We all know about the most popular travel destinations—London, Paris, Berlin, New Zealand, Iceland, and so on—but did you know there’s adventure and fun to be had in lots of other places that aren’t so well-known? We’ll give you a quick look at four excellent unusual places to go in your next international excursion.
Albania
This tiny nation on the Balkan Peninsula, just north of Greece, used to be one of the most frightening Stalinist countries in the world. But in the last two decades, Albania has emerged as an inexpensive and delightful travel destination.
The food culture is very similar to that of Greece. Sunny skies and miles of beautiful beaches and unpolluted wilderness provide lots of opportunities for sunbathers and explorers. Its arts and culture are also emerging as great tourist attractions and transforming some of the remains of the brutal regime of dictator Enver Hoxha. On the outskirts of Albanian capital Tirana, a group called Bunk’Art has transformed one of Hoxha’s underground complexes into a cultural center telling the history of the dictator’s reign. The bunker even has an underground auditorium that’s being repurposed as a hall for jazz concerts. There are lots of other unusual places throughout the country, so prepare yourself for a road trip to see the best of them.
Rwanda
The horrific genocide in 1994 has left its stains on the memories of many a Rwandan, and has left many travelers feeling as though the equatorial African nation may not be a safe place to visit. But the nation has turned a corner and become one of the most amazing travel destinations you could find.
If you want to see lions, elephants, Cape buffaloes, African leopards, gorillas, and maybe even a black rhino, visit Akagera National Park for a great safari experience. At night, come back to Kigali to sample great cuisine and nightlife. Rwanda’s climate is fairly friendly for an equatorial nation due to its high altitude, but you might want to skip the rainy season that runs from March through May.
Bhutan
This lovely Himalayan country is the only one in the world where Gross National Happiness is a primary indicator of the nation’s welfare. This Buddhist nation has scenery to spare—including many Buddhist temples and sacred sites—and great food as well.
Eco-tourism is alive and well in this mountainous nation, and the kingdom actually targets “high-value, low-impact tourism.” In order to visit Bhutan, there are some travel requirements you’ll have to meet, first among which is that you will need a visa and you’ll have to book a tour through one of the nation’s international partners. Tour agencies will typically make visa arrangements for you. Read more about the visit requirements on the National Tourism Organization of Bhutan’s website.
Jordan
The Middle East is unfortunately known for great political turmoil, which has harmed the economy of many nations including relatively peaceful and tolerant Jordan. Pay a visit to the nation’ capital, Amman, though, and you should be quite safe.
Amman is a center of Islamic culture and boasts hundreds of historical sites, some of which date from the very beginning of the Muslim religion. During the holy month of Ramadan (May 27-June 24, 2017), the city’s Citadel Hill hosts nighttime concerts and recitals of classic Arab music. Non-Muslim tourists are not expected to observe the Ramadan fast, but it would be extremely polite not to eat in public if you visit during the holy month. If you want to travel outside of Amman, visit the amazing archaeological site of Petra, in the southwestern desert, to see some truly remarkable ancient structures.
Have you visited any unusual places? Off-the-beaten-path countries? Cities that surprised you? Please share your stories in the comments!
Photo: The Al Khazneh temple in Petra, Jordan. Photo courtesy of Morguefile