Top travel destinations: Trivago reveals the world's 10 best value tourist gems waiting to be discovered

When it comes to travel we can all get lazy and opt for safe but if you are after a unique breakaway here are the top ten value destinations that won't break the bank

Travel savvy Irish want to visit countries which feel authentic and unspoilt by commercialism.

These untapped destinations are hard to come by.

Trivago.ie has taken out the hard work and revealed its best value destination index for 2016.

Combining hotel price data with aggregated user reviews and ratings, it reveals destinations where the hotels are both affordable and highly rated.


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1. China's Hunan Province

Fenghuang - which means Phoenix in Chinese - was historically a frontier town and a center of trade for the civilizations of the central plains and southwest mountains.

Today, visitors can still see the remaining City Wall, North Gate Tower and Southern Great Wall, dating from the Ming dynasty.

Fenghuang’s biggest attraction, however, are the unique riverside settlements perched on sticks overlooking the Tuo Jiang River.


2. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Famous for its picture-perfect landscape, featuring the beautiful Old Bridge (Stari Most), Mostar is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's best-known destinations.

With a lovely Mediterranean climate and great local amenities for tourists, its a top holiday spot.

In summertime, visitors can watch locals dive from the highest point of the bridge - a tradition for young men.

3. Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

A lively university town set amidst a backdrop of stunning hills along the Yantra river, Veliko Tarnovo is a student's paradise.

As former capital of the medieval Bulgarian tsars, the city hosts the impressive Tsarevets Fortress.

Veliko Tarnovo is popular among backpackers and the pretty little town is dotted with lovely eateries and bars.

What's not to love?


4) Novi Sad, Serbia

At the crossroads between Central and Southern Europe, Novi Sad is Serbia's second biggest city.

With cultural diversity too, the city has six official languages.

Tourism is on the up and the impressive Petrovaradin Fortress is the city's best-known landmark.

5) Pingyao, China

Pingyao is an atmospheric city surrounded by ancient city walls.

Red Chinese lanterns dot the cobbled streets and ornate statues are scattered in hidden courtyards.

Once the financial center of the Qing dynasty, today Pingyao is a popular tourist site and Unesco World Heritage Site.

Ultimately it's full of old world charm.

6) Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu is a picturesque Germanic city in the heart of Romania.

Renowned for its well-preserved architecture, the city’s old town is filled with colourful pastel buildings and rustic cobblestone lanes.

A lively cultural calendar helped the town achieve the status of European Capital of Culture in 2007.

The town was left untouched by both the first and second World War so you feel like you are entranced in the old world.

7) Suzdal, Russia

Suzdal is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Moscow, which is only four hours away.

If you are into historical sites you'll be blown away by Suzdal which is a traditional village, home to a large collection of churches and a walled convent dating back to 1364.

It's a culture vulture's dream.

8) Pecs, Hungary

Small and quaint, Pecs has a great buzz about it and in 2010 it was European Capital of Culture.

A lively university town lying between the Danube and the Dráva, there's a youthful youth feel to the place.

The climate is ripe for grape production so suffice to say the vino is simply splendid in Pecs.

9) Wayanad, India

Escape the madness of Mumbai and visit the tranquil setting of this beautiful Indian town.

A district in Kerala, Wayanad is a huddle of several small towns and villages.

Famed for its Wildlife Sanctuary, you'll experience a unique mix of mountain scenery, paddy fields, waterfalls and cardamon pods and coffee.

If you're into trekking or camping, there are several stunning treks within the region.

10) Dali, China

Situated between the mountains and Erhai Lake Dali is a dream for backpackers.

It's a great place to relax too you'll feel transported into nature.

If you aren't into hiking the mountains are easily accessible by chairlift or cable car.

If you're into history you can explore the three Pagodas, a Catholic Church and museum to explore in the Old Town.

Not too bad at all considering the bad publicity Bulgaria gets. Well done Bulgaria