While all of the well-known wonders in the world are definitely worth visiting (why else would they be well-known?), it’s sometimes nice to get a bit off of the beaten path and experience the cultural and natural wonders of the world – especially if it means fewer crowds. The world isn’t limited to the same old hot spots that have been mentioned in guidebooks for ages. So for your next vacation, instead of trekking off to that place you’ve heard a million people talk about, strike out for one of these hidden gems and discover unique experiences all your own.

You’ve probably heard of the famous ancient Roman ruin of Pompeii, but what about the ruined villages of Paricutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro? Destroyed in the early 1940s by the sudden emergence of Paricutin volcano, all that remains are these cathedral ruins