Travel is easier than ever before, and as a result, we are becoming incredibly well-travelled. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, working with a trusted advisor can open up new regions and territories you haven’t thought about to expand your horizons even further. Maybe you saw the major places on your first trip or two to a country or region, and now you want to go even more in-depth. These places less travelled are for you.
Places Less Travelled
Whether it’s going even further off the beaten path in Western Europe or trekking through Central Asia, many adventurers love seeing the places less travelled. It might take longer to get there, and there’s probably not a Four Seasons, but therein attraction lies. It’s kind of nice to be somewhere very few have gone. It’s how people like Amundsen, Scott, Columbus, Cousteau, Hillary, and Cook discovered unknown regions. And it’s how we discover something unknown about ourselves.
Western Australia
Most of the major cities Down Under are located on the eastern and southern coasts. There’s a whole lot of Outback separating Adelaide in South Australia from Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Perth, the fourth-largest city in Australia with about 2 million inhabitants, is the gateway to the Margaret River wine region. Here, you’ll find some of Australia’s best wines, succulent seafood, and black truffles just as good as any you’ll find in Europe. These factors contribute to Perth having the most restaurants per capita of any Australian capital and a great bar scene.
Travel Advisor Tip: Spend at least three days in Margaret River to immerse yourself in the vineyards and rugged coastline.
Madagascar
You’ve gone on safari. Climbed Kilimanjaro. Even gone gorilla trekking. Well, Africa has a lot more to offer than that. The world’s fourth largest island, Madagascar, lies east of Mozambique and is home to 5 percent of the world’s wildlife and vegetation. While the beaches are great, there is a diversity of terrain from rain forest to desert. Much of the flora and fauna are unique to the island. Of the more than 200 bird species, about half are found only on Madagascar. Madagascar also has almost 20,000 plant species, including seven types of baobab tree. Lemurs leap from tree to tree, while chameleons cling to the branches, making for an entirely different kind of safari experience.
Travel Advisor Tip: Follow it up with Mozambique for a beach getaway like no other.
Brittany
Who doesn’t love France? The glamour of Paris, the glitz of the Riviera, the chateaux in the Loire Valley. The beaches of Normandy, the wines of Bordeaux, the food in Lyon. When you think you’ve done it all in France, head to Brittany. Tucked in the northwest corner of the country, it’s one of the last bastions of Celtic culture. The region only came under the control of France in the 1500s and only fully integrated during the French Revolution. You’ll see street signs in Breton and French and experience an entirely different culture and cuisine.
Travel Advisor Tip: Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path. Brittany, like Normandy has several American war cemeteries – some are only found by following tiny signs and one lane roads. It’s a great alternative for war history buffs!
Colonial Mexico
Don’t get us wrong, we love a beach vacation as much as anyone. But with great food, great places and an exchange rate of nearly 20 pesos to the dollar, Colonial Mexico is worth a visit. Mexico City is home to the world’s 11th- and 13th-ranked restaurants (plus another in the top 100) and the beautiful Soumaya Museum. San Miguel de Allende is an artist’s or art lover’s dream you should see before it gets too popular, and Puebla is culinary capital with a downtown that is one big World Heritage site. Queretaro’s baroque architecture is a thing of beauty, and Oaxaca preserves key components of pre-Spanish cultures.
Travel Advisor Tip: Definitely consider Colonial Mexico for archaeological sites. La Canada de la Virgen and La Quemada are both near San Miguel de Allende.
Laos
Southeast Asia has become exceedingly popular. The beaches of Thailand are known the world over, and river cruises have introduced many people to the wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia. Erase modern borders, and you’ll see that Luang Prabang has all the charms of Chiang Mai without all the crowds. Laos contains elements of traditional Buddhist culture alongside traces of its French colonial past. As with the rest of Southeast Asia, the food scene is hard to beat. The night market in Luang Prabang and street food in Vientiane will have your mouth watering, and you can wash everything down with a Laotian mulberry tea.
Travel Advisor Tip: When you’re going all that way, combining Laos with Thailand or Vietnam makes sense. Head for Chiang Rai for Thai temples galore and take to the streets of Hanoi on a scooter.
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While there’s always something to be said for a visit to Paris, Bangkok, or Riviera Maya, visiting these places less travelled will give you something different to share with friends and family.
Paper, Ink, & Passports Travel offers full-service travel consulting and itinerary design. While we specialise in food & wine travel, New Zealand and Australia, and adventure destinations, we can craft custom itineraries for any destination in the world. Contact us today to begin planning.
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