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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Escape the Ordinary: One Traveler’s Top 5 Picks for the Ultimate Adventure

All copyrighted images used with permission of the respective Owners.

I’m often asked: "What is your favorite country to visit?"

For an avid adventurer, it’s a confounding question. How to distill culture, vibes, food, scenery, and all the other factors that shape the international travel experience?

Identifying the nations I have explored in depth over multiple visits — popular places like Turkey, Nepal, South Africa and Indonesia — is one measure.  A more novel approach might be to consider the places I expected to visit only once but which surprisingly left me wanting more.

Here are the spots I thought would be "one and done" but that are on my list of return trips.

Rwanda

Saudi Arabia

Montenegro

Antarctica

Vanuatu

Vanuatu is one of the least visited countries in the world, not because it isn’t welcoming or rewarding, but because of its remoteness. The voluntary liquidation of its national airline, Air Vanuatu, in May doesn’t help.

Still, this Melanesian country offers breath-taking experiences — including the world’s most accessible active volcano, Mount Yasur, known for its natural fireworks of agitated lava. I was engulfed in thick toxic volcanic smog with near zero visibility during my visit to the rim.

A tribal ritual in Vanuatu.

Source: Todd Miller

The archipelago’s clear waters and coral reefs are world class. Off the coast of Efate island, I snorkeled over a downed but intact World War II Corsair fighter plane; the pilot reportedly survived the crash.

Vanuatu also oozes tribal tradition. On Pentecost Island we witnessed a land-diving ritual, the original bungee jumping. During this annual rite of passage, men take a leap of faith from high wooden towers with banyan tree vines wrapped around their ankles. In the background, men wearing penis sheaths and women in grass skirts ceremonially sing and dance. They say a good dive ensures a bountiful yam crop. That day we witnessed 10 successful dives, which should bode well for the harvest. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Rwanda: A beautiful country with lush landscapes, tea plantations, and singing fishermen, offering a unique travel experience beyond primate trekking.
  • Saudi Arabia An unexpected treasure trove of dramatic landscapes, offering an unforgettable desert experience in Wadi Al Disah, and a peek into the history and culture of the Nabateans at Hegra.
  • Montenegro: A charming country where you can immerse yourself in Adriatic ambience, explore the Bay of Kotor, and experience the unique warmth of its local people.
  • Antarctica: A breathtakingly beautiful continent where you can witness pristine landscapes, experience the magic of an Antarctic sunset, and meet the researchers who call it home.
  • Vanuatu: Though isolated and off the beaten path, this Melanesian country offers a unique adventure with active volcanoes like Mount Yasur, stunning waters and reefs, and traditional tribal rites like the land diving ritual.

Article Reference

Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in breaking news and current affairs.

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