The world's most overrated and underrated destinations

You would begin your stay here, of course, on the banks of the mighty Danube, taking a stroll to check out the famous Chain Bridge, and gazing at the imposing Gothic parliament building. Then you would move into the city itself, riding the trams, visiting the huge Central Market to enjoy the vastly underrated Hungarian cuisine, calling in to a Turkish or Roman-style bath for a traditional soak, wandering the Jewish Quarter, checking out the Royal Palace, taking the funicular up Castle Hill to enjoy the view, and later sampling the bar and restaurant scene that's fast establishing itself as one of Europe's most exciting.

There's so much to do in Budapest, so much to see and enjoy, and right now the rest of the world has yet to discover it. BG

GERMANY

One of Europe's largest countries and world's biggest economies plays second fiddle on the tourism stage to Britain, France, Italy and Spain. Yet what is now Germany has had a central role in European history, offering a fabulous artistic and architectural heritage, yet also impressing with its contemporary attractions, from fine Frankfurt museum quarter to buzzing Berlin nightlife and seemingly flawless public transport systems. True, the landscape is seldom super-sized or dramatic, except in pockets of the Bavarian Alps, but Germany is a green and pleasant land of cow-chewed pastures, orchard-dotted hillsides and plunging vineyards. This is also Europe's best country for river cruising, with the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle and Elbe rivers all offering lovely scenery, the occasional impressive gorge, and a series of truly delightful mid-sized cities such as Mainz, Koblenz, Regensburg and Passau. Germany has also moved well beyond its stereotypes of humourless people and stodgy food. Even better, the Germans are consummate professionals, with plenty to teach other tourism providers. They deliver on what is promised, and seldom overcharge or take advantage of visitors. Efficiently run, tidily presented and dense in sights, Germany provides one of Europe's most attractive and interesting holiday destinations. See germany.travel BJ

GHENT, BELGIUM

Planning a trip to Belgium? Forget tourist-laden Bruges, Ghent has all the charms without the crowds. Get your bearings with a canal tour along the River Leie for photo opportunities of 12th-century guild houses. Cycle or walk to view the city's collection of medieval cathedrals – most notably St Bavo's Cathedral, home of the influential altarpiece by the Van Eyck Brothers, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. It's a university city so the quotient of hip shopping is high for fashion, vintage pieces and vinyl records. And being a UNESCO-recognised Creative City of Music, live music emanates from numerous bars, halls and cafes. Sample Rodenbach, a sour red Flemish beer at De Dulle Griet, down a drop of infused jenever at Dreupelkot and then feast on Belgian waffles at Cafe Max, which has been griddling since 1839. The best bed in town is at the central Grand Sandton Reylof hotel, a converted 18th-century estate with designer touches by Christian Lacroix. See sandton.eu; visitgent.be/en AB

SAMOA

Sleeping is a national pastime in Samoa. Chiefs rule the land. Locals live in huts with no walls in impeccably manicured villages beside blue lagoons. Think of Polynesia and Hawaii probably comes to mind; but Samoa is actually that South Seas escape you've fantasised about. It's the waterfall capital of the Pacific, and surfing was actually invented here. And the best part is no one else seems to know it. See samoa.travel/ CT

GUATEMALA

There's so much to love about a visit to Guatemala, from the well-preserved colonial towns such as Antigua and Quetzaltenango, to the spectacular scenery and new age retreats of Lake Atitlan, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, and the chance to get out into true wilderness and go hiking, white-water rafting, scuba-diving, and more. That Guatemala is affordable and relatively safe adds even more to its appeal. See visitguatemala.com BG

CITY OF LONDON

When London's most glamorous new hotel, The Ned, opened this year in the heart of the financial district – officially called the City of London – it was a timely reminder that there is more to the city than a bunch of suits. The oldest part of London is home to some of the city's most elegant architecture, from the Guildhall and Mansion House to the glorious Leadenhall Market, not to mention ornate watering holes such as the Old Bank of England, housed (you guessed it) in a former bank. See cityoflondon.gov.uk UJ

UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS

It's one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, with plenty of buildings dating back to medieval times, plus it has its own canal system, an easily walkable city centre, a laidback population of students and creatives, a swag of world-class museums, and a beautiful location – and yet few people ever seem to make it out to Utrecht. The fact this town receives far fewer visitors than Amsterdam, just a half-hour train ride away, only adds to Utrecht's appeal. See visit-utrecht.com BG

VANCOUVER, CANADA

Plenty of Australians have been to Vancouver – the airport, that is. This city is so often seen as a speed bump on the road to Whistler, or Banff, or Montreal, or anywhere else in Canada. However, Vancouver is a criminally underrated destination in its own right, with a stunning harbourside location, friendly locals, a great craft beer scene, and a serious passion for the outdoors. See tourismvancouver.com BG

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Yes, Sao Paulo is big and scary. Its size barely seems believable – the buildings, the roads, the cars and the people just go on, and on, and on. Sao Paulo isn't pretty but it does have a warm heart and will embrace anyone who gives it a chance. Spend a few nights here and you'll visit neighbourhood bistros and fine-dining restaurants, art-house theatres and heaving salsa clubs. You'll wander museums, you'll sip coffee, and you'll decide this place isn't so scary after all. See visitbrasil.com BG

KANAZAWA, JAPAN

It won't last. Kanazawa won't fly under the radar much longer. This charming, historic city on the north-western coast of Japan's main island has many of the attractions that make Kyoto so popular – traditional teahouse districts, geishas, castles, temples and an excellent food scene – with only a fraction of the visitor numbers. However, a new shinkansen link to Tokyo has made Kanazawa easily accessible, meaning the crowds won't be far behind. See jnto.org.au BG

SOUTH AFRICA

You would do well to find a destination that ticks as many boxes as South Africa does. Yes, there are the game parks that many people know about. However, there are also great wineries and restaurants in the Western Cape region, mountain scenery in the Drakensberg, scuba-diving in KwaZulu-Natal, wildflowers on the west coast, and cultural diversity everywhere you turn. South Africa is also one of the friendliest places you'll visit, and doesn't at all deserve its reputation for danger. See southafrica.net BG

PORTUGAL

Portugal doesn't have the big-ticket attractions that some western European hotspots can boast – it doesn't have a Colosseum, or an Eiffel Tower, or a Sagrada Familia. What it does have, however, is two of the continent's great cities, in Lisbon and Porto, plus countless beaches and seaside towns, superb food, excellent, affordable wine, numerous festivals and cultural events, and extremely friendly locals. It should be on everyone's list. See visitportugal.com BG

MONACO

While tiny Monaco is never going to beat the big boys of tourism, it's surprising how much of interest this exquisitely presented, well-organised Mediterranean enclave packs in beyond its famed casino. Its Oceanographic Museum is excellent, the vertiginous, cactus-filled Jardin Exotique one of the delights of the whole Riviera, and Monte Carlo is a showcase of belle epoque glamour and sun-drenched sea views. Tennis and Formula One are among regular world-class sporting events. See visitmonaco.com BJ

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

For the bulk of the Aussie population, Western Australia is "over there" – a mass of unexplored land that seems far, far away. But it's worth the effort to get to WA, because this is one seriously great destination. You'll find Australia's best beaches in the west, in the likes of Esperance, Denmark, Margaret River, the Coral Coast and Broome. You'll find crystal-clear water and coral reef; spectacular outback vistas; highways perfect for road-tripping; small towns perfect for losing yourself; and endless stretches of empty, desolate beauty. See westernaustralia.com BG

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The reputation of its capital Port Moresby puts off most travellers, but it's merely a thoroughfare on your way to the world's last great wilderness. Tourism is still in its infancy in PNG, yet the country is home to the world's third largest rainforest (where thousands of new species are discovered each year) and hundreds of offshore tropical islands, where you'll find just a handful of tiny resorts, and the world's most under-rated surf. See visitpng.com.au CT

ETHIOPIA

Temples older than the Parthenon. The astonishingly colourful island churches of Lake Tana. The high-altitude beauty of the wild Simien Mountains, and the rock churches of Lalibela, one of the true wonders of the world, not to mention one of the few places where you may get to watch an exorcism in progress. The only country in Africa never to be colonised has some truly astonishing attractions, as well as a coffee culture that turns a cuppa into a ceremony. See ethiopianembassy.net/tourism/ UJ

DUNEDIN

When Kiwis are not poking fun at Invercargill, the country's most southerly outpost, they are having a good-natured dig at Dunedin; apart from its dour Scottish architecture, chilly climate and remote location, Dunedin also houses the country's biggest dental school. But thanks to its large student population the tiny city does offer several excellent craft breweries, a creative food culture, live music and a distinctly wry sense of humour. See dunedinnz.com MC

ALBANIA

Albania has experienced a long, slow recovery from the dark days of communist rule, allowing flashy neighbours such as Montenegro and Croatia to grab all the tourism limelight. However this country has plenty to offer willing visitors, including vast stretches of postcard-perfect Mediterranean coastline, rugged mountain ranges, historic cities and traditional villages, and it won't be long before the world finds out. See albania.al BG

LONDON'S EAST END

The West End's big sights and tourist hordes never really change, while the East End provides a more interesting picture of how London has thrived for centuries – and still does. A tour here allows a peek into the London of Dickens and successive waves of refugees from Huguenots and Jews to Bangladeshis. Hip hotels, bars and architectural renovations now add another layer to districts such as Spitalfields, Shoreditch and Hackney. See visitlondon.com BJ

QUEENS, NEW YORK

Manhattan is magical and Brooklyn is brilliant but for food, nowhere beats Queens. Grab the 7 train from Grand Central and hop off at Woodside to begin a culinary tour of the world. Within blocks you can feast on Tibetan momos, Mexican mole, Ecuadorian goat stew, Korean barbecue and Dominican plantains before sitting down to soup dumplings at one of the many Chinese restaurants in Flushing and then hopping back on the 7 into the city. See nycgo.com AB

DERRY

Although Derry/Londonderry still bears the emotional and physical scars of the Troubles, Ulster's second largest city is making strenuous efforts to forge a more harmonious future. The futuristic Peace Bridge is the most obvious symbol of this impulse. But there is much else to delight the visitor, such as the magnificent Guildhall, its 17th-century city walls, St Columb's Cathedral and the Tower Museum which casts new light on the Spanish Armada. See visitderry.com MC

NUREMBERG

For non-Germans Nuremberg is always associated with the famous war trials of Martin Bormann, Hermann Goring, Rudolf Hess and other leading Nazis, but there is much more to discover about this picture-postcard Bavarian city. The capital of Franconia is justly proud of its regional cuisine, strong beer and medieval architecture. Highlights include the Albrecht Durer House, the Kaiserburg and Albert Speer's decaying parade ground, which hosted torchlight Nazi rallies in the 1930s. See tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/ MC

CHICAGO

America's most underrated city has it all. Eye-catching public art, buzzing ethnic neighbourhoods, and no fewer than 26 beaches. Love food? You will find some of the country's best restaurants here, including the acclaimed gastro-temple Alinea. Into music? Then come along for one of the city's mega-festivals, such as Lollapalooza and Bluesfest. Then of course there is Chicago's real claim to fame: its astonishing collection of modern architecture, which ranges from Frank Lloyd Wright classics to the unmistakeable silhouette of the Willis Tower. See choosechicago.com UJ

PANAMA

Mention Panama and most people think of the canal or the hat (which is actually from Ecuador). While the canal is an engineering triumph, this squiggle of a country between Central and South America has much more to offer. Party till dawn in its modern, vibrant capital, Panama City; visit indigenous tribes that still live in the jungle and sample some of the world's most expensive coffee in the mountainous region near Boquete. See visitpanama.com RM

OVERRATED

DUBAI

Many Kangaroo route travellers quietly cheered when news came in that Qantas will drop Dubai as the stopover and revert back to Singapore from March 25 next year. Time to rediscover the food and culture of Singapore instead of the gleaming (and dusty) consumerist towers of the desert. Plus Changi Airport, with its gardens, pool, and four-storey slide, beats the always-crowded Dubai International Airport hands down. AB

MYANMAR

Myanmar is lovely, but is everyone getting a little too wrapped up in the obsession with new and exotic and ignoring the fact the food there is pretty average, and the sights are really no better than what you'd find in Thailand or Cambodia? Plus many travellers are conveniently dismissing the fact that Ang San Suu Kyi appears to be ignoring a serious human rights tragedy in her nation's north. BG

NICE, FRANCE

Show me an Australian who is impressed with the beaches of Nice and I'll show you an Australian who has been away from home for far too long. Though the French Rivera has a reputation for aesthetic beauty, the cold hard reality (literally) is that the beach in Nice is actually a bunch of large rocks lapped by tepid waters. It's more than a little disappointing. BG

LOS ANGELES, US

Beaches, babes, celebrity-spotting and bizarre forms of inner enlightenment are all hoped for in Los Angeles, but what you actually get is concrete sprawl, horrendous traffic, air pollution and homeless people. This is one of the world's ugliest and most run-down cities, except in posh gated pockets of Beverly Hills housewife-dom. Never have the movies been so misleading. Still, it's a great place if you're into bad hamburgers and disappointment. See discoverlosangeles.com BJ

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

You shouldn't avoid Amsterdam, worth seeing once for its outstanding art museums and occasionally charming canal-scapes. But the food ain't great, the streets are grubby, the nightlife beer- and hen-party fuelled, the weather tending to drizzle. In a nation of lovely, energetic, youthful towns, Amsterdam seems old and tired, and its tourist sights tacky, unless red lights, torture museums and brown cafes float your boat. And why does anyone drink Heineken? See iamsterdam.com BJ

CONTRIBUTORS

ANDREA BLACK

MARK CHIPPERFIELD

BEN GROUNDWATER

KATRINA LOBLEY

BRIAN JOHNSTON

UTE JUNKER

ROB McFARLAND

CRAIG TANSLEY