Most underrated countries to visit in the world? (low crime, architecture)

[Thepastpresentandfuture]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

Romania is seriouly underrated.

That is interesting you said that. What reasons do you feel Romania is an underrated country to visit?

I have visited Romania three times before since I have some family there. I undecided about whether it is underrated or not to visit. Other than Romania, I also feel the same thing exact thing for Bulgaria.

They almost did not make my list but I decided to add them to my list. But in retrospect, I think I may regret having them on my list because I am mostly undecided about those 2 countries and whether they are underrated or not to visit.

[lolagranola]

My family & I were recently in Ethiopia & were absolutely blown away! We didn't travel outside the city as much as we would have like, next time we will travel it more extensively! The country side was beautiful, the food was so good!, But the people were what made it truely remarkable.

[Budke]

Oman, Morocco and Algeria

[TanjaBelieve]

Im from Slovenia and believe me its very beautiful here. But people only se that is one of the smallest countries.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by danielsa1775

One i certinaly agree with on the origional list is South Korea, excluding the US military personal and english teachers on work breaks, you are hard pressed to find any western tourists in the country. Still i would rather it remain that way.

I was living and teaching in South Korea for about 7 years out of a 12 year period.

Pretty much EVERY FOREIGNER you meet will always be US military related or an English teacher.

I remember meeting only ONE tourist...an Israeli guy who apparently really liked kimchi, from working with Koreans on his working holiday in the U.S. Because of that, he decided he wanted to visit Korea.

I introduced him to many, many people...english teachers...and they were all equally amazed and baffled that he came to visit as a tourist like that.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Tiger Blood

That is because African countries are very poor, most of them have a low human development index. The "richest" African countries have a medium human development index at best. And even than, countries with a medium development index still have a lot of absolute poverty, which is the worst type of poverty that exists.

Plenty of poor countries have a ton of travelers though. India, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.

The problem with Africa is that it is costly to get to, and costly to travel around. Cheap once in a set country, but not so cheap if you have 6 months and want to country hop around.

I've certainly looked into it...

If I were to choose where I'd want to go in Africa..the list would be long...but places like Madigascar, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal.

The problem is affording airfare to get there, and bouncing around between the countries I want to go there.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

Yes, I'm the third person to say Vietnam. It's pretty much wonderful throughout, even the loud bustle of the city (Hanoi, though I'm sure Ho Chi Minh is so much more bustling).

I haven't read this entire thread yet...but since this is already the third person to say they've been to Vietnam and loved it...I'm the fourth (but by the time I catch up to the end of the thread, maybe I'll be the sixth or seventh?)

But, I also really enjoyed visiting Vietnam. However, once you physically go there, you'll see it is loaded up with tourism throughout.

It's underrated in that most people don't think about it when making travel plans, but on the other hand, many people have been there, and it's a real interesting place.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by MalaMan

I think Brazil is underrated as a tourism destination. Brazil has TONS of paradise beaches, specially in the Northeast, but receives far less tourists than it should.

I agree. I spent six months in Brazil, and not many tourists at all. A lot of people go to South America, but they go there to study or practice Spanish. Which makes them skip Brazil altogether.

Of the six months down there, I only met 3 Americans in that entire time. I met quite a few Europeans though. But not a ton. Just met them at the beaches, and around Carnival. Not so much anywhere else.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Gateway Region

3. Ireland - Do people realize there is more to Ireland than Dublin? I am curious to know the facts as to how many people see only Dublin and then leave the country.

I've been to Ireland, and saw way more tourists in Galway. I found it more a jewel of Ireland.

If I'd only gone to Dublin, I would have basically just been in a random big city with some distinct Irish characteristics, but would have missed out on the whole 'tourist experience' that Galway gives and delivers.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Stumbler.

How about Sri Lanka -- I know they fought a civil war recently and I don't know how they are doing now, but that seems like a tropical tourist location that I don't hear talked about that much.

I'll let you know in August I've already booked tickets to Sri Lanka.

But, I think because of the long-running Civil War, it was off the radar for so many years...it is just very recently that some people (mostly people who love to travel) are putting it on their travel radar screen.

It also helps that AIR ASIA (out of Kuala Lumpur) has really cheap tickets that go to Colombo now. Southeast Asia is VERY well-traveled, so any cheap flights from that region, will quickly spill into the next place.