Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations

Design a truly unique vacation with 100 intriguing alternatives to more predictable, expensive, and overcrowded destinations.

Let’s face it. These days, many of the world’s most beloved places have become expensive and overcrowded, making their celebrated allure that much harder to enjoy. But fear not: Here Not There helps you create a more robust, off-the-beaten path vacation by revealing 100 alternative destinations to the standard travel playbook—as well as expert tips on when to visit, where to eat, what to see, and where to stay. 

In this surprising collection of lively travel itineraries, you’ll find authentic, unexpected, and rewarding destinations of a lifetime to add to your bucket list, including: 

A trip to Quito, Ecuador, instead of Lima, Peru, for iconic architecture and top-notch South American cuisine. A road trip along West Virginia’s byways instead of New England’s highways for brilliant autumn colors. A romantic rendezvous to Lecce, Italy, instead of mega-touristed Florence for art, wine, and artifacts.A hiking excursion in Chile’s Lake District instead of England’s for an unexpected natural wonder.A theater-infused visit to Cleveland, Ohio, where the performances match the levels of New York City’s Broadway.A tour of Portugal’s Azores, rather than the Hawaiian islands, for flora, fauna, and underwater adventures.A water-filled excursion through New York’s Thousand Islands instead of a cruise down Germany’s Rhine River.A trip to Detroit to find Art Deco skyscrapers (and even a beach in Motown) that rival those of Miami. 

Both surprising and inspiring, Here Not There offers readers a chance to think beyond our typical borders and discover undreamed-of destinations.

About the Author

An award-winning writer and editor for National Geographic Traveler, Andrew Nelson has roamed all 50 states as well as numerous countries for the magazine and website. He served as director of editorial projects for National Geographic Travel in Washington, D.C., and has taught in institutions such as Loyola University New Orleans and the College of Charleston. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Author Residence: Washington, D.C.