You might be thinking of the next big city you are going to visit, but is that all you think there is in this planet to see. Of course trips to Paris and London are always fun, but there are many other places around the world that you should see at least once. But many travelers do not seem to be familiar with these destinations.
So we decided to make a list of countries that are off the beaten track and are perfectly poised for a turn in the spotlight over the coming year. Go ahead and take a look.
Sri Lanka
Best for: Value for your money, culture
Endless beaches, friendly people, timeless ruins, oodles of elephants, cheap prices, killer surf, fun trains, spicy food, world renowned tea, need to keep going? After putting an end to the 30 year old war, the cut-priced paradise now back on the top of the travelers list. The investments are fuelling the tourism industry, as the number of tourists is steadily increasing year by year. There are so many attributes in Sri Lanka. Only a handful of places around the world have so many Unesco World Heritage Sites (8) in such a small area. Sri Lanka is stunning, affordable and it is still mostly not-crowded. Now would be the best time to explore it.
Montenegro
Best for: Adventure, activities
Montenegro can be described as an emerging superstar with a wild beauty. Imagine a destination with Croatia’s spectacular sapphire beaches, Switzerland’s dramatic rugged peaks, Colorado’s deep canyons, Venice’s elegant palazzi and Greece’s old towns and wrap it up in Mediterranean climate and you will start to get an idea bout Montenegro. It would not be exaggerating to say that the nature has been creative and prolific in Montenegro, creating such iconic and beautiful draws as the Bay of Kotor and the beaches along the Riviera. You like swimming, hiking or biking? This place has it all.
Madagascar
Best for: Adventure, activities
Madagascar is exceptionally unique; 5 percent of all known plant and animal species could be found here, and here alone. With Lemurs, rainforests, baobabs, trekking, beaches, diving, and the desert, the world’s fourth biggest island is a paradise for nature lovers. Madagascar is populated by waves of migrants from every corner of the Indian Ocean, each with their unique belief systems and customs. If you are looking for a place out of the ordinary, this island will not fail to delight you.
Iceland
Best for: Value for your money, activities
No visitor can ever travel around Iceland without being deeply touched by the absolute beauty of it. Mind-bending sceneries, platefuls of delicious fish and lamb dishes, or sincere local hospitality, you will always fall in love with one of these. The crash in their currency, which brought down the króna by 75 percent, has made a trip to the island much more budget friendly. Regardless of whether it rains, blusters or snows, or if you get to spend your entire tour enjoying the sweet sunshine of the spring, Iceland is an amazingly beautiful destination that you will long to go back to.
Dominican Republic
Best for: Events, value for your money, activities
Much more than just beach resorts, Dominican Republic is the ‘Next Big Thing’ in the Caribbean. From desert scrublands to stunning mountain sceneries, this country has everything a traveler could hope for. You will surely enjoy the pleasing scene of palm trees on white-sand beaches, rocky cliffs, wind-swept dunes and the serene mangrove lagoons. Dominican Republic saw an 8.4 percent increase in the number of tourists within the first four months of 2012. And with cruise ships starting to add the place as a major port of call, many more people will be visiting the place in the years to come.
Author’s Bio
Megan Tyler is a journalist and a veteran content writer. She has experience in copywriting and journalism. Presently she is exploring and writing on various subjects but at the moment appended with London apartments.
