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!
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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
Exploring in Montana offers an endless amount of travel opportunities, especially for those that love road trips and off-the-beaten-path adventure! Since Alan and I live in this beautiful states, we’ve done our fair share of exploring. I have so many ideas to share that they deserved their own page: Montana Off the Beaten Path.
Off-the-Beaten-Path in Ouray, Colorado
Situated at 7,700 ft in the San Juan Mountains, Ouray is a former mining town and makes for a quaint counterpart to upscale Telluride—a skip and a jump over the mountains to the west. Click on Off-the-Beaten-Path in Ouray, Colorado to read more about our experience.
Driving the Burr Trail
Alan and I are huge fans of driving the country lanes and dirt roads of America. On a visit to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, we chose to take the Burr Trail. Check out our experience Driving the Burr Trail.
Old is New Again at Mosswood Farm Store
Live the way grandma did by shopping at Mosswood Farm Store in Micanopy, Florida. It’s a fun off-the-beaten-path look at the past. Click this link to read more about our experience: Old is New Again at Mosswood Farm Store.
Visit Dead Horse Point State Park
When you travel to Canyonlands and Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, save time for the short drive to Dead Horse Point State Park. To read about our experience, click on Visit Dead Horse Point State Park.
Celebrate Spring with Florida’s Butterflies
Are you planning a spring trip to Florida? Don’t spend all of your time at the beach. Be sure to visit the butterflies. To read about our experience, click on Celebrate Spring with Florida’s Butterflies.
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.
Take a Walking Tour in Schwerin
Discover a walkable German city with cobblestone streets, historic half-timbered buildings and a castle that sits in the middle of a lake on a charming walking tour. To read about our experience, click on Take a Walking Tour in Schwerin.
Orta San Giulio: Northern Italy at Its Best
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. Click on Orta San Giulio: Northern Italy at Its Best to read more about our experience.
Medieval Beauty and Delicious Food in Perouges
Considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, a visit to Perouges is well worth the effort. Cobblestone streets wind through narrow lanes bordered by medieval buildings. And there’s the delicious galette perugienne to sample when it’s time to sit with a coffee at an outdoor cafe. To read about Jan Ross’s experience, click on Visit Perouges.
A Farm Stay in Umbria
Experience life in the Italian countryside with an Umbrian farm stay. Explore medieval villages by day then return to the farm to see what’s been harvested that day (or planted as the case may be). You might even get to help. Read more about Kris Bordessa’s experience at a farm stay in Umbria.
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 looking to visit an off-the-beaten-path travel paradise, look no further than French Polynesia. However, if you’re really looking for something special, visit the beautiful Fakarava atoll.
Hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Those looking to explore Croatia would be wise to take a hiking adventure in Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its breathtaking lakes. Take a look at the spectacular photos while Hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Exploring Delhi
If you’ve ever wondered what a visit to India is like, come with us as we take you on an off-the-beaten walking tour of wonderful and exotic Delhi.
Tips for Driving the Cassiar Highway
If you’re planning an Alaska Highway road trip, don’t miss driving the Cassiar Highway in northern British Columbia for isolation, scenery and an in-the-middle-of-nowhere vibe. Check out our Tips for Driving the Cassiar Highway.
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