Where to travel on your next summer holiday? Here are some unique holiday destinations
The summer holidays are almost upon us, and if you are one of the lucky few who already has a set idea of where to go and what to do or have even booked your summer holidays well in advance, well, good on you. You do not need to worry if you are not one of those lucky few. Whether you have a few destinations in mind and do not know which one to choose, don't worry, we've got you covered with a few great choices!
Unconventional beach holiday - Tunisia
Beach holidays are one of the main reasons why people go on holiday. Nothing to do but roll out your towel on the beach, enjoy a good book and have no worries other than wondering if you are getting a tan. Who wouldn't want that?
However, beach holidays tend to be accompanied by a well-known phenomenon: mass tourism. To name but a few destinations, most European beach resorts in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey are flooded yearly by tourists. So, if you prefer to avoid this phenomenon as much as possible, why not head to Tunisia?
This North African country, especially the northern part, is often forgotten regarding beach holiday destinations, and that's a shame. For instance, visit the coastal town of Sidi Bou Said, which has a Greek feel and white-painted facades. Or head to Lake Ichkeul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.
Cap Angela, the far northern tip of the country, is where you can find a beautiful lighthouse and many picturesque seascapes. Heathrow and Gatwick airports offer direct flights to the Tunisian capital.
Off the beaten track (but really) – Northern Vietnam
Okay, honestly, there are many popular spots to find in North Vietnam, and if you're going for the first time, trust us when we say you'll want to visit as much as possible.
The mountainous regions of Ha Giang and Phu Luong are ideal if you want to avoid the large crowds of tourists and enjoy the true natural beauty of Vietnam.
There is no shortage of unique travel experiences in northern Vietnam. Our advice is to visit in the tea-picking season in the spring, where you can help pick tea in the tea plantations at Thai Nguyen, or view the Vietnamese nature from a boat on the Ba Be Lake.
Note you must apply for a Vietnam visa before departure. There is an exception for UK travellers, who only need to apply for a Vietnam visa if they wish to stay in Vietnam longer than 15 days. The application procedure is online and takes only a couple of minutes. The visa is valid for 30 days.
Close to home - Faroe Islands
If you prefer to holiday a little closer to home but still prefer to travel off the beaten path, maybe a holiday to the Faroe Islands might better suit your holiday needs. Although it may not be one of the first countries you think about for a summer holiday, these islands are definitely worth considering.
The Faroe Islands, consisting of as many as 18 different islands, is an independent island nation located north of the United Kingdom between Iceland and Norway and is a true paradise for hikers and birdwatchers. Start your holiday in Torshavn, the capital of this island nation, which is connected to the British Isles, by flying there from London Gatwick via Edinburgh.
The highlight of a holiday to the Faroe Islands, and what shouldn’t be missing from your list, is Múlafossur, a 30-meter-high waterfall that falls directly into the Atlantic Ocean, located near the western village of Gásadalur.
Hidden Caribbean gem – Grenada
If you dream of a sunny and tropical beach holiday, where you don't have to do anything but lie in your hammock and drink tropical cocktails all the time, but get a little discouraged by the overwhelming mass tourism that attracts most islands in the Caribbean, look no further than Grenada. This small island nation, located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Colombia, is not only praised for its snow-white sandy beaches but is also an ideal Caribbean destination for anyone looking for adventure and getting to know the local food culture.
If you're caught with the adrenaline bug, you will find plenty to do here on this Caribbean Island. On this mountainous volcanic island, you can fill your days with trekking to crater lakes, snorkelling in the Underwater Sculpture Museum, or, for the real daredevils, jumping off the Concord Waterfall.
The ‘most underrated destination in the world – Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is often considered one of the most underrated destinations in the world, and even though it might be true, it is an unfair assessment, as Azerbaijan has much to offer. One of the reasons why Azerbaijan might be less popular than its neighbouring countries, Georgia and Armenia, and caused many travellers to avoid the country, was its strict visa requirements. However, this all changed when the Azerbaijan e-visa was introduced in 2017.
