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<p>I'll do pretty much anything to promote my new book on travel.</p><p>Like, for example, <a href="http://sethkugel.com/book/">link to it in this very sentence</a>. But I draw the line when a TV or podcast interviewer asks me on to discuss, say, "the hottest new destinations for 2019." Even considering such a list is travel writer malpractice. Why would you recommend a place bound to be overpriced and packed with tourists?</p><p>Instead, I'd rather be invited to recommend places that are not hot this year, or next year…and may never be. Like the six places below, cities and regions that you've likely never heard of. I certainly hadn't, anyway, when they were recommended to me.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-867337086_web.jpg" alt="Hill and water landscape in Bensançon, France" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Besançon, France</h2><p>I first heard of the medieval city of Besançon, its (very) historic center located on a horseshoe bend of the Doubs River in eastern France, from a woman in line at a Paris theater in 2011. She was from the Franche-Comté region, of which Besançon was the capital. (I'd never heard of Franche-Comté, either, but it no longer exists, having since been absorbed into a larger region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.)</p><p>It took me a while, but in 2015 I finally got there. The city of 116,000 is about an hour's drive from the Swiss border, and a 2.5 hour trip on the TGV (the high-speed train) from Paris. It's easily walkable and quietly charming, with an infusion of energy from its university students and a jolt of creaminess from world-famous and locally produced Comté cheese, often found in the form of fondue.</p><p>There's plenty to do, including the Citadelle, a 17th-century fortress that houses several museums, including the Museum of French Resistance and Deportation; the Natural History Museum (that oddly has a zoo among other collections); and the Comtois Museum. What there are not: crowds of international tourists.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-942242778_web_0.jpg" alt="Cathedral on top of a hill in Minas Gerais state, Brazil" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Minas Gerais state, Brazil</h2><p>My original plan for my first ever trip to Brazil, in 2004, was to take a boat down the Amazon and then hit Rio de Janeiro, perhaps the country's two most iconic destinations. But then someone — it's too long ago to remember who — suggested a side trip to Minas Gerais state, which borders Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to the north and is thus an easy side trip for anyone flying into those two cities (which is nearly everyone who goes to Brazil).</p><p>It's a quick flight to Belo Horizonte, the state capital, and then a 90-or-so-minute drive to the winding, hilly streets of Ouro Preto, the best preserved of the well-preserved colonial mining towns that played a vital role in both the economic and political history of Brazil. (Minas Gerais, which means "General Mines," is still a big producer of iron ore.)</p><p>Ouro Preto is the obvious pick of where to base yourself, but Tiradentes is a close second, quieter and a good choice for a more romantic time, which I found out the hard way. (I went there with two buddies and we found ourselves surrounded by canoodling couples.) Also within quick driving distance of Belo Horizonte is the must-visit a fantasy world of Inhotim Institute, contemporary art and rare palm trees set on 5,000 acres, funded by an oddball billionaire.</p><p>The state is perhaps most beloved for its food, known as comida mineira. The no-fats-barred, pig-heavy, stews-and-sweets-happy cuisine is often associated with pots bubbling on an all-you-can-eat buffet, and is also responsible for the gluten-free cheese puffs called pão de queijo that every traveler I've ever known leaves Brazil addicted to.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/8c9d1044c912508aecd92f91b76175ae_web.jpg" alt="Traditional architecture in Jeonju, South Korea" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Jeonju, South Korea</h2><p>I've been hooked on the barbecued beef called bulgogi and the sour-spicy fermented cabbage known as kimchi ever since my college friend's Korean mom cooked a feast for his friends during senior year. So, when I was planning a week in Korea and the friend of a friend in Seoul mentioned a city named Jeonju that was known as the guardian of Korean culinary traditions, I made sure to leave a few days for a detour.</p><p>There are things to do in Jeonju besides eat. You could easily spend a day at the Jeonju Hanok Village — a hanok is a traditional Korean house — generally considered one of the best preserved of such clusters in the country. But look up the other attractions somewhere else — I'm here to talk about the food. You'll want to seek out the restaurants famous nationwide for their version of bibimbop, a sizzling mix of vegetables, rice, runny egg, red pepper paste and, if you like, meat. You'll also want to try the traditional home-style meal called baek ban, and galbi (short rib) in many incarnations. For the most famous bean sprout soup (with garlic and jalapeños) in town, head to the Nambu and seek out Hyundai-ok, the cramped original location of a now-nationwide chain.</p><p>You'll also want to go to one of the bars specializing in the milky, slightly sweet alcoholic rice drink known as makgeolli. It's about as strong as wine and is served cold by the kettle in restaurants that feed drinkers for free. You might think it unwise to waste a meal. But as someone there told me when I expressed the same concern: "Bad food or restaurants do not exist in Jeonju."</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-134160708-edit.jpg" alt="Dutch windmill in Pella, Iowa" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Pella, Iowa</h2><p>Before setting out on a Louisiana to North Dakota road trip in 2013, I put out the call to readers throughout the heartland: HELP! Tell me what to do! Hundreds of ideas came in, but one that panned out especially well was to go to this small town of 10,000 in Iowa, an easy day trip from Des Moines. Pella was founded by Dutch settlers in 1847, and you don't need to come during the spring to take advantage of that. There's also a historical village to roam, a real live Dutch windmill built in the Netherlands and best explored via the incredibly informative tour, and Dutch bakeries with treats like apple bread slathered with maple frosting.</p><p>You can also sample local wine (yes, Iowa wine!) at the Wijn House and have microbrews from the Midwest and beyond at the Cellar Peanut Pub, which also serves an award-winning Bloody Mary. Wait, did I say it was an easy day trip? Unless you've got a designated driver, you may want to spend the night after all.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/unsplash_zbYwNn4xln4_web.jpg" alt="Overhead view of a spiral road in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Trás-os-Montes, Portugal</h2><p>When a region is separated from its neighbors by hard-to-access mountain terrain, it often develops a unique and deeply rooted culture. The Ozarks and Appalachia are two fine examples in the U.S. So when the name of a region translates to "Beyond-the-Mountains," it's a pretty good bet something special is going on there.</p><p>My journey to far northeast Portugal began in a bar in Madrid, when I asked a Portuguese woman what I ask pretty much everyone I meet who's from a place I'd like to visit. "Where should I go in your country that most travelers don't know about?" She had family in Trás-os-Montes, where ancient villages still stand (barely) and families host traditional pig slaughters come Christmas season. Culinary specialties also include the meat-and-bread sausages known as alheiras, and posta milanesa, a tender cut of veal from the local Mirandese breed of cattle. Mirandese is also the name of the local language, the country's only official language aside from Portuguese. How did it survive when so many other languages and dialects disappeared elsewhere in Portugal? Because it was spoken, of course, beyond the mountains.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/GettyImages-840280196_web.jpg" alt="colorful houses amongst trees in Tübingen, Germany" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>Tübingen, Germany</h2><p>When I became a German citizen in 2015, I decided to head to Germany to commune with the country my father's family had fled in the 1930s. But I'd already been to modern Germany several times, and so decided to seek out the more storybook, Hansel & Gretel version (preferably sans witches). A friend of a friend in Berlin suggested the university town of Tübingen, and it took little more than an image search to see he was right.</p><p>So I went and walked through the fairy-tale, cobblestoned city center, admiring half-timbered buildings, buying sausages and cheese at the old-fashioned market, eating schnitzel and spätzle at restaurants and visiting the surprisingly excellent university museum. At night I checked out the energetic nightlife (think plenty of beer and live music).</p><p>The owner of the apartment I rented there called the town "a bubble of happiness and perfection," which seemed about right — except the perfection went beyond the bubble. One day I rented a bike and rode the seven miles down the Neckar River to the no-less-charming (but much quieter) town of Rottenburg, home to a Roman museum, which includes, most notably, the largest excavated Roman latrine north of the Alps. Something I didn't know existed, in a place I had never heard of. To me, a destination doesn't get any hotter than that.</p>

6 Great Destinations You've Never Heard Of

<p>Would you call your work travel schedule these days less "adventure" and more "grind"?</p><p>If so, it may be time to think outside the conference room and hop on board the ever-growing trend of combining business and leisure travel. A recent study from Expedia Group Media Solutions found that in 2018, 60% of U.S. business trips included an added leisure element, which is up from 43% in 2016.</p><p>There are simple, exciting ways to transform your next work trip into a professionally productive and personally engaging experience. Sound far-fetched? It won't once you've perused the hard-won wisdom of four seasoned business travelers. Check out their tips below.</p><h2>Switch up your stay</h2><p>If you tend to stay at the same hotel for work travel, even something as simple as changing up your stay can give your business trip a new boost.</p><p>If your company allows you to choose your own accommodations, sometimes you may be able to find a warmer, more leisurely option than a corporate or airport hotel for about the same price. "Book boutique hotels," suggests Los Angeles, CA-based travel agent Adrian Bellomo. "Often this means forgoing rewards points at the chain hotels," Bellomo says. However, "local boutique hotels usually have much more character. Plus, Bellomo adds, they're likely to have restaurants and bars that are popular with locals.</p><p>Location is key. "When I'm traveling and I know I'm going to mix personal with business," Puldy says, "I'll look for a hotel in the area where I want to have fun." So find a place in the theater district if you think you'd like to see a show once the day's meetings wrap. Or make the bustling shopping area your base if you'd like to scope out the city's fashion scene. Staying in an area that interests you will make it easier for you to enjoy your downtime — and do more than channel surf in your room once the workday is over.</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-912944238.jpg" alt="woman spoons cappuccino foam into a friend's mouth as they sit in a cafe" class="right_image" /><h2>Maximize that per diem</h2><p>"Try to use your per diem for really local spots, not just chain restaurants or airport food," Sapp suggests. Finding bold, thoughtful ways to apply your per diem can transform a business trip into a culinary adventure.</p><p>Sapp and her colleagues strive to eat outside of conference centers and, whenever possible, seek out local cuisine to help them truly get a feel for a city. If their sights are set on a buzzed-about restaurant that's a bit pricier, they'll rein in their spending during the day then splurge on a memorable dinner. It's a tactic that need not be confined only to meals.</p><p>Likewise, Puldy will often bring snacks with him on the road and take advantage of free hotel breakfasts so that he can use his per diem strategically. "I really like going to nice restaurants when I travel," he says. "That's part of my entertainment." No settling for mediocre meals while traveling for work in Boston for him. "All you have to do is get in a cab and in 10 minutes you're in the North End and you can enjoy an amazing Italian dinner — plus the most awesome cannoli that you'll ever have!"</p><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GettyImages-1058119552.jpg" alt="woman wearing a red swimsuit laying back in a raft shaped like a pineapple floating in water" class="right_image" /><h2>Pack for fun</h2><p>Bellomo's golden travel rule? "Always bring a swimsuit."</p><p>What you choose to pack often sets the tone for your trip. "There's nothing that will make you feel like you're on vacation more than taking a dip – even if you're just at an indoor pool at a big corporate hotel in Minneapolis in the middle of winter," says Bellomo.</p><p>Also, be sure to toss sneakers and workout clothes in your suitcase, and then use your destination city as your gym. Not only will this help you keep momentum up with your workouts while you're on the road, but it's an excellent way to get to know a new place. "Wake up early for a run or bike ride – plenty of cities now have <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/well-being/citi-bike/how-to-use-citi-bike-nyc">bike-share systems</a> and some hotels have bikes to borrow," Bellomo says. "This is a great way to explore the neighborhood and spot places for dinner and drinks later, too."</p><h2>Make it a family affair</h2><p>"Don't be afraid to bring family. There's an assumption that they'll be a distraction, but I've actually found family to enhance my work experience," says travel photographer Marianna Jamadi.</p><p>Life on the road can cut into family time — but it doesn't necessarily have to. In what Jamadi describes as "the ultimate mastery of business and pleasure," she seamlessly integrated her mom into a business trip to Nicaragua. "I was producing photography content for a luxury resort," she says. "My mom enjoyed the spa and beach all day while I was getting the shots I needed, then we would connect over dinner and pop bubbly in our huge soaking tubs."</p><p>On another work trip, Jamadi brought her boyfriend to Belize. Not only did they get in some quality couple time, but he also assisted on the shoot. "While we had a day-by-day schedule," she says, "we managed to explore, dine and fall in love."</p><p>"If you can bring your family, it's always a lot more fun," Puldy agrees. "The big challenge is, you have to keep your head in the game." It's important to manage your family's expectations and make sure they understand you're on a work trip, so you may not be able to meet up for every meal and activity. Puldy says conferences — which tend to take place in vacation-friendly destinations near theme parks — can be ideal for bringing along loved ones. "The family can go and have fun," he says, "while you work during the day."</p><p>It's a worthwhile lesson to internalize no matter how much time you spend on the road for work: Ultimately, making a business trip work for you is an ideal way to make travel work for your company, too.</p>

Go Beyond the Business Trip

<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Seasoned travelers know to pack light. And, arguably, one of the most important things you can bring weighs only about five grams: a travel rewards credit card.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Choosing one can seem confusing at first &mdash; the miles, the points, the cash back &mdash; but as cardholders know, you don't have to be a math whiz or hyper organized to make the most of travel rewards. If you can create a trip itinerary, you can successfully navigate using a travel rewards credit card.</p>
<p>Still, while the earned miles for airline travel, points for hotel stays and other benefits unlocked by travel credit cards can be substantial, "too many people aren't tapping into their rewards," says Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving consultant in Bakersfield, CA. In fact, 23% of credit card holders didn&rsquo;t redeem their rewards in the past year, according to a survey conducted by CreditCards.com.<br><br></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;">That adds up to missed opportunities for saving money and taking advantage of other perks. "Some rewards cards come with great travel-specific benefits like credits on hotel travel or access to priority pass airport lounges," says Pete D'Aleo, senior vice president of fee rewards growth strategy at Citi. "So whether you like to plan a big trip once a year or you're a frequent business or leisure traveler, rewards credit cards can help you get more from your journeys."</p>
<p>In other words, if you're somebody who travels without one of these cards, you may be missing out on valuable benefits for your travel. To remedy that, try these tips for choosing the right card &mdash; no poring over points charts or complex algorithms required.</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/dont-lose-rewards_body-1_953243884.jpg" alt="view of pacific ocean at sunset from bluff"></p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Explore all your options</h2>
<p>Rewards credit cards vary in their offerings, and depending on your spending and travel habits, there may be more than just one card that's worthwhile. "I believe it's a good idea to have a couple of travel reward cards," says Woroch.</p>
<p>Card benefits can shift, too, so "another thing people overlook is opening a new card to get more rewards," Woroch adds. "If you've been using the same card for years, you could be missing out on a better reward program and opportunity to earn even more rewards on your everyday purchases," she says.</p>
<p>To narrow down the cards that are best for you, think about the way you travel and your organizational habits. For each one you research, ask yourself if you'll truly take advantage of the perks &mdash; regularly enough that they'll outweigh any of the costs. These are four common factors to consider:</p>
<p><strong>1. Annual fee</strong> Many travel rewards credit cards come with an annual fee. If you're going to use the perks, their collective value may be more than that fee. If you don't travel all that often, though, you may be better off with a different credit card.</p>
<p><strong>2. Foreign transaction fee</strong> While many general credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, some travel rewards credit cards don't. "That's not a commonly discussed perk but it's so valuable," D'Aleo says. "When traveling internationally, those foreign exchange fees can really rack up."</p>
<p><strong>3. Welcome bonus</strong> After applying, new cardmembers typically receive a welcome bonus of some sort &mdash; say, a generous amount of bonus miles &mdash; but this also entails having to spend a certain amount of money on the card within a set time. To take advantage of this, you need to be the type of person who will keep track of what you'll need to spend to earn the bonus.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 11px;"><strong>4. Rewards points or miles </strong>This is where a credit card can really help you, and because each travel rewards credit card offers something a little different, it's worth taking the time to compare them carefully, taking your personal travel and spending habits into account. Some cards focus on airline miles that can be put toward future trips, for example, and some offer additional points or cash back earn on travel purchases. Others give you points on travel-related purchases like dining, gas, flights, hotel bookings and rental cars, which you can redeem for online shopping, travel purchases, gift cards or other items. Some credit cards may even have relationships with ride share services that you frequently use. That's why it pays to strategize here.</p>
<p>"It's important to select a product that earns points in the categories that you spend," D'Aleo says. "Think about how and where you spend, and how you can get the most points from your annual spend."</p>
<p><img class="right_image" src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/dont-lose-rewards_body-2_627380346.jpg" alt="A couple ride bikes in Cartagena, Colombia"></p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Make the most of rewards</h2>
<p>The key is to organize your spending so that you're using the right card at the right time. One way is to set up calendar reminders for monthly or quarterly spending with a certain rewards card, or you can keep a digital cheat sheet of cards and categories. Another idea is to mark your rewards cards with color-coded stickers to identify which one you may want to use for travel versus groceries or dining, for example.</p>
<p>One challenge travel-rewards cardholders commonly encounter is blackout dates, but there are strategies to help navigate these. (And of course, there are some travel rewards credit cards that have no blackout dates at all.) If you see blackout dates when researching a flight and you don't need to buy the tickets right away, it's a good idea to check back before purchasing because blackout dates can often shift. Another option is to refocus your flight search on a different airline that's a partner of your credit card company. "Being flexible is key to stretching your dollars," Woroch says. If you can take a super early flight or depart in the middle of the week instead of on a weekend, for example, you may find that you can book with points and have more left over for future trips too.</p>
<p>And because credit card terms aren't always top of mind, the weeks before you leave for a trip can be a good time to take stock of your travel card's perks. You're not likely to forget the exciting ones, like a big welcome bonus, Woroch notes, but it's easy to forget something like trip-cancellation insurance or complimentary baggage checking. You also wouldn't want to pay for car rental insurance at the checkout counter only to later learn that your card offers this for free.</p>
<p>Maximizing your points and perks is what travel rewards credit cards are all about, after all. Because it isn't enough to pack light &mdash; you also want to lighten the load on your budget.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>&mdash; With additional reporting from Geoff Williams and Life and Money by Citi editors.</em></p>

How to Maximize Your Travel Rewards Credit Card 

<p>Seasoned business travelers have packing down to a science, but as new travel trends emerge, it may be time to tweak that carry-on.</p>
<p>These accessories can help make your trip safer, more comfortable and devoid of a panic-driven midnight dash to buy something last-minute. Consider putting these must-have items in the suitcase (or in the luggage suggested below) for your next trip.</p>
<h2>1. Upgrade naptime</h2>
<p>Catching a few extra winks is key for busy road warriors who depart at dawn and return on the red eye. Forgo flimsy airline blankets and bring your own quality version instead. Look for the easy-to-pack sets which usually include a lightweight blanket and a light-blocking eye mask (check out the bug-eye style to avoid sleep lines on your face) in a travel-ready bag. For maximum in-flight coziness, sets come in a range of soft fabrics from fleece-lined to luxe-cashmere.</p>
<h2>2. Try voice assist on the go</h2>
<p>If you&rsquo;ve become hooked on a voice assistant at home, consider a portable option for your carry-on. Connect it to the Wi-Fi at your destination, and stay updated on the news, talk with friends or colleagues and it could even help you sort out travel plans. Even if you&rsquo;re halfway around the world, your voice command technology can make you feel right at home. Note: make sure the assistant is supported internationally if you&rsquo;re bringing it abroad.</p>
<h2>3. Take better photos</h2>
<p>Carve out down time during your next work trip to see the sights and snap artistic shots to share on your feed. Enhance your photos with small portable lenses that clips on to your mobile phone or tablet. These lenses, which range from $10 to about $50, allow you to customize photos with wide angle, fisheye and macro lenses for a polished look and feel.</p>
<h2>4. Find safe Wi-Fi networks</h2>
<p>Traveling for business can be stressful, especially if you&rsquo;re unsure about the stability or security of a hotel&rsquo;s Wi-Fi network. A portable Wi-Fi travel router can help you connect to either a wired network or a hotspot, like your phone. You can also purchase an external hotspot device that gives you internet access just about anywhere. Devices can range from $15 to upwards of $50 depending on capability.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Even if you&rsquo;re halfway around the world, your voice command technology can make you feel right at home.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>5. Get smarter luggage</h2>
<p>More and more suitcases offer GPS capabilities, battery chargers&nbsp;and even a built-in scale. These bags come in a range of sizes, including carry-on, giving you multiple accessory essentials all in one place. The battery charger alone can be a lifesaver if you&rsquo;ve ever helplessly watched your battery drain on a flight with no outlets available.</p>
<h2>6. Have a laundry day</h2>
<p>Whether it&rsquo;s getting a coffee stain out of a skirt or freshening up a few shirts, a portable laundry system not only helps you deal with stains while on the go, but you&rsquo;ll also avoid hotel laundry fees. These systems tend to fold up to a small rectangle, weigh in at less than half a pound and have scrubbing nodules within the bag designed to get clothes truly clean. Bonus: These compact wash bags require less water per use so they&rsquo;re eco-friendly, too.</p>
<h2>7. Be solar powered</h2>
<p>As our lives become increasingly more connected, one charger and cable may not cut it.&nbsp;Having a USB solar charger allows you to power up your phone while you sit at a sunny caf&eacute; and sip a cappuccino. Plus, depending on where you&rsquo;re traveling in the world, it eliminates the need for multiple plugs and power adaptors.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A USB solar charger allows you to power up your phone while you sit at a sunny caf&eacute; and sip a cappuccino.</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>8. Go green</h2>
<p>Finding space in an already-stuffed bag for an aluminum or hard plastic water bottle can be a challenge, but there&rsquo;s always room for a flexible collapsible water bottle. Carrying your own bottle is an eco-friendly choice, and durable BPA-free silicone bottles that can hold cold or hot liquid are available in several sizes and colors. And, while you&rsquo;re on the green-travel theme, consider picking up a reusable glass, silicone or stainless steel straw to further cut down on plastic waste.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

 Must-Have Travel Accessories for Business Travelers

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