If you have ever wanted to go somewhere just a little different, this list of some secret tourist destinations might help you find what you are looking for. Don’t follow the crowds to the usual destinations try one of these lesser known locations instead. You will be amazed what these top secret tourist destinations have to offer and how much fun you will have telling your family and friends about the exotically different vacation you have had.

1. TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

Whilst Australia certainly isn’t one of the world’s secret tourist destinations, the island of Tasmania off the southern coast is. You will love the beautiful landscape of Tasmania. With its many national parks packed with unspoiled beauty you will have no problem finding something to see or to do. With vibrant and picturesque cities and towns, a strong sailing tradition and a very on-trend foodie scene, Tasmania is a charm.

2. THE PYRENEES

The Pyrenees serve as a natural border between Spain and France. This unspoilt location flourishes with an abundance of native flora and fauna and is recognised worldwide for its wild natural beauty. A visit here away from the hustle and bustle of life will put you on the path of relaxation. To explore the Pyrenees fully though could take a lifetime as there is just so much to see. Andorra, a tiny principality in the mountains, is one of Europe’s best kept secret destinations.

3. BARTOLOME ISLAND, GALAPAGOS

Bartolome Island is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge and is the best known landmark in the Galapagos. Just east of the pinnacle is a perfectly crescent sandy beach that sea turtles use as a nesting site. You might also see the Galapagos penguins, the only penguins found north of the equator, not to mention sea lions and a multitude of tropical fish, even sharks. There is a pathway with boardwalks and stairs leading to Bartolome’s summit where you are rewarded with spectacular views of the island and nearby Santiago Island. It’s a little secret slice of paradise.

4. MANO DEL DESIERTO, CHILE

One of the little known secret destinations for tourists is “Mano Del Desierto.” This huge 11 meter tall sculpture of a human hand protrudes from the desert about 75 km south of the town of Antofagasta. It is the work of the Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrazabal and was built in the 1980s. It is so surprising to see as there is nothing else around but sand.

5. LEPTIS MAGNA, LIBYA

This is one of the only completely preserved Roman cities in the world. It is a great place to soak up the history of an ancient civilisation. Like a typical Roman city there is a gigantic Amphitheatre with a seating capacity for hundreds. Other sites to see are the Hadrianic Bath which has steps leading into these large rectangular pools and the Severan Basilica which is made of red stone. One of the great things about this being one of the lesser known tourist attractions is that there a fewer visitors than in places like Rome, Egypt and Caesarea – means you get to explore ancient ruins at your leisure.

6. WRANGELL-KLUANE WILDERNESS, ALASKA

This huge wilderness in Alaska is a wonderful place to visit. There is copious wildlife such as timber wolves, bear, caribou and moose to mention a few. Here you can hike, kayak, go white water rafting, mountain climbing or for something a little less strenuous, take a bush plane flight. A secret treasure in this busy world.

7. MOSES BRIDGE, NETHERLANDS

Have you ever wondered what it would have felt like to be Moses and walk through the parting in the Red Sea? Well wonder no more! In the Netherlands, they have a unique attraction, the Moses Bridge where you can feel what it would have been like. Created by RO and AD Structures Group and made completely out of waterproof wood, it lays like a trench through the water, parting it.

8. PANTANAL WETLANDS, BRAZIL

The Amazon and the magnificent cities of Rio and Brasilia are always quoted as being amazing places to visit, but one of the best and secret tourist destinations in Brazil is the Pantanal Wetlands – especially for wildlife lovers. The massive ponds and vast grasslands make wildlife viewing much easier than in the Amazon and this is reputedly the best place in the world to see jaguars.

9. GRUNER SEE, AUSTRIA

This amazing place is probably one of the lesser known tourist destinations because it only exists for part of the year. In winter, the Gruner See (Green Lake) is a shallow lake, often frozen over, surrounded by the gorgeous snow covered Alps. Come summer, however, the lake has been swelled by the flood waters of melted snow and ice, and in some parts the water is 30 feet deep. The summer lake becomes a diving playground and as well as seeing fish and water life, divers can swim past road signs, under bridges and past benches that are visible above ground on winter hikes.

10. TUAMOTU ISLANDS

It’s good that you’ve probably never heard of the Tuamotu Islands – that makes it one of the best secret tourist destinations. Part of French Polynesia, these islands are a massive series of atolls and it surely deserves the title paradise on earth. Who is going to love this place? Lovers of stunning beaches – absolutely. Divers and snorkelers – definitely. Completely unspoiled, uncrowded and unpolluted, the waters around the coral atolls are crystal clear and packed with tropical fish, sharks and rays.

If you’re looking for something a little different or off the beaten track for your next vacation, maybe some of these secret tourist destinations have inspired you?

Bolivia’s North Yungas Road, more commonly known as ‘El Camino de la Muerte’ or ‘The Road of Death’, is said to be the most dangerous road in the world.

A bold claim? Possibly. But when you stop and consider the vast number of accidents occuring along this short stretch of road (at the time of writing, some reports suggest it claims the life of at least 1 unfortunate soul every other day) it certainly ain’t Clapham High Street.

After reading Neil Woodburn’s article on California’s Second Best Stretch of Road, I couldn’t help but compare it to other highways that aren’t quite in the same league. The clear winner in this particular hall of shame – by a long chalk – must go to the perilous North Yungas Road in Bolivia.

This deadly 35 mile stretch between La Paz and Coroico – rightfully nicknamed El Camino de la Muerte, or The Road of Death – is estimated to claim the lives of 200-300 users every year. It’s easy to see why this highway has been labled ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Road‘.

And it’s even easier to understand why tragedies along this particular Bolivian road are so frequent. The coalescence of 900 meter sheer drop-offs, wickedly tight hairpin bends, narrow gauges, and unsealed roads littered with debris from the hillside above simply compound its inherent treachery. And the rain and thick fog that can swiftly envelop the mountainside doesn’t help much either.

“But what about guardrails?” I hear you holler. Guardrails…? No bastante, amigo.

But where there is danger, so shall you find thrill seekers. In recent years, Bolivia’s road of death has seen a considerable increase in the amount of people that actually traverse it for fun.

Now, if you think the buses sound like suicide in a tin then I urge you to read no further.

The foolhardy, or otherwise charmed individual, can now risk meeting their maker along the road of death in another altogether more novel way. Gravity assisted Mountain Biking. Yep, I’m serious.

Adrenaline junkies can now sign up for this white knuckle extravaganza with one of several adventure companies operating within the area. Further information on this extreme downhill mountain biking can probably be Google up by typing “Bicycle”, “Insane B*stard” and “Death wish”.

As for me, I’d prefer to cross my fingers, stuff my backpack full of four leafed clovers and lucky rabbit’s feet (lucky, of course, unless you happen to be that rabbit) and stick with the bus. Activities along the highway of death are clearly best left to those with nerves as robust as their travel insurance.

I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind. It’s been reported that a new road, also connecting La Paz to Coroico, in almost finished. This latest development will no doubt come as welcome news to those that ply Bolivia’s Road of Death, and, of course, to the growing number of daredevils that fancy their chances on this increasingly popular downhill racetrack.