Misconceptions can sometimes influence holidaymakers on which destinations they choose to travel to.
Concerns about how safe a location is, if the weather will be hot enough or how authentic the experience will be are all valid worries.
However, Culture Trip’s recent report delves into the top ten places people are often uneasy about visiting but shouldn’t be.
Medellin in Colombia ranked the best and is described as a ‘vibrant and energetic city’.
This is a far cry from its past links to drug cartels and professional hitmen associations it built up between the 70s and 90s.
It was once even home to the famous drug lord, Pablo Escobar.
Crime hasn’t completely disappeared in the city, but it is a more welcoming place for tourists and visitors can enjoy admiring the impressive graffiti, local artists and the cuisine.
Rwanda, in East Africa, placed second on the list and is becoming increasingly popular for holidaymakers wanting to experience safaris and get up close with the wildlife.
Medellin in Colombia ranked the best and is described as a ‘vibrant and energetic city’
This is a far cry from its past links to drug cartels and professional hitmen associations it built up between the 70s and 90s
The Balkans, a peninsula in southeastern Europe, ranked third and is overall considered safe for tourists.
Earlier this year, Rob Crossan wrote in the Daily Mail how ‘there are few more picturesque sites in the entire Balkans than the Church of St Jovan, precariously perched on a miniscule strip of land that pokes out into the pellucid waters near the village of Kaneo’.
Saudi Arabia followed in fourth place and has even recently been dubbed the ‘new Dubai’.
Tourists are flocking to the Middle Eastern spot and are being drawn in by magnificent ancient sites including the desert ruins of a Nabatean kingdom in AlUla and centuries-old tombs of Madai Saleh.
Overall, the country is quite safe as there’s little crime due to strict laws.
Tourists should do their own independent research into the laws and cultural norms however.
There are expectations for men and women to dress modestly and homosexuality is illegal, although unmarried (straight or gay) couples can stay in the same hotel room together (since 2019).
Rwanda, in East Africa, placed second on the list and is becoming increasingly popular for holidaymakers wanting to experience safaris and get up close with the wildlife
Saudi Arabia followed in fourth place and has even recently been dubbed the ‘new Dubai’
Saudi Tourism says: ‘Like other governments, we do not ask visitors personal questions and we respect the right to privacy.’
Meanwhile, Queensland, Australia, came fifth and attracts visitors with its sweeping white-sand beaches.
Tourists can appreciate the colourful coral of the Great Barrier Reef, lush rainforests and amazing wildlife.
India ranked sixth and Nigeria, Singapore, Tunisia and Transylvania all followed, rounding off the top ten destinations.
