I booked Airbnbs in small towns while backpacking Europe and found 2 hidden-gem destinations I'd never heard of

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A composite image of the author in a cap and blue polo standing in front of a tub-shaped brown building with trees and grass in the background and a sunlit field in front of houses with mountains in the background
Business Insider's reporter booked Airbnbs outside major European cities and found some hidden gems in Germany and Switzerland.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My favorite gem in Italy is just an hour from Venice. It's packed with stunning scenery and feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Colorful buildings and a covered bridge over a river in front of mountains.
I visited Bassano del Grappa, a less-visited city in Italy.

underworld/Shutterstock

My family's favorite vacation spot is a gorgeous strip of beach towns on Mexico's coast. It has something for everyone.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Author Lauren Qunn smiling in selfie with man on beach
San Agustinillo is one of many beautiful spots on the Oaxacan Coast that we've loved exploring.

Lauren Quinn

Surfing in Switzerland? One medieval town has waves, castles, and barely any tourists.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Thun, Switzerland
Thun, Switzerland, is a hidden gem destination with medieval castles and lakeside mountain views.

Stephanie Foden for BI

I visited a beautiful region in Canada with incredible waterfront sunsets and fresh seafood. It's a true local gem.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Mira Miller standing next to rock formation in park
provincial park

Mira Miller

I booked budget Airbnbs in small towns while backpacking Europe and found 2 hidden-gem destinations I'd never heard of

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A composite image of the author in a cap and blue polo standing in front of a tub-shaped brown building with trees and grass in the background and a sunlit field in front of houses with mountains in the background
Business Insider's reporter booked Airbnbs outside major European cities and found some hidden gems in Germany and Switzerland.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've been to 20 national parks and forests around the US. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most underrated.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author sits on the edge of a canyon with rich, green canyons in front of her.
The author enjoys the view from Rainbow Rim Trail.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Forget Barcelona — a full-time solo traveler says this lesser-known Spanish city is a hidden gem

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Two images. Left: A cathedral on the left side of a canal at sunset on a cloudy day. Right: Right: A woman carries a backpack with trees on either side of her and a Renaissance building behind her.
Claire Sturzaker is a full-time solo traveler who recommends visiting Zaragoza, Spain, a hidden gem.

Claire Sturzaker/Tales of a Backpacker

Skip the tourist traps and high prices in Amsterdam — take a short train ride to this beautiful gem instead

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
View of buildings and bicycles outside of them in Groningen
I have lived in Groningen for years, and I think it's a great place to experience Dutch culture.

Sarah Veldman

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