{"id":2245,"date":"2026-10-13T08:58:35","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/?p=2245"},"modified":"2026-10-13T08:58:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:58:35","slug":"three-underrated-vacation-spots-worth-the-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/?p=2245","title":{"rendered":"Three Underrated Vacation Spots Worth the Trip\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you\u2019re planning a trip, it\u2019s pretty easy to end up searching for the same places everyone else is talking about. You know the ones I’m referring to: packed streets, long lines, overpriced restaurants, and tourist spots that somehow look way better in photos than they do in real life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there\u2019s a whole other side to traveling that often gets overlooked. Far away from the usual tourist crowds are little towns, quiet beaches, mountain villages, and unusual destinations that can make a trip feel a lot more special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re tired of repeating the same type of vacation and want to discover somewhere that feels a little more unexpected, there are plenty of unique places worth putting on your vacation list. From peaceful escapes to random adventures, here are three amazing destinations that are most definitely worth the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1: Taranaki \u2013 New Zealand<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taranaki, on New Zealand’s North Island, is a great choice if you want to go somewhere beautiful without dealing with all the drama that typically surrounds popular travel destinations. The area is best known for Mount Taranaki\u2014a huge, currently dormant volcano surrounded by green forests, hiking trails, and black-sand beaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is plenty to do in Taranaki, no matter what type of person you are. If you are an active kind of traveler, you can ski or hike in the Manganui Ski area that has a T-bar, learner’s rope tow, access tow, and Top Tow, according to Skitaranaki.co<\/a>. The natural scenery of Taranaki surrounds the big ski area, and even getting there involves a scenic 30-minute walk through the natural park. If skiing isn’t really your thing, there are also plenty of trails and outdoor spots around Mount Taranaki to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For people who prefer a more relaxed trip, Taranaki also offers chill but still amazing viewpoints and locations. Fitzroy Beach is a great example because it’s very popular but still spacious, with spots for swimming, surfing, and walking along the black-sand coastline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is another great place to visit during your stay. It\u2019s a huge botanical garden with lakes, walking paths, flowers, and a fernery. In addition, it\u2019s not just good for photos; visitors on TripAdvisor have described spending hours exploring the park and still not seeing everything. One reviewer even said that they would visit regularly if they lived nearby\u2014 this already sounds pretty tempting to me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While looking for an accommodation in Taranaki, try to search on reputable websites like Booking.com or Airbnb, and avoid randomly choosing a hotel out of apathy. If you are interested in staying closer to the beach, Fitzroy Beach has many expensive and budget-friendly options to choose from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, look for hotels in New Plymouth if you want a more localized and central stay. And if hotels aren\u2019t really your thing, there are plenty of holiday homes, apartments, and Airbnb-style stays around the region, giving you plenty of ways to make your stay feel like your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2: County Sligo \u2013 Ireland <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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County Sligo, on the northwest coast of Ireland, is a fabulous spot for exploring the wilderness of the Irish countryside and indulging in its thousands of ancient megalithic sites. This region became known mostly because of W.B. Yeats, who is considered to be one of the greatest poets in human history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like Taranaki, County Sligo has countless things to do, especially if you’re looking to do something active. Drive a quick 15 minutes to Strandhill, where you can surf or walk along the beautiful Sligo beaches. You will remember the crashing of the waves and the sand between your toes long after your visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Later, make time for a trip to Carrowkeel, one of Ireland’s most ancient places. Explore the mysterious tombs in the striking setting of the Birklieve Mountains. Sligo has an extremely rich history and plenty to do\u2014it is truly a special part of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit Sligo is summer, especially around June through August. During this time, the days are longer, giving you more time to enjoy walking around Benbulben and exploring beaches or hikes near Strandhill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t overlook County Sligo just because it isn\u2019t an Ireland hotspot; it might just end up being the place you remember most!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3: S\u00e3o Miguel \u2013 Azores, Portugal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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S\u00e3o Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, is a beautiful destination known for its green landscapes, beautiful scenery, large mountains, and crater lakes. Often called the \u201cGreen Island,\u201d S\u00e3o Miguel has a mixture of green landscapes, blue lakes, and coastal views, making it a complete package if you are looking for gorgeous views without the crowds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I would choose this place to visit first since it is like a combination of two very beloved travel destinations\u2014Hawaii and Switzerland. Furthermore, the flight is not only faster from Barcelona than a trip to the Canary Islands, but a ticket can also be found for under \u20ac200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like Taranaki and County Sligo, S\u00e3o Miguel has tons of outdoor activities to indulge in . Head to Cete Ciadades, where you can walk through the volcanic landscape and the famous blue and green lakes from viewpoints such as Visto do Rei. If you want something different, you can go whale and dolphin watching, as the Azores have a front-row seat to view the migration of various types of whales and dolphins. However, if you are looking for something more active, you can try activities such as cycling along the mountainous terrain or kayaking somewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

June to August or the spring months are great times to enjoy the lush greenery and striking viewpoints of this island\u2014making sure to fit everything in with the extra hours of daylight. Don\u2019t miss Sao Miguel when exploring Portugal; you would miss amazing nature and beautiful coastlines of the Atlantic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, you don\u2019t always have to visit the most famous tourist destinations to have an unforgettable experience: Taranaki, County Sligo, and Sao Miguel all offer beautiful scenery, lots of things to do, and a chance to explore somewhere that feels different. So if you are done with the crowded vacation spots, maybe it\u2019s time to visit somewhere a little more underrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When you\u2019re planning a trip, it\u2019s pretty easy to end up searching for the same places everyone else is talking about. You know…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107,"featured_media":2249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion-pieces","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/107"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2245"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2251,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2245\/revisions\/2251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blueandread.asbarcelona.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}