Cheapflights.ca Goes Alternative

TORONTO--(Marketwire - Oct 26, 2011) - Cheapflights.ca, the online leader in publishing travel deals, has tapped into its in-house pool of travel experts, many of whom have lived and vacationed around the world, to get their insider tips on the top must-sees and must-dos when trekking across the globe. And these aren't your standard touristy spots like the Louvre in Paris or Sydney's Darling Harbour -- Cheapflights.ca's list of Top 10 Alternative Tourist Attractions takes you off the beaten track to discover some of the local hidden treasures at premier destinations around the world.

Does the idea of avoiding the long lines, high prices and masses of tourists sound appealing? Then check out these first five alternative tourist attractions worth discovering as suggested by Cheapflights' travel experts.

• Sydney, Australia - No one would dare rule out a visit to Sydney's exquisite harbour and waterfronts for a spectacular view, but it's the vantage point that makes all the difference. Having lived in Australia for years, Don recommends the Sydney Fish Market -- located a little more than a mile west of the business district -- over touristy Darling Harbour. Share a plate of oysters and a bottle of wine (Australian, of course), and admire the seaside marina's sights and sounds. Want a lesson in shelling and grilling? Sign up for a class at the market's premier Seafood School -- Australia's leading cooking school. If you're down under for New Year's Eve, Pete suggests heading to Balmain for a view of the bridge -- and to ring in the New Year with locals, not tourists. (Tip: Get there early to nab a good spot!) Search and compare cheap flights to Australia.
  
  
• Buenos Aires, Argentina - It's especially difficult to know in a new city where to go for great nightlife. Kat, a former resident of Argentina, recommends skipping the tango shows in Buenos Aires' San Telmo neighbourhood. Though impressive, they're full of tourists and fail to give visitors a real taste of Argentina's capital. Instead, head to La Bomba de Tiempo for a night of fabulous live music. Let loose with locals as percussionists jam out for the first hour and an invited guest joins in for the second half of nonstop music and dancing. Outdoors every Monday, rain or shine, it's an absolute must. Search and compare cheap flights to Argentina.
  
  
• Chiang Mai, Thailand - The chance to bathe, ride and play with elephants draws visitors north from tourist-packed hotspots in Thailand like Phuket and Bangkok year-round. But foreign tourists rarely see the negative impacts that these wait-in-line attractions have on the animals, and unknowingly support ill-intentioned groups. Lauren, an English teacher for a year in the Land of Smiles, recommends Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre near Chiang Mai. The nonprofit is a wonderful alternative, and gives volunteers the chance to learn about and play with their elephants on day-, overnight- and week-long visits. Search and compare cheap flights to Thailand.
  
  
• Washington, DC, United States - On a recent trip to America's capital, Nadine discovered fabulous landmarks a bit more off the beaten path. For dinner, she skipped M Street and tried the newer, much trendier 14th and U streets near Logan Circle. From Asian fusion to Spanish tapas (her personal recommendations are Estadio and Masa 14), the area's culinary gems are climbing the ranks of DC's best restaurants. While there, also check out Logan Circle's recently happening art scene. Less buttoned-up than Georgetown's galleries, Logan Circle boutiques, like the Hamilton Gallery and Project 4, are more casual -- and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Search and compare cheap flights to Washington DC.
  
  
• Amsterdam, Netherlands - The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is a startling impressive national art museum -- and every visitor to Amsterdam knows it. The tourist-filled, all-kinds-of-art attraction can be overwhelming, so if modern art is your thing, consider a visit to the Cobra Museum instead, suggests Meagan D., who grew up in the Netherlands. Only Dutch, Danish and Belgian artists are featured at the wonderfully inventive space, and its curators do a fantastic job of blending local culture with contemporary art to create a powerful homage to the Cobra movement. The avant-garde collection and rotating exhibits make the trip to Amstelveen, a suburb of Amsterdam, absolutely worth it. Search and compare cheap flights to Amsterdam.
  
  

Rounding out the list are Cheapflights' insider tips on alternative hotspots in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Portofino, Italy; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States; Tel Aviv, Israel and Quebec City, Canada. So if you're heading to any of these destinations, discover our must-see and do recommendations by checking out Cheapflights.ca's complete list of Top 10 Alternative Tourist Attractions at www.cheapflights.ca/travel-tips/top-10-alternative-tourist-attractions/.

About Cheapflights Media
Cheapflights Media is an international media network helping over 11 million visitors a month find top travel deals. Our Cheapflights brand was launched in 1996 and pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users. Today, users compare a wide range of deals from hundreds of partners including online travel agents, consolidators and airlines to find the very best flight deals. With a mission to be the starting point for travel, Cheapflights works to deliver the industry's best airfare bargains, expert tips and inspiration. There are currently Cheapflights sites in the U.K., U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia & New Zealand, France, Italy and Spain. For more information, visit www.cheapflights.ca. Our newest brand, Momondo, is a leading travel search engine for finding comprehensive worldwide pricing and availability on airfares. Winner of several awards, the site is ideal for users on specific travel schedules. For more information, visit www.momondo.com.