Alan and I like nothing better than to travel to a little-known destination. It feels like we’re making a discovery that no one else knows about. Of course, you’re off-the-beaten-path travel ideas might be totally different from ours.
Yes, I know that using the term “off-the-beaten-path” in travel is considered trite and frowned upon by expert writers. But, according to Google, that term has a search volume of 84,200,000 (0.62 seconds), which means that many of our boomer readers are searching for off-the-beaten-path ideas so I’m going to deliver!
Off-the-beaten-path travel ideas for baby boomers
Alan and I have visited many fun, out-of-the-way places (and so have our guest writers), that I’ve divided this page by region: USA, Europe and the rest of the world. Come back often as we continue to publish new off-the-beaten-path travel ideas on this page. Or subscribe to the My Itchy Travel Feet Weekly Broadcast to be the first to know!
Travel off-the-beaten-path in the USA
Country roads, little-known national monuments—there are endless possibilities for traveling off-the-beaten-path in the U.S. Check out some of our favorites.
Montana Off the Beaten Path
Montana off the beaten path is a bit of a cliche. After all, the Treasure State is full of wide-open spaces where the big blue sky seemingly melts into breathtaking landscape. But there are less-visited destinations far beyond Glacier or Yellowstone. As Montana residents, we can take you there. Come back often as we continue […]
Go Off-the-Beaten-Path in Ouray, Colorado
Do you have a favorite off-the-beaten-path mountain town in Colorado? For Alan and me, Ouray takes that honor. Situated at 7,700 ft in the San Juan Mountains, the former mining town is a quaint counterpart to upscale Telluride—a skip and a jump over the mountains to the west. When it comes to charm combined with fun […]
Driving the Burr Trail on a Boomer Road Trip in Southern Utah
Updated: 05.15.2020: Alan and I are huge fans of exploring the country lanes and dirt roads of the United States. And when it comes to finding adventure in the American Southwest, a bumpy dirt road is the place to be. On a visit to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, we had our pick […]
Exploring Idaho’s Wilderness at Mackay Bar Outfitters & Guest Ranch
Updated 06.25.2020: Are you an active boomer traveler that prefers off-the-beaten-path adventure? If you nodded your head yes, then keep reading to learn more about how to visit Mackay Bar Ranch in the Idaho backcountry. Even getting there is an adventure! Arrive via jet boat ride on the Salmon River The Mackay Bar Ranch jet […]
Dead Horse Point State Park: at the End of the Road in Utah
Updated 08.01.2017 The road through Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab, Utah, ends at a parking lot with an overlook to the Colorado River some 2,000 feet below. The view may look familiar to you as it’s one of the most photographed vistas in the world. It’s literally the end of the road for human […]
Active Travel on Pine Island
Updated 02.27.2020: Florida has long been known as one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Whether it’s a Florida Keys road trip, multigenerational trips to Orlando parks, or the wild wetlands of the Everglades, there really is something in Florida for everyone. But, for those looking to get off the beaten path just a […]
Go off the beaten path on Star Island
Updated 03.26.2020: It’s always a good idea to have a travel bucket list with a nice mix of popular travel destinations and way off-the-beaten-path locations. Of course, when we say off-the-beaten-path we don’t necessarily mean hiking through a dense jungle on the edge of the world. Guest contributor Erika L. Nelson shows us how to […]
Old is New Again at Mosswood Farm Store
Updated 03.15.2013 What happened to the old way of doing things — before our every day life became mechanized? To find out, include a visit to Micanopy on your next Florida vacation. At Mosswood Farm Store and Bakehouse, you’ll discover wooden clothespins, butter churns, hand-cranked coffee grinders and recycled overalls. No, this isn’t an antique store, […]
Enjoy a Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, Florida
Butterfly heaven—that’s the image that comes to mind when I remember my visit to the Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida. I couldn’t help but smile as they floated around me. No wonder the local children’s hospital brings young cancer patients here to de-stress from the rigors of cancer treatment. […]
Europe off-the-beaten-path
Take me where the crowds don’t go. Show me the hidden lanes. Yes, you can go off-the-beaten-path in Europe.
Two Nights Too Many in a Scottish Tiny House
Have you ever wondered about living in a tiny house? Debi Lander, My Itchy Travel Feet featured contributor, shares her tiny house experience on an off-the-beaten-path trip in Scotland. You’re going to love it! Most of my friends say I live large, but I hold a fascination with small things: dollhouses filled with teensy furniture, […]
A Farm Stay in the Umbrian Countryside
To say that Italy is full of charming sites would be an understatement. From its chaotic capital to its off-the-beaten-path villages such as Orta San Giulio, this country nevers ceases to amaze travelers. If you’re planning a trip to Italy and looking for an authentic Italian experience, while not try out the country’s agriturismo options? […]
Tremiti Islands: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure in Italy
Updated 06.15.2019: Want to go off-the-beaten-path in Italy? Visit the Tremiti Islands off Italy’s Gargano Peninsula. Okay, I’m sure that most Italians and Western Europeans know about these tiny islands near the Adriatic coast. But how many Americans visit? Alan and I are raising our hands, here, and giving you reasons to add them to […]
Orta San Giulio: Northern Italy At Its Best
Updated 10.07.2016 Cobblestone streets, a 1580’s era town hall with a frescoed facade, outdoor cafes on a plaza bordering a mountain lake, a fairy tale looking island in the middle of that lake—atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. This is exactly what Alan and I hoped to find on our road trip in Northern Italy. When we told Claudio […]
Take a walking tour in Schwerin
Updated 10.01.2013: A walkable European city with cobblestone streets, historic half-timbered buildings and a castle that sits in the middle of a lake—does this sound like a fairytale setting to you? On a walking tour in Schwerin, Germany, you’ll discover this charming scene complemented by cultural festivals and plenty of active travel opportunities. Schwerin might […]
Exploring the French Medieval Village of Perouges
Updated 11.08.2018: Simply put, France is a stunning country. Exploring its profound history, diverse cuisine and incredible landscape makes for the perfect baby boomer travel adventure. Of course, for anyone planning a trip through France, exploring the picturesque countryside and off-the-beaten-path villages is a must. And we’ve introduced you to plenty of French finds. But […]
Exploring out-of-the-way places in the rest of the world
Truth is, terms like out-of-the-way or off-the-beaten-path are subjective to each traveler. It all depends on how much of the world you’ve experienced. We think these destinations qualify.
Enjoy Fakarava French Polynesia on Your Own
If you’re dreaming of an off-the-beaten-path travel paradise, meet Fakarava French Polynesia. But where is this tropical isle where palm trees outnumber inhabitants and tourists? Fakarava, one of 77 atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago, sits southeast of Rangiroa in the portion of the South Pacific Ocean claimed by French Polynesia. What is an atoll? It’s an islet, […]
Exploring Delhi Off the Beaten Track
Although we’ve explored some very remote areas in our travels, we’ve yet to make it to India. Known for its chaotic urban rhythms and exotic landscapes, India seems like a world unto itself. Today, guest contributor Lee Grewal, a former expat who lived in Delhi for three years, is here to give us a rundown on […]
Exploring the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon
Although traveling the world is well worth it, sometimes we forget that exploring in our own backyard is a great way to find little off-the-beaten-path gems. Guest contributor and Toronto resident, Kirsten Gallagher, recently had the opportunity to explore two little-known French islands, St. Pierre and Miquelon, which sit off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. […]
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