There are some tourist attractions that can't be missed: The Vatican in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Westminster Abbey in London.
These are the kinds of places friends and family expect travelers to go.
But there are plenty of places to see that are under the radar; often known only by locals.
Inspired by this Quora list asking about the best travel destinations most people never knew existed, we put together our own list of the 25 hidden gems around the world that are worth the trek.
Hike the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii — also known as "The Stairway to Heaven"— a steep trail with a wooden ladder spiked into the side of a cliff. Technically it's not open for public use, but people still climb it, and rave about the views from the top.
Dive into the clear blue water of the Hinatuan River on the Philippine island of Mindanao. The saltwater river is nicknamed the "Enchanted River" because it appears to run from the middle of nowhere, and is ideal for snorkelers and divers.
Explore the mysterious "crooked forest" of Western Poland, with 400 pine trees all growing with a 90-degree bend at the base. The reason behind the curved trees remains unknown to this day.
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