This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Queen's U chapter.

Finally, we can see summer break right around the corner. After nearly eight months of deadlines, stress, and readings, you want nothing more than the chance to escape school and do what you love to do for four months. That’s exactly what summer break is for – it’s the chance to take a breather and try out different things.

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For a lot of people, that “thing” is travelling. It’s the opportunity to huddle together with friends and family over a map, pick a destination, get on a plane, and immerse yourself in the local culture and see the world.

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Wanderlust is definitely something that so many students have, and it can be hard not to catch it when school can get so monotonous.

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And that’s exactly what a part of the summer should be used for. Aside from your summer internship or summer school, it’s the time to do something unique so that you have these wild stories to tell once you come back from the break. It’s the ideal time to step a little outside of your comfort zone and be bold with whatever you decide to take on.

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So once you’ve decided that you want to travel, next it’s time to think about where. On Instagram, you always see the typical vacation photos – ones on the beach in Cuba or in front of the Eiffel Tower. Places like these – big European capital cities, the Caribbean, Hawaii, or the States – are always popular travel destinations and all for good reason. They boast some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions, and nearly all travellers who go recommend it because of the good time that they’ve had.

But while those are a guaranteed good time, it’s sometimes very fun to step off the main road and go down the road less travelled. You never know what the road less travelled will involve and it might leave you surprised. There’s a myriad of vacation spots around the world for whatever it is you’re searching for, whether it’s a beach getaway or a ‘7 Wonders of the World’ kind of tour.

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My family is a big fan of travelling and while we’ve loved the typical tourist stops, we’ve also found some destinations that are much less heard of, but nonetheless so incredible.

Here are 7 lesser known travel gems that I would personally highly recommend! It’s never too late to start planning for what is sure to be an exciting summer ahead.

1. Olden, Norway

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I cannot express my love for Norway. We did a cruise through the Norwegian fjords a couple summers back, and it has been one of my favourite trips since. If you’re looking to escape the city life for a bit, this is the perfect place to go. In Norway, you’re surrounded by lush green mountains, emerald green water, crisp chilly air (even in the summer), and foggy skies. Olden was one of my favourite spots, but anywhere in Norway is considered to be a travel gem.

2) Istanbul, Turkey

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There is so much to see in Istanbul and the culture, religion and history of the city is so interesting. You could easily spend a week here and still not be able to see everything. I’d recommend this if you’re looking to feel like a foreigner in a city and immerse yourself in a completely different environment.

3) Curacao

Photo provided by Julia Sun

Curacao is part of the renowned ABC islands, this one isn’t considered too hidden, but it’s definitely not what I think of when I think of the Caribbean. It’s one of the most colourful places I know of and there’s so much to do both on and off land.

4) Prague, Czech Republic

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Again, not one of the most hidden travel locations, but I think Prague is underrated in Europe. I only got to stay there for a day because it was part of a bus tour in Europe that we did a couple of years ago. I fell in love with everything about the city, from the architecture to the food to its history. It’s such a photogenic city and you’re guaranteed a good view no matter where you find yourself.

5) Antigua

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I’d never even heard of Antigua before going there this past Christmas. It’s one of the smaller Caribbean islands, but it has so much to offer. What I personally loved was the beach scene – I had never seen such clear water and sand so fine. Definitely recommend as the ideal Caribbean getaway.

6) Krakow, Poland

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Poland, in my eyes, is another underrated European country. It is incredibly inexpensive so travel expenses won’t get too high, and there is a lot to see. I loved Krakow because of the main town square there, which featured different restaurants, Cloth Hall (a sort of market), and St. Mary’s Basilica.

7) The Golden Circle in Iceland

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Another natural escape if you’re looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit. Iceland is slowly becoming a very popular tourist destination and while Reykjavik is a must-visit, the Golden Circle is just as special. The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in southern Iceland, covering about 300 kilometres looping from Reykjavík into the southern uplands of Iceland and back. You’ll see geysers, roaring waterfalls, craters, and so much more.

7 Hidden Travel Gems

1. Olden, Norway

2) Istanbul, Turkey

3) Curacao

4) Prague, Czech Republic

5) Antigua

6) Krakow, Poland

7) The Golden Circle in Iceland

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