Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List
Slide Nr 1There are many reasons to reconsider your bucket list this year. It’s a great time to dream of once-in-a-lifetime trips, especially after learning the hard way that our freedom of movement can’t ever be taken for granted. If your post-vaccination motto is “seize the day”, now is the time to plan. However, it’s also the time to consider alternatives. First of all, your first choice may not be attainable, perhaps for budgetary reasons or due to ongoing restrictions. Secondly, you may want to steer clear of overcrowded hotspots. Browse these underrated dream destinations to see which ones you can add to your personal travel bucket list.
0/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 2If you dream of Machu Picchu, consider a trip to Sigiriya instead. If you fancy taking a day out of your holiday ascending a steep incline to view a sprawling archaeological site, this Sri Lankan destination is a good alternative to the exceedingly popular Peruvian one. There are many parallels: the well-preserved remains of a terraced mountain palace, built centuries ago, then abandoned; the fascinating backstory of the powerful rulers and skilled artisans who constructed the palace; the history of the people who lived there and, of course, the stunning scenery of ancient architecture perched in a seemingly inaccessible location.
1/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 3If you aspire to visit Nepal, perhaps Bhutan can scratch that mountaineering itch. Sure, they’re no Everest, but at over 7,000 metres, several of the country’s mountains are amongst the 100 tallest in the world, and they form part of the same Great Himalaya and Lower Himalayan Range. Not bad for such a small country. Of course, size doesn’t matter when you can call yourself the happiest kingdom on earth. The Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is officially measured, tracked and considered the country’s most valuable metric, tends to rub off on visitors – at least in part due to the unusual travel restrictions. Travel is only permitted with a guide, ensuring a bespoke experience.
2/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 4Bali may seem like a zen place to zone out, but Costa Rica also offers yoga retreats and boutique eco resorts, surf spots and hiking trails, national parks and volcanoes, wildlife encounters and rainforest adventures. Costa Rica has embraced sustainable tourism more thoroughly and convincingly than anywhere else we know of, so a holiday there doesn’t just feel great – it’s as good for the country and its people as it is for you.
3/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 5Want to make your Lion King fantasies come true in Kruger National park? Avoid the crowds by heading to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park instead. The oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa may be smaller than its big-name big game cousin to the north, but 960 square kilometres should be plenty to keep you occupied. Since we’re talking bucket lists: yes, you can find all of the Big Five (elephant, black and white rhino, Cape buffalo, lion and leopard) in this “smaller”, less famous park, which is also easier to access (from Durban).
4/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 6If you’re tempted by the pandemic-swept beaches of Thailand and Vietnam, don’t be fooled. The hospitality industry is primed and ready to ramp up operations as soon as possible. To experience these beautiful countries, their welcoming people, lush nature and rich cultures, head north. Northern Thailand and Vietnam are both home to attractions that are less frequented than those in the southern hotspots. Visit temples in Sukhothai, shower under waterfalls in Nan, go hiking in Erawan National Park (Thailand) or learn about communist icon Hồ Chí Minh in Ba Vi National Park, explore the rice terraces of Hà Giang (pictured) and book a homestay in Đà Bắc District (Vietnam).
5/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 7If you fancy the land of fire and ice, maybe Fireland will do? Iceland is a small island and its one circular highway can get extremely busy during the short high season – especially since Game of Thrones put the country’s beautiful landscape in the limelight. The Tierra del Fuego, on the other hand, is only the tip of the vast Patagonia region, where visitor attractions are sometimes thousands of kilometres apart. On either side of the Chilean/Argentinian border, you will find whales, mountains, glaciers, rugged coastlines and active volcanoes.
6/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 8If you want to go island-hopping in Greece, perhaps consider doing the same in Croatia instead. Although there are more Grecian islands than Croatian ones, they each number in the thousands, so who’s counting? Cheaper, less well-known internationally and nowhere near as touristy as the big-name Greek islands, there are 1,244 islands, islets and crags lined up along the almost 2,000-kilometre Dalmatian coast. Plenty to explore! [Photo: dronepicr/Wikimedia Commons]
7/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 9Keen to climb the highest mountain in Africa? Why not ascend to the highest country on the continent instead? Lesotho, known as the “kingdom in the sky”, is set entirely above 1,388 metres, the highest low point of any country in the world. At 3,482 metres, its tallest summit is nothing to sneeze at, either. The enclave is also home to the highest pub in Africa, one of the most challenging pass roads in the world, and even a ski resort!
8/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 10If influencers ignoring travel restrictions have you dreaming of Dubai, you may just be falling for #sponcon. Jordan may be less Instagrammed, but it offers a lot of what you’re looking for. There may not be the same level of flashy lifestyle and skyscraper glitz, but you can experience Middle Eastern hospitality and desert beauty, as well as a rich culture and history. Add to that a dip in the Dead Sea and some of the most famous World Heritage sites on earth, and you’ve got a perfect package.
9/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 11If you think Norway would be nice, but don’t much fancy a cruise right now, the Faroe Islands can give you a taste of Nordic cool. An autonomous part of Denmark located between Norway and Iceland, they offer bits of all these countries – and something entirely different. The volcanic islands are sparsely populated, showcasing rugged scenery and breathless views paired with cutesy villages and a unique infrastructure.
10/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 12Keen to make some animal friends on the Galápagos Islands, but can’t get past the price tag? Madagascar is a more accessible, affordable wildlife wonderland. The majority of the species found on this large island off the southeastern coast of Africa are endemic, not to be found anywhere else in the world (including the lemurs made famous by the eponymous film). It also offers a beautiful, beachy coastline, lush rainforest and melting pot culture.
11/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 13If you’re keen to visit Japan, 2021 may not be the best year to do so. With the 2020 Olympics postponed to this summer, it will be extra-busy and even more expensive than usual. Neighbouring South Korea is a (slightly) more affordable option, which can also be toured more extensively in a shorter time frame. Western visitors tend to find the country less overwhelming, but it still ticks of many similar bucket list items, from temples and palaces to pop culture and culinary treats.
12/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 15Booking trends have Mexico pegged as one of the most sought-after hotspots for 2021. If you’re looking for a more under-the-radar Latin American destination, try Suriname. It’s the smallest country in South America, but that’s not the only reason it’s often overlooked. A former Dutch colony with a predominantly Caribbean culture, it is part of the Guiana region. One third of the country is dedicated to nature reserves, with the primeval rainforest as the main draw. [Photo: -JvL-/Wikimedia Commons]
14/15
Travel
15 Amazing Places That Should Be On Your Bucket List.
Slide Nr 16If you only choose one Eastern European country to visit in 2021, make it Slovenia. It’s been building buzz and is about to be on everyone’s travel radar, so now is the time to beat the crowds. It’s centrally and conveniently located within Europe, and offers a bit of everything – lakes and mountains, coastline and cool cities. Plan your trip now, and reserve bragging rights to say you discovered it before the masses.
15/15
.jpg){kind=link}
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.