Explore Nova Scotia’s port town and learn about its maritime heritage. — Tourism Nova Scotia
Are you ready to travel more in 2025? Or at least, to start planning your holidays?
With overtourism becoming a worrying issue in many of the “usual” hotspots, we’ve come up with a list of under-the-radar destinations we think are worth exploring in the coming months.
Some of these places may seem a little out of reach for the regular traveller (even for us, to be honest), but rather than dismiss them completely, we do hope you will still keep them on your travel bucket list.
And with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 coming up, we’ve also included three domestic destinations that we think will appeal to a diverse range of travellers.
MELODY L. GOH
Cam Ranh, Vietnam
In the south central region of Vietnam, lies a coastal province called Khanh Hoa. Within this province is Cam Ranh, a bayside city with beautiful white-sand beaches dotted with hotels and resorts. It’s also only a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur so if you’re looking to do an island weekend getaway then consider this place.
Cam Ranh was formerly a base for the US army but today, it is one of Vietnam’s top luxury resort destinations – but don’t worry as there are plenty of affordable accommodations available too.
The place is not just about the beaches, though, as you can also get lots of cultural exposure, especially in the nearby city of Nha Trang. Here, check out the Long Son Pagoda, Vietnam’s oldest Buddhist temple, the Christ the King Cathedral or Nha Trang Cathedral that was built in 1928, and the ancient Ponagar Cham Towers. These towers were built in honour of Yang Ino Po Nagar, the goddess of the Dua clan that ruled over the southern region of the Champa kingdom.
At the Truong Son Craft Village you can discover how local traditional crafts are made, and be treated to live musical performances featuring traditional instruments.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Some say the best time to visit Almaty in Kazakhstan is in the spring or summer months but for those of us who love the snow – or want to experience it for the first time – then winter should be your target.
During winter, the snow on the mountains is so thick and powdery you can definitely get some skiing or snowboarding lessons at Shymbulak, the largest ski resort in Central Asia that’s located in the Zailiisky Alatau mountain range. Even if you’re not interested in snow sports, Shymbulak is still a nice place to visit as it gives you a beautiful vista of the mountains and valleys.
Other attractions in this city are Kok Tobe, a hillside park with a museum, a mini zoo and a small theme park, Panfilov Park and the nearby Ascension Cathedral or Zenkov Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church originally built in 1907, and the Kazakh Museum Of Folk Musical Instruments.
Head further out to the gorgeous Ulken Almaty Koli or “Big Almaty Lake” that’s turquoise all year round, even in winter. In the warmer months, trek your way through the Charyn Canyon or Butakovskiy waterfall trail.
Do also check out the Huns Ethno Village to learn more about the Kazakh nomads and their culture.
Shymbulak in Almaty, Kazakhstan is the largest ski resort in Central Asia. — MELODY L. GOH /The Star
South Island, New Zealand
For those who are looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, Te Waipounamu, also known as the South Island in New Zealand, is one of the best options out there.
The country’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook, is located on Te Waipounamu, but if you’re thinking of climbing it then you would have to go on a proper climbing expedition, and this will not be cheap. Or easy, as even the most experienced mountaineers say it is a physically challenging climb.
But looking and marvelling at, as well as taking photos of the mountain is free, and you can do this in many spots on the island.
Of course, Te Waipounamu is famously known for the Milford and Doubful Sounds, located within the Fiordland National Park. This park is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and you can explore the place by boat, air or on foot.
If you have time, check out the Larnach Castle in Dunedin, said to be the only castle in New Zealand that was built in 1871.
In Christchurch, walk the streets to look at some fascinating street art, featuring murals that are replaced and repainted ever so often. Central Otago is where wine lovers should go to visit numerous wineries, most of which produce Pinot Noir.
FLOREY D. MIKIL
Terai, Nepal
The one-horned rhino in Terai, Nepal. — MARTIJN VONK/Unsplash
While the Himalayas and olden temples are beautiful and emblematic of Nepal, let’s not forget about its lowland region, the Terai.
Featuring a landscape that, to Malaysians, may seem foreign yet familiar, the humidity of its tropical climate and the greens of its padi fields certainly are reminiscent of our home country – but spotting a one-horned rhino will immediately break that illusion.
The rhino, native to the Indian subcontinent, can be found at the Chitwan National Park.
It is the landlocked country’s first national park, established in 1973, and is one of the six major parks found in Terai itself. Royal bengal tigers, Asian elephants and gharial crocodiles are also said to roam free here.
Also found here is the Beeshazarital, an oxbow lake system recognised as a Ramsar site – a designation for wetlands that are of international importance.
Terai also boasts historically significant places like Lumbini, a Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha was born in 623 BC, and Janakpur, a Hindu pilgrimage site believed to be goddess Sita’s birthplace.
Trieste, Italy
Located in Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trieste has served as the region’s capital since 1963. But the city’s history stretches back to pre-Roman times. As such, it has no shortage of interesting museums where locals and tourists can learn about its past.
For instance, the Civico Museo di Storia Patria that showcases everything from the city’s historical facts to folklore.
Even the famed Miramare Castle has a museum within it, featuring paintings and furniture from the personal collection of Archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg. Another famous palace, the Castle Of San Giusto, has an armoury chronicling the development of European weaponry since medieval times as well as a museum dedicated to local archaeology.
The city’s many historical cafes – like Caffe Tommaseo (the city’s oldest cafe) and Caffe Degli Specchi – deserve attention too, since Trieste is Italy’s coffee capital.
There is even a coffee university here, established by the Illy coffee company – unsurprising, since the company’s founder, Riccardo Illy, once served as Trieste’s mayor.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Johannesburg is a great city to explore for street art. — Unsplash
Travellers who lean more toward urban tourism, and in street art specifically, will find Johannesburg an interesting city to explore.
South Africa’s biggest and most populous city has a thriving street art scene, found most prominently in areas like Soweto, Newtown, Braamfontein and Maboneng.
Guided tours are available for those wanting to learn more about the bold arts displayed on the sides of buildings and pillars and down narrow alleys. There is also an “outdoor gallery”, namely the Newtown Graffiti Gallery. It started as graffiti murals on the massive pillars under the M1 Highway bridge, but over the years the arts have spread to nearby streets.
Other activities to do in Johannesburg include learning about South Africa’s history at the Apartheid Museum and the Constitution Hill living museum, exploring the city by taking the Red Bus Tour, and visiting the Unesco-inscribed paleoanthropological site, The Cradle Of Humankind.
GISELE SOO
Algiers, Algeria
Take a leisurely stroll in the traditional quarter of Casbah in Algiers. — DEZEDIEN /Wikimedia Commons
The Algerian capital of Algiers boasts a slew of historical attractions dating back to the Ottoman era. From the streets of Kasbah to the centuries-old worship spaces and fascinating museums, history buffs are in for a treat here.
A stroll in the old quarter of Kasbah reveals its rich and vibrant history that will enthral visitors. Believed to have been around since the 10th century, the ancient city was inscribed into the Unesco World Heritage Site list in 1992.
Also worth exploring are the Notre Dame d’Afrique and Djemaa El Djedid, which are not just a showcase of architectural beauty but hold great cultural significance as well.
The former is a church perched on a hill and constructed sometime in the 1800s, featuring intricate neo-Byzantine style, while the latter is a mosque established on the former site of a Quranic school in 1660.
There are also a few museums (such as National Museum Of Antiquities and Bardo Museum Of Prehistory And Ethnography) located within the vicinity that offer glimpses into Algiers’ colourful past.
Madeira, Portugal
The archipelagic Madeira packs a punch, and one of the most unique experiences to do in this autonomous region in Portugal is riding the Monte toboggan sledge.
The 10-minute ride, where two people sitting in a wicker basket get pushed down the hill by a couple of carreiros (“carreiro” in Portuguese or Galician means “driver of cars”), begins at the quaint village of Monte and concludes in Livramento.
Another highlight in the archipelago, especially for first-time visitors, is marine life spotting. Embark on a boat adventure and sail into the welcoming coast of Madeira, where enormous sperm whales and pods of adorable bottlenose dolphins might greet you.
Interestingly, the archipelago is home to unusual hiking trails – they run alongside the levadas, which simply means a network of irrigation aqueducts used to draw water from one area to another.
Brimming with beautiful foliage, the levadas attracts hikers from around the globe eager to explore its lush surroundings.
When visiting Madeira, it is a must to try its local dishes. For instance, espetada (beef skewers, presented vertically on a metal skewer with a pat of butter on top), espada (black scabbardfish – a traditional Madeiran dish) and bolo do caco (local flatbread usually eaten with garlic butter or sometimes served with octopus).
Nova Scotia, Canada
Whether it is a guided tour to the charming Lunenburg Old Town or a discovery of the geological beauty of Cliffs Of Fundy, the Canadian maritime province of Nova Scotia has it all.
Recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is often cited as the “best surviving example” of a planned British colonial settlement.
With a long history that stretches back over 270 years, the port town features vibrant structures with its original wooden architecture still intact.
There are museums, like the Fisheries Museum Of The Atlantic, where you can learn about Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage.
Additionally, visitors can also marvel at the impressive sea stacks at the Cliffs Of Fundy Geopark, a 165km stretch of coastline along the Bay Of Fundy, that is home to over 40 geosites. Besides fascinating rock formations and stunning island landscapes, the area is known for its various hiking trails.
MALAYSIA
Sungai Lembing, Pahang
Air Terjun Pelangi is a magnificent natural wonder in Sungai Lembing, Pahang. — Tourism Malaysia
Have you ever seen a rainbow form over a waterfall? You can experience this magical spectacle at Sungai Lembing’s Rainbow Waterfall in Pahang, where the morning sun casts its rays onto the cascading water. The best time to witness this phenomenon is between 9am and 10am, depending on the weather.
Visitors have to book a 4WD vehicle in advance via local tour operators, who will drive them to the starting point of the trail leading to the waterfall. It’s advisable to wear suitable footwear, as the path is rocky and slippery and it will take about 30 minutes of walking to reach the place.
Visitors can also embark on a leisurely hike up Bukit Panorama. The hour-long hike provides a great viewpoint for watching the sunrise.
For the adventurous souls, head to Gua Charas, located about 18km from the hill.
Here, visitors can explore the vast ancient cave, featuring stunning interiors of stalagmites and stalactites. The cave is also home to the century-old Sivan Temple, which has religious statues, including a massive Sleeping Buddha.
Sungai Lembing’s Jambatan Gantung Kolong Pahat is another interesting spot to check out. The suspension bridge, said to have been around for over 100 years, was built to connect the neighbouring villages. – Gisele Soo
Bongawan, Sabah
Enjoy fiery sunsets in Bongawan, Sabah. — Unsplash
With Sabah being a place full of natural wonders, Sabahans don’t even need to leave their state to enjoy nature-based tourism. An example of a destination that offers plenty here is Bongawan.
Located in the Papar district, Bongawan is a 1.5-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. That distance might cause out-of-state visitors to think it’d be a hassle to reach, but fret not, there are plenty of packaged tours that will make the experience more convenient.
Sky mirror at Dream Beach is one of the highlights. As the photoshoots are taken around sunset, this excursion is often packaged together with a firefly tour.
It can also be part of the Bongawan River cruise, which offers a relaxing journey past rural villages and lush mangrove forest – plus a chance to spot the long-nosed Proboscis monkeys. The more brazen long-tailed macaques are easier to encounter, as they might even jump onboard as the boat meanders along. – Florey D. Mikil
Lawas, Sarawak
A hanging bridge at Sungai Linai in Lawas. — Filepic Stephen pic
For most adventurers, Sabah and Sarawak are where the “real” action is at. There are many areas in both states that aren’t tourist-ready, but these are exactly the kind of places that adventure seekers should check out. Lawas, a district in Sarawak’s Limbang Division bordering Sabah and Brunei, is one example.
The biggest community in Lawas is the Lun Bawang people, known for their hillside rice and traditional crafts like weaving and beading (specifically, with hand-made ceramic beads). Along the Lawas River you will find markets and craft centres, while a short distance from the town is a waterfall called Rueb Ugui that’s popular with locals.
As for food, look out for tahai, which is smoked fish that’s used in many local dishes.
Community-based tourism is strong in these parts of the Bornean island, so it may not be that difficult to find a place to stay, or to find a travel company with tour packages in Lawas. You can fly to Lawas from either Miri or Kuching, or drive from Miri (it takes about three hours, but be prepared for a bumpy drive).
Alternatively, you could fly to Kota Kinabalu and then drive from there (also about three hours with good traffic). – Melody L. Goh
