Globetrotters are always looking for new, under-the-radar travel destinations that provide a chance to escape the crowds and sea of selfie sticks.

 
From the mystical Arabic influence of Granada to the dilapidated charm of Porto and the gothic churches of Transylvania, here's a selection of top recommendations, along with some local tips.
 
Pretend you're in a Bond film at the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.
 
Montenegro provides a less obvious alternative to neighbouring Croatia, and it's not hard to see the draw of the stunning setting of the Bay of Kotor, with its glistening Adriatic sea and mountainous backdrop. The bay is also home to the preserved medieval old city of Kotor which just so happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage site.
 
One TripAdvisor user from the UK called it Europe's best kept secret.
Despite seeing many images of this place before my visit, nothing really prepared me for just how stunningly beautiful this bay isthe review stated. The waterside setting (obviously) with its mountainous backdrop was for me a cross between the Norwegian fjords and those lovely Alpine lakes.
 
Admire the azulejos (painted tiles) and dilapidated charm of Porto, Portugal.
 
Emma McWhinney, the UK head of editorial at Secret Escapes, recommends a long weekend in Porto, a coastal city on Portugal's northern coast that's steadily growing in popularity as an alternative -- possibly even a cheaper one -- to Lisbon.
 
Often overshadowed by bustling Lisbon, Porto, with its coastal thrills, postcard-perfect architecture, and eclectic culinary scene, is a must-visit cluster of colour and charmshe said.
 
Wander through Porto's hilly streets and admire the crumbling buildings and ramshackle colourful houses decorated with azulejos (painted tiles), and you'll soon see why its dilapidated charm is drawing in tourists.
 
Porto's proximity to some pretty stretches of beach adds to its appeal.
 
Finally, if you want a European experience like no other, Cole at Lonely Planet says you should consider the Belarusian capital of Minsk.
 
If you enjoy hearing your friends say 'where?' when you tell them your next travel plans, Minsk should be high up your list of European capitals.
 
The spirit of the Soviet era is said to live on in Belarus more than it has in Russia, yet Minsk is an increasingly cosmopolitan place, where it's no surprise to find sushi bars amid the Stalinist architecture.

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