Why choose less frequented destinations?

Choosing lesser-known destinations doesn’t mean giving up on adventure. Quite the opposite! By choosing these places, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter fascinating cultures, taste unique cuisines, and admire breathtaking landscapes without the crowds. What’s more, it can even benefit the local economy, which is often dependent on mass tourism.

Current trends

Right now, there’s a real surge in interest in responsible travel . Traveling less but better is becoming a new philosophy for many. In search of authenticity, these travelers want holidays with meaning. So let’s not hesitate any longer, here’s our selection of the 10 most beautiful off-the-beaten-path destinations to explore right now!

1. Sudan

Escape everything and immerse yourself in the mysteries of the pyramids of Meroë, far from the exhausting tourist crowds.

2. Mongolia

Experience the independence and vastness of the steppes with the nomads, without the incessant noise of tourists.

3. Iran

Transform yourself into an explorer of ancient traditions and breathtaking landscapes in the heart of modern Persia.

4. Vanuatu

Head to this South Pacific archipelago for a complete change of scenery without the traditional tourist crowds.

5. Namibia

Race through desert landscapes and encounter incredible wildlife far from the beaten track.

6. Tajikistan

For mountain lovers, let yourself be seduced by the magnificent panoramas of this still unspoiled destination.

7. Uzbekistan

Explore the ancient Silk Road, between history and culture, without being disturbed by hordes of holidaymakers.

8. Lesotho

Hiking enthusiasts, head to this small mountainous enclave in South Africa, a true hidden treasure.

9. Nagaland, India

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of this region, where ancient traditions blend with breathtaking landscapes.

10. Shikoku, Japan

Finally, let yourself be captivated by this Japanese island, far from the usual tourist routes, to experience an authentic Japan.

Ready to pack your bags for one of these off-the-beaten-path destinations ? A world of unexplored adventures awaits you, so don’t waste a moment!

Plan ahead

Planning is essential for saving money while traveling. By planning ahead, you can save money on flights, accommodations, and activities. It’s also important to research the tourist season and avoid peak periods when prices are highest.

Choosing affordable accommodations

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses when traveling. To save money, choose affordable options such as hostels, bed and breakfasts, and apartment rentals. Online booking sites like Booking.com and Airbnb are good options for finding budget-friendly accommodations.

Eat like the locals

Food is another major expense when traveling. To save money, avoid tourist restaurants and eat like the locals. Look for local markets, street food stalls, and small family-run restaurants to discover local cuisine at affordable prices.

Use public transport

Public transportation is often much cheaper than taxis and rental cars. Use public transportation to get around the cities and regions you’re visiting. Train and bus tickets can be booked in advance to save even more money.

Avoid expensive tourist attractions

The most popular tourist attractions are often the most expensive. To save money, avoid the most famous tourist attractions and discover lesser-known but equally interesting sites. Research free or inexpensive tourist attractions, such as public parks, free museums, or free walking tours.

Traveling in the off-season

Traveling during the off-season can be a great way to save money. Flights and accommodations are often cheaper during these periods. In addition, destinations are often less crowded, allowing you to enjoy your trip without the tourist crowds.

Share the costs with other travelers

If you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, share the costs to save money. You can split the expenses for accommodation, transportation, and food to significantly reduce costs. Furthermore, traveling in a group can also help you get discounts on tours and activities.

In conclusion, traveling on a budget isn’t impossible. It simply requires planning ahead, choosing affordable accommodations, eating like the locals, using public transportation, avoiding expensive tourist attractions, traveling during the off-season, and sharing costs with other travelers. By following these tips, you can save money while traveling and thus have more flexibility to explore new places and experience unforgettable adventures. Find all the latest travel news at assistance-demarches.fr .

However, it’s also important to remember that traveling on a budget may require sacrifices. You might have to forgo some comforts or more expensive experiences, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fully enjoy your trip. In fact, traveling on a budget can even be a more authentic and enriching experience, as it allows you to discover local culture and life more deeply.

Ultimately, saving money while traveling is all about priorities and compromises. If you’re willing to make smart choices and be flexible, you can have incredible travel experiences without breaking the bank. Whether you’re going on a weekend getaway or a multi-month trip, use these tips to save money and make your trip even more memorable.

To do on Langkawi, with your scooter to the Sky Bridge

1. SkyBridge

When visiting Langkawi, a trip to the SkyBridge is a must. Intended for daredevils, because this is the longest suspension bridge in the world! The SkyBridge is 125 meters long and it was certainly not an easy feat to hang this bridge. Ultimately, the suspension bridge was lifted to the top of the mountain by helicopter and was later suspended from there in its current position.

A nice side effect of the SkyBridge is, because it is located in the middle of nature, and is full of nice monkeys. They climb and scramble around and around you. A good tip is to hold onto your sunglasses and tuck away your food. The monkeys love treats and want to take them away from you, which is of course not healthy for them….

2. SkyCab

To get to this longest SkyBridge, another challenge awaits. You can only get to the SkyBridge by taking the steepest funicular (the SkyCab) in the world up. During this ride you get a beautiful view over the country. With clear weather you can even see the islands around Langkawi. The SkyCab goes over a rock that is more than 550 million years old and is located in the oldest part of Southeast Asia. The journey from the base station to the middle station will cover 1,700 meters and here you can already enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. Continue to the top station at an altitude of 708 meters above sea level. From here you can hike to two platforms at the top of Machincang Mountain. Here you have a beautiful view.

3. SkyDome

For those who prefer not to ascend to the high altitude, around the lower station at the foot of Machincang Mountain there is much more to do, such as a visit to the SkyDome, a 3D museum or a walk in the Oriental Village. Definitely worth taking a look. Tickets for all activities can be purchased on site.

4. Other Activities

Besides this heroic activity, there is much more to discover in Langkawi. There are plenty of beaches to relax in and the town itself is great fun to walk through. In the evening there are also various fire shows on the beaches. It is also possible to go island hopping along the beautiful islands in the area and in the evening the night market is the place to be for the tastiest dishes from different cultures.

A protected natural island on the west coast of Crete

We already showed that Crete is more than the touristic Hersonissos and Star Beach in our article about the other side of Crete . But the area around the island is also full of gems. Rocky beaches with clear blue water fill the more than 1000 km long coastline. Along this coast is also the protected Gramvousa peninsula, which can only be reached by boat.

gramvousa

The small peninsula of Gramvousa, made up of Imeri and Agria Gramvousa, has a history of which impressive remains can still be found. On Imeri Gramvousa are the remains of an ancient Venetian fortress, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Formerly lived on the peninsula Cretan insurgents during the Greek War of Independence, now it is an island of pure tranquility.

How do you get there?

From the Netherlands you fly directly to Crete (Heraklion) in about 3.5 hours. If you book a flight ticket to Crete with Transavia, you can even choose from three airports: Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam/The Hague. From Heraklion Airport you can easily take the bus to the west of the island. It is really nice if you have your own transport and rent a car. Once in West Crete, you can take the boat from Kissamos to Gramvousa. Gramvousa Balos Cruise will bring you here, among others.

The boat stops first at Imeri Gramvousa, also giving you time to make the 137m climb to the fortress, which takes about 15 minutes. The climb is soon rewarded by the breathtaking view of the coastline of beautiful Crete. With a bit of luck you can see the Caretta Caretta sea turtles in the clear blue waters in the protected area of ​​Imeri Gramvousa . There are also rumors of treasures buried on the island.

Lagoon Balos

The next stop is Lagoon Balos . With small boats you arrive at the beautiful beach of Balos, which is characterized by the low water. On this island you will find rare plants, so it has been decided to place this area completely under protection. Enough sunscreen is not a superfluous luxury when visiting Balos, also known as Tigani Balos: the casserole. It didn’t get its name just like that, because there is hardly a piece of shade to be found here.

Practical

Boats to Gramvousa depart from Kissamos, on the west coast of Crete. You can already order the tickets via the Gramvousa website. This way you are cheaper and you have the certainty that you will not be faced with a full boat in Kissamos. Bring your own food and drink, or buy it on the boat. Gramvousa is a natural island and you will not find dining options there. Another tip: before boarding, take a look at the town itself. Kissamos is known as a relatively small, non-touristy rural village where you get to see the real Crete among the Greek population. Worth taking a leisurely stroll around!

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Great discoveries in Malta’s little sister

Together with Comino, Gozo forms a sister island of the Maltese archipelago. From Malta, a ferry trip takes you to paradise Gozo in just 25 minutes. The small island is quieter and greener than its big sister. Lovely to stay for a few days, but also doable as a day trip from Malta. I went for the latter and found that you can do more than enough on Gozo!

“Malta? It’s busy there, hectic. All those cars!”. It soon becomes clear to me upon arrival in Gozo; despite belonging to the Maltese archipelago, this is an island in its own right. Most locals only make the crossing to Malta if they really need something, because Gozo is their heart. And I understand that too. Despite its small size, there is a lot to do in Gozo. From wandering through historic cities and ancient temples, to sunbathing in secluded coves and enjoying delicious food.

Cultural Rabat

All roads on Gozo lead to Rabat. The capital of the island, not to be confused with the city of the same name in Malta. To complicate matters even more, Rabat is also known as Victoria. Whatever you want to call it, this is the great city of Gozo. The only place where you forget for a moment that you are on a small island. The highlight of the city is the market square, It-Tokk, where you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the islanders. Also not to be missed is the historic Citadel, which is visible from almost all places on the island. Once built to protect the inhabitants and now above all a nice place to wander around and to revive the Gozo of yesteryear.

Rabat is not the only special city on the island. The town of Ix-Xewkija is a must-visit alone because of the impressive church of St. John the Baptist. The enormous structure is completely out of proportion to the small size of the island and definitely worth a visit. For a few euros you can walk in and climb the tower.

Ggantija Temples

A must do on Gozo: visit the prehistoric temples of Ġgantija. These ruins are the oldest free-standing buildings on Earth. So older than the Pyramids in Egypt. It is a mystery how the temples were built, as they consist of huge limestone blocks. A bizarre sensation to walk through there!

Hit the beach!

But enough culture for now. In terms of relaxation, there is also plenty to see, taste and do on Gozo. And not least on the beaches. Where Malta has to make do with rocks and sandy beaches, Gozo is rich in beautiful bays and elongated sandy beaches that have a special red hue.

The bay of San Blas is my top recommendation. What a beautiful spot! You have to know where to find it, and have a good walk for it. This is rewarded with a relatively quiet beach and amazing views. The beach can be found on the north coast of Gozo and via a steep descent you arrive at one of the best hidden gems on Gozo.

Do you depend on public transport or do you like a bit of crowds? Then choose nearby Ramla Bay. Similar to San Blas, but a lot bigger and much more accessible. If you have the luxury of staying longer than a day in Gozo, this is a very nice place to hang out for a day. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing or water sports!

The local cuisine

The best of Italian cuisine, combined with fresh fish and local wines. The food and drink on the Maltese Islands is another reason why you should travel to this piece of land. Despite the fact that it is small and quite dry, you will also find a vineyard on Gozo. I visited Ta Mena Estate , run by the Spiteri family. Joe, one of the brothers, talks passionately about the company, the wines they produce and the organic produce grown there. Time to taste and take one last look at the vineyard and move on. Lunch waits!

And you do that in a very special location at Restaurant Kantra at the bay of Mġarr ix-Xini. Located near the Ġgantija temples, it consists of a luxury hotel on the highest point of Gozo, and a restaurant in the nearby bay. The place is the scene of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s new movie ‘By the sea’, and when you see it with your own eyes, you’ll understand why. The hotel is quite luxurious, but if you take a seat at the Beach Club you can eat the tastiest fish dishes in Gozo with a spectacular view for a very good price. A place where you actually want to linger for an afternoon – and you can! Grab your glass of wine and take a seat on one of the sunbeds by the water!

HOLIDAY KENYA, MUCH MORE THAN AN UNFORGETTABLE KENYA SAFARI

It’s true: Kenya is magical. Its nature is breathtaking and nothing beats camping in the Masai Mara! But Kenya has so much more to offer than an unforgettable Kenya safari. The coast around Mombasa is beautiful. White sand beaches and rocky cliffs alternate. Diving enthusiasts will have the time of their lives and snorkelers will discover the vibrant coral in Watamu Marine Park. The west of Kenya is green: green with banana plantations, tea fields and rolling hill landscapes. The country borders Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, and after Mount Kilimanjarothe highest mountain on the continent: Mount Kenya. In short, enough reasons to book a Kenya holiday quickly. With this itinerary for a Kenya tour we help you on your way to a great trip in which you combine a safari in Kenya with many more beautiful Kenya sights.

START YOUR KENYA HOLIDAY IN THE METROPOLIS OF NAIROBI

You love it or you hate it. Nairobi is not for everyone. Those who love chaos, colors and vibrancy will certainly enjoy themselves in the Kenyan capital. Nairobi has everything from luxury shopping malls and colonial villas to slums and endless markets. Traffic is constantly at a standstill. Pastors sneak into stationary buses to pray with travelers and street vendors see their chance to sell bored motorists sunglasses and phone cards. Whatever you do, keep an eye on your belongings. Nairobi is also known as “Nairobbery”. After sunset, it is wise to take a taxi to cover longer distances and not to carry valuables with you.

Prefer to get away from the bustle of the city? Then use Nairobi as a stop-over on your way to a fantastic Kenya tour. Or visit the beautiful Nairobi National Park from Nairobi for an introduction to Kenya’s wildlife: savanna with skyscrapers in the background. Where in the world do you find that?

Come raggiungere Gand?

Per fare una veloce parentesi prima di parlarti di cosa vedere a Gand vorremmo spiegarti come raggiungerla.

La romantica cittadina belga conosciuta anche come Ghent o Gent, è situata a circa 50km a nord di Bruxelles; noi l’abbiamo raggiunta in auto in quanto questa nostra intera esperienza è fatta alla guida ma se parti dall’Italia puoi raggiungerla in aereo a prezzi piuttosto abbordabili!

Quando raggiungi la cittadina ti rendi subito conto di quanto il Belgio sia uno di quei Paesi che letteralmente ti abbracciano, circondandoti di bellezza, stile, colori, profumi e soprattutto sapori.

Entrando a Gand ti accorgerai del particolarissimo stile degli edifici, dell’armonia dei corsi d’acqua che la attraversano, di come tutto sembra straordinariamente al suo posto. Per tutto il tempo della nostra visita ci ha dato questa sensazione, era quasi troppo bella per essere reale!

Quali sono quindi le attrazioni assolutamente da non perdere se visiti Gand? Vediamole.

Cosa vedere a Gand – Le attrazioni principali

Passeggiando per le vie del centro una delle prime cose che noterai è proprio il Castello dei Conti di Fiandra, una di quelle attrazioni che sembrano letteralmente essere uscite dal set di Game of Thrones!

 

La bellezza e l’originalità delle forme del castello non batteranno mai il tuo stupore nell’osservarlo, ci si sente come tornati indietro nel tempo! Oltretutto il castello è tenuto be-ni-ssi-mo!

Visitarlo all’interno costa 10€ per gli adulti, 6€ per i giovani sotto i 25 anni, e ti dona una vista ‘regale’ sulla cittadina!

Proseguendo per le vie di Gand noterai che l’atmosfera che si respira è gioviale e sposa bene l’architettura degli edifici. Passeggiando assorti, completamente affascinati da ciò che ci circondava, abbiamo raggiunto un’altra delle attrazioni di punta della lista cosa vedere a Gand, la bellissima Chiesa di San Nicola.

Quando ti trovi davanti a questa chiesa in particolare ti rendi conto di quanto lo stile Belga possa variare la sua impronta anche a brevissima distanza, staccandosi totalmente da quello che avevamo visto nella limitrofa Bruges.

A Gand spiccano punte, grandi linee e colori scuri; un edificio possente, maestoso.

Da qui parte una linea immaginaria (non proprio astratta) che collega la cattedrale ad altre due delle importanti attrazioni della lista cosa vedere a Gand, la Torre Civica di Gand (Beffroi) e la Cattedrale di San Bavone. Di fronte alla torre civica troverai anche un piccolo parco con la Fontana de Bron der Geknielden, punto di raccolta per il relax cittadino nonché luogo ideale per un picnic.

Queste due strutture risalenti rispettivamente al decimo e dodicesimo secolo ti daranno un’ulteriore conferma di quanto il carattere di Gand sia affermato e ben identificabile.

Inutile dirlo, ti ritroverai a fermarti ad ogni ponte, anche perché fugono a loro modo da abbellimento alla città, creando forme e simmetrie per le quali noi siamo andati matti; non solo, essi ti regalano punti di vista sulla città che non trovi in altre zone.

Due di quelli più caratteristici sono proprio ai margini della zona che contiene anche un’altra delle attrazioni della lista cosa vedere a Gand, la Chiesa di San Michele, dal posizionamento piuttosto strano; noterai infatti che la chiesa da le spalle al fiume.

Una volta raggiunta questa attrazione ti troverai nel cuore della vita cittadina, dove ogni giorno locali e turisti si intrattengono passeggiando o sedendo nei paraggi del Fiume Leie, soprattutto nelle belle giornate!

Noi siamo stati fortunati e l’abbiamo visitata in un giorno in cui il sole brillava, regalando a tutto l’ambiente un umore di festa, specialmente nelle banchine del Graslei e Korenlei, le due sponde del fiume.

Se stai cercando il posto giusto per mangiare un boccone o assaggiare una delle tipiche birre Belga fai un salto al Korenmarkt, una zona del centro che brulica letteralmente (ad ogni ora) di movimento e localini.

Cosa vedere a Gand? – Storia, stile e architettura

Per quanto l’immediato centro cittadino sia bellissimo ed originale, abbiamo trovato molto interessante passeggiare nelle vie secondarie, che regalano ad ogni angolo nuove prospettive della cittadina e dei monumenti più importanti; oltre a rivelarci tante chicche che altrimenti non avremmo trovato, come Werregarenstraat, il piccolo vicolo che collega due zone del centro che è stato totalmente ricoperto di graffiti. Sicuramente non quello a cui ci riferiamo quando si parla di street-art, chiamiamolo più uno schizzo di colore e di modernità in una cittadina dallo stile prevalentemente classico.

Un’altra delle attrazioni che non vorrai perderti della lista cosa vedere a Gand è l’imponente Chiesa di San Giacomo, leggermente staccata dallo stretto centro storico ma ugualmente raggiungibile a piedi.

In effetti durante la nostra visita non abbiamo utilizzato i mezzi di trasporto neanche una volta, le attrazioni sono tutte ben collegate tra loro e lo stesso guardarsi intorno mentre cammini fra le vie del centro è tutto un susseguirsi di sorprese.

Se avessi anche la possibilità di spostarti ed uscire leggermente dal centro ti consiglieremmo di fare un salto al particolarissimo Castello di Ooidonk, nella municipalità di Deinze, che siamo riusciti a guardare da una prospettiva speciale!

When I first visited  Singapore , I realized that I fell in love with this city! He struck me to the very heart. Then there were  Beijing ,  Hong Kong ,  Shanghai ,  Seoul ,  Tokyo  and beyond, but every time I thought that I must definitely return there. To do this, I guessed the dates so that I could spend my birthday here. It was a kind of challenge to check if Singapore is as good as it seemed to me then, for the first time, or if I just didn’t know what to compare it to …

I flew through Tokyo, at the end I will tell you about the way back, it was fun.