There’s no shortage of truly remarkable destinations in this world to explore – and no shortage of Odysseys tours to introduce you to them. From Athens to Sydney, from the Canadian Rockies to Southeast Asia, the world’s top destinations draw countless visitors every year thanks to their natural beauty, fascinating histories, welcoming people, mouth-watering cuisine, and compelling culture.
But these top destinations are hardly the only ones worth visiting … for every Athens, there’s a Thessaloniki; for every Sydney, there’s a Tasmania. And if you’ve explored the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, catch your breath with a leisurely sojourn through the Maritime provinces. Sometimes, the off-the-beaten-path destinations are the ones that leave the greatest impression.
At Odysseys Unlimited, we’re proud to prominently feature oft-overlooked destinations in many of our small group tour itineraries. Scroll down to see some of our top picks.
Registan Square, Samarkand
It’s impossible to overstate the cultural, economic, and religious impact of the Silk Road. For over 1,500 years, merchants traveled along this network of trade routes, bringing valuable commodities back and forth between Europe and Asia. Oasis cities like Samarkand and Bukhara blossomed from fortified farming communities into storied hubs of art and education. Culture and religion spread along the routes as well, with Asian, Persian, and European customs and beliefs blending together.
On our Along Central Asia’s Silk Road small group tour, the Silk Road comes alive, as we discover three trading hubs of yesteryear: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. We witness the ancient cultural practices of the region – watching a yurt-making demonstration, attending a falconry workshop, and meeting local artisans – while also marveling at the interplay between historic architecture and contemporary life. Bazaars, mosques, museums, and cathedrals round out an eye-opening trip to this underexplored part of the world.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Over the past 30 years, the tourism industry in Africa has soared. And while many visitors flock to Morocco, Egypt, and the sub-Saharan safari lands, the nations of Southern Africa – particularly South Africa and Namibia – shouldn’t be overlooked.
Southern Africa is home to so much of what makes African tourism so unique and appealing: spectacular game viewing (Chobe National Park), stunning natural beauty (Victoria Falls), vibrant cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg), and so much more. It’s also where you’ll find the expansive and hauntingly beautiful Namib Desert – the oldest desert on Earth, known for its deep red-orange sand dunes. Best of all, you can visit all of these incredible destinations on one small group tour: Southern Africa Odyssey.
Mount Wellington, Tasmania
Australia covers an area nearly the same size as the contiguous United States. And while you’ll find large cosmopolitan cities like Melbourne and Sydney, the island nation does have the reputation of being a wild place full of exotic animals and undisturbed wilderness – a reputation that is perhaps best exemplified by Tasmania.
Tasmania is best known for its rugged, dramatic landscape and unique wildlife, and for the first time ever in 2027, you’ll be able to visit Tasmania with Odysseys Unlimited. On our brand-new Australia in Depth small group tour, you and your fellow travelers will spend three nights on this Australian isle, offering ample time to explore its diverse treasures. You’ll summit the 4,000-foot Mt. Wellington (above), tour the historic penal colony at Port Arthur, come face to face with the iconic “devil” at a wildlife sanctuary, and more. Plus, this new itinerary includes a two-night stay in Adelaide with a visit to the country home of renowned painter Hans Heysen, and a three-night stay in Melbourne, where we see the Philip Island penguin parade and stroll through this beloved walking city.
The Rotonda at Thessaloniki
When you think about Greece’s status as a vacation destination, “overlooked” likely isn’t the first word that comes to mind.
The nation’s history draws travelers from all over the globe – as the world’s preeminent civilization between the 5th and 1st centuries BCE, Ancient Greece is widely considered to be the cradle of Western civilization. Greek thinkers left indelible marks on the fields of philosophy, science, math, art, and literature, Greek democratic governance inspired the founding fathers of the United States, and Greek ruins have been discovered as far west as Spain and as far east as Türkiye. Add the magnificent natural beauty and sun-splashed beaches of Crete and Santorini, and Greece ranks high on many travel wish lists.
But travel north from Athens, rather than south, and you’ll find a few rewarding Greek destinations that are sometimes overlooked. Case in point: The cultural hub of Thessaloniki ranks as Greece’s co-capital and overflows with Byzantine-era history. It’s Greece’s second-largest city, yet it receives just 25% of the annual visitors that Athens does.
On our new Journey through Greece small group tour, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds. After two nights in Athens, we head to historic Delphi and Meteora before a two-night stay in Thessaloniki. Here, we see the Rotonda, the White Tower, and the Archaeological Museum, while also enjoying a visit to a local market and a Greek cooking class. Three nights on the sparkling, uncrowded island of Corfu in Greece’s northwest corner round out this unique itinerary.
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
When it comes to tourism in Canada, the Canadian Rockies are the country’s biggest draw, and with good reason: they are one of the most beautiful natural landscapes you’ll find anywhere on earth. But for those in search of a more laid-back vacation vibe that’s still uniquely Canadian, the Canadian Maritimes offer an excellent alternative.
Made up of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, the Maritimes are known for postcard-worthy fishing villages, world-class seafood, stunning coastal vistas, and fascinating history. On The Canadian Maritimes, you’ll spend 12 days exploring these seaside provinces, with highlights that include a visit to the quaint Peggy’s Cove and its iconic lighthouse, a Bay of Fundy whale watch, dinner aboard a working lobster boat, a full-day drive along the breathtaking Cabot Trail, and so much more.
Floating Islands of Los Uros, Lake Titicaca
Machu Picchu reigns as one of the most important surviving pillars of Inca culture. While some scholars disagree on the site’s exact purpose, many archaeologists believe the remarkably intact citadel was built around 1450 CE as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.
If Machu Picchu represents the architectural pinnacle of the Inca civilization (and Peru’s most well-known landmark), then Lake Titicaca represents the civilization’s spiritual birthplace – and offers a look at one of Peru’s lesser-known cultures. Situated high in the Peruvian Andes at 12,500 feet above sea level, this prehistoric lake straddles the border between modern-day Peru and Bolivia where, according to Incan folklore, the founders of the ancient empire once emerged from its deep blue waters.
On Day 9 of our Treasures of Peru small group tour, our guests have the opportunity to discover Lake Titicaca when we visit the Floating Islands of Los Uros (pictured above) and Isla Taquile by boat. Here, the top-hatted Uros people live on “islands” made of the reeds that grow in the lake’s shallows. In fact, the Uros rely on these reeds for virtually all their needs: their boats, the small huts in which they live, household items, and the handicrafts they sell. We also witness the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding us, with Bolivia’s snowcapped Cordillera range offering a striking backdrop to the deep blue of Lake Titicaca.
We invite you to discover some of the world’s best-kept secrets like these with Odysseys in 2027! To secure your spot on one of the above tours, simply submit an online reservation request or give us a call at 1-888-370-6765 and one of our Travel Counselors will be happy to assist you.
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