DESTINATION MISUNDERSTOOD.

Not really that dangerous, but a bad rap with the west or infant tourism keeps many travelers away.

ASIA.

Myanmar & Indonesia: Areas off the tourist trail

EASTERN EUROPE.

Serbia & Bosnia along with other vast 'out of vogue' areas of Eastern Europe and especially Ukraine which is (apart from the break away region) super cheap and a great country.

MIDDLE EAST.

The Caucasus (specifically Georgia), Iran, Oman and North Eastern Turkey

Mountainous Kyrgyzstan/Tajikistan & Northern Pakistan

SOUTH AMERICA.

Caribbean Colombia & Venezuela

HONORARY MENTIONS.

Most of the Middle East, The Xinjiang mountains (China)

Or, do it backwards and check out our list of "Places To Avoid".

GOT A BETTER IDEA?

ON A BEACH.

Varkala & Goa (India), Palawan (Philippines), Bay Islands (Honduras) or Ko Taoet al. (Small, touristy, Thai island)

On A Boat.

Mekong, Niger or Yangtze Kiang slow boat. Also the Nile Feluccas (probably best to avoid public vessels if you want to chill)

By The Lake.

Lake Malawi (Nakata or Monkey bay), Lake Atitlán or El Estor (Guatemala) and Lake Titicaca (Bolivia/Peru).

Others.

Kotor, Montenegro. A huge inlet with a quiet town.

Yangshuo, China. A peaceful and mystical island.

Lamu, Kenya, a quiet fly-in only island.

THE MOST BANG FOR YOUR TRAVEL BUCK.

These compact areas pack a punch with few tourists...

MIDDLE EAST & INDIA.

BREATHTAKING MOUNTAINS & SLIM CROWDS.

 Ladakh (India), Karakoram area (Pakistan) and Karakol (Kyrgyzstan)

DON'T BE PUT OFF, COMPACT AND CROWDLESS.

Jordan, Lebanon & Israel

DESERTS, CHURCHES, MOSQUES & LOTS OF WINE/VODKA.

The Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, plus North-East Turkey) 

EUROPE.

Montenegro.

SOUTH AMERICA.

PERFECT BEACHES MEET MOUNTAIN PEAKS.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on Colombia's Coast or Merida across the border in Venezuela

VERY FAR SOUTH.

Chilean lake district and Patagonia.

CENTRAL AMERICA.

RIOTOUS FOLK FESTIVALS.

Guatemala. Try Antigua during Semana Santa (Easter) or Todos Santos Cuchumatan on November 1st.

SOUTH EAST ASIA.

IMMERSIVE CULTURES WITH A HECK OF A VIEW.

North Laos & Vietnam.

Indonesia: A WHOLE UNTOURISTED WORLD TO EXPLORE.

Central Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia.

AFRICA.

TAKE YOUR OWN TRANSPORT.

South Africa. Dive with Great Whites in Cape Town, drive to the desert and then cap it off in Victoria Falls.

HIKER & BIKER PARADISE.

Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa (although a little expensive).

CHINA.

TOUCH THE SKY.

Yunnan province (Xishuangbanna is over-rated, but mountains around Dali are not).

Worry Free DESTINATIONS.

Great times guaranteed.

BUDGET-BREAKERS.

Steer Clear OF THESE IF YOU'RE RUNNING LOW ON FUNDS.

CARIBBEAN.

Especially the French territories and the Bahamas which are usually the most offensive to a budget.

ASIA.

COUNTRIES THAT REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE TOUR TO GAIN ENTRY.

Such as Bhutan & Turkmenistan 

BRUNEI.

CHINA.

The main east-coast cities and Hong Kong will eat up your budget, though the rest of the country is recommended.

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST.

ISRAEL.

NORWAY.

ICELAND.

SOUTH AMERICA.

BRAZIL.

Especially during and after the World Cup.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.

Amazing, but shockingly expensive unless you are willing to play it by ear and arrange your own transport with local fishermen.

RUSSIA.

MOSCOW & ST. PETERSBURG.

Plus other large cities of fast developing nations where high inflation levels have pushed costs beyond what many budget travelers might expect (for example: Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, etc.)

THE PACIFIC.

AUSTRALIA.

FRENCH POLYNESIA.

AFRICA.

BOTSWANA.

WEST AFRICAN NATIONS.

Only those that use the CFA should be avoided, but check ahead of time.

MOST ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES.

Gorilla viewing, the Kilimanjaro climb and everything but budget safaris are usually shockingly expensive.

HONORARY MENTION.

Not taking out medical insurance! Great way to blow your budget (and you friends', and your parents'... you get the idea).

Striking Beauty & Culture.

Great regions that have a unique culture to enjoy, but still have tons to offer in the beauty department (without being inundated with tourists). 

MIDDLE EAST & INDIA. 

BREATHTAKING MOUNTAINS WITH FEW CROWDS.

Karakoram area (Pakistan), Karakol (Kyrgyzstan) & Ladakh (India) 

DESERTS, MOSQUES & CHURCHES + LOTS OF WINE/VODKA.

The Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, plus North-East Turkey), plus Jordan, Lebanon & Israel.

EUROPE.

Montenegro. Move over, Croatia. This little guy packs a punch.

SOUTH AMERICA.

FUN CULTURE MEETS PERFECT BEACHES.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of Colombia's Coast or Merida across the border in Venezuela.

CENTRAL AMERICA.

Guatemala - try Todos Santos Cuchumatán on Nov 1st or Antigua during Semana Santa.

ASIA.

The Philippines.

Northern Laos and Vietnam.

Eastern Indonesia, especially Central Sulawesi (a whole world to explore).

AFRICA.

South Africa: Deserts to Vic falls to Great White shark dives (best with your own transport).

Honorary mentions.

Chilean lake district and Patagonia (very south), Cape Verde (little expensive, but part hikers/bikers paradise) and Yunnan province(Xishuangbanna is over-rated, but mountains around Dali are not) in China.

Most Insane Places.

• Varanasi (and pretty much all of Northern India)

• Tokyo & Osaka, Japan

• Lagos, Nigeria & Cotonou, Benin

• Ho Chi Minh City, aka. Saigon

• And top place: Dhaka, Bangladesh during Eid [al-Adha]

Honorary mentions.

Marrakech, México City and Cairo

Less Travelled Countries We Adore.

• Anywhere in the Middle East, apart from Syria that is.

• Leave the SE Asian mainland crowds behind and check out the amazing Philippines and South West China

• Ethiopia, Uganda, & forgotten Kenya including Lamu Island

• Ghana, Benin & off-the-beaten track Brazil or the forgotten areas of India and/or Pakistan

• Neglected Europe: Montenegro or the Romania/Bulgaria/Macedonia/Serbia/Georgia areas.

• Mozambique (parts away from South Africa), Cameroon & Zimbabwe

Honorary mentions.

Dominica, Cuba and Israel/Jordan.

In South America try Venezuela.

If you really want less travelled countries head to West Africa or Central Asia, but they are not particularly pleasant to backpack in.

Our best advice if you want to go to a place but know it's a popular destination: don't worry about it - even in the most visited countries you can always find gems if you have the time to get off the beaten path.

Ancient Wonders Of The World.

• Africa: Ethiopian and Egyptian Pyramids, stone churches & Temples

• South America: Cusco, the sacred valley, Machu Picchu, Peru and Rapa Nui (aka Easter Island), Chile

• North & Central America: Tikal, Guatemala, Teotihuacán, México and Anasazi sites, USA SouthWest

• Asia: Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, Cambodia & Bagan (Pagan), Myanmar

• Roman & Greek: Leptis Magna, Libya & Ba'albeck, Lebanon, not to mention Italy & Greece

• The Middle East: Petra, Jordan & Jerusalem, Isreal

Honorary mentions.

Chichen Itza and many others (México). Remembered: Arg e Bam (Iran) and Palmyra (Syria)

Party Central.

Okay it doesn't come for free. You'll certainly spend more time/money than you wished, but if you are looking for some fun try these are great places to start

• European Islands: Greek Islands, Spanish Islands and the Turkish Coast

• Honduras: Utila Island

• Thailand: especially the islands and Bangkok

• Philippines: Boracay

• Carnival (the week before Lent): The best parties are in New Orleans (USA), Barranquilla (Colombia), Northern Germany, Port of Spain (Trinidad), Brazil or Santiago de Cuba (this one is over the summer)

• Jamaica: Negril is the spot, but watch out for crowds though, they can get overwhelming

• Indonesia: Head straight to the Gili Islands

TOURIST TRAPS THAT (we must admit) DESERVE THE HYPE.

• Agra (home of India's Taj Mahal)

• Florence, Venice and Rome

• New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, New Orleans, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Sydney

• Nepal & Thailand's islands and beaches

• Havana/Trinidad, Cuba and Antigua, Guatemala (and the rest) 

• Cairo/Luxor, Egypt

• Dogon Country, Mali and Vic Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia

• Northern Tanzania Safari circuit /Zanzibar Island

Honorary mentions.

Bolivia's 'death road' out of La Paz, Edinburgh, Romania's Transylvania with its rolling hills, mountains and medieval towns and castles, Bali and the Gili Islands, Kyoto and Gyeongju, Korea.

HAPPY PLACES.

These traveler favorites will make you happy you're on the road.

• Trinidad, Cuba and Antigua, Guatemala (Easter week aka Semana Santa, amazing)

• The great cities of Europe (London, Paris, Krakow, St. Petersburg, Berlin and Venice/Rome)

• Jaisalmer and loads of other hangouts in India and Nepal: Simila, Varkala, Goa and Pokhara

• Jerusalem, rather a lot in a small area, or New York, a modern wonder of the world

• Butterfly Valley (near Fethiye) & Cappadocia both in Turkey

• South America: Cusco in Peru, Valparaiso in Chile, San Agustin/Zona Cafetera in Colombia and Merida in Venezuela

Honorary mentions

Yangshuo, China

 Zanzibar, Tanzania

Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Karimabad (Pakistan)

Luang Prabang (Laos)

Nicest People.

There are all sorts of people in all sorts of places, but the following countries are well-known for the kindness and hospitality of their population.

• Iran, Pakistan (Northern areas) and Bangladesh

• Ghana, Zimbabwe, Dominica & Sudan

• India/Nepal (in the right places/circumstances)

• Georgia & Turkey

• Indonesia

Honorary mentions.

Cuba and Ethiopia.

As a general rule of thumb, the more travelers the less friendly people get. So head off the beaten track and venture to destinations most would be put off visiting. There are many such suggestions above.

AMAZING BUILDINGS OF THE WORLD.

• Taj Mahal, India

• Aya Sofia and Selimiye Mosque (Edirne), Turkey

• Mosques of Esfahan and Yazd, Iran. Notably the Masjed-e Shāh

• Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

• Most of the old city of Jerusalem

• Colosseum and old city of Rome, Italy

• Rock-hewn: Lalibela's churches, Ethiopia and Petra, Jordan

Honorary mentions.

Vatican City

The Forbidden City (China)

Palace of Versailles (France)

Hampi (India)

Grand Palace in Bangkok

Temples of Japan (Nara and Kyoto)

Sagrada Familia (Barcelona).

Plus, not really buildings, but extremely impressive: the Eiffel Tower, The Banaue Rice Terraces (Philippines) Baha'i Gardens (Israel), Venice (Italy) and Mount Rushmore (USA).

Current Bargains.

Whether due to a bad wrap in the media or an economic melt-down, the following destinations have found themselves to be particularly affordable for travelers as of late. We suggest you take advantage.

LOW PRICES THAT WILL MOST LIKELY LAST.

Ukraine, Indonesia, Bolivia, Argentina, Iran, Cuba, Ghana and South Africa.

AFFORDABLE AT THE MOMENT.

MONTENEGRO. The best parts of Eastern Europe, minus the Soviet eyesores.

ICELAND. Although still expensive, the economic melt-down has put this one on par with the rest of Western Europe if you don't take the price of alcohol into consideration.

EGYPT. Flights and pretty much everything else are at an all-time low. 

INEXPENSIVE, AS ALWAYS.

India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh

HONORARY MENTIONS.

With the USD holding strong, countries with fixed currencies are getting much cheaper, i.e. Ecuador & Panama (plus most of Central America and much of the Caribbean).

Keep An Eye on Your Shit.

DESTINATIONS KNOWN FOR PETTY THEFT & PICKPOCKETING.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't go. You just shouldn't wave your valuables around. Or just don't take anything you care about losing. Problem solved.

INDIA.

Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.

MIDDLE EAST.

Cairo, Egypt & Lahore Hotel Rooms, Pakistan.

AFRICA.

Nairobi (Nai-Robbery), Kenya, Johannesburg/Cape Town, South Africa & Lagos, Nigeria.

LATIN AMERICA.

Costa Rica (all), Bogotá, Colombia & Cusco, Peru.

EUROPE.

Prague/Barcelona/Rome

"Spoiled" May be a strong word...

BUT THESE DESTINATIONS HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS.

• Spanish Mediterranean/Atlantic Islands

• Cancun & the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

• Thailand's famous beach and islands (e.g. Pattaya, Samui and Phi Phi)

• Greek and Turkish Aegean coast/islands

• Bali (Kuta) & Fiji's tourist hubs

HONORARY MENTIONS.

Kathmandu, Everest Trail/base camp

Bora Bora