When you’re planning your vacations, it’s easy to choose popular destinations. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to go see Paris, Rome, London, or Cancun. These popular vacation destinations are popular for a reason. However, you shouldn’t feel restricted to these types of places either. If you want a different vacation, consider going to someplace a little more off the beaten path. There won’t be as many tourists, you’ll have different vacation stories than all of your Eiffel-Tower-visiting friends, and the attractions may be cheaper. If you are looking for that different vacation spot, here are a few places you may want to visit.
Anguilla
This island is located in the Caribbean. It has amazingly white beaches, and offers an escape from the bustling St. Maarten. This is particularly off the beaten path because there are no nonstop flights from the US and no cruise ship ports to Anguilla. You can explore the desert island, sit on a beach, swim, stay in a villa, and just enjoy the beautiful landscape.
Hainan Island
Sometime called China’s Hawaii, Hainan Island offers a lot. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, a volcano park, the chance to see history in ancient villages and a Shaolin Buddhist temple, and the company of monkeys.
Koh Lipe
This island in Thailand is accessible only by boat. It’s surrounded by clear water and about 25% of the world’s tropical fish. Koh Lipe is a great alternative to the more popular Koh Phi Phi. You can relax on the beach, swim in the water, see some fun fish, hike, and do so much more on this island.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan in Guatemala is dotted with a few different villages, so you can choose one that fits your taste. It’s surrounded by volcanoes, and just a short car ride away from the more popular Antigua. You can hang out by the breathtaking lake or find something to do in one of the little villages.
North Stradbroke Island
This little island in Australia is located about 20 miles from Brisbane. It is a fairly popular spot for Australians to make a weekend getaway, but not many other people go visit. It offers you a chance to swim on five beaches, fish on a beach or inland lake, surf, spot whales, and hike to see koalas. Afterwards, you might want to have a road trip along the Great Ocean Road in which case checking out this warrnambool accommodation maybe useful as a starting point for your trip.
Palawan
This island is located in the Philippines and offers beautiful landscapes, beaches, and reefs. You can pick one part of the island to spend your vacation, or you can get a tour of the entire island. You’ll be able to see little villages, hang out by the beach, go scuba diving or snorkeling by the reefs, eat delicious food, or go camping.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
This national park located in Croatia has about 20 lakes, beautiful caves, abundant forests, a variety of wildlife, and breathtaking waterfalls. You can explore the 70,000+ acres that make up this UNESCO World Heritage site by simply talking to your travel agent.
Virunga Volcanoes
This string of eight volcanoes can be visited in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. You can hike the volcanoes to heights of 15,000 feet. You’ll get the chance to see a lot of wildlife including gorillas, chimpanzee, and elephants.
Take a New Kind of Vacation
Talk to your travel agent to figure out how you can take a new kind of vacation. A vacation that is unique. Go see a place that you have never heard of, but that still offers you attractions that you find interesting.