As a travel destination, Europe as a whole has some incredible locations on offer. Think about it: this is the continent that has Paris, the city of love; Prague, the Golden City and Amsterdam, the Venice of the North. Speaking of Venice, it’s in Europe too. Yes, there are a lot of wonderful places there you could visit from the cities to the vast and lusciously green countryside. Simply taking a trip there will have your itinerary full of excitement and incredible sightseeing.
However, if you feel as if you have “been there, done that” as far as Europe is concerned or you feel as though you just want to try something different, there is an entire planet outside of Europe that is just as beautiful, exciting and full of unbelievable scenery. Here are six other places you can consider for an international trip that isn’t taking you to Europe.
6 Places to Visit Outside of Europe
1. Go for an Adventure in Laos
This beautiful little piece of heaven is located between Thailand and Vietnam. As a landlocked country, Laos is often wrongly overlooked by travelers seeking the sandy beaches of the neighboring countries. For those who do happen to head out to Laos, they find a pleasant surprise. The country was once known as the “party central for backpackers” mostly because of the vibrant town that is Vang Veng. Recently, however, that image has changed and while the country still has a wonderful nightlife, it’s now more of a destination for people looking for an adventure.
The country is sparsely populated, has a lot of forest cover (about 70%) and a mountainous terrain which makes it perfect for people who love the great outdoors. A few of the activities you will enjoy here include hiking, zip-lining, mountain climbing, kayaking and even hot air ballooning.
2. Go to the Roof of the Earth in Nepal
The very first thing that probably comes to your mind when you think of Nepal is Mt. Everest. That, however, isn’t the only reason why you should make it a point to visit this laid back gem in Asia. The Nepalese people are generally very kind hearted and warm. Kathmandu is a very vibrant city and is every bit as exciting as the cities in India without the associated hassle. If you are looking for an affordable destination where you can get in touch with your inner peace, do a bit of mountain climbing and interact with some of the nicest people on the planet then Nepal should be first on your list.
3. Live the Island Life in Antigua
Who doesn’t love to just lay back, let the golden sun warms your body and the soothing breeze from the sea kiss your skin as you get a righteous tan and spend your days being served by well-mannered and highly professional staff? This is the kind of treatment you would get if you booked an all-inclusive getaway in Antigua. As an Island nation, Antigua is the perfect location for those who want to enjoy activities such as:
- Snorkeling through gorgeous coral reefs.
- Swimming with underwater giants like Stingrays.
- Sail a yacht on the high seas.
4. Marvel at the Sahara in Morocco
It is said that the Sahara Desert has more grains of sand than there are stars in the sky. Whether that is true or not remains to be determined but one thing is for sure, Morocco is one of the best places to visit if you want to witness the majesty of the Sahara Desert firsthand. The country, however, is not all about the desert, there is so much more to do in Morocco including shop at the traditional spice markets, sample some of their amazing food and interact with a wonderful desert people who have found a home in this gorgeous country that is just a stone throw away from Europe.
5. Live Like a Royal in Thailand
Yes, Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the world. It probably has something to do with the fact that it has some of the most beautiful beaches known to man, an impossible eccentric nightlife and an absolutely gorgeous countryside to boot. While it’s also true that Thailand has been over-commercialized as a tourist destination (with good reason), there are still places you can go that are not as heavily populated. If you want to see some of the most pristine beaches, almost unexplored jungles and turquoise blue waters, head out to the Chiang Mai region in Northern Thailand. This is the budget-friendly haven.
6. Experience the “Wow” Factor of Guatemala
In this region, Costa Rica is King. However, there is another alternative that is half as affordable, just as beautiful and full of exciting locations for your touristic curiosity: Guatemala.
Imagine getting a glimpse of the Mayan Temples of Tikal in the northern jungles at sunrise? Or getting your breath taken away by the beauty of Atitlan, the highland lake in the south? Or maybe you are a little more into adventure. Semuc Champey is a wonderful place to explore river caves. This country has it all including white sandy beaches to boot.
These are some of the most exciting destinations outside of Europe. Adding any one of them, or even all of them to your bucket list is well worth it.