Some places are famous for a reason. They’re iconic, beautiful, and often live up to the hype. But once you’ve been, a whole other layer of travel opens up, to places that feel just as special, yet a little less expected.
This isn’t about skipping the classics. It’s about what comes next. If you love Tokyo, there’s more to Japan worth falling for. If you’re drawn to the Greek islands, here’s one that might not be on your radar yet.
Similar spark. Different pace. And as always, set a flight alert in the Going app so you never miss a great deal to one of these under-the-radar destinations.
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Japan’s hot in the summer. Figuratively and literally. But there’s a spot up north—Sapporo—where you can enjoy an authentic local experience, cooler weather, and life-changing ramen for $4 a bowl. And before you ask: Yes, it’s where the beer comes from. And yes, you can tour the brewery, now a museum, where the beer was founded and stick around for tastings in the beer hall afterward.
Sapporo really pops off in the winter as the gateway to world-class skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido, but summer packs just as much of a punch, as it’s surrounded by those grand, mountainous landscapes, just with a bit less snow.
Scott, Going’s Co-Founder and Chief Flight Expert, took his family on a month-long trip to Sapporo in summer 2025. Hear what he had to say about it recently on Live! Kelly and Mark.
At the end of the day, Tokyo will likely still be your gateway hub to Japan. It’s where most great deals fly into. Think of Sapporo as the next stop once you’ve gotten your fill of the big city.
Also consider: Osaka
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Barcelona → Palma de Mallorca |
Barcelona is one of Europe’s greats: beach-city energy, late-night tapas, and Gaudí masterpieces. If you love Barcelona’s mix of culture and coast, head to Palma de Mallorca next.
Palma is the capital of Mallorca, the Balearic island that’s been perfecting Mediterranean life for centuries. You get a similar rhythm—cafés spilling into plazas, salty air, and long lunches—with a layer of island ease.
The city itself won’t disappoint, with a Gothic cathedral rising from the sea, golden-stone streets, and neighborhoods made for wandering. Mallorca is also a destination for food lovers, with local staples like pillowy cocas de patata, sweet spiral ensaïmadas, and sobrassada, the island’s paprika-rich cured sausage. Palma has an artistic through-line Barcelona fans will appreciate, too—Miró lived and worked here, Picasso spent time on the island, and even Gaudí left his mark on the cathedral’s interior.
Beyond the city, Mallorca opens up into hidden coves, mountain villages, and easy day trips to places like Sóller, Deià, or Valldemossa—proof that the island magic doesn’t stop at Palma’s edges.
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Mexico City is electric. It’s one of the greatest food cities on Earth, packed with museums, neighborhoods, and enough late-night tacos to fuel a lifetime. If you want Mexico’s culture, with the pace turned down a notch, head for Oaxaca.
The food takes center stage. Oaxaca is widely considered the gastronomic capital of Mexico, home to legendary mole sauces (there are seven kinds, and yes, you should try them all), smoky grilled meats at Pasillo de Humo, and quesillo cheese (Oaxaca’s stringy white cheese).
This city is smaller and more intimate, with chocolate and mezcal virtually on tap. The streets are lined with brightly painted buildings, markets hum with Indigenous languages and traditions, and the surrounding mountains add a layer of natural beauty. Mexico City will always be a megastar. But Oaxaca is the kind of place that gets you to dig a bit deeper into local life.
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Santorini has a certain je ne sais quoi that keeps attracting the masses. While it’s got the “it” factor, it also means that you’ll probably be bumping elbows to secure the sunset pic.
If quintessential Greek island life is what you’re after, Sifnos will give it to you—and then some. It’s widely regarded as a (the?) top Greek island for foodies, and known as the birthplace of modern Greek food. Sifnos is also renowned for its dishes slow-cooked in pottery—pottery that’s been made from the island’s natural clay deposits for thousands of years. And there are plenty of local artisans who produce the goods, each one turning the island’s earth into something lasting, tangible, and deeply Sifnian that you can return home with.
Sifnos has the slightly more “cosmopolitan” side of island life in capital “city” Apollonia (cosmopolitan and city are both used loosely here). But Sifnos also has quieter corners and coves, like Vathi and Faros and even hub Platis Gialos, where a mid-summer trip gives off-season vibes in the absolute best way. Bonus: Sifnos is located in the same island group as Santorini, and it’s even closer to Athens by ferry. Easy to reach, in about half the time. Win, win.
Also consider: Rhodes, Crete
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If the romance of Prague fits the bill, but next you’re craving something smaller, greener, and quieter, let Ljubljana be your guide. Slovenia’s teacup-sized capital has the same storybook beauty—castle views, elegant bridges, and an old town made for wandering—but with a calmer, more local rhythm.
Its largely pedestrianized center is one of the most walkable of any European capital, and the city’s distinctive character comes from architect Jože Plečnik, who rebuilt Ljubljana as a kind of “New Athens” after an earthquake in the 19th century.
Add in dragon legends, riverside cafés, and easy access to alpine lakes and caves just beyond the city, and Ljubljana offers the magic of Central Europe with far fewer crowds.
Also consider: Budapest
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Hawaii has been having its moment for a while now. If you still want the volcanoes and fifty shades of green, but far fewer crowds, set your sights on the Azores.
This nine-island archipelago sits in the middle of the North Atlantic, a short flight from Lisbon and surprisingly reachable nonstop from the US. Here you’ll find mild weather, hydrangea-lined roads, dramatic cliffs, crater lakes, and rolling pastures that look like Ireland vacationed in Portugal.
The Azores are shaped by volcanoes, and you feel it everywhere. On São Miguel, you can hike around twin lakes inside an ancient caldera, soak in thermal pools, and eat stew cooked underground by geothermal steam. It’s also one of Europe’s most quietly spectacular adventure destinations, with whale watching, uncrowded trails, black-sand beaches, and zero mega-resorts. In the Azores, nature is out here just doing what it does best.
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