From snowboarding, sumo and sushi to soaking your stresses away in a traditional onsen (hot spring), Japan is as diverse as it is beautiful and unusual. From the weird, wonderful and wacky of ultra-modern urban living to a rich, ancient culture of geishas, precise tea rituals, Shinto worship and emperor warlords, this is a destination that won’t disappoint.
Where else would there be a constant procession of festivals celebrating everything from fertility, where a giant phallus is paraded around Kawasaki, to cherry blossoms, the rice harvest and star-crossed lovers?
Subcultures abound in the realm of cos play and manga, while staid salarymen get loose after dark in tiny bars, many of which boast a karaoke machine. Those who party hard will love the music scene, and the Fuji Rock Festival is unforgettable. For fashionistas and gadget geeks, shopping in some of Tokyo’s better known districts, like Ginza, Harajuku and Akihabara, will be a guilty pleasure. But it’s not just about neon and crazy pedestrian crossings. Visit the seaside city of Kamakura to see the Great Buddha, go to Hokkaido for hiking during summer and skiing in the winter, or experience Naoshima, Japan’s art island.
The word ‘jaw-dropping’ tends to be overused when describing historical, cultural and natural sites around the globe, but to characterise Israel as such is completely called for – necessary even – to forewarn and prevent jaw-related injuries.
Float in the hypersaline waters of the Dead Sea or strap on a tank and explore the coral reefs and shipwrecks off Eilat on the Red Sea coast. This part of the world is a terrestrial bridge between Africa and Eurasia and so millions of birds pass through here twice a year on their migration, meaning it also attracts some of the world’s most dedicated bird watchers. There’s also good wine to had in the Galilee region.
Obviously, this is a country of great importance to history. The caves at Mount Carmel contain cultural deposits documenting 500,000 years of human evolution and are thought to have been sacred since ancient times. Remains of the old Crusader city can still be seen in the narrow streets of Acre. Then there are the Roman ruins at Beit She’an in the country’s north. Of course, Jerusalem is the number-one destination for most visitors, where some of the holiest sites for a number of religions can be witnessed.
It’s true that it’s hard to avoid the politics of the region while you’re in Israel, but there are attractions for every type of traveller, from pilgrim to adventure seeker.
Leprechauns, Guinness, shamrocks… Yes, everyone’s heard the clichés but there are plenty of other reasons to head to Ireland. One of the main ones you’ll discover soon after arrival is the locals’ ability to have a good time. You will too, whether it’s enjoying its many pubs, the live music scene or soaking up the atmosphere at the soccer.
Once you’ve pub crawled through the literary trail in Dublin, following in the footsteps of Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan and James Joyce, other cities such as Cork, Derry and Belfast offer cultural treats and political monuments.
The Irish countryside is nothing short of stunning and days can be spent wandering between castle remains, rolling hills, lakeside retreats, monasteries and rugged coastline. Excitement complements country tranquility in events like the annual Galway Races that take place at the end of July each year.
With their charming accents and all, you might decide you’d like to end up with a local sweetheart. If so, the annual matchmaking festival in the spa town of Lisdoonvarna may be able to help you. Sure enough, though, wherever you go in Ireland it’ll be good craic.
After George W deemed Iran part of the Axis of Evil, Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler named it one of his favourite countries with some of the world’s friendliest people. We’re willing to take his word for it – he has, after all, been around the travel block.
Iran is the mountainous home to one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations. In the big cities, like Esfahan and Yazd, you can hone your bargaining skills in ancient bazaars. There’s romance to be discovered in Shiraz, the city of poets, literature, wine and flowers. At ruins like Persepolis (meaning City of Persians), relive the glory days of Persia. Mosques (open to non-believers unlike in nearby Saudi), nomads and deserts all add to its allure. You’ll savour kebabs, khoresht (a thick stew of meat and veg) and doogh (a traditional drink of yogurt, water or soda and dried mint). But mainly you’ll be soaking up the curiosity and goodwill of the locals.
Don’t let the country’s bad rep scare you off; it’s safe, easy and rewarding to travel around. Plus, the locals are curious and gracious, welcoming visitors into their worlds and often their homes.
Other than liking its music stars Björk and Sigur Rós, until quite recently a lot of people hadn’t heard much about Iceland. But visitors to the country have almost tripled since 2000 and we’re a bit sad that the cat’s out of the bag. With its storybook charm and otherworldly landscapes – glaciers, Europe’s largest waterfall, the oldest known geyser – it’s certainly worthy of exploration.
The capital, Reykjavík, is an incubation centre of creative types and has a thriving music scene. Iceland Airwaves, held annually, is a music festival not to be missed. The bohemian village of Seyðisfjörður, set among mountains and fjords, is laden with hippies and charm. And you’d be crazy to come this far and not sink into the warm waters of Grjótagjá, the same hot spring cave where Jon Snow locked lips with Ygritte. In between you’ll find quaint fishing towns and rural houses covered in turf due to the lack of native trees. Wanting wildlife? Be rewarded in places like Husavik, a world-class locale to spy spouting whales and droves of fluttering puffins. Or test your mettle snorkelling or diving between the continental plates at the Silfra fissure in the Thingvellir National Park.
While most of Iceland’s food is fish, lamb or dairy, the traditional cuisine may make you wince: súrir hrútspungar (preserved ram’s testicles), svið (sheep’s head), hákarl (fermented shark) and hvalspik (whale blubber) are just some of the stomach-churning offerings probably best avoided.
For a quirky take on a European adventure set your sights on Hungary. It’s in the middle of everything – Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia – yet is a complete individual. The scenery, architecture, food and culture all bow to local tradition, providing endless tastes and sounds to enjoy in this exciting part of the continent.
From Roman ruins to Art Nouveau, the architecture here is a scenery in itself. Walk or ride through picturesque villages lined with sights and history to explore. Don’t forget the capital Budapest, where you can experience the wonders of the Basilica and the views of Gellért Hill. In the Castle District, check out the Royal Palace and other historic sites, before sinking your travel-weary bones into one of the city’s many thermal baths. Don’t forget to check out Ecseri piac, the huge flea market on the edge of Budapest.
If you fancy some fun in the sun, the town of Siófok, on the shores of Balaton, Europe’s largest lake, is like a freshwater version of Ibiza, with hordes of beautiful people and parties going strong all night.
Excuse the pun, but you better be hungry! There is more to Budapest than just goulash. Meat, cheese, pastry, they love it all, plus the country produces from great wine, including aszú, a sweet drop from the famous region of Tokaj.
No doubt the Chinese were tickled pink when the bright lights of Hong Kong were returned to them. Indeed, true to their word, the metropolis remains a confluence of Chinese and British culture and a bastion of world business.
Devouring dumplings until you drop, trawling the shops until your credit limit is reached, oohing and aahing at the firecrackers during Chinese New Year… All of these Hong Kong experiences should be on your must-do list.
It is hard to believe that amid this urban entity is also a massive nature reserve exists in which you can hike, for up to a hundred kilometres, along a trail that traverses beaches, bush escarpments, local villages and mountains. Who would have thought the skyscrapers and stilettos could co-exist so well with hiking and hammocks?
It may not top a list of must-see places (just yet, anyway), but for those avoiding the usual been-there-done-that destinations it has the Caribbean beaches without the tourists, as well as a rich sense of history and culture.
Since 2010’s devastating earthquake, the government has actively ensured tourism is developed. There are still signs of the devastation and certainly the dire poverty of the country is inescapable, but beneath it there is a soul that’s as fascinating as it is hopeful.
Spend some time visiting the artist studios of Jacmel before heading to Bassin-Bleu, a sort distance away, where you can cool off in waterfalls and turquoise pools. Cap-Haïtien, on the north coast, was once the richest city in the Caribbean but its glory has faded. Still, it’s a relaxed place that’s close to some gorgeous beaches, rum distilleries and Citadel Laferrière, the fortress built on top of a hill in the nineteenth century by one of the leaders of Haiti’s slave revolution.
Then there’s the chaotic capital Port-au-Prince. The gulf between the haves and have-nots here is as vast as anywhere in the world, but it’s a fascinating place to explore. Communities of artists have sprung from the rubble in places like the metal-working village of Noailles, you can find vodou paraphernalia at the city’s Grand Cemetery, and there’s much to be discovered at Marché de Fer, the nineteenth-century market.
Oh, it’s just an island covered in ice some people will tell you. Do not – we repeat, do not – believe them. Its national park alone, the largest in the world, is the nearly as big as France and Spain combined. It covers 18,000 kilometres of coastline, parts of the ice cap and the world’s northernmost area of land. Inuit cultures have lived here for thousands of years (and they’re the only people who now have regular access to the park) and polar bears, seals and other Arctic animals still do.
Head to the north of the country to experience the land of the midnight sun. Here, it’s possible to go dog sledding and explore giant icebergs calved from one of the world’s fastest flowing glaciers.
Nuuk might be Greenland’s capital but it still has the vibe of a far smaller destination (it’s home to only 17,000 people or so). It’s the kind of place where you can go whale watching, explore street art and try out backcountry skiing during the day, but chill out with the northern lights and taste Nordic flavours at restaurants like Sarfalik in the evening.
But for an adventure that looks hard to beat, experienced scuba divers can swim the frigid depths exploring shipwrecks and icebergs and meeting the strange creatures that call these very cold waters home.
There are the images of whitewashed houses and blue shutters overlooking emerald seas. Then there are the stories of masses of sunburned vacationers on package holidays looking for cheap lagers at night and a full English in the morning. Luckily, the former can be found in abundance and the latter mostly avoided.
While it may be prudent to avoid the peak (aka chokers) summer season from July to August, it is still possible to find idyllic enclaves replete with taverns serving fresh-from-the-ocean seafood and enough ouzo or retsina to leave you stumbling home. After all, there are 3500 islands dotting the Aegean Sea. Try Folegandros or Syros if you want to avoid the vast majority of summer holidaymakers. Out of season, head to Santorini and make sure you take in the iconic view of the sun setting over the caldera at Oia. Yes, everyone does it, but there’s a reason for that.
Don’t let the islands distract all of your attention, though: olive orchards, wineries, rural villages and mountainous terrain shouldn’t be neglected. Nor should the country’s history: head north to Thessaloniki, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, or gawp at the gravity-defying monasteries perched on natural sandstone pillars at Meteora. Then, of course, there’s Athens, with 4000 years of history. No doubt, its museums and sights like the magnificent Acropolis are top notch, but there’s also fun to be had in the city’s lively districts, like Gazi, with its street art, cool cafes, cinemas and music venues.
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