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Some old sayings really hit the nail on the head. This one certainly does: the family that plays together stays together. Very few things help to cement those family bonds more than good times in each other’s company, but because each family is unique, a famous vacation destination like Paris isn’t always the best idea. Sure, that may suit some families to a tee, but others like to dig a bit deeper and find the hidden gems that sometimes get overlooked even by avid travelers.

Munich, Germany

In Germany, for example, there is Munich to consider as a possible vacation destination. This city located in the southern state of Bavaria doesn’t get nearly as much press as Berlin, but that’s probably because Munich wasn’t famed throughout the whole Cold War as the place where “East met West.” For families on vacation, however, Munich beats Berlin on scenery alone. The Munich area has rolling green hills dotted with castles and is about as close as anywhere in this world comes to a fairyland; the city also features marionette theatres, toy museums, and amusement parks.

Barcelona, Spain

Another underrated city is the northern Mediterranean city of Barcelona. Street performers strolling through the Las Ramblas district will delight children both young and old, while everyone in the family will marvel at the surreal creations of Barcelona’s most famous artist, Antoni Gaudi. There’s even an aerial tramway providing a thrilling ride and an outstanding view of the city all at once. Perhaps it’s underrated because it’s not a national capital, but Barcelona may very well be the best family destination in all of Spain.

The island of Taiwan

Travelers to Asia often overlook the tiny nation of Taiwan. This is a shame since Taiwan truly does live up to its original colonial name of Formosa, which translates to mean “beautiful island.” The Toroko Gorge National Park is just one example of Taiwan’s loveliness; here, marble cliffs tower over the Liwu River while exploring rock tunnels mean some additional fun on the trail. Best of all for families, the park can be visited on a day trip from Taipei, saving parents the hassle of dealing with camping gear.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

No list of underrated family destinations would be complete without an entry from the United States: Virginia Beach. After all, what family wouldn’t enjoy visiting the single longest pleasure beach on Earth?

The best place to stay is in one of the dozens of Virginia Beach hotels along the waterfront, while the best time to visit is during one of the major events that takes place here, such as the East Coast Surfing Championships or the North American Sand Soccer Championship. Even history buffs will find Virginia Beach fascinating, because the nearby Cape Henry was actually the first place where English colonists landed in North America. Too many people think of beach life in the United States as only happening on the West Coast, but after one visit to Virginia Beach, they’ll think again.

Why travel to underrated destinations?

Many families prefer places a little bit removed from the mainstream, and it’s not hard to figure out why.  Underrated destinations are less likely to be overcrowded, and more likely to offer excellent bargains to tourists. Then there’s the “conversation piece” aspect of the trip, guaranteeing plenty of interesting things to say the next time that family vacations come up for discussion.

Most definitely, anybody planning a family trip should consider one of these more underrated destinations as a change from the usual tourist hot spots.