Discover The Hype For 3 Stunning Off-Path Destinations Surging In Popularity Right Now

Lemme guess. You or your close friends are jetting off to Cancun again to cap off summer.

Is that a passport stamp that taps into your wanderlust? Probably not — but it sure is a great time!

The truth is more travelers are skipping the norm, taking the road less traveled for new experiences.

We at Travel Off Path have scoured the interwebs in search of lesser-known destinations gaining popularity. There are some huge surprises ranging from arguably Asia’s trendiest country to one of Europe’s last frontiers, and a “Stan” finally getting its spotlight moment.

Without further ado, it’s time to discover the hype for these 3 stunning off-path destinations seeing newfound fame right now.

Travel Tip: Before we dive in, make sure to check Travel Off Path’s insightful new 1-Minute Trip Check to ensure a smooth adventure across the globe!

Sri Lanka: Visit Asia’s Trendiest Country Fee-Free

Want to travel somewhere truly wild?

Sri Lanka is home to heart-pumping cities like Colombo, where sensory overload is unavoidable from bustling markets, tuk-tuk chaos, and rows of street food vendors whipping up local staples like kottu roti.

What Sri Lanka is mainly known for are thrilling train rides through unmatched nature, quaint beach towns with few footprints in the sand, and wildlife sightings only rivaling a bucket-list Africa safari — and the fact that the entire country is extremely budget-friendly.

As such, solo travelers are commonplace here for a mindful reset, but the cultural island nation is seeing record arrivals overall, and all in likelihood will continue its record-breaking trajectory, especially for Americans.

Sri Lanka is scrapping entry fees for U.S. tourists, making it more feasible than ever to justify the long trek here.

Whether it be a surfing trip, wildlife excursion, or cultural adventure, Sri Lanka ticks off all the boxes. Plus, it’s largely deemed safe now after some terrorism concerns made headlines last year.

Georgia: Multiple Cities Are Skyrocketing!

Most Americans circle Spain, France, and Greece on their summer travel wishlist when it comes to European vacations, but don’t sleep on Georgia.

This far-flung nation located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has been skyrocketing and it’s not solely the timeless capital Tbilisi seeing nearly 2.4 million visitors that’s been a raging success.

Tbilisi’s popularity is a surprise to some, and we recently covered this ancient city’s rise to stardom right here, but what about Kutaisi and Batumi?

Batumi:

Let’s start with the latter.

If you’re tired of the same-o, same-o vacatio,n then Batumi is just the place. Peppered with eclectic architectural marvels, stunning nature hikes, captivating museums, and a little more laid-back than Tbilisi’s down-your-gullet vodka-shot nightlife scene, Batumi is perhaps the Black Sea’s most underrated city.

Though it’s seeing a huge, undeniable uptick in visitors — 450,330 travelers to be exact for the first half of 2025.

Plus, it’s an under-hyped foodie destination being the birthplace to one of Georgia’s signature dishes Adjaran khachapuri ,and laden with ample cafes to sit back, fuel up, and people-watch.

Old meets new in Batumi as you’ll notice towering modern skyscrapers too, backdropping the historic townscape.

Being dubbed the ‘Vegas of the Black Sea’, there’s obviously some eye-popping shenanigans to catch your eye.

Kutaisi:

Kutaisi has no such moniker and is even more of a hidden gem than Batumi, despite being Georgia’s third largest city.

Seeing 833,512 visitors, nearly doubling Batumi, travelers are finally realizing this formerly unknown city’s delights, ranging from numerous UNESCO sites like Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral, relics of ancient kingdoms, and breathtaking nature leading into waterfall-draped canyons and wondrous caverns.

While Tbilisi has become more touristy in recent years (not to the likes of Paris or Athens, of course), there’s no denying Kutaisi has a more authentic feel to discover Georgian hospitality, as it’s often referred to as a “big village” versus a bustling city.

Tajikistan: Is This ‘Stan’ Worth Visiting?

Dear Slim, I wrote you, but you still ain’t callin’. I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom.

Ah, sorry. Wrong Stan…

Tajikistan is one of a cluster of ‘Stans’ in the middle of Central Asia. In other words, it’s about as long of a journey from the States as you can imagine.

Is it worth it? Depends who you ask…

The ‘Stans’ have long held the reputation of being among the world’s final frontiers, other than remote islands scattered around the globe.

They’ve also been known to be a bit boring despite the astounding architecture and incomparable lifestyles to what we experience back home.

Though Tajikistan is beginning to stand out the most, seeing a whopping 31.3% surge compared to the same period in 2024.

For starters, Tajikistan is viewed as va ery safe country, designated Level 2 by the U.S. State Department. Locals couldn’t be friendlier or more welcoming as the country is still considered in its infancy stage for mainstream tourism.

Additionally, nature lovers can’t help but talk themselves into making the long journey as it’s estimated that approximately 90% of Tajikistan is covered by mountains, including major cities like Dushanbe and Khujand that are a must-visit for sightseeing bazaars and ornate mosques.

But what really stands out besides nature and culture are the plethora of ancient ruins and archeological sites along what was once the legendary Silk Road, such as Sarazm, Panjikent, and the astounding Buddhist Monastery of Ajina-Tepa.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.