'Away from the well-trodden path': Inside the 'non-viral' new holiday spots attracting Aussies

Going 'viral' on the internet is not always a good thing.

Because it's putting people off holidaying in certain places.

According to a new study, one of the standout trends for 2026 is turning your back on the crowds and going to more undiscovered countries.

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Travel company Explore said in response to over tourism in hotspots like Venice and Barcelona, travellers are instead seeking "lesser-known corners of popular countries."

They include Colombia's 'Coffee Triangle'.

It's the area around Caldas, Quindio, and Risaralda in the American nation, famous for coffee plantations, colourful wooden houses and green landscapes.

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Meanwhile, inland Croatia, rather than packed Dubrovnik is also becoming a little more popular.

Some of the nation's beautiful national parks away from the crowds include Plitvice Lakes and Krka.

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Mongolia in eastern Asia, bordered by China and Russia, is a nation famous for its nomadic culture and is also gaining more attention.

It's now easier to visit thanks to new visa-free travel for Aussies.

The new the Eagle Hunter Cultural Center, in Ungii, a place which teaches visitors about the unique culture, was named by Time as one of the "world's greatest places".

Also on the list for those wanting to bypass all the tourists is Zimbabwe in Africa, home to Victoria Falls which was named one of the 'most beautiful' places in the world.

"These are all examples of places which offer authentic, responsible travel experiences and form part of a wider movement away from the well-trodden path, towards journeys that feel more personal and connected," Ben Ittensohn, Regional Director for Australia and New Zealand says.

Other unlikely countries are also attracting Aussies.

Explore said its trips to Algeria "flew off the shelves as soon as this new destination was launched earlier this year.

"A desert nation unlike any other, it offers incredible Roman ruins, vast sands, and fascinating culture," the experts say.

The nation in northern Africa is being dubbed as an alternative to Morocco.

It has snow-capped mountains, unspoiled beaches and cities including Algiers and Constantine.

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Demand continues to grow for Central America, especially Costa Rica, according to the travel group.

As for Italy, travellers also want to holiday in the Puglia and the Dolomites regions of the country rather than the usual packed cities such as Rome, Venice, and Florence.

The Dolomites are set to host some events for the Winter Olympics so are soon to be the centre of attention.

The new research backs up another load of data released recently, which also found Aussies are looking "beyond the crowds".

Big Sky, a nature resort in the US state of Montana, is top of Expedia's Destinations of the Year list, with a 92 per cent search increase over the last year.

Okinawa, in Japan, is second, followed by Sardinia (Italy) and Phu Quoc (Vietnam).

Meanwhile if you want to travel on a budget next year, the cities you should probably avoid have been named.

Amsterdam has been named the most expensive city to get around, in a new study that revealed a single public transport ticket in here costs $6 (double what many cities charge), while taxis charge about $5 per kilometre.

Alternatively, the nearby city of Utrecht offers the same charm at a fraction of the price.

And if you're travelling within Australia next year there's one hotspot to go - which luckily has plenty of varied destinations.

Queensland is the most popular place our readers want to go, with 33 per cent looking at heading there in 2026.

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