The Road Less Travelled: 6 Least Visited Places In The World

By Author: Manoj Upadhyay
Total Articles: 38
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You must have heard of ‘off-the-beaten-path’ travel, but have you heard of the really ‘off-the-beaten-path’ travel? Travelling to countries and places that haven’t yet been touched by the commercial monster – even via virtual travel, for that matter – has a different feel to it. Countries located in remote corners of the world, with limited space and infrastructure – where travellers visit in merely thousands. This lack of tourism is what makes such places so desirable.
 
Idyllic tropical isles, unspoiled jungle, little-known ancient enclaves and no crowds – some travellers often seek out such places to spend their time and revel in the rare luxury, that is lack of crowds, silence and where a person can be one with nature. One might think, what with ‘over-tourism’ (yes, that is actually a term), that the planet is simply full. However, if you stray from the well-worn trails of tourism, you may discover another travel story entirely.
 
Therefore, if you’re ...
... an avid traveller who’s tired of wading through crowds and are looking for ‘the road less travelled’, these 5 countries could be your perfect getaway and also give you something to boast about later!
 

Suriname

 
Suriname happens to be South America’s smallest nation and gets only 278,000 visitors per year. The place is veined with deep rivers, steeped in colonial Dutch history and lush with mysterious, endless jungles. Suriname has been shaped by a convergence of cultures, with African, Dutch, British, Indian, Indonesian and Chinese influences. Cultural travellers will especially marvel at the capital, Paramaribo, where colonial buildings flank large grassy plazas, and frenetic energy keeps markets buzzing.
 

Brunei

 
One of the world's only remaining examples of a Sultanate – a country governed by a Sultan – Brunei is a remnant of a naval empire that once ruled the entire island of Borneo and part of the Philippines. Known for its vast supply of oil (which, it is said, might run out in the next couple of decades), the tightly regulated country is filled with wild terrain, opulent palaces, water villages and scores of wildlife. Brunei gets 259,000 visitors per year.
 

Madagascar

 
Reminded you of DreamWorks’s animated movie, right? Be that as it may, East African island gets around 255,000 visitors annually and is an absolute paradise for those who absolutely love nature and the outdoors. And just like the movie, Madagascar is home to an incredible array of wildlife. Astonishingly, 5 percent of the world's animals and plants are found here – and only here. Get acquainted with the lemur, frogs, turtles, sharks and humpback whales, and check out hundreds of orchids and desert forests.
 

Antigua and Barbuda

 
With just about 247,000 visitors per year, Antigua’s laid-back vibe makes for excellent R&R. The island’s sandy shores are circled with picture-perfect crystalline water, and its capital, St John's, boasts a magnificent harbour where the yacht crowd tends to linger. Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, is even more mellow, if you can believe it, with endless stretches of sugary sand. Birdlife here far outnumbers people.
 

Moldova

 
Nestled between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova welcomes 145,000 annual visitors. The tiny Eastern European country is packed with charm and is known for rustic countryside and surprising wine tours. Visitors should begin in Chisinau, the capital city and a gourmet hub and make sure to stop at Cricova, an underground wine kingdom hidden away about 10 miles north of Chisinau. Discover the nearby Orheiul Vechi, which sits on a rocky ridge of the Raut River.
 

Comoros

 
With 28,000 annual visitors, Comoros is an island nation off the coast of East Africa, near Mozambique and Madagascar. While it is stunningly beautiful, known for lush jungles and beautiful beaches, its overall lack of tourism is due to politics and is one of the world’s poorest countries. However, that should not stop you from visiting. A small tourism industry does exist and those who do take the time, are rewarded with stunning natural beauty. Visitors can hike to the Karthala volcano, either as a day-tour or as an overnight trek. They can also visit Lac Sale, a saltwater lake in an old crater and if you’re lucky, you can also spot frolicking dolphins off the coast of Hahaya.
 
With travel more or less hampered due to pandemic restrictions, one can always try virtual tours to travel to these places first and see which one is best suited to your needs. Virtual tours can also guide you and help you understand how to go about your trip once you actually go there in person. Travelling to these places is really a rare luxury – an experience that you won’t forget and maybe – just maybe – you might get to love that solitude so much that you would want to travel that again and again. Happy travels!