One of the most unspoilt and undeveloped tourism destinations in the area - ideal for the visitor looking for both pristine natural beauty and a relaxed quiet getaway. The coastal fringe has wide sandy beaches, lined with small resorts and more than 25 offshore islands, while bushwalking and camping opportunities abound throughout the adjacent Wet Tropics rainforest areas.
High in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Manali is where snow-dusted peaks, rushing rivers, and quiet cedar forests come together to create a destination full of experiences. The town sits beside the Beas River at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, offering a refreshing escape from India’s plains. Legend says the name “Manali” comes from “Manu-Alaya,” meaning the home of sage Manu, who is believed to have repopulated the world after a great flood.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, tucked into the rugged badlands of western North Dakota is where a young Theodore Roosevelt came to recover after the loss of his wife and mother in the same day. He bought a ranch, rode the open plains, and found the resolve that would later define his presidency. Today, the park named in his honor preserves that same wild spirit. Visitors can still see Roosevelt’s original Maltese Cross Cabin near the park's entrance and walk trails he once rode on horseback.
Patmos, a gem in the Aegean Sea, is steeped in history and spirituality, offering a serene escape for travelers seeking both tranquility and rich cultural experiences. Known as the "Island of the Apocalypse," Patmos is famously where Saint John the Theologian wrote the Book of Revelation. Visitors can explore the sacred Cave of the Apocalypse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the saint is said to have received his visions.
Perched on the southern coast of Iceland, the quaint village of Vík í Mýrdal, or simply Vík, is a destination that defies expectations with its dramatic landscapes and unique charm. Known as Iceland’s southernmost village, Vík is famed for its striking black sand beach, Reynisfjara, consistently ranked among the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world.
Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) are perfect for the kind of traveler who relishes unspoiled tropical beauty and the serenity that comes from doing next to nothing on a vacation, but doing it à la française. While Guadeloupe's bustling epicenter, Pointe-à-Pitre, is just a l5-minute plane hop away, it seems continents apart from the eight pristine volcanic dots that comprise Les Saintes. There are about 3,000 inhabitants in the islands. About half of them live on Terre-de-Haut where only a few dozen four-wheeled vehicles travel its roads. There is just one doctor, and his home, designed to resemble a ship's bow, is something of a local landmark.