game instead. Got some surprise to see their stadium is built at the side of a cliff face, pretty unique

like a fancy version of Clones.

fryup · 19-04-2021 8:20am

silliussoddius wrote: »

I was there in 2004 and I just remember there being a hostel, campground/caravan park and a small hotel. I was impressed that it wasn’t some sprawling tacky resort type development.

sounds the same when i was there, hope they keep it that way

Mad_maxx · 19-04-2021 10:11am

County Mayo

beautiful scenery ( Louisburgh is as good as anything neighbouring galway has to offer ) , friendly people , long drives between towns , interesting coastline

Westport is a cracking town for its size

Mad_maxx · 19-04-2021 10:14am

Muahahaha wrote: »

+1 on Porto, a really nice city with some good things to see. FC Porto werent playing at home the weekend we were there but another team called Braga 50kms up the road were playing at home so we got a train there for a game instead. Got some surprise to see their stadium is built at the side of a cliff face, pretty unique

Porto is on my bucket list , my sister visited there circa 2018 and was very impressed , ive been to Lisbon myself and the surrounding area and loved it , i really like Portugal and the portugese people

Das Reich · 19-04-2021 10:39am

bubblypop wrote: »

That's gas because Serbia is basically England if you think about trying to compare our history!

How is that? They were occupied for centuries by Ottoman Empire and manage to kick them off just last century. Before that they were pushed South by Habsburgs and North by Ottomans. They had no access to the Sea, colonized nothing, had no slave trade. If you think about, your loved Turks are and were much more similar to the English, think about all genocides the Turks did everywhere they could.

EDIT: Now that I remember, they arrived even in Ireland in County Cork and in Icelands to take slaves and sell them in Algeria.

19-04-2021 10:51am

Das Reich wrote: »

How is that? They were occupied for centuries by Ottoman Empire and manage to kick them off just last century. Before that they were pushed South by Habsburgs and North by Ottomans. They had no access to the Sea, colonized nothing, had no slave trade. If you think about, your loved Turks are and were much more similar to the English, think about all genocides the Turks did everywhere they could.

EDIT: Now that I remember, they arrived even in Ireland in County Cork and in Icelands to take slaves and sell them in Algeria.

Serbia committed genocide to their fellow former Yugoslavia neighbours.
They stopped Kosovan Albanians from speaking their language, closed Albanian schools, threw Kosovans out of all government and civil service positions, threw them out of the police. Did not allow the teaching of any Albanian history of culture.
That's how they are like the English.
What is 'your loved Turks ' about?

mariaalice · 19-04-2021 10:51am

Wales, we have has fabulous holiday there if you are the type that likes country pubs, history, senary, castles, hiking and just pottering around its for you. For me personality, I would avoid a lot of the coast except for Portmeirion.

Caernarfon Castle, Bodnant gardens there is loads to do.

We stayed in a posh restaurant with rooms for one night on a dinner bnb package and in Airbnb and the rest of the time the Airbnb had a hot tub on a balcony overlooking a river, car hire is cheap as well. We flew into Manchester and did it that way.

Chester is fabulous as well.

mariaalice · 19-04-2021 10:59am

The thing about the very touristy bits of the UK is Devon Cornwell, Dorset the lake district are very busy to the point of being jammed which is off-putting.

We went to Cambridge and had a great time but its a massive tourist attraction to the point that there can be no room on the pavements.

Underrated places to visit

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