The Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, La Sagrada Familia, the Blue Lagoon — they're sites that feature on the bucket lists of many travellers.

But as "alternative travel nerd" Simon Gooder writes, traditional travel has lost touch with its original intent.

"When we set out to travel, we set out to expand our minds, learn new things, see new sights, or breathe new air," he says.

But often what we get by visiting major tourist attractions, Gooder describes, is a "watered-down and emotionless version" of discoveries roads less travelled have to offer.

We spoke to alternative travel guide Clara Flores and traveller Carly Box about the value of chasing unique experiences and feeling like a local away from home.

Skipping the monuments and attractions

When looking for somewhere "different" to travel, it's good to consider if going there is ethical, and if your presence negatively impacts that community.

"If there are inequities in a society, how can I not reinforce those inequities or exploit them while I am there? Can I be part of the solution?" are good questions to ask yourself, says Muchazondida Mkono from the University of Queensland Business School.

Clara Flores, 38, has been a tour guide since she was 18.

She began her career in her home city, Caracas in Venezuela — also known as the "murder capital of the world".

"Back then, political rallies were huge and an almost daily event, so taking part of them was part of the tour … running from tear gas was optional," she says.

Venezuela's economy and government has since spiralled out of control and Australians are advised it is no longer safe to visit.

Clara says several years ago, visitors taking part in her unique tours were chasing a local experience.

"What I found in common with all the tourists, age eight to 80, was that they didn't want to go to 'attractions'," she says.

"They didn't want a photo with a monument or to spend time in a museum with pieces of art they could find in any other country."

One of her most successful tours was a road trip with "seven people in a little car with a dead goat for dinner".

"We had to pick up kids from school, stand in line for one hour to get one pound of rice, then push the car when the battery failed. Just like the locals did."

"Slumming tourism", as it's sometimes referred to, is when travellers pay to visit areas where residents live in extreme poverty.

"Many tourists actually came away from the experience critiquing their own behaviours and aspirations," Dr Mkono says.

"Many came away with a sense of wanting to help or contribute more in their own communities."

But to make the experience ethical, the local perspective needs to be considered. That's something Dr Mkono says needs more research.

Today, Clara gives tours in Los Angeles where she aims to show the city for what it really is, away from the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills.

"Los Angeles is not much different than Caracas. It's a large city with very few attractions spread all over the city," she says.

"People always [gravitate to] three or four places just to be disappointed because it doesn't look as glamorous as the photos."

For that reason, Clara's tours help visitors focus on what's really happening in the town.

"There are 60,000 people living right in downtown [LA] in tents," Clara says.

"Marijuana stores are a must to visit. Some of them can be as big as supermarkets.

"Watts Towers is always deserted and it's also an alternative must."

Where to travel for a 'totally different' experience

Carly and Michael in Namibia. ( Supplied: Carly Box )

Brisbane's Carly Box and her partner Michael Cross both left the Army in 2014 and decided to go travelling indefinitely.

Having already done a bit of travel, the couple were set on seeing things that weren't captured in the typical holiday snaps you find on social media.

"I remember going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and thinking, 'Oh, it's shorter than I thought it was and kind of shit'.

"I was at this main tourist attraction in Italy and I didn't care because everyone that travels puts it on Facebook and you've already seen it."

They began their trip in Iceland, and then spent some time working in a chateau in regional France.

"In this little town called Höfn in Iceland, we were just driving looking for somewhere to stay and we found this random restaurant where I had the most amazing burger in my life — reindeer lobster burger."

But it was when they booked a trip to Africa to escape the European cold they really found what they were looking for.

"We did a guided tour through Africa, an overland trip, but in that time we decided we would go to Cape Town and grab a car," Carly says.

"We drove up through Namibia, when we got to Ngepi — an eco camp and paradise in the middle of nowhere.

"We hit the owner up about work … we ended up staying there for three months."

Carly and Michael at the veggie garden they looked after in Ngepi. ( Supplied: Carly Box )

There Michael ran the bar and Carly worked on their veggie garden and tree rejuvenation project.

Carly says Ngepi is like a rainforest oasis, with water and plenty of traditional African wildlife.

"It's in the middle of nowhere … people only go there to see if it's real or not."

Among many other destinations, Carly and Michael went to Svalbard — the closest you'll ever get to the North Pole without going on an expedition.

Michael Cross at the glaciers in Svalbard. ( Supplied: Carly Box )

They stayed in a old mining town and went on a snowmobile trip to one of the glaciers.

"I've never felt so far away from home as I have there. It was absolutely stunning."

Their time overseas was less stressful and cheaper than visiting major towns, Carly says.

"You end up staying in places you never would have come across, and not paying hundreds or thousands to stay at fancy hotels.

"Every time we had been remote and there was snow or desert, and we'd come back to a city, we would instantly feel anxious and tense.

"We ended up in Cambodia and along with 10,000 other people who go there for sunrise. I was in tears because I was sitting in the dark waiting and was really excited — and then there were these bogan, drunk Aussies who have been out all night being really obnoxious and ruining the moment."

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Are you ready for alternative travel?

Alternative travel is an emerging trend, but large crowds crawling all over the main attractions of the world aren't slowing down anytime soon.

Clara says she doesn't know why unique travel destinations are often overlooked, but says a fear of the unknown and concerns about "getting lost" could be it.

"Even these days with so much information and blogs about traveling, people keep focusing on the same attractions."

If the whole thing makes you nervous, Clara says alternative travel isn't just about going where the wind blows you — you can still plan for a unique trip.

"A little planning is always good to avoid last-minute expenses."

Some places aren't safe to travel, and you should check Australia's travel warnings before planning your trip.

There are other things you should do to keep safe in dangerous destinations, and travel writer Chris Zeiher lists them here.