10 Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations for 2019

As more and more travelers seem to be seeking "off the beaten path" locales in which they can create their own unique adventures, while simultaneously concerns about overtourism in many best-loved areas continue to grow, it's well worth looking into alternatives to the world's most popular international destinations.

AIG Travel, a leading safety advocate and travel insurance provider, recently released its inaugural listing of the "Top 10 Unexpected Places to Explore", which presents a set of more seldom-explored, yet equally intriguing, places for travelers' consideration.

While some of these areas on the rise in popularity, they may still come with some unique challenges, including security or culture-clash concerns, or less robust infrastructure than more highly-developed tourism destinations. Which is why AIG Travel expert Scott Adamski, Head of U.S. Field Sales, helped to give us an insider perspective into what factors make these international spots appealing and what are the potential downsides to travel in each area.

Rich in indigenous culture, Bolivia is a hiking and backpacking paradise, known for some very extreme experiences and therefore not considered a "soft" adventure destination. High altitudes and remote sightseeing areas take some getting used to, and a reputable guide is essential for any off-the-grid activities.

Remember that even minor medical issues can be difficult to manage in remote areas, much less something as severe as altitude sickness. Security concerns are present in the form of theft and petty crime (especially in crowded areas and on public transportation), as well as corruption, usually in the form of police requesting bribes to carry out services.

Other hazards include underdeveloped roadways, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure outside of major cities and an overall lack of amenities can be expected during your stay. Still, among avid adventurers, Bolivia is frequently cited as being one of their favorite Central American countries.

Consisting of Pacific Coastal areas, mountains, jungles and islands, including the famous Galapagos Islands, Ecuador boasts the best accessibility to the jungle in all of South America. Given the vast variety of herbs, spices, fruits and native fauna, you'll find food preparation in this country to be adventurous in itself. On the plus side, you can get quite a bang for your buck, as two to three weeks spent in Ecuador costs about as much as one week in other places.

According to AIG Travel, it's considered to be a Moderate Risk destination, with major concerns being corruption and crime, both petty and potentially violent, with petty being the most likely type that travelers in urban areas would encounter. To reduce risk, travelers are advised to minimize their profile, avoid obvious displays of wealth, and avoid traveling alone, especially at night.

Several government travel agencies advise against going to the Carchi, Sucumbios and northern Esmeraldas provinces due to violent crime and kidnapping concerns.

Russia had a closed-door policy for nearly a century and still maintains more stringent entry requirements for visitors than many countries. Travelers are required to apply for a visa prior to arrival, and an invitation from a licensed tourism operator or a Russian citizen is also needed. Made newly available to many, Russia is remarkably rich in history, culture and architecture, and spans a diversity of climates and terrains.

Note that the tap water isn't safe to drink and that everyone in Russia drinks bottled water, which turns out to be fairly inexpensive.

In major cities, such as Moscow, petty crime like pick-pocketing or bag-snatching is most prevalent. Violent crime can also be an issue here, though it tends to be less of a threat to foreign nationals, except the north Caucasus region, where separatist groups have been known to kidnap foreigners for political leverage or ransom.

LGBTQ issues are a significant concern in Russia, where arrests can be made under anti-LGBTQ laws, and security forces or the public are likely to target or harass such individuals. LGBTQ travelers should be discreet and ensure that nothing on their social media, browser or app history indicates their orientation.

Kyrgyzstan is known for its superior outdoor trekking and yurt camping is a favorite activity. Traditional Kyrgyz culture is based on a nomadic lifestyle and backpacking among the mountains and lakes tends to be this area's claim to fame. Most travelers currently come from countries of the former Soviet Union in search of adventure.

A first-aid kit and some common medications are recommended to bring with you, as they are frequently needed by adventurers and sometimes difficult to obtain in-country. As with Russia, avoid tap water and stick to bottled water instead.

AIG Travel rates Kyrgyzstan as a Moderate Risk location, with corruption being a big area of concern, as there have been consistent reports of corruption at all levels of Kyrgyz government. For travelers, this would most likely take the form of police officers attempting to solicit bribes. Civil unrest is also fairly common in the capital city, Bishkek, and can cause disruptions for travelers.

The reasons that travelers will love Bhutan was best summed up by its Ministry of Information and Communications, which said: "Bhutan decided long ago that we will never be a military power, we will never be an economic force, so to survive we must have a distinct identity. This is the identity you see; our clothes, language, the architecture. You look around and you feel that you are in a different world. This is not an accident." The evidence of the country's culture, religion and distinctive architecture is enchanting.

The downside is that Bhutan is a difficult location to reach. It's both difficult and dangerous to land at the main airport, so there aren't many flights coming in. There are also very few overland entry points available to tourists and those that are open run through extremely mountainous terrain. Since getting supplies into the country is difficult, things are exceedingly costly, especially if you want modern amenities. Entry into Bhutan can only be made via an authorized tour company and the government requires visitors to spend approximately $250 USD per day.

Croatia is becoming better known among tourists thanks to its time spent serving as a "Game of Thrones" filming location. Known as the country of "1,000 islands" (1,244 islands, islets and crags, to be exact, 48 of which are inhabited), which line the entire coast of Croatia, starting in Istria and running south through the sparkling Adriatic Sea to Dubrovnik. Its Mediterranean climate and modest price point make it an affordable alternative to nearby tourism stalwarts like Italy and Greece.

While small, Croatia is has a diverse culture and storied past, with everything from Roman ruins to with intact, historic architecture dating back to Europe's Medieval eras. Cautions against travel to Croatia aren't many, with petty crime being the most common, mainly occurring opportunistically and in crowded areas. Tensions do still exist with the other countries of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Serbia, so you should avoid those types of conversations with locals.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the safest Middle Eastern countries to visit, partly owing to strict laws that keep crime to a minimum, and English is commonly spoken. With regard to tourism, the celebrated metropolis of Dubai and the capital city of Abu Dhabi represent the major draws for international travelers. Contrary to popular belief, consumption of alcohol is permitted in the UAE, but only in licensed venues like hotels, restaurants and clubs.

While the security situation in the UAE is one of the most stable in the region and crime rates are low, cultural considerations will require foreign visitors to exercise caution. Certain behaviors that are deemed acceptable at home can be interpreted as obscene by a culture that is predominantly Islamic and very conservative, and tourists must be mindful about how they act and what they wear in order to avoid inadvertently violating cultural or religious sensitivities. In other words, you'll need to do your homework about the cultural climate you'll be walking into if you hope to have a smooth experience while traveling in the UAE.

Jordan is known for its wealth of ancient ruins, the archaeological sites at Petra being perhaps the most famous. Accommodations from most major international hotel chains are on offer, though more authentic hotels and inns that better reflect the local culture are also available; such as a small hotel that's been built into the rocks and caves only a short distance from the entrance of Petra.

The country is considered stable, though AIG has assigned it a Moderate Risk rating due to the potential for crime, civil unrest and-although rare-terrorism. Any risk of terrorist activity is mainly owing to Jordan's proximity to nearby high-risk destinations, including Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and the nation's support of the Anti-Islamic State Coalition. Civil unrest could also impact travelers, especially in major urban centers, such as Amman, Aqaba and Taybeh, although protests are mostly non-violent.

The most likely issues to be encountered by tourists to Jordan are petty and opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing or item theft. As with many other destinations, visitors should take care to minimize displays of wealth and avoid standing out. One of the recommended ways to reduce your visibility as a tourist is for both men and women to be sure to dress conservatively while on their trip, especially when visiting religious sites. Jordan being a primarily Muslim country, women will need to be particularly aware of the type of clothing that's considered appropriate to certain areas or activities.

Namibia is one of the world's least densely populated countries, so, if you're into sand and relative solitude, this is the place for you. The Namib Desert along Africa's Atlantic coast has a certain desolate beauty and is spectacular in its vastness. A diversity of wildlife manages to survive in its arid conditions, including a significant cheetah population, elephants, rhinos, zebras, lions, leopards and giraffes.

Etosha National Park, Namibia's greatest wildlife sanctuary, includes a combination of of desert, semi-arid terrain and savannahs, as well as a massive salt pan for which it is famous. Namibia is also known for its gigantic sand dunes, including "Dune 45", the world's most-photographed dune, which is estimated to be around 5 millions years old and the same height as the pyramids at Giza.

While Namibia is considered a low-risk travel destination, opportunistic crime, including pickpocketing and items-theft is fairly common, particularly in concentrated urban centers. Underdeveloped infrastructure can be a problem outside of urban area, with roadways subject to compromise during flooding season. Identifying as an LGBTQ person is illegal in Namibia, so LGBTQ travelers will need to exercise discretion and avoid public displays of affection. All tourists should carry some form of photo identification on them at all times and are advised (strangely) not to take photos of government or military buildings, as numerous foreigners have reportedly been detained for doing so

South Africa is a highly diverse, modern destination marked by several distinct types of ecosystems all collected within one country: beach, mountains, tropical forests, grasslands and rolling vineyards all converge in the continent's southernmost portion.

Owing to its overall scenic beauty and variety of landscapes, it's also a favorite locale for extreme adventure enthusiasts, who enjoy everything from bungee jumping and spelunking to ostrich riding and shark-cage diving. South Africa is also home to many highly-regarded wineries, some located as near as two hours' drive outside of Cape Town, making it a top choice for oenophiles. Rich in plant and animal life, boasts many unique species, and several impressive national parks and expansive game reserves where wildlife still roam virtually untouched by human activity.

South Africa's major cities carry some fairly serious issues with crime, which can pose the biggest threat to travelers. Risks can be minimized by making certain that you pre-plan your activities, including with reputable tour companies for any excursions and using pre-arranged transportation, such scheduled rides booked through your hotel prior to arriving in the country. In Johannesburg, for example, car-jackings along the airport road are a serious problem, and some perpetrators will even follow taxis or rental vehicles all the way to hotels.

While in-country, stay attuned to your surroundings and make you know where you're going. If you stray into a high-crime area or appear to be lost, you can inadvertently become an easy target.