- Lexie Alford, 21, became the youngest person to visit every country in the world this year.
- On her travels through 196 countries, Alford discovered little-known parts of the planet that she thinks everyone should see.
- Insider asked Alford to share the 10 hidden gems that we should all add to our bucket lists.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
There are certain places in the world we all have on our bucket list, but once you've ticked those off, most people start looking for lesser-known spots to visit.
But the thing is, how do you know where to find those hidden gems when they're, well, hidden?
One person who certainly knows her way around the world is Lexie Alford, who at the age of 21 this year became the youngest person to visit every country in the world.
Through her adventures across 196 countries, Alford discovered all sorts of largely unknown places that we should all bump up to the top of travel lists.
Insider asked Alford to share the 10 under-the-radar destinations that everyone should visit.
Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
"Iraq is certainly an unusual place to visit as a tourist," Alford said. "Iraqi Kurdistan however, is an area that not many have ever heard of."
Alford added that as a woman, she felt very safe there, even in the most rural areas.
"I was shocked by the natural beauty and incredible culture because everything you find there is so unexpected," she said.
"Erbil is by far one of my favorite cities because of the fantastic architecture, history and the kindness of the people."
Angel Falls, Canaima National Park, Venezuela
"For anyone that's heard the stigma that Venezuela is too scary to travel through, that was not my experience in the slightest," Alford told Insider.
"I was blown away by how much beauty there is throughout the country, in both the landscapes and the people."
According to Alford, it might require a bit more effort to plan a trip through Venezuela than some more popular South American countries, but she thinks it's worth it.
"I took the journey to Angel Falls in Canaima National Park and I'll never forget that feeling of pure discovery and adventure when we made the trek to the base of the tallest waterfall in the world," she said.
Luang Prabang, Laos
"Laos is located between some of the most visited countries in South East Asia but is often overlooked," Alford said.
She believes the best place to go is the cultural capital of Luang Prabang, where "you can find everything from unique temples to raging waterfalls to French-influenced architecture."
"The city is overlooking the Mekong River which makes a perfect base for kayaking," she said.
"Also, if you wake up early enough you can catch a glimpse of the orange robed monks walking in silence to collect alms from devotees on their way to pray at one of the 30 temples in the city."
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
"Rwanda is an African development success story," Alford said.
"After the Rwandan genocide in 1994, the government was reformed and is now one of Africa's fastest growing economies.
"The most incredible travel experience to be had in Rwanda is Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The gorilla permits come at a high cost that supports the local economy as well as the protection of these incredible animals."
Indonesia
It's worth looking further afield than the well-known Indonesian islands like Bali and Nusa Penida, Alford advises.
"From Java to Raja Ampat, Sumatra to New Guinea, it's impossible to run out of new places to visit and there's plenty of space to get away from the crowds on these isolated island paradises," she said.
Cambodia
"As a young traveler who is also on the lookout for a scenic adventure, Cambodia has become one of my favorite places in the world," Alford said.
Many people visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, but Alford points out that there are "countless forgotten temples to explore outside the city."
"In my experience, looking only a little further than the average tourist will reward you every step of the way," she advises.
The Rock Islands, Palau
"As a destination mostly known to divers, Palau is often overlooked by the typical traveler," Alford said.
"In my opinion, the Rock Islands here are the most beautiful secluded islands in the world."
Northern Pakistan
Alford says Pakistan is one of the most underrated countries she's ever visited.
"Since the country hasn't experienced much tourism, the locals haven't become jaded towards visitors and they were some of the friendliest and most welcoming people I've encountered in my travels," she said.
"Northern Pakistan is also home to some of the tallest mountains in the world and the natural beauty of the landscape is unparalleled."
Amboró National Park, Bolivia
"Amboró National Park in Bolivia is tucked away in a remote valley surrounded by jagged sandstone cliffs and Amazonian rainforest," Alford explained to Insider, adding that there's no WiFi, cell phone service, or electricity, only limited solar power.
"In the endless spring climate the vibrant greens are only diluted by a rainbow of wildflowers," she continued.
Think crystal clear river waterfalls, swimming holes, towering lookouts and thousands of species of birds, plants, and animals. Alford says Amboró National Park is a hiker's paradise and one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
Tunis, Tunisia
Tunisia is one of the lesser-visited countries in North Africa, but Alford thinks it's definitely worth a visit.
"In the capital city, Tunis, you can find winding streets lined with elaborate doors and colorfully painted buildings," she said. "Nearby you can visit Carthage, the ancient ruins of a once powerful Phoenician empire.
"My favorite place I stumbled upon when exploring Tunis was Sidi Bou Said. This place looked exactly like Santorini, Greece with its iconic white and blue architecture but without hordes of tourists."