1. Cuba
Although Americans are technically banned from traveling to Cuba, there are plenty of opportunities for licensed travel that enable Americans to set foot on the forbidden isle. During the Bush administration, almost all travel to Cuba for educational, “people-to-people,” and socially-responsible purposes, was shut down. Under the Obama administration, these travel restrictions have been lifted, allowing Americans to travel to Cuba again without worrying about facing criminal charges and fines.
Popular travel destinations in Cuba include Havana, the historically-rich capital frozen in time, where you can explore museums and charming eateries in the old town, mingle with the locals as you take a stroll along the malecón (a waterside boulevard), and watch dance troupes and salsa bands perform in the evenings.
Home to a lengthy network of caves, scenic cliffs, and lush tobacco fields, Viñales is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is famed for its unspoiled natural beauty. Santa Clara, although not so memorable as a city, is the resting ground of revolutionary Che Guevara’s remains. Visitors can learn more about Che Guevara’s life and legacy at the museum that’s adjacent to the mausoleum.
Organizations that offer tours to Cuba include Global Exchange, which organizes socially-responsible and educational “Cuba Reality Tours,” and Common Ground Educational Travel Services, a travel agency that helps groups and individuals arrange travel to Cuba for research and conferences.
2. Vietnam
With a history spanning over 4000 years, stunning geography, and a diverse culture steeped in tradition, Vietnam is starting to share the spotlight with more popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Indonesia. Having survived colonialism, communism, and one war after another, the Vietnamese are understandably tough-skinned yet are warm and gracious to tourists.
If you want to made-to-order clothing for a fraction of what it would cost back home, don’t miss a visit to Hoi An, a beautiful coastal city that’s home to between 300 and 500 tailors. Visit Hanoi, the country’s capital, to pay respects at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, a truly riveting experience. A communist revolutionary and former Prime Minister, Ho Chi Minh, affectionately referred to as Uncle Ho by his compatriots, has achieved cult-like status in Vietnam.
To escape the throng of motorbikes and stresses of the city, head to the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam, which is dotted with sleepy farming villages and iconic rice fields. In the former imperial capital of Hué, you can explore everything from palaces and pagodas to temples and tombs.
3. Colombia
When most people think of traveling to the Caribbean, countries like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Aruba come to mind. Their drug-addled South American neighbor, Colombia, rarely makes it on any beach lover’s radar, and that’s unfortunate, considering how much potential Colombia has as a beach destination. Colombia’s reputation as a violent, crime-ridden country at the center of the drug trade tends to overshadow the beauty of its stunning coastal waters and the radiance of its cultural diversity.
Earning the nickname, “the seven-colored sea,” the beautiful, multi-hued turquoise waters that surround the Colombian islands of San Andres are a haven for divers and snorkelers. Home to top-rate tourist facilities and lavish hotels, San Andres earns a spot on the hot list of Caribbean destinations.
Founded in 1533, the port of Cartagena de India is popular with tourists who want to explore its rich past and enjoy its nightlife. Cartagena beckons travelers with its old walled city, colonial charm, and the innumerable possibilities it offers for excursions to neighboring areas. A side-trip to Parque Nacional Tayrona is a must for trekking, hiking, or camping enthusiasts visiting Cartagena.
4. Albania
After years of communist rule, Albania has finally opened its doors to visitors. Tourism in Albania is still in its infancy, yet it continues to grow each year, despite the fact that Albanian authorities do very little do promote it. Albania is still relatively unspoiled by globalization and unheard of as a tourist destination. Some go as far as to call it Europe’s best kept secret.
With more than 450 miles of beach on the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Ionian Seas, Albania is a veritable paradise for beach lovers. The beaches of Albania are untouched and lack the crowds you’ll find on other European beaches. An increasing number of tourists choose to bask on Albania’s beaches to escape the high prices of Italy and Greece.
Ksamil is a beautiful, white sand beach that looks like it was transported from the Caribbean. Only a few minutes away from Ksamil, you’ll find Butrinti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Butrinti is home to ancient Greek ruins that are nestled in the mountainside. The Tomorri Massif and Albanian Alps offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking.
5. Libya
Having lifted its veil after years of international isolation, Libya is beginning to arouse the curiosity of travelers, and its well-preserved, exotic landscapes are still unknown to the average tourist. While most think of Libya as being synonymous with terrorism, the desert nation has become far safer for tourists in recent years. Libya’s designation as a state sponsor for terrorism was rescinded in 2006.
Libya doesn’t allow independent travel, and tourist facilities are not widely available, so visitors must sign up for organized tours to get around. Despite this lack of independence, tourists find themselves in awe throughout their guided explorations of Libya. The Saharan Desert makes up over 90% of Libya, and Libya’s captivating desert scenery is second-to-none when it comes to accessibility. Whether you want to ride a camel through the Akakus Mountains, surf the dunes near the Ubari Lakes, snorkel near Apollonia to view sunken remains, or explore the Roman, Greek, and Ottoman ruins and artifacts in the cosmopolitan city of Tripoli, you’ll be impressed with all that Libya has to offer, especially considering that it has only recently awaken from its slumber.
6. Guam
Known as the land “Where America’s day begins,” the US territory of Guam is the largest of the Marianas Islands in Micronesia. Although there are strip malls and even a Kmart to remind you that Guam is indeed the US of A, the island boasts plenty of uncorrupted natural beauty.
Most of the tourists that visit Guam hail from eastern Asian countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, and they don’t venture too far away from the main hotel strip at Tumon Bay, besides on organized tours. The organized tours that hotels and local travel agents offer are a great way to see some of the top attractions of the island, but to get a real taste of Guam, your best bet is to rent a car and venture out into the unknown.
Rotidian Beach is a gorgeous, isolated beach where you can spend the day lounging on white sands while admiring the calm, aquamarine waters. Scuba divers can sign up for tours and dive down into the Marianas Trench, home to the deepest waters in the world. The calm, crystal-clear, and shallow waters of Guam’s beaches beckon snorkelers with their abundance of tropical fish and diverse coral reef.
Guam is great for hiking, but there are no marked trails, so you have to hike with an experienced local to avoid getting lost. Boonie Stomps are free, guided hikes organized by the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation that take you through trails ranging from easy to difficult.
To savor delectable seafood dishes and Guam’s famous red rice on a shoestring, head to the Wednesday night Chamorro Market in Agana and hit the food stalls.
7. French Guiana
Set between the Caribbean and the Amazon, French Guiana boasts a rich, diverse environment where you can observe protected species in preserved wilderness areas. Although often overlooked by travelers who come to South America, French Guiana has tons to offer those who don’t mind venturing off the beaten path. Tourist amenities are scarce in French Guiana, and prices are on the high end because it is an overseas department of France.
French Guiana is home to a colorful blend of cultures and over 31,000 square miles of virgin forest. Take a forest immersion tour to explore one of the world’s last virgin forests or a river tour to admire diverse plant and animal life while learning more about French Guiana’s indigenous and Maroon cultures during stops at waterside villages. Visit Awala-Yalimopo during turtle egg-laying season to watch leatherback turtles lay their eggs on the beach under the moonlight. To learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about satellite launching, pay a visit the Guiana Space Center. Off the coast of French Guiana are the picturesque Salvation Islands, which were once home to a famous penal colony where political prisoners were held.
8. Barrier Islands, Georgia
10 miles east of Georgia’s coastal plain are a group of some of the world’s most beautiful barrier islands. Creations of the wind, tides, and waves, the barrier islands of Georgia are constantly in a state of evolution. The barrier islands of Georgia serve as refuge for wildlife and attract scientists from around the world, who conduct marshland ecology and marine research here.
One of the highlights of taking a ferry across to visit the barrier islands in Georgia is going to Sapelo Island, the fourth-largest of Georgia’s barrier islands. Surrounded by pristine marsh, Sapelo is a magical place where you can explore the region’s history, natural beauty, and laidback lifestyle from the perspective of a local. In Sapelo’s historic Hog Hammock community, lifelong resident Maurice Bailey guides visitors on affordable, three-hour tours known as the Spirit of Sapelo tours.
Hog Hammock is owned by descendants of slaves who worked on the plantations of Sapelo over 200 years ago. Residents of this tight-knit, friendly community speak a dialect known as Geechee (a blend of African languages, French, English, and Portuguese) and continue to lead a slow, peaceful lifestyle that starkly contrasts the hustle and bustle of the mainland.
9. Slovakia
Slovakia is one of Europe’s top ski destinations, and its tourism industry has grown significantly since it achieved independence in 1993. Although prices for everything have risen in Slovakia since it joined the EU, you can still dine and travel in Slovakia for a fraction of what it would cost in Western Europe.
Slovakia is not frequently cited as a must-see tourist destination, but travelers who don’t save a slot for Slovakia in their Europe travel plans are missing out. Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, is teeming with culture and charming cafes yet lacks the congestion and overly commercial feel of its Western European counterparts. Outside of the city, you can explore the ancient log cottages of Vlkolínec, ski in Orava, admire the remarkable hill-top ruins of the Spis Castle, the largest in Slovakia, or climb the alpine peaks of the Tatras.
10. Greenland
The biggest island on the planet with the sparsest of populations, Greenland is home to raw, unadulterated natural surroundings and a unique blend of Danish and Inuit culture. Greenland is remote and tranquil, and its culture is largely uninfluenced by globalization. South Greenland’s dramatic landscapes are famous for their emerald green hills, icy backdrops, and Viking ruins, while east Greenland preserves traditional Inuit culture.
More than three-fourths of Greenland is made of ice, and visitors can take dogsled or kayak tours through fjordlands to admire serene landscapes consisting of mountains, icebergs, and islands. There are few roads in Greenland, so to explore the wild you have to travel in a helicopter or boat.
Recent Comments