Asia
Without a curtain of intensity and the depth of shadows, the Valley of the Moon in the rugged Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir would be just another daylit desert. Lit by the silver moon, the parched cracks and snarls of the landscape take a form of meaningful art. As part of the ancient Trans-Himalayan trade route, the Bactrian camels, locally known as the Hunder Sand Dunes in Nubra Valley, are loud testimonies of a great tradition. Don’t miss the Ladakhi festival of Losar with masked dances. And, what is a kaleidoscope of Buddhism without a cardamom chai and Thukpa?
In ancient Asian mythology, dragons represented goodwill, fertility, and fortune. And while the legendary beast may not have been sighted in Bhutan, a visit to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in Paro Valley gives you a sense of its actual dominion on the imagination. Velcroed to the vertical wall of a granite cliff and nestled on a plateau, the prayer flags of the Tiger’s Nest gape at the emerald Paro Valley with humility and tranquility. Acrophilic? Then, huddle into an astro-tourism event, dreaming under the Blanket of Stars.
Breathtaking landscapes of Bali
Also, this rough hillside looked out over a lovely blend of paddy fields and coconut groves, both of which rolled into increasingly large green waves that receded away into the horizon. By just pacing forward into vague uncertainty, you wander between paddy fields and palm fronds to discover a most unexpected panoramic masterpiece. Out here in the wild; far from Ubud’s shopping streets and far from the madding crowd. It got more and more beautiful, and the blue skies aided in enchanting me as they revealed hidden sights with their light fires. After a time, the sea-green expanses of paddy field turned into azure terraces of rice, and a wide, modest path wound effortlessly through the world’s most stunning landscape, down to the river running beneath it. There were many people there, women in sarongs and headscarves walking calmly homewards.
Indonesia is easily the nation with the richest traditional architecture and where else to begin for an adventurous photographer? Java, Bali’s exotic neighbour, is home to charmingly photogenic sandstone temples and majestic volcanic terrain! But Bali itself is also perfect for adventurers. My latest quest there led me repeatedly into Ubud. In doing so, one can quickly move through the already well-visited areas of downtown and Monkey Forest Road, both of which have become somewhat crowded through the decades by comparison, concentrating instead on its radiant beautiful greens. Campuhan Ridge, this green province, promised me the recognizable nature of rural Bali, with mesmerizing rice fields reminiscent of those near Tegalalang, but not nearly as many tourists.
Cultural immersion in Kyoto
The latest 3D technology is set to bring 1,000 Kyoto art treasures to life like never before. Dubbed 3D Hybrid Expo Kyoto, it’s scheduled to present every relevant aspect of the mere 1,200-year-old Japanese town with high precision reproductions to provide an unprecedented “real” experience.
It is particularly personal for me, as I was introduced to the joy of haiku, waka, and Japanese poetry here in Kyoto at the International Institute for Japanese Literature as a teenager—where I was lucky enough to also spend time with traditional scholarly monks in Mount Hiei. This spiritual magnetism has continued to draw me back to Kyoto every year since the day we found the silken Chōjū-giga, which once belonged to hand scroll painter Sesshū, in its Yotsuya Temple. While Yasutaka and I always speak English when we travel together, he regresses to childhood around Basque friends, hilariously calling to them in his imaginary non-existent “Basque Nouveau” until someone gently reminds him he is inadvertently saying “bonsai” to everyone from Japan.
After treating yourself to a night or two at one of Japan’s curated rural stays, hop on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to historic Kyoto. One of my favorite cultural experiences is a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, where all your senses are enlivened in a meditative experience that has been perfected for hundreds of years. After the tea ceremony, kimonos are available for rent at many rental shops and it is a fun and authentic way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Kyoto’s celebrated industry for centuries has blossomed into a new cultural movement that combines progressive creativity with ancient Kyoto’s renowned craftsmanship. A visit to the historical Kyoto Ceramic Art Museum, Japan’s only museum specializing in ceramic art history, is unlike most Western museums. Whereas Western museums often have pottery shards and sculptures believed to be artifacts, Kyoto Ceramic Art Museum puts the awe-inspiring works of pottery on pedestals, amplifying their artistry beyond what we perceive as mere pottery.
Adventure in the Himalayas
One of the most admired tourist destinations, the Himalayas are spread across five countries (India, Bhutan, Nepal, China (Tibet) and Pakistan). With hundreds of imaginative trekking options scattered throughout the great mountain range, visitors perceive this adventure as the most spectacular and prospective, and it is generally concluded that only seasoned mountaineers or those who keep a medical well-being care lookout should walk. Unlike the popular belief which categorizes the Himalayas as a ‘bucket list’ item, trekking in the Himalayas is increasingly gaining popularity in the last decade with a steep rise in the number of people wanting to explore the mountains.
Africa
When communing with elephants in Samburu National Reserve it’s important to bear in mind that no fence stands in defence of a few luxury camps, between you and nature’s most elegant, gentle giants. When you turn in late for dinner, after that game drive that barely missed sunrise, tuck that little fact under your pillow to ponder as you drift towards sleep. What a privilege to eat our Christmas ham amongst wise elephants. And that a bit later, those creatures will amble towards camp from far off for a drink from the river, and one might have to carefully, quietly step outside to retreat into the humble safety of our friend Tipilikwani Campbell’s tent once the main course ends and of course, no fence to protect you here. At Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, your day will end in similar wonder after visiting the wildebeest herds that blanket the Masai Mara savanna. Setup for absolute privacy and with not a single road or fence in sight, under canvas feels like an impossibility, especially given a cozy bed-for-millionaires awaits to effortlessly collapse your cares away.
Africa, the second-most-populous continent, is a place of great beauty and diversity of wildlife. Africa features the world’s largest desert, the longest river, the most beautiful savannahs, and dense forest areas. It is also an abode to lions, elephants, giraffes, for inspiring artists and poets as it possesses indescribable allure reflected in its wildlife, unique culture, and stunning vistas. The continent is composed of fifty-four varied nations: some states’ engines are a conflict, while other countries live a totally quiet village life. While Africa typically receives a bad reputation, it is an area worth exploring through its “unsparing nature,” as, despite all the challenges faced by many of its states, Africa is still poised to hold the majority of the world’s youth within a decade and the economies of some of its countries are rapidly developing, contributing to poverty reduction throughout Africa. At the very least, Africa remains a place that still holds the promise of wealth. As Belgium’s colonial status is industry and institutional development created the Industrial Revolution through rich Congolese land, similarly, there are a great many still undeveloped wild resources left in many of the continent’s varied regions that, when developed, may promise a future of wealth to Africa.
Safari in Serengeti National Park
The wildlife in Serengeti has become more vivid through media, attracting millions of tourists annually. Be sure to include it in your list of places to visit. People mainly go there to see the Great Migration, where herds of wildebeest move across the Mara River from Tanzania to Kenya. This magnificent place is part of a large ecosystem, contained within three other parks and two reserves. It also has the largest elephant population in Tanzania due to its seasonal geology, marshes, and swamps. The park has an immense geothermal production of rock that sustains lots of animals for grazing and park flower enrichment. The park covers an area of 15,000 square kilometers and gives an unspoiled view of nature in its true element.
Serengeti National Park is one of the most famous parks in Africa and widely known for its amazing wildlife. However, if you want to visit without the crowds, then you should plan to visit around November or during March-June. During these months, it is the low season, and fewer people will be around. Furthermore, this exceptional park hosts the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros, as well as a range of other wild animal species, including zebra, gazelle, impala, cheetah, hippo, and many more.
Exploring the pyramids of Egypt
Passing by Egypt’s greatest pyramids without checking them out is akin to visiting Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. One of the new world wonders of the world, the pyramids of Giza capture the imagination of every visitor. To make your visit even more memorable, grab a camel in the parking lot and cruise over to the popular causeway. In addition, we’d recommend paying a little more to have a peek inside the pyramids. Frankly, you probably won’t be inside longer than 15 minutes. However, our group definitely enjoyed the chance to crawl inside such an amazing piece of history.
Rising from the desert plains, the Pyramids at Giza are one of the world’s most famous sites. The Great Pyramid of Giza, or the Pyramid of Khufu, was built around 2580–2560 BC, during the Fourth Dynasty, and is the largest of the pyramids in Giza. More than 2.3 million stone blocks were used in its construction. While the first photographs of tourists at the top of the pyramid were taken in the 19th century, the legal threat doesn’t stop people. It’s not clearly defined where exactly you aren’t allowed to go, so people seem to just ignore that or ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Getting there early is good advice as everyone has to return by 1 pm because of the heat. Sunrise and sunset visits are also worth it.
South America
Salta, in Argentina, is a vibrant, lively city rich in history originally established in 1582, a time when 80 Spanish settlers rode mules exported over what was, in reality, a primitive road to promote socialization and solidify power. The mule dealers also constructed the hillside seat that overlooks the city southwards and Sanatorium to attract artists and people of intellect and wealth for conversation and entertainment during evenings. This is called the Teatro Provincial, and during show times, the seats are filled and maintained, much as it was those centuries ago, by gentlemen at the entrance. This commitment to tradition and history is characteristic of the people of Salta. On Easter Sunday, numerous Salteños take part in the Via Crucis, a religious procession that ends in the San Bernado Hill’s ascent. You will see thousands of folk walking in groups of families and buddies, the majority of the participants exuding a jolly and happy mood. Some wear costumes, follow trucks, or carry religious domes and crosses.
Arequipa, a charming city in southern Peru, is nestled in the shadow of three mighty volcanoes, including the symmetrical El Misti, visible from almost everywhere in the city. In addition to its stunning nature, the city is home to many splendid colonial buildings all made of sillar, a white volcanic stone often quarried from the surrounding countryside. Among Arequipa’s many attractions is the legendary Santa Catalina Monastery, built in 1580. It has been host to nuns from the Dominican Second Order for years, closed to the public. Visits are permitted now, but be prepared for a hustle as guides competing are racing through labyrinthine courtyards and cloisters, displaying cheerful colors.
Marveling at Machu Picchu
First of all, tourists will have to earn the ancient city of the Incas. Even a few hundred years ago, for the same purpose, people took pilgrim tracks leading to Incan cities. What can we say about the modern structures? The railway will take you to Aguas Calientes, the town in the valley, at the foot of Machu Picchu. Then, a new expensive lift and a long line in front of the bus. Every morning from 5:30 (usually, and do not dream of a later time – by 6:30 at dawn all tickets are sold out) from the city on slate buses to the top of the mountain, up to 3,600 tourists per day migrate. Such an occupation makes some people crazy – and no wonder.
One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the “Old Mountain,” is the most well-known ruin of the Incas, located in the Andes, on the territory of the Sacred Valley, Peru. Everyone admires the beautiful stone fortress and the palace of the ruler Pachacuteci Inca Yupanqui, often having no idea what Machu Picchu actually built up around these architectural masterpieces: terraces, reservoirs, and everywhere, steep slopes of the mountains are covered with stone masonry. It serves to make the city self-sufficient, a place of constant residence for a large number of people. The flow of tourists to Machu Picchu is so great that in 2017, the authorities took measures to limit the number of visitors. Knowing this, you are unlikely to want to go to Machu Picchu. Nevertheless, what does not make – will not regret.
Amazon rainforest exploration
When the spirit of wanderlust moves you to dive into the adventure of a lifetime, it’s a reminder to consider heading into the rainforests to experience the ride of your life. All eco-tourists are equipped with their lessons, so please look for well-aligned jungle vacation deals that meet your needs. While you are excited to venture deep into the forests, remember that it allows you to add to the beauty of the rainforest and helps you avoid stress and negative living.
For holidaymakers with a heightened ecological concern, there are holiday offers that donate a symbolic part of the earnings to the Undo network, thereby supporting steps to mitigate the negative effects of tourist camps in the area. All of this brings attention to the risks and benefits one must consider when embarking on a jungle journey in South America. There are many companies offering thrilling jungle tours that cater to people of all fitness levels and preferences. However, to find the most suitable jungle vacation for you and avoid vacation hassles, let us discuss some important factors to consider before purchasing your tour.
Exploring the Amazon rainforest is a fabulous getaway into the forests of South America. However, it is not like your daily walk in the urban woods. Anything and everything on earth can be explored there to satisfy your wanderlust. River safaris, wilderness camping, or wildlife reconnaissance – there are holiday deals to meet your pursuit of excitement while ensuring safety. Luxury adventure deals will lead you through the ins and outs while maintaining your level of sophistication. One very important aspect of this jungle getaway guide is the wide range of recommendations it provides if you plan to vacation in the Amazon forests for almost a year.
Vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro
And while beaches are some of the best places to enjoy some light-hearted samba and people-watching, head over to neighborhood markets and public pages for more immersive, local-led experiences. Specialized food stands in Confeitaria Colombo, Feira Hippie de Ipanema weekends, antiques and rare finds in the Lapa Arches market, or a random night market offering trinkets and souvenirs coexist with weekly and monthly neighborhood affairs spread across the city. Frequently accompanied by live music and a delicious selection of regional foods, locals from all walks of life flock to these street fairs, filling the cobble-stoned streets with color and clamor as they enjoy an informal evening or a delightful afternoon in the company of family and friends. The spirit of community and shared experience make the vibrant character of this aging Brazilian gem all the more potent in effervescence.
The pristine beaches of Rio, emerald forests of Tijuca National Park, iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, and ebullient locals make Rio de Janeiro one of the most festive and vibrant destinations in the world. From world-renowned Carnival to daily samba circles, colorful Brazilian streets boast foot-tapping music, delectable dishes, and pulsating energy. Along Ipanema and Copacabana, infamous beaches are lined with restaurants, bars, cafés, swaying palm trees, and buzzing street vendors that cater to every whim and need of those who seek them. Along the road, fascinating artworks appear frequently and local talent is portrayed with deft strokes and vivid palettes.
I hope that this list of 10 exotic destinations from different corners of the globe has inspired you to pack your bags with new and exciting memories and experiences in mind! Start saving money, planning your PTO and drafting your packing lists in order to make 2024 your most extraordinary year yet. Whatever your travel style, you’ll find inspiration in our uniquely curated round up of top travel ideas, another very special edition of our ongoing and highly effective Top Travel Ideas series. From undeniably unique and mesmerizing landscapes to beautifully preserved historical treasures and fascinating, rich local cultures, Asia has it all!