BY POOJA VALEJA
Whether you are wanting to explore a peaceful mountain retreat or a charming coastal village, or even an international adventure dipped in culture and scenic beauty, the world is full of incredible places. So, let’s dive deep into details of some of these hidden gems that have unique things to look out for:
- Sugarcreek, Ohio:
While we all know of the famous museums in Cincinnati and downtown, Sugarcreek is truly a peaceful landscape in the heart of Ohio. It is a small town, nicknamed as ‘The Little Switzerland of Ohio’ with its countryside charm and tradition. This town is an Amish town where you’ll find horse-drawn buggies, homemade cheese, and old-fashioned hospitality. It has colorful streets which sell hand-made goods and pastries. It has the world’s largest cuckoo clock, that has an old-time band that comes out to play music every half hour entertaining audiences and passersby. Don’t forget to take a ride on a buggy and visit the Ohio Star Theater, or shop for handmade Amish goods and feed their cattle at their farms.
- Catalina Island, California:
If you want a feel of Greece and don’t have the time and budget to travel that far. You have it in California. Just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, this island feels like a Mediterranean escape. It is perfect for honeymoons and small intimate weddings. It has a laid-back, beachy, romantic vibe for couples and family. It has all the beachy activities one wishes for and you don’t need an additional visa. A ferry takes you to this island. Explore the town of Avalon, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, or take a glass-bottom boat tour. - Mackinac Island, Michigan:
A widely undiscovered and unexplored island with a historic and nostalgic feel, this island is Mackinac Island, a part of Michigan. An interestingly unique feature of this island is that no cars or electric vehicles are allowed on this island! So, one needs to get around by bike, foot, or horse-drawn carriages. Image how fresh the air could be! It is known for its Victorian homes, charming downtown, and world-famous chocolate fudge. It is a small island, and one needs to get onto it by ferry or park the cars at the parking lot right outside. Some of the interesting highlights include Fort Mackinac, which has scenic coastal views, and the Grand Hotel.
- Cinque Terre, Italy:
With a coastal and colorful vibe, Cinque Terre is a romantic destination for your anniversaries and special occasions. It’s ideal for a destination wedding too. It is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its five cliffside villages along the Ligurian Sea. If you like adventure, it has loads of hiking activities for you. You could hike between towns on scenic trails. Don’t forget to enjoy its lip-smacking cuisine from some of its finest fresh pesto to seafood. It’s known for its wines grown traditionally on terraces of this village so try out their vineyards. Cars are restricted since the narrow lanes could be difficult to move in them. But each lane has a story to tell and view to watch. Its best explored by train, foot, or ferry.
- Hallstatt, Austria:
Hallstatt is a postcard-perfect village on Lake Hallstatt with traditional Austrian houses. Its a small town with a lake on one side and mountains on the other. It has a serene, alpine, fairy-tale-like sense, excellent for relaxation and rejuvenation. It’s known to have salt mines which are some of the oldest in the whole world. Boat rides are the best way to move around and explore the clean waters. It has picturesque views to look forward to. One could embark on an unforgettable Austrian adventure and explore Salzburg & Hallstatt closeby. - Cappadocia, Turkey:
When we think of Turkey we only think of their authentic sweets and cuisine and its architecture but there is more to that. Cappadocia is a surreal, ancient, place filled with adventure and culture. A must-do at Cappadocia is the hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the valleys. They also have some of the finest photoshoots on the terraces for pre-weddings and couples. The interesting part of the hotels is that you can stay in cave hotels, explore underground cities, and enjoy rich Turkish culture.
- Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada:
Canada has some hidden gems that need to be explored more often. Banff National Park has majestic, wild and breathtaking vibes, It is one of Canada’s first national park, located in the Canadian Rockies. The Gondola ride gives you some breathtaking views taking you close to nature. Stunning turquoise lakes like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are picture-perfect. You could also opt for stargazing tours to keep your evenings enlightening and wildlife photography could be passion once you see them up-close. Hike, Ski or just sip some wine, you have a lot to explore if you want a short travel and not too far away from home.
