Everyone’s been backpacking around Europe. Everyone’s been on safari
in Africa. Everyone’s been to experience the nightlife and beaches in
Thailand. Have you ever wanted to go somewhere off the beaten track,
where no-one else goes? Below I’ve listed some of the most unusual
places to visit, which will still give you a holiday of your dreams.
Take a look, then start packing for an experience that no-one you know
can match
10 – Tajikistan
Tajikistan
‘Pamir Highway – Tajikistan’ by Lee Hughes
Hidden away somewhere in the middle of the globe where Europe and
Asia meet is Tajikistan. It only receives a few thousand visitors every
year – when you consider that it’s not exactly near to other tourist
hotspots and there’s a complicated visa application process, it’s hardly
surprising that so few people visit.
However, if you’re willing to go out of your way and jump through all
their hoops, then Tajikistan has so much to offer. From astounding
vistas to challenging hiking opportunities to a rich and varied culture,
Tajikistan is full of hidden gems
09 – Tonga
Tonga
By Haanofonua (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
You may know Tonga by its other name: ‘The Place Where Time Begins’.
This is because it is just on the Eastern side of the International Date
Line, so it’s one of the first places to see in the new days, the new
years and the new millennia. Being in the middle of the Pacific and so
far away from everywhere else, it isn’t always the easiest to get to,
which is probably a reason for only 45,000 tourists visiting it per
year. That said, there are a surprisingly large number of airlines which
fly directly to Tonga, including Air Pacific and Virgin Australia
However, travelling to Tonga is so worth it! The diving opportunities
are probably Tonga’s biggest attraction, as stunning coral reefs
abound. In addition, the islands have the most beautiful white sand
beaches, making Tonga a small slice of paradise
08 – Mauritania
Mauritania
‘Ships graveyard, Nouadhibou, Mauritania’ by Sebastián Losada
Mauritania is located pretty close to both Senegal and Morocco, so it
may surprise you to hear that it attracts only about 30,000 visitors
every year. It’s an area which is known for its sand dunes and nomadic
people, which is why it is overlooked so often. The fact that there are
no ATMs – meaning that tourists have to rely on cash alone – is yet
another detracting factor
Despite all that, the desert landscapes and sand dunes present some
incredible photo opportunities. The same can be said for the infamous
old ships’ graveyard, which is both mesmerising and eerie. Without a
doubt it’s one of those places that should be added to your list of
‘places to see before you die’
07 – Kiribati
Kiribati
‘Butaritari, Kiribati’ by KevGuy4101
The main reason why Kiribati only attracts around 5,000 visitors
every year is because it is so difficult to get to. Let’s be honest, had
you heard of it before today? If you’re wondering where it is, stab a
pin into the middle of a map of the Pacific Ocean and you’ll be pretty
close. Its closest neighbour (Hawaii) is almost 1,500 miles away, and
there’s only one flight to and from the islands per week
If Kiribati was more accessible, it would be one of the most popular
tourist destinations in the world. This is because of its stunning
beauty, which is everything you imagine a tropical paradise should be.
It is considered to be one of the best destinations for fishing,
snorkelling and diving. This isn’t even taking into consideration all
the water sports which are on offer. As you can see, Kiribati is an
ideal place to go if you want all the relaxation of an island holiday,
but in a location where very few other people have been
06 – Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
‘IMG_3198 Halavo villager’ by Jenny Scott
Aside from the fact that the Solomon Islands have had a somewhat
unstable past, they are pretty difficult to get to. Of course, once you
get there, you may find it tricky to actually navigate the Solomon
Islands, as they are peppered across the Pacific.
If you’re willing to put these facts aside, they offer so much for
tourists – both inland and offshore. For those who prefer to stay
inland, there are magnificent waterfalls and volcanoes to explore. On
the other hand, for those who prefer to explore the water, the diving
and surfing opportunities are amongst the best in the world
05 – Nicaragua
Nicaragua
‘Le volcan Momotombo (Nicaragua)’ by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Nicaragua has a history of civil war, dictatorship and natural
disasters, which may be off-putting for tourists. However, it is worth
noting that the country has put these troubles behind it, and has become
one of the safest countries in America.
This country is the largest of all of those found in Central America,
and has a little something for everyone. There are beautiful beaches,
coral reefs, a rainforest, a volcano, and even a lake which is home to
the world’s only freshwater sharks. There is so much to see, do and
enjoy in Nicaragua that it’s likely to become a popular tourist
destination in the future – especially considering the fact that it’s
pretty inexpensive, too
04 – Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
By Christopher Michel from San Francisco, USA (from our g-5 on approach) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Marshall Islands, located in the Pacific, are made up of over
1,000 islands and coral atolls, so there is plenty to explore. However,
it is particularly difficult to get to – and expensive, too. There are
almost no flights directly to the islands, and those which do exist are
extraordinarily expensive. If that wasn’t enough, most people were put
off by the fact that America used to do a lot of nuclear testing on the
Marshall Islands, although thankfully that has been relegated to history
books.
Nevertheless, if you do manage to make it to the islands, almost
every utopian island cliché can be found on the Marshall Islands.
Crystal clear seas, blue lagoons and endless coral reefs provide a
tropical island paradise; numerous World War II shipwrecks give tourists
countless chances to explore. With so much beauty, you’ll never run out
of things to do in the Marshall Islands
03 – Slovakia
Slovakia
This list of unusual holiday destinations has included several island
countries in the Pacific, so it may come as a shock to see a European
country so high on the list. It may be nestled among other popular
holiday destinations such as Austria and Poland, but it doesn’t spring
to mind as a good place to visit for many people
As it’s still one of the cheapest countries to visit in Europe,
Slovakia makes sense as a great place to visit. Throw into the mix
incredible mountain views, idyllic forests and quintessentially gothic
towns, and Slovakia becomes all the more appealing. You can do
everything from alpine skiing to relaxing in cafés, so there’s something
which will appeal to everyone. You can’t ask for much more from a
country which is so close and easy to get to
02 – Bhutan
Bhutan
There are many reasons why Bhutan has low visitor numbers. For
starters, the government limits the number of people who can enter the
country each year, and those that do must be part of a pre-arranged tour
group. This means that travelling to Bhutan can work out very
expensive, aside from the facts that applying for a visa is incredibly
arduous and that you’ll need to be chaperoned at all times whilst in the
country. In addition, until around 50 years ago, it was impossible to
enter Bhutan other than on foot via either Tibet or India, so it’s only a
relatively new country for people to explore.
To be honest, you’ve got to really want to go to Bhutan to make it
worth it. However, once you see what the country holds, you’ll see that
all the effort is totally worth it. The country is landlocked, set high
within the Himalayas, so the hiking opportunities are endless and the
views from the mountains are spectacular. A predominantly Buddhist
country, there are loads of striking temples to see. The most
magnificent temple of all is the Tiger’s Nest, which is perched on the
edge of a very high, perilous, mountainous ledge!
01 – Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe
By taken by Husond (en:Image:Equator_São_Tomé.JPG) [see page for license], via Wikimedia Commons
Sao Tome and Principe is an island country consisting of two small
islands off the West coast of Africa, near Equatorial Guinea. Many
people are put off by the conflicts which have been present in other
parts of Africa, although it is much easier to get to than several of
the other locations on this list! Being a former Portuguese colony and
close to the African mainland, connections are relatively easy to come
by
This is one holiday destination
which really is remote, so you’re guaranteed proper peace and
relaxation. Other benefits include the mountains, jungles and beaches,
so whether it’s hiking, trekking or sunbathing, there’s something for
you. Book your holiday now before the rest of the world does, as this
looks like it’ll be one of the top tourist hotspots in the future