HIDDEN TRAVEL GEMS

Do you call yourself a tourist, or are you proud of being an intrepid traveller? As a tourist, you may be content with the "Rome's or the Londons" of the world or the Disneyland theme parks, but as an intrepid traveller, you seek new places to explore away from the tourist traps that threaten to destroy the most popular destinations. As a solution, we can travel to places off the beaten track and create invigorating new chapters in our story. Here then, is a sampling of inspiring places to add to your bucket list.

Underrated Cities If you prefer the many amenities a city has to offer without all the tourist traps that may leave you feeling underwhelmed, a visit to some of these charming cities will impress you.\

ZAGREB, CROATIA, with its vibrant art and performing theatre culture, will keep you engaged for an extended trip. Enjoy strolling through the lush greenery in the more than 30 parks as you take in the old Austro-Hungarian architecture. Relax into the quirky café culture and enjoy people watching. Shopping experiences abound at farmer's markets, modern shopping malls and boutique-style shops. Not to miss is the Zagreb Cathedral.

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA has been compared to Venice. It makes for an excellent romantic getaway nestled in the rolling hills of Brda wine country. Filled with medieval architecture and romantic waterways to cruise, this city has transformed itself into an up and coming tourist destination.

TBILISI, GEORGIA, is another city emerging as a charming must-see city with idyllic mountain landscapes surrounding it. The diverse architecture includes Eastern Orthodox churches and Soviet Modernist structures. The most famous landmark here is the Narikala Fortress. A lot of effort is going into growing the tourism business, so you are made to feel very welcome.

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA is known for its hot springs, nature reserves and its annual international film festival. It is South Korea's second-largest city, so it has a cosmopolitan shine but maintains old world charm with numerous temples. A bonus here is that there are numerous beaches nearby. Haeundae Beach features Sea Life Aquarium and a folk square where you may play traditional games such as tug-of-war.

LEON, NICARAGUA is home to numerous universities, so this is a great place to enjoy the nightlife. You will find numerous museums, churches and old architecture in this oldest colonial city in the Americas. Take a salsa dancing class or brush up on your Spanish. To enjoy a bird' s-eye view of the city, climb to the Basilica de la Asuncion's rooftop.

NARA, JAPAN, was established in 710 as Japan's first permanent capital. It is home to the Buddhist temple, Todaiji temple, the location of the largest Buddha statue in Japan. A significant number of temples and eighth-century artwork is found in this beautiful city. A trip to this city is not complete without visiting the UNESCO World  Heritage Site, Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine. The interior is famous for the bronze lanterns and stone lanterns that lead up the stairs to the shrine. If you want to get away from the city for a while, visit the nearby Nara Park, home to a large deer population.

These gems will be sure to draw you in with their hidden charms, vibrant art scenes and lush greenery. The cosmopolitan vibes suit the contemporary traveller while the old-world charm will please those seeking the historical context. The only question now is which city are you going to put on your wanderlust