The Albanian Riviera
Forget the packed beaches of Italy and Greece for a moment. Just across the Adriatic lies the Albanian Riviera, a stunning stretch of coastline that travel insiders have been whispering about for years. The secret is getting out. With turquoise waters
that rival the Caribbean and a backdrop of rugged mountains, it's a Mediterranean dream without the nightmare price tag. The coastal drive from Vlorë to Sarandë is one of Europe's best, winding past hidden coves and sleepy fishing villages.Towns like Ksamil offer idyllic beaches, while historic sites like the UNESCO-recognized city of Gjirokastër provide a deep dive into the country’s rich Ottoman past. Albania's tourism infrastructure is rapidly developing, with new boutique hotels and restaurants popping up along the coast. This is the sweet spot: it’s accessible and comfortable for travelers, but it hasn't lost the raw, unvarnished charm that makes it so special. Go for the incredible seafood, the friendly locals, and the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon Europe’s last hidden shore.
Mérida, Mexico
While the masses flock to the beach parties of Tulum and Cancún, the smart traveler heads inland to Mérida. As the cultural heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, this city is a vibrant explosion of color, history, and flavor. The streets are lined with pastel-hued colonial mansions, the plazas are alive with music and dancing, and the food scene is one of the most exciting in Mexico. It’s safer, cleaner, and more culturally immersive than many of the coastal hotspots.Spend your days exploring the grand Paseo de Montejo, diving into refreshing cenotes (natural swimming sinkholes) just outside the city, and using it as a base to visit world-class Mayan ruins like Uxmal and Chichen Itza without the resort-town hustle. The culinary scene alone is worth the trip, from hole-in-the-wall spots serving perfect cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) to high-end restaurants reimagining ancient Mayan ingredients. Mérida’s popularity is rising fast, but for now, it remains a haven of authenticity.
The Azores, Portugal
Mainland Portugal has had its moment in the sun for years. Now, it's time to look west—way west. The Azores, a remote archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, are a paradise for nature lovers and adventurers. Often described as a mix of Hawaii, Iceland, and Ireland, this autonomous region of Portugal is a world of its own. Think lush green landscapes, dramatic black-sand beaches, bubbling geothermal hot springs, and crater lakes of an unbelievable blue.Each island has its own distinct personality. São Miguel is the largest and most accessible, with its famous Sete Cidades lake. Pico is dominated by a towering volcano perfect for hiking. Flores feels like a real-life Jurassic Park. With an increasing number of direct flights from the U.S., the secret is out, but the islands’ commitment to sustainable tourism means they haven’t been spoiled. Go now for whale watching, canyoning, and the profound feeling of being on the edge of the world.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hear me out. For an underrated gem right here in the U.S., look no further than Milwaukee. Long in the shadow of its neighbor to the south, Chicago, this city on the shore of Lake Michigan is having a major renaissance. It blends its industrial, blue-collar heritage with a surge of creative energy, resulting in a destination that’s both down-to-earth and surprisingly cool.The city has transformed its waterfront, boasts a stunning art museum designed by Santiago Calatrava, and is packed with distinct, walkable neighborhoods like the Historic Third Ward, filled with galleries, boutiques, and excellent restaurants. And yes, this is still a beer town, but the scene has evolved far beyond its macro-brewery past into a craft beer paradise. It’s a city that’s comfortable in its own skin, offering a fantastic urban getaway—great food, great drink, beautiful lakefront—without the big-city price tag or attitude. With the Republican National Convention coming in 2024, the national spotlight is turning its way, so visit before it's on everyone's radar.
