When we think of amazing vacations, our minds instantly go to Italy, Mexico, or some fantastic part of Europe. Some uncommon destinations are stunning to visit, as well, and you should check them out. We compiled a list of some unique vacation ideas that will have you instantly packing your bags and boarding a flight. ll have you instantly packing your bags and boarding a flight.
Cyprus
This beautiful Mediterranean island has picture-perfect beaches and tons of historical value. While visiting check out a Byzantine monastery, mosque, or the tomb of high-ranking Hellenistic and Roman officials. The island offers tours of castles, plus swimming and snorkeling spots if you are down for an adventure. Limassol is the second biggest city in Cyprus and offers a great restaurant scene for all the foodies out there.
Ecuador
Nestled between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is filled with everything you’re looking for on vacation. Mountains, beaches, rainforest, volcanos, hot springs, and of course the Galapagos Islands can all call Ecuador home. The area is steaming with pre-Colombian and Spanish flair and is perfect if you’re looking for an inexpensive vacation or love hiking. Make sure to view the Chimborazo volcano, which is the highest mountain in Ecuador.
Namibia – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
A lot of people write Africa off as a vacation spot and they shouldn’t. Namibia is a great place to start if you’re visiting Africa for the first time. It offers the world’s older dessert that will make you feel like the last person on Earth. The area has a German feel to it, paired with German restaurants and colonial architecture since it was under the European rule for a while. Make sure to go on an epic safari while visiting and check out the quiver tree in the Giant’s Playground, or you’ll regret it.
Papua New Guinea
If you’re looking for paradise, then Papua New Guinea is where you want to be. With crystal clear waters, rugged mountains, and a sing-sing festival, Papua New Guinea is a fantastic spot to hang out during a vacation. Book a tour to check out the city or do a snorkeling and diving adventure to view the tremendous reefs.
Romania
Filled with medieval towns and castles, Romania is perfect for travelers who are dying to know where Dracula is from and loves a little eeriness. Hikers will enjoy exploring the adventurous alpine in the Carpathian Mountains, plus there are all-inclusive beach resorts on the Black Sea coast for anyone who wants to kick back and relax. Take a tour of the gothic castle, Corvin Castle, in Transylvania that features 50 rooms of medieval art.
The Seychelles – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World
With 115 islands on the Indian Ocean, The Seychelles is a beautiful area to visit on vacation if you’re looking for secluded islands and delicious B&Bs. Filled with pink sand and smooth rocks, Anse Source D’Argent is a famous and beautiful beach that you’ve probably seen on Instagram. If you needed more reasons to visit, this is the area that Prince William and Kate honeymooned.
Laos
Stunning waterfalls, soaring mountains, and green rice fields will fill your view when visiting Laos. If you’re looking for a slower pace vacation and a chill time, then this is the place for you. The cuisine is fresh and delicious, offering sticky rice, papaya, and fresh fish that you’ll never want to leave. Hikers will love taking a break at the Kuang Si Falls where they can take a refreshing swim, plus other hidden pools in the area to explore. If you enjoy viewing art, then don’t miss out on the Buddha Park in Vientiane that offers stunning sculptures.
Newfoundland, Canada
With 18,000 miles of unspoiled coastline and over 200 walking trails, Newfoundland, Canada is a beautiful vacation spot. The area has over 22 species of whales that pass through the area from May to September, plus there are dramatic glacier-carved fjords that are picture-perfect. If you’re a nature lover, then you will get more than your fill in this part of Canada. History buffs will love visiting Fort Amherst in St. John’s, which honors Colonel William Amherst.
Step out of the norm and check out an uncommon spot for your next vacation. These sports are always filled with clear beaches, tons of history, and amazing hometown culture.
Madagascar – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
This island country in the Indian Ocean approximately 250 miles off the coast of East Africa features many uncrowded white sand beaches and many species of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world.
Nosy Be (which means “big island”) is one of Madagascar’s most beautiful coastal spots. You’ll find volcanic lakes, lemurs and humpback whales off the coast. Visitors can also swim with sea turtles along miles of breathtaking coral reefs and explore the floral and fauna at the Lokobe Nature Special Reserve.
Antarctica
Okay, hear us out before you pass this one up. Antarctica is a fantastic spot to visit if you want to see something new and fresh. Antarctica will push you to your limits but allow you to quench your wanderlust. This area is filled with beautiful wildlife, including penguins who are naturally curious and may wander up to you. Besides penguins, you will get a glance at leopard seals, whales, and maybe even a polar bear.
The mountains that surround Antarctica are snow-capped, and the glaciers that fill the bays are easy to access from a zodiac or kayak. You can boat around shipwrecks, have a snowball fight, or maybe even watch an avalanche or two. Regardless of what adventure you want to have, Antarctica is sure to have it, even with the freezing temperature.
Ruins of Troy, Turkey
Troy stood until the late 19th century, but today it is more of a legend than anything. This area is known to be the site of the Trojan War during the Greek period. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a bit of history. Although the area doesn’t have a lot to offer, you can get a great hike in and just take in the past that surrounds you while you’re visiting.
If you do decide to visit the site, don’t worry, it is well labeled, and you can learn a lot from your trip. The location is quiet, and some even say peaceful. While visiting the Ruins of Troy, you will get a lovely view of the countryside and flora as well. Turkey is also known to have delicious food, so after a day of exploring sit down for a tasty meal.
Maldives – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
If you’re a lover of tropical vacations, the Maldives is for you. This tropical destination is located in the Indian Ocean and is filled with 26 ring-shaped atolls. The water is warm in the Maldives, and the sand is a perfect shade of while. If you love scuba diving, this is a great spot to hit since there are a ton of coral reefs surrounding you.
Besides swimming, you can visit a national museum, check out the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, or visit the local fish market. If you love living on the dangerous side, then book a dive with the hammerhead sharks or swim with a whale shark.
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago that is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island is comprised of 18 rocky, volcanic islands that are located between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is most popular to people who love hiking or birdwatchers since it is home to some unique species, like the Puffin.
When you read about the Faroe Islands it is described as “unfathomable beauty, mysteriously tucked away like a figment of a child’s imagination,” how cool does that sound? Besides the sports activities, the island is known for its culture, including their music and visual art. Make sure to read up on the Faroe Islands before heading out since there are safety rules for hiking.
Rara Lake, Nepal
Nepal is a popular destination for hikers, obviously due to Mt. Everest, but Nepal has so much more to offer as well. If you love hiking, going to Rara Lake could be better than hiking to the Everest base camp. The hike is off a beaten path and located in the remote area West of Nepal. The Nepali people dub Rara Lake as Heaven on Earth, which means it is worth a view.
If you like destinations that aren’t popular Rara Lake is it. This area isn’t touched by commercial tourism, and most people don’t hike to Rara Lake; instead, they take a bus or jeep. You have that option as well, but if you want the real adventure, the trek to Rara Lake is an experience worth trying out. The hike isn’t for the faint of heart though and if you don’t like being alone, bring a hiking partner since you’ll only meet the locals who live in the mountains.
Bregenz, Austria – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
Located in Europe, this beautiful destination sits on the edge of Lake Constance in an alpine wonderland that is just a jump away from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Lichtenstein. The area is known for their popular performing arts festivals that include a floating stage. Their outdoor amphitheater host live music and opera performances every summer.
If you like staying active, you can cycle around Lake Constance and choose between the short and scenic bike path or a more hard-core version that goes all the way around the lake. Hikers can climb Pfander that is filled with wildflowers. During the wintertime this area is known for world-class skiing and snowboarding, offering 23 ski resorts that are for every skill level.
Azores, Portugal
The Azores in Portugal is made up of nine volcanic islands and is located in the Atlantic Ocean, around 1,600km from Lisbon. If you’re a foodie, then the Azores are for you. Their popular dishes include cozisa, alcatra, and massa sovada. If you’ve been to mainland Portugal keep in mind that the Azores are going to be different since it is quite a distance from the famous spots of Portugal.
Besides the delicious food, the scenery in the Azores is to die for. You can whale watch, hike, dive, and surf all in this area. The islands’ also have a ton of thermal baths, so if you want to relax a little, you totally can. The best time to visit is during the summer since the Azores are known to be a bit cold, wet, and foggy during the rest of their season.
Greenland
Greenland isn’t visited often by outside travelers since the area is so challenging to get to. The city is majestic, rugged, and almost like being on another planet. Greenland is the world’s largest island, and 80% of it is covered by ice. The largest city in Greenland is Nuuk and has 16,500 people on it, and most other cities only have around 4,500 people or less.
If you’re brave enough to travel here, you won’t regret it. You can experience the midnight sun or in the winter the Northern Lights. If ice is your thing, well Greenland has a lot of it. The area does have great tourism; you just don’t hear a lot about it since people are turned off by the ice. If you want to explore nature, you can climb mountains, take a boat tour, or check out the arctic circle race. There is fantastic arctic wildlife you can only see in Greenland, not to mention the excellent cross-country skiing. If culture is more of your thing, then check out the dog sledding, Greenlandic Gastronomy or set up a sightseeing tour.
Havasu Falls – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
Most of the destinations we have been talking about are all across the world. Havasu Falls is located in Arizona near the Grand Canyon. This beautiful destination has sparkling, light blue waterfalls that are begging to be touched. The area is like a hidden oasis since it is surrounded by desert, and the waterfall is Instagram worthy. To step into the area where the waterfall is located, you need to get a permit from the Havasupai Tribe.
The waterfall is located about four hours out of the Grand Canyon National Park, and you have the option to hike, helicopter, or ride mules to your destination. The hike is 10 miles one way and no day hiking is permitted, so you need to camp and be prepared to stay the night. It might seem like a challenge but getting to your destination will be worth it. Plus, once you’re done, you can spend an extra day checking out the Grand Canyon.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Imagine waking up every morning with hundreds of hot air balloons filling the sky. That is a reality in Cappadocia. Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia lies between Aksaray, Kayseri, and Nigde. The area is filled with valleys and rock formations that your eyes won’t even believe. The rock formations were created thousands of years ago when ancient volcanoes, Mt. Erciyes, Hasan, and Melendiz spewed layers upon layers that formed the countryside today.
Today you can travel the handmade caves, living quarters, places of worship, and more that were all crafted by locals years ago. Book a tour on a hot air balloon, visit the local museum or plan a sightseeing event that will take you all around the beautiful city.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan has been become increasingly popular with visitors, and we can see why. The city has an entirely different vibe than any other place you’ve visited. The Japanese people are amicable and helpful, which is rare in a foreign country. Regardless of when you’re out and about, the streets are always crowded. If you love culture and history, you can check out the Buddhist temples and Shintoism Shrines.
If you love Japanese culture, make sure to visit the numerous different museum they have. The museums can be anything from Japanese history or a Pokemon area. Don’t forget about the fantastic local food that will be surrounding you. If you want to travel to numerous cities in Japan, the train is your best bet. And don’t worry if you get lost, a local will always be around to help you find your way.
Easter Island – Unique Vacation Ideas Around the World Vacation Ideas
Easter Island is known as one of the most remote places in the world. It’s located literally in the middle of the South Pacific and is under the jurisdiction of Chile in South America. One of the most tourism worth sites on the island is the big stone statues that are called Moais. There are over 400 moai scattered throughout the island, so you’ll always see at least one.
There is a lot of mystery surrounding the island, but you can learn more about it at the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum. Besides learning a bit of history, you can also visit Anakena Beach, the Rano Raraku Quarry, and Ahu Tahai. If you love scuba diving, you can drop down and do the Moai Dive to see the only underwater moai.
The Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Isle of Skye is filled with rugged mountains, medieval castles, seaside fishing villages, and exotic landscapes. Portree is the largest settlement in Skye and is known for the pastel pink and blue houses that sit over the sea. The view will make you feel like you’re in a fantasy novel instead of real life.
While visiting check out where dinosaur fossils have been discovered, view the amazing wildlife, and learn about the infamous Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. If you love hiking, then Skye is filled with areas to explore and climb as well.
