Looking to travel for some sun, sea and sand?
This week’s world travel guide packs up sunscreen and swimming suits for Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey and Tuvalu’s stunning coastlines.
161. Tonga
What would you give to be here right now?
Tonga is tailored for an authentic experience. Away from the glitz and glamor of high-end resorts and restaurants, this Polynesian gem promises to offer an immersive experience for our world travel guide. Tongatapu is the main island here, which homes the capital of Nuku’alofa, along with bustling markets, century-old tombs and the royal palace.
Witness nature’s force in action.
For a peek into Tonga’s past, be sure to visit the Ha’amonga ‘a Maui. Polynesia’s answer to Stonehenge is one of the country’s most intriguing monuments. Additionally, take in the best of Tonga’s natural landscapes at the Mapu’a blowholes. Also known as Chief Whistles, catch hundreds of blowholes sprouting all at once. Finally, no trip here is complete without checking out the beaches, and Ha’atafu is the pick of the bunch.
162. Trinidad and Tobago
Picture perfect views at Pigeon Point.
This Caribbean island nation is perfect for intrepid travelers. Trinidad is packed with rainforest hills, mangrove swamps, and the world famous Port of Spain. Set in the northwest coast, the town is known for its crazy Carnival, the relaxing Queen’s Park Savannah and the insightful National Art Museum. Meanwhile, for nature enthusiasts, check out the Rio Seco and Paria Waterfall.
Bird-watching is one of the main activities here.
Tabago however, is renowned for its powder white sands and palm fringed beaches. Pigeon Point is arguably the best place to experience this beauty. If the crowd at Tobago’s most popular beach becomes too much to handle, escape out to Little Tobago. The island is a boat ride away, and offers great bird watching and snorkeling opportunities.
163. Tunisia
Sidi Bou Said is where wanderlust dreams come through.
Tunisia is the sun, sea and sand destination that you have constantly overlooked. This North African beauty is blessed with the best of both worlds; the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert. For our world travel guide, Tunis is the best place to start your trip. The capital city is rich in history, best seen its extensive Bardo Museum and the bustling Medina.
Get ready to escape into Medina’s maze-like streets.
The former homes fascinating Roman mosaics, while the latter allows you to soak in the culture of the local Tunisians. As for those looking to unwind, head to Djerba. This tiny island homes the beautiful waters of Plage Sidi Mahres and cobblestone streets that enable you to escape into your own dreamy adventure.
164. Turkey
Istanbul’s Blue Mosque truly is a sight to behold.
Turkey is the home of epic culture, history and cuisine. And Istanbul is the best place to experience this concoction. Straddling between Europe and Asia, this magnificent city is home to the world famous Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. For our world travel guide, the former is one of the most beautiful religious sights in the world. Meanwhile, the latter is a labyrinth of indoor souks, selling everything from jewelry to leather and shisha pipes. So, it’s never a bad thing to get lost.
The stuff of dreams: Cappadocia’s amusing landscape.
However, for a truly unique experience, head to Cappadocia. Its whimsical topography, filled with soaring chimney-like honeycomb hills represents the best place to let your imagination run wild. Oh, and did we mention they’ve hot air balloons too?
165. Turkmenistan
Ashgabat’s Independence Monument.
Central Asia’s least visited country remains to be a mystery. Once heavily used as a passageway during the days of the Silk Road, the country now has transformed into an archaeological delight. However, Ashgabat mirrors the future of this country.
The door to hell.
Built from the nation’s oil riches, this town is adorned with marble palaces and domes, along with golden statues of the country’s former dictator. Talk about stranger things. Turkmenistan’s oddity continues to deliver with the Darvaza gas crater. Dubbed the doors to hell, this massive fire pit could well be Sauron’s home.
166. Tuvalu
Tuvalu’s stunning location teases us from up high.
It takes quite an effort to get here, but for our world travel guide, it’s worth it! After hours of flying, you’ll strike a jackpot; turquoise waters, coral-ringed atolls and plenty of coconuts. You get the idea. There’s no need for a travel guide for what to do in paradise, as long as you remember to pack your swimsuit.
167. Uganda
Uganda’s rainforest offers a once in a lifetime experience.
Uganda is a step into the wild. Undeniably, the main allure here are the gorillas. The thrill of seeing these great beasts in action is not something you’d see everyday. And the best place to witness this is the Bwindi National Park, home to half of the world’s surviving mountain gorillas. Uganda’s raw beauty also spills into the Murchison Falls, where the Nile pierces between rocks and plunges down, a testament to nature’s raging forces.
Witness the power of nature at the Murchison Falls.
Stay tuned to catch up with next week’s world travel guide, where we witness Ukraine’s glorious monasteries and Uzbekistan’s finest Islamic architecture. Alternatively, looking to take on the ultimate road less traveled destinations in Suriname and Timor Leste?