Santa Fe, New Mexico

When deciding where to travel in the United States, the possibilities are endless. From coast to coast, many people will choose to head to some of the more cliché American cities such as New York, Miami or LA, or the obviously trendy spots such as Nashville, Portland and New Orleans. The country has plenty of destinations that are both more affordable and relatively less explored, however. Here are 11 spots to visit that are fun, quirky, cultural and won’t break the bank.

The capital of Indiana is brimming with culture. Kurt Vonnegut was born and raised in this Midwestern city and the author is commemorated in the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library. Racing fans will enjoy a spin on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500, and the White River State Park is the perfect picnic spot on a sunny day.

Located South Central Texas, the city is home to the historic Alamo, where, on Feb 23, 1836, Mexican troops infamously overpowered 200 Texan defenders after a 13-day onslaught. Visit the site, as well as the Mission San José, which dates back to 1720, and San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral. After discovering the landmarks, take a stroll along the River Walk, which takes you along the San Antonio River.

Art lovers will thrive in this capital city, which is home to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, 300 art galleries and dealers and the third largest art market in the country. From biking and hiking trails to winter skiing opportunities, the city offers as many wellness activities as it does cultural ones. Visiting an Indian Pueblo is also a must when visiting Santa Fe. There are 19 around New Mexico all offering an important educational experience.

Want to Retire Rich? Move to This U.S. State

The amount of money saved for retirement doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll spend your golden years in luxury. With costs of living on the rise in major American cities, choosing a place to retire is more important than ever. It can largely determine how long your savings will last and, ultimately, your quality of life.

Certain cities might come to mind when considering retirement: scenic Palm Beach, Florida, the ritzy yet peaceful Upper East Side of New York City, or perhaps the increasingly international and cultured community of retirees in Dallas.

But the best place to move if you want the most bang for your buck isn’t any of the above. It’s Indiana. A recent analysis from GoBankingRates named two cities there among the top five cities to retire rich in America.

An Indiana city, Fort Wayne, took the top honors. The editors at GoBankingRates cited the city’s low property taxes (coming in at only 0.915%) and the low cost of living as reasons.

On the other hand, a surprising list of places fared poorly in comparison. Although retiring to a Malibu beach house might sound like a dream, the survey found that the high cost of living in California—especially in cities like San Francisco and Fresno—could present financial challenges.

Here's How to Make Sure Your Suitcase

Sure, it’s amazing that you can circumnavigate the globe thousands of miles in the air like a huge, clumsy bird. But to do that, you must subject yourself to pat-downs, cramped seating and terrible food.

Once you’ve arrived where you’re headed, you want to get out of there as quickly as possible – but more often than not, you have to wait around for your bags to turn up like a late houseguest.

Luckily for you, we’ve discovered the secret that means you’ll never have to wait for your bags ever again. And it doesn’t involve a private jet, bribery or paying for a super-fancy airline ticket.

A baggage handler at a regional US airport revealed how it’s done on Quora.

Thomas Lo Scuito wrote: ‘Your best option is to be one of the last passengers to check your bags. Bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts so if you check in last your bags will be in the last bag cart, which will make them the last on the aircraft, and the first off the aircraft at your destination. The same logic goes for the other end. If they are the first off the aircraft they will most likely be the first on the bag carts and then the first to be unloaded at baggage claim.’

Not a last-minute kind of person? That’s OK! There’s another option.

‘You can also gate check your bag so it will go on last. The downside of that method is that you will not be able to pack liquids or any other items that cannot go in a carry-on bag as you will need to bring the bag with you through the security checkpoint and to the gate.’

And of course: ‘Also remember to be nice to your counter agents and gate agents. The friendlier you are the more likely you will get what you want.’ Which is good advice for everything in life, not just at the airport.

One extra tip: ask the airline staff to put a ‘fragile’ sticker on your suitcase. Items labelled this way are handled more carefully that others, which can result in your bags not being stuffed deep into the hold, but placed delicately on top.

Go Zorbing in Rotorua

TIME Unlimited has won multiple national and international awards for its unique cultural experiences and luxury tours. Auckland is the main area of focus for the company, but TIME Unlimited also offers day excursions and multi-day trips nearby. Highlights include Hobbiton and Waitomo tours, a four-day Maori cultural journey from Auckland to Northland, and several journeys to popular North Island destinations like the Coromandel, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.

For the food and wine enthusiasts, an Odyssey New Zealand tour will be an absolute treat. The company offers gourmet experiences in the Hawke’s Bay and Queenstown regions, both of which are globally renowned for their vineyards and wineries. Along with getting to taste some of New Zealand’s top varietals, visitors will be able to relish a smorgasbord of locally produced cheeses, seafood, meat, bread and more.

Established in 2007, Haka Tours is an award-winning operator that offers mountain bike expeditions across both islands, extended adventure trips, plus skiing and snowboarding tours. On top of that, the company organises private tours for school groups, families and corporate trips; it also owns a series of backpacker hostels and hotels across the country.

Adventure South New Zealand

GreatSights is owned by Intercity and has more than 50 tour packages available. Highlights include dolphin cruises in the Bay of Islands; a Milford Sound day cruise; tours from Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers to Wanaka; and various other specialist trips focused on scenic highlights, city sightseeing, nature and wildlife as well as food and gourmet experiences.

Hiking New Zealand has been offering their insight into the country’s finest treks since 1993. The company does guided tours of the Great Walks; organises several excursions for visitors who might not have had previous multi-day hiking experience; and offers special adventure packages for women travellers wanting to connect with other like-minded trekkers.

Here’s a good option for the thrillseeking backpackers among us. Flying Kiwi Tourshas been making its mark in the tourism sector since 1988 and is known for its budget-friendly hiking, cycling and adventure experiences. The company also offers special camping trips for those wanting to truly immerse themselves in the great New Zealand outdoors.Established in 2007, Haka Tours is an award-winning operator that offers mountain bike expeditions across both islands, extended adventure trips, plus skiing and snowboarding tours. On top of that, the company organises private tours for school groups, families and corporate trips; it also owns a series of backpacker hostels and hotels across the country.

Since its inception in 1986, Adventure South New Zealand has become one of the main go-tos for South Island cycling and walking tours. If you want to explore some of the country’s most spectacular multi-day cycling routes, the company can guide you across the Alps 2 Ocean trail, the Otago Rail Trail, the Nelson Great Taste Cycle Trail and the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail.