Top 10 Essential Travel Destinations You Can’t Miss | Going to beautiful areas is problematic because it’s a common notion among people. Word gets around quickly, especially in the era of social media, about that secret beach with an incredible sunset. It can also somewhat ruin the charm when busloads of visitors arrive at that peaceful temple right as you step out of your tuk tuk. Still, the world remains vast and open, with much beauty hiding in unexpected places, despite the way technology seems to be making it smaller. These ten breathtaking locations could be unknown to you, but don’t tell anyone.

Best 10 Essential Travel Destinations You Can’t Miss

1. Island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

An illustration of an island paradise would look somewhat like Fernando de Noronha’s archipelago. Situated 350km off the northeastern coast of Brazil, the group of 21 volcanic islands emerges from the sea, showcasing lush tropical scenery, immaculate white beaches, and sparkling blue seas brimming with marine creatures, including dolphins, rays, and turtles. Snorkelling is excellent, of course.

To save the ecology, there are stringent restrictions on the number of visitors to the island, which is the only inhabited island. Here, you may choose from an array of idyllic beaches, including the kilometer-long Cacimba do Padre, the untamed Praia do Leão, the lovely Baía dos Porcos with its serene waters ideal for swimming, and the small pools at Praia do Atalaia.

Top 10 Essential Travel Destinations Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil © Kcris Ramos/Shutterstock

It’s not inexpensive to stay on Fernando de Noronha. However, if you have the extra cash, this is the ideal vacation. Just steps from the beach, the charming and quiet Pousada do Vale is a warm and inviting place to stay.

Check out Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips’ well-curated Brazilian Folk Art journey if you’re itching to travel farther and experience the local arts and culture. You will get to know the famous ceramic doll makers, Campo Buriti craftswomen, in the Jequitinhonha Valley.

2. Portugal’s western Algarve

The majority of tourists traveling to the Algarve in Portugal head straight for its easily accessible, sun-filled southern beaches, which are perhaps the best in the country. Fewer people are aware of the west coast of the Algarve’s untamed beauty. Here, countless wide golden sands are reached by way of rolling hills of rugged scrub, interspersed with little whitewashed towns.

Tucked away along bone-jarring, serpentine dirt lanes are many beaches, their remoteness and lack of facilities just adding to their charm.

There are several wonderful places in the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, with a cluster near Vila do Bispo. There’s only one café/restaurant with fantastic ocean views in the little bay of Praia do Zavial, tucked away between tall hills and eucalyptus trees, and it serves delicious fresh seafood. But in the even more isolated Praia da Ponta Ruiva, there is nowhere to buy a gelaldo.

Ponta Ruiva beach

Ponta Ruiva beach, The western Algarve © Rjc9666/Shutterstock

Nestled between reddish-ochre rocks, the stunning bay is utterly remote; the only people you’ll probably run into are surfers, and the only noises you’ll hear are the thunder of the Atlantic. Even during the hottest part of summer, there is still room at the most crowded beaches, such as the stunning Praia da Armado.

Throughout the year, the Algarve is a popular tourist destination. Explore the Portuguese Azores archipelago with guided island trips from Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips Madeira and São Miguel. Tours with guides show you the best parts of both islands.

3. Choquequirao, Andes, southern Peru

The most visited tourist destination in Peru, Machu Picchu, is a must-discuss while discussing Inca citadels. Spoken in the cloud forest of the Vilcabamba highlands, west of Cusco, is its large “sister,” Choquequirao, which is far less well-known.

Why is it so anonymous, in comparison? Its 3,000m vertiginous boulder-strewn slope and many days of walking required to get there deter day-trippers and those who are less eager to huff and puff their way uphill. But if you persevere, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and verdant woods as you follow the Incas’ old paths.

The lesser known Inca citadel of Choquequirao in Peru

The lesser known Inca citadel of Choquequirao in Peru © Christian Declercq/Shutterstock

It is quite amazing to see the abandoned citadel’s remains strewn across terraces set high on the slope. Visit between May and October, when it’s dry.

A proposed cable car link to Choquequirao would undoubtedly result in a significant increase in the number of visitors.

4. Lastovo, Croatia

Lastovo’s stony shoreline is unappealing to island hoppers looking for Croatia’s renowned sandy beaches. Due to its isolated position, which is around three hours by catamaran or four hours by ferry from Split, sun-loving vacationers are more likely to disembark from the boat at Hvar or Korčula with their lunches and parasols rather than spending the extra time at sea.

But this quaint little island, barely eighteen square miles in size, with a population of, give or take, a thousand people, is something remarkable. There are 200km of beautiful hiking routes winding through vineyards and woodlands on this pine-forested island, which is the most wooded after Mljet. Kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling are all possible in the breathtakingly untamed coastline’s inviting nooks and astonishingly blue seas.

Lastovo old town on Lastovo island

Lastovo old town on Lastovo island, Croatia © Bumble Dee/Shutterstock

The calm and rather run-down Hotel Solitudo is the sole lodging establishment on the island. Alternatively, you may reserve an apartment with views of the sea and an on-site restaurant, like the one at Accomodation Triton in the fishing hamlet of Zaklopatica. Even the Struga lighthouse, which still shines at night, is available for accommodations. Additionally, the lighthouse is near Mali Žal, a family-friendly beach with shallow seas ideal for small paddlers.

If your travels in Croatia have piqued your interest in learning more about the Balkans, consider checking out Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trip: Balkans Puzzle Trip. We see the breathtaking Adriatic coast, lush valleys, and charming rivers and lakes on a thrilling trip.

5. Koh Ker and Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia

A popular destination for tourists in Cambodia, Angkor Wat draws millions of tourists annually who clamber to snap images of the expansive complex of temples dating back to the 12th century. Learn how to beat the crowds at Angkor Wat. However, there are a few locations that are only a few hours away that have mostly escaped the spotlight.

One of Cambodia’s most isolated Angkorian monuments, Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer Empire in the tenth century, with temples soaring above the forest. The seven-tiered, forty-meter-tall pyramid known as Prasat Thom, which provides breathtaking views of the jungle, is the main attraction.

Prasat Thom, Koh Ker Temple

Prasat Thom, Koh Ker Temple, Cambodia © Kolinchev Andrii/Shutterstock

Of all the Angkorian temples in Cambodia, Banteay Chhmar is one of the least known and most secretive. It is located deep into the forest in the country’s northwest. Constructed around the 12th century under Jayavarman’s reign, the complex consists of nine satellite temples dispersed across the forest. Don’t overlook the magnificently detailed bas reliefs and complex sculptures depicting scenes from daily life and the military.

The wonderful community-based tourism program (CBT) provides possibilities for homestays and guided tours, allowing guests to interact with locals and experience rural life in Cambodia.

6. Island of Rodrigues

Given its name, which sounds Portuguese, one could assume that Rodrigues is located in the Azores. However, this little, peaceful volcanic island—named for the Portuguese navigator who found it—is really located 600 kilometers east of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.

However, Rodrigues is still mostly unknown, while Mauritius is a well-known destination for those seeking a little piece of sun and sea paradise. This serene stretch of land, measuring just 17.5 km in length and 8 km in width, boasts an expansive lagoon and 80 km of coastline, complete with gorgeous sandy beaches and azure seas softly lapping at its edges. Furthermore, there are no flashy hotel complexes or generic vacation rentals competing for visitors’ dollars.

Baladirou Beach, Rodrigues Island

Baladirou Beach, Rodrigues Island © Ricardo Stephan/Shutterstock

This place is easily worth a week’s stay. Enjoy excellent diving and snorkeling while unwinding on the powder-soft white beaches (Trou d’Argent is among the most divine). Explore the island’s coastline walk, the lush inner hills, Caverne Patate’s stalactites and stalagmites, and the François Leguat Reserve’s enormous tortoises.

Stay at a guesthouse owned and operated by Creoles from the area, who will feed you great meals and tell you fascinating tales about the island. Above all, relax and take pleasure in life’s unhurried, leisurely pace. To find lodging on the island of Rodrigues, use this link.

7. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan

Pinpointing these four “stans” (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan) on a map would be similar to playing the kid’s party game, pin the tail on the donkey. In other words, you may locate the world in general, but you may not be able to pinpoint their exact places.

This is because there hasn’t been much foreign travel to these nations, partly because of complicated visa procedures and concerns about potential dangers. But in recent years, things have turned around, and travelers are starting to realize how wonderful Central Asia is.

Uzbekistan

Located at the intersection of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan’s past is deeply ingrained in the cities that border this historic path. Mosques, madrassahs, mausoleums, and monuments abound in Samarkand and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bukhara and Khiva. The tilework is breathtaking wherever you look. Tashkent, the capital, is a modern metropolis with architecture that combines elements of Soviet and modern design.

Registan square, Samarkand

Registan square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan © Evgeniy Agarkov/Shutterstock

Get the best Tashkent lodging options and begin organizing your trip to Uzbekistan right now.

Tajikistan

Tajikistan also has excellent sceneries. Its two mountain ranges, the Fann and the Pamirs, are still mostly undiscovered by travelers and have plenty of peaks for amazing hiking experiences.

Kyrgyzstan

While Uzbekistan is notable for its historical buildings and architecture, Kyrgyzstan’s untamed, mountainous terrain and verdant summer meadows are what make the country so beautiful. It’s a nation renowned for its hospitable citizens and ancient nomadic customs, which you can personally see by booking a yurt camp, going horseback riding, and sampling local cuisine like mutton stew and kumis (fermented mare’s milk).

Forests and mountains of Kyrgyzstan

Forests and mountains of Kyrgyzstan © Murrrrr-s/Shutterstock

Kazakhstan

Large and rugged, with deserts, a great steppe, lakes, and high mountains, Kazakhstan is a great place to hike and go skiing in the winter (yes, seriously, Prince Harry has been observed slaloming the slopes in the resort of Shymbulak). While visiting Almaty, the country’s cultural center and home to the thriving Green Bazaar, be sure to take in the futuristic architecture of Nur-Sultan, the capital.

Steppe and mountains of Kazakhstan

Steppe and mountains of Kazakhstan © Aureliy/Shutterstock

Make reservations for our three-week, expertly guided Tailor Made Trip Along the Great Silk Road to explore the attractions of the four “stans.” In addition to taking in the breathtaking environment and local culture, you’ll learn about the history.

8. Picos de Europa, Spain

Walking pathways hug steep gorges, run through high meadows where cows graze, and cross shimmering lakes where horses pause to drink amidst breathtaking alpine scenery. Eagles and Griffin vultures glide between sharp limestone peaks, their large wings creating shadows on the rough rocks below.

The Pyrenees may be these. It’s not; instead, it’s the Picos de Europa, a mountain range that straddles the northern Spanish regions of Castile y Leon, Cantabria, and Asturias. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering everything from canyoning and mountain biking to hiking and rock climbing.

Walking routes that are reachable by the Fuente Dé cable car, which whisks passengers to a height of 1,850m and offers breathtaking views across the towering hills, are also popular, but the most well-known route is the spectacular 12km Cares Gorge.

In addition, the Picos range is only a few hours’ drive from the shore, so you could climb a peak and take in a sunset surf on the same day.

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Hiking along the Cares Gorge trail in the Picos de Europa National Park, Spain © Nella/Shutterstock

9. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

It’s likely that if you’re traveling to South Africa, you want to schedule a wildlife safari. It’s likely that the most well-known safari game park, Kruger National Park, is at the top of the list.

Consider visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which spans the Northern Cape of South Africa and the neighboring country of Botswana. Saying it’s large would be an understatement. 37,000 square kilometers of sweeping red sand dunes, salt pans, and sporadically spaced camel thorn bushes make up this area.

The wide-open, untamed terrain is perfect for seeing large mammals like giraffes, gemsboks, herds of blue wildebeest, and everyone’s favorite, naughty-looking meerkats. Other notable species include leopards, cheetahs, and the formidable black-maned Kalahari lion. It’s also an excellent place to go bird watching, since vultures, goshawks, bateleurs, and eagles are all likely to make an appearance.

The nocturnal spectacular, which features millions of sparkling stars exploding across the sky, starts after sunset.

A giraffe in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

A giraffe in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa and Botswana © David Steele/Shutterstock

10. San Blas, Panama

The San Blas Islands are ideal for those who enjoy lounging on hammocks, swinging in the breeze beneath coconut palms, swimming in crystal-clear seas, and strolling along picture-perfect beaches in the manner of Robinson Crusoe.

Fair enough, it’s probably perfectly up anyone’s alley, but it may surprise you to hear that this 400-oce island chain in the Caribbean belonging to Panama is not teeming with visitors. You may even be the lone traveler to paradise who enjoys those immaculate white dunes. Additionally, there is excellent snorkeling in areas like the Cayos Holandéses and the shipwreck near Isla Perro (Dog Island).

Meeting the native Guna people, who “own” the islands, and getting to know their culture and way of life is another incentive to travel to San Blas, or Guna Yala as it’s known to the locals.

We have an amazing (and completely customizable!) Tailor-Made Trip: Thrilling Adventures in Panama if you’re itching to visit San Blas and would like to mix the trip with adventure on the mainland.

San Blas, Panama

San Blas, Panama © Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock

 

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