Working at a vacation company I come across the "typical" destinations that everybody dreams of, golden beaches draped in sun, on a daily basis. As fun as the beach may be, and believe me I love the beach. I thought it would be interesting to find some destinations that people wouldn't think of right away when they thought vacation, but that still have alot to offer to the traveler.
10. Greenland
Greenland has no 5 star hotels or spas but what you will lack in pampering will make up for itself in unparalleled views of fjords, glaciers and wildlife.Greenland has 24 hours of sunshine in the summer, and flights only go there from May to the end of August. The largest island in the world Greenland also has a rich history with Norse ruins dating back to the 1400's. We urge you to take an unusual vacation this summer and discover what Greenland has to offer.
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| One of Greenland's many beautiful sceneries |
9. Bhutan
Bhutan is a small country in South Asia. Located at the eastern end of the Himalayas it is best known for; The Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Palphug). Built into the rock face this ancient monastery has many legends to depict its history. Apart from the monastery, Bhutan's global biodiversity is beyond vast; the country is home to The Bengal tiger, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, golden langur, clouded leopard, hispid hare, sloth bear, grey langur, tiger, Indian leopard, red panda just to name a few!
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| The Golden Langur |
8. Black Rock Desert - Nevada, USA
The Black Rock Desert is in Northern Nevada, USA. One of its most notable features is the Fly Geiser a water well drilling that accidentally penetrated a geothermal source. Black Rock Desert is also home to Burning Man a week long annual event. This unusual destination is a definite must-see on our lists!
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| The Fly Geiser |
7. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is one the most culturally diverse places on earth. This island in Oceania has over 850 indigenous languages! Why we think it's a rare gem: Papua New Guinea is also classified as one of the least explored countries both culturally and geographically with many undiscovered species thought to exist here. There are over 1000 tribes many of which have had little or no contact with the outside world.
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| A Huli wigman from the southern Highlands |
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| Downtown Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea |
6. Centralia - Pennsylvania USA
Centralia a ghost town in Pennsylvania, USA has 7 residents, this is a result of a mining fire that has been burning under the town since 1962! Very few homes remain standing. The church however continues its service every Sunday and the cemetery at the top of the hill is still visited with puffs of smoke rising around and inside it. The underground fire is still burning and can be expected to do for 250-1000 years. The sign on the picture we posted is no longer standing.
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| Smoke seen rising from the ground! |
5. Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world. It is the only island to be divided between three countries; Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. A trading post since the year 500, this island is a blend of cultural heritages. What makes it so unusual? Borneo is home to species that can only be found in Borneo's rain forests like the Proboscis Monkey, the Bornean Orangutan, the Bornean Clouded Leopard and many more.
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| Bornean Clouded Leopard |
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| Bornean Orangutan |
4. Devil's Island - French Guiana
Devil's Island is one of French Guiana's three islands. Its first use as a penal colony by Emperor Napoleon III has made it one of the most infamous prisons in history. Of the 80,000 prisoners sent there, between 1852-1946, many of them were never seen again.
3. Pansy Island - Mozambique
Pansy Island in Mozambique only appears when the tide is low. There are no trees in sight only soft pearly sand speckled with the legendary pansy shells after which the island is named. Catch a glimpse of the endangered dugong, or set up a picnic on this disappearing island.
Avebury in England is home to a 5000 year old neolithic monument. The site, a large henge with several stone circles and avenues, is a spiritual center among pagans and wiccans and is said to stand on the St Michael ley line. Nearly half of England's crop circles are located within 9 miles (15km) of the site.
1. Salar de Uyuni - Bolivia
Our last unusual destination: Salar de Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia is the world's biggest salt flat. You wouldn't think but the Salar serves as a major breeding ground for pink flamingos. Due to a lack of conventional construction materials the hotels in the area are built almost completely of salt blocks cut from the Salar. Under the surface of the Salar is a lake of brine when the water rises and covers the Salar it becomes one of the biggest mirrors on earth!
-Tracy Smith
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| The Salar once water has risen! |
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| A worker organizing the salt blocks used for hotel construction |
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