Everybody has his own favorite travel destinations for one reason or another. However, if you’re in the market for some off-the-beaten-path places to explore these 10 destinations are definitely worth considering for 2011 and beyond.
1. McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica:
This area of Antarctica is generally regarded as the most extreme desert in the world. The region of McMurdo Dry Valleys features the Taylor Glacier as well as Blood Falls, which is a bizarre waterfall that looks red in color. This is caused by high levels of sulphur and iron.
2. The Interior Sahara Desert, Africa:
In the Sahara Desert you’ll find the Tuareg people. These are basically African wanderers who eventually settled in the desert area. They then formed their own culture which featured music, arts and crafts etc. Their roots are now firmly established in the desert and visitors from all over the world can witness their culture and celebrate it each year during the annual Desert Festival which is held in or close to Timbuktu, in the country of Mali.
3. Colca Valley, Peru:
The Colca is an Andean valley that’s home to people who have shared their culture and work the land ever since pre-Inca times. The Andean condor bird species, which is considered to be quite elusive, also calls the valley home and it’s quite a hit with tourists.
4. Pipa Beach, Brazil:
Pipa Beach used to be a small and charming fishing village. It’s now one of the best surfing destinations in the world because of its large waves. The town has become popular and this has resulted in several new restaurants and hotels being built there for visitors.
5. Terre-de-Haut Island, Guadeloupe:
This is a wonderful island in the Caribbean Sea that’s very peaceful. It’s a French overseas region and has some top-class all-inclusive resorts for visitors. It belongs to the Iles des Saintes archipelago and is an ideal place to relax and explore the local countryside.
6. Auroville, India:
Auroville was created originally by the Sri Aurobindo Society in south India as some type of Utopian experiment where people from all over the world could live together in harmony and peace. There are about 2,000 people living there and the town has a peaceful sanctuary that’s used for yoga, known as the Matrimandir.
7. Barossa Valley, Australia:
The Barossa Valley is a popular Australian wine region, especially for its Shiraz. The picturesque valley and area is filled with acres of vines and offers lots of natural beauty.
8. Istria County, Croatia:
This beautiful county in Croatia has lots to offer visitors. This includes archaeological remains from the Stone Age and a fantastic Mediterranean climate. Its natural beauty is made up of scenic coastlines, valleys, plains, and fjords.
9. Puerto Angel, Mexico:
This town lies on the coast in the Oaxaca region and it’s starting to become popular with travelers because of its splendid location, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and wonderful climate. You can explore the area by boat and there are several nice hotels to stay in.
10. Sparti, Greece:
Sparti now lies in the area where the ancient and historical Greek city Sparta used to. There are numerous interesting attractions, such as Sparta’s ruins, an archaeological museum, and King Leonidas’ tomb.
