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Travel destinations off the beaten path Here are 10 places you might want to consider for your next adventure.
Kuta (Lombok), Indonesia
Not to be confused with Kuta, Bali -- the popular tourist destination and site of the 2002 Bali bombings -- this coastal city on the adjacent Lombok lsland is home to some of Indonesia's most magnificent beaches. Known as the true alternative to Bali, Lombok has remained relatively untouched by tourists. To this day, the island retains a rustic, underdeveloped feel, with verdant jungles growing right up to the seashore. Pictured is Mount Rinjani, an active volcano and third highest mountain in Indonesia, on Lombok island.
Ulet Ifansasti
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Getty Images
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Zagreb and the Adriatic Coast, Croatia
While many visitors to Croatia flock to the Adriatic coast for the summer, they very seldom spend time in Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Concealed for years as a part of the former Yugoslavia, Zagreb is once again blooming. Whether you're an architecture buff or café-culture connoisseur, Zagreb is right up your alley. That's not to say you should cancel your resort reservations. In this photo, tourists enjoy a view of the famous Croatian Adriatic resort of Dubrovnik.
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AFP/Getty Images
Asunción, Paraguay
Travelers preparing for a vacation to South America usually aim for the essentials -- hiking Machu Picchu, getting drenched at Iguazu Falls and tanning on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, among others. Rarely, however, do vacationers make it to Asunción, Paraguay's capital city and site of one of the first settlements on the continent. Visitors can expect the quintessential "off the beaten path" experience, affordable prices and friendly locals. Pictured is the capital building in Asunción.
Miguel Rojo
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AFP/Getty Images
Tasmania, Australia
The majesty of the Great Barrier Reef, the contours of the Sydney Opera House and the expansive outback all top the list of Australia's must-see tourist destinations. With such attractions abounding to the north, it’s not hard to see why the island of Tasmania -- tucked neatly beneath the southeast corner of the Australian continent -- often goes unexplored. With 17 national parks, 200 forest reserves and thousands of miles of tracks, the island is a bushwalker's mecca. Pictured is a hiker in Tasmania's St. Clair National Park.
Don Fuchs
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AP
Dakar, Senegal
For those looking to dive into West Africa, Dakar, Senegal, might just be your best bet. This city has it all -- the chaos and creativity of a developing country's capital, crowned with an exuberant nightlife and prolific live music scene is considered to be one of the best in all of Africa. Senegal is also known for its beaches, which have some of the region's best diving opportunities. Pictured is the Cheikh Oumar Foutiyou Tall mosque in Dakar.
Georges Gobet
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AFP/Getty Images
Riga, Latvia
The largest city of the Baltic states and capital of Latvia, Riga is quickly becoming a go-to tourist destination for Europeans. Shrouded by the Iron Curtain for the latter part of the 20th century, Riga is now experiencing a renaissance of sorts, with massive efforts to preserve its historic buildings -- not to mention it's considered one of Europe's hottest clubbing destinations. Here, Riga is seen from the top of St. Peter's church.
Ilmars Znotis
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AFP/Getty Images
Alborz Mountains, Iran
When thinking of vacationing in Iran, a trip out to the snow-capped Alborz Mountains may not be your first thought. But for the adventurous ski bum, the Dizin (pictured) and Shemshak ski resorts can provide a much-needed break from the crowded ski lodges of the Alps and the Rockies. In fact, Iran's Alborz Mountains resorts maintain both groomed and off-piste runs that rival those in North America and Europe.
Behrouz Mehri
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AFP/Getty Images
Jeju Island, South Korea
A popular tourist destination for South Korean honeymooners and families, Jeju Island, or "Island of the Gods," is famous for its pristine coastline and towering volcano, the tallest peak in the country (don’t worry, it’s dormant). Located off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, Jeju Island is also home to one of the more bizarre museums, Loveland: a outdoor sculpture park littered with sexually explicit art. Pictured are Sunrise Peak, moored boats and the crater of the volcano.
Dea M. Borchi
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De Agostini/Getty Images
Sakhalin, Russia
At the heart of a lengthy dispute between Russia and Japan over its natural resources, this beautiful, sparsely populated island remains relatively untouched by tourists due to strict travel restrictions imposed by the Russian government. Outside of the oblast’s capital, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, special permission from the Russian government is required to trek into the island's hinterlands. However, travelers able to book a tour or secure a host can benefit from the expert-level skiing and snowboarding, unrivaled salmon fishing and extraordinary glimpses of the island wildlife. Pictured, a helicopter view of the Sakhalin coast.
Desis Sinyakov
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AFP/Getty Images
Montevideo, Uruguay
Cast in the shadow of her better-known Argentine counterpart, Buenos Aires, this city on the banks of the Rio de la Plata is one of South America’s most underappreciated capitals. Home to roughly half of the population of Uruguay, Montevideo is the nation’s educational and cultural hub, laden with street artists, a thriving theatre scene and superb dining. Old Montevideo, or Ciudad Vieja, still maintains its colonial feel, with narrow streets and burro-pulled carts reminiscent of Spanish imperialism. In this photo, people enjoy a summer day at Pocitos beach in Montevideo.
Miguel Rojo
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AFP/Getty Images
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