5 Countries You Haven’t Even Heard of, but Must Visit

There is always something new to discover about our world, even if you have become a seasoned traveller. Tired of the common tourist destinations like Paris, Japan, Dubai or Thailand? Or how about Brazil and Mexico? If these tourist-filled destinations have lost their spark for you, it’s time you headed on out to the roads less travelled.

Whether you are looking to immerse in local culture, discover underwater mysteries or bask in the glory of unexplored terrain, these 5 little known destinations will surely whet your appetite for travel and exploration. Below are some of the most underrated countries you might not have even heard of.

KYRGYZSTAN

The Kyrgyz Republic is a beautiful country seemingly protected from the ravages of time by the mountain ranges that surround it and nourished by its pristine lakes and glaciers. Located in Central Asia, this country lies with Uzbekistan to the left and China to the right. The rich history of this mysterious country spans 2000 years of different cultures, dynasties and empires. It used to be a part of the famous Silk Road, a trade route that connected merchants from China, India and all the way to the Mediterranean. The population, to this day, remains mostly nomadic.

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT:

• Spend a pleasant day in the capital of Bishkek.
• Go horse trekking from the village of Barskoon.
• Experience the beauty of Kyrgyzstan through Ala-Archa Canyon and National Park.
• Witness the lost art of hunting with eagles in

AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is an interesting country, and it is trans-continental. This means that while it is not quite in Europe, it is not quite in Asia either. Yet the marriage of these two continents is reflected all over Azerbaijan in a way that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Like Kyrgyzstan, and other countries found in Central Asia, Azerbaijan was once part of the Silk Road. A popular tourist destination in the 1980’s, Azerbaijan experienced a decline in tourism due to political unrest during the 90’s. Since the early 2000’s, the country has seen an increase in tourism. The government has also doubled its efforts to brand Azerbaijan as a tourist destination for the elite. Skiing is quite popular in the country so that could be a huge come-on for the wealthy.

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT:

• Drive out to see any of the 800 mud volcanoes found all over the country.
• For a taste of the wild, head out to Sirvan National Park.
• Take a religious/historical trip to the Ateshgah Fire Temple in Surakhani, a temple of Zoroastrianism (one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions).
• The capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku, is a UNESCO World heritage site. Stroll through the streets of this walled city for a blast from the past.

VANUATU

Pronounced va-noo-ah-too, Vanuatu is an archipelago of volcanic origin found a thousand miles from Northern Australia. Once a joint colony of both the UK and France, Vanuatu only recently gained its independence during the 1980’s. The archipelago consists of 80 islands, 65 of which are inhabited. Vanuatu has two larger islands that are completely equipped with glitzy resorts and the like, Santo and Efante. The rest of the islands have a more rural feel. Sites and tourist destinations revolve around the countries bio-diverse wild and sea life as well as the numerous active volcanoes found in the country. The country also has some of the best shipwreck diving spots in the world.

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT:

• Go diving in the country’s many dive sites.
• Go bird watching between September and January.
• Drive to Yasur, the world’s most accessible active volcano.
• Go to the beach or sight-seeing, and visit villages by renting out a buggy from any of the buggy operations in Port Vila.

PALAU

Palau is an island country located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The country is made of a collection of smaller islands dotted all over the bluest seas. Palau is known to serious divers for its teeming and bio-diverse sea life and clear blue waters. The people are warm, sociable and responsible and the land is abundant with flora and fauna. Free from environmental degradation, Palau is home to different species of birds, salt-water crocodiles and orchids of every kind and color. Everything about Palau screams to be enjoyed and discovered and the locals are just as glad as you are to be there.

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT:

• Go kayaking and canoeing in the Rock Islands of Palau.
• Swim with thousands of stingless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, cut-off from the sea so long ago that the jellyfish have become stingless.
• Visit the Badrulchau Monotliths in Babeldaob. The monoliths are basalt stone pillars dating as far back as 100 AD, evidence that Palau was inhabited by humans even then.
• Go diving in Siaes Tunnel to swim with white-tip reef sharks, in the German Channel for the manta rays, and the Big Drop Off.

FALKLAND ISLANDS 

The Falkland Islands are a popular inclusion in Antarctic tours, but seeing them on their own will still make for a worthwhile trip. The islands are surrounded by the South Atlantic Ocean and have two main islands—East Falkland and West Falkland. These two main islands have 700 more islands around them. The Falkland Islands are known for their population of albatrosses, seals and even penguins! There are five types of penguins on the islands: Gentoo, king, macaroni, rockhopper and magellanic penguins. The landscape remains rural but has lots to offer in terms of tourist attractions.

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT

• Go wreck diving at Stanley and Darwin where 19^th century sailing ships and iron vessel wrecks await.
• For your fill of Antarctic wildlife, visit Sealion Island – home to penguins, sea lions, elephant seals and even killer whales!
• Visit battlefield sites like Sapper Hill, Wireless Ridge and Mount Tumbledown.
• Take the self-guided Maritime History Trail set up in Stanley – the trail will take half a day.