Our Picks:

 
 
 

  Helsinki, Finland

  • Tucked at the edge of the Baltic, Helsinki is another city in Europe you ought to give a serious chance. Brimming with modernity, this Scandinavian cosmopolitan was the World Design Capital for 2012.

  • Don’t be reserved to join walking tours around the city center and experience the rich history of the Finnish capital. While modern architecture and state-of-the-art buildings offer a glimpse into the future, the beauty of Helsinki is enhanced by the breathtaking nature that blends in smoothly.

  • Consider visiting Helsinki during its endless summer days to maximize your time there or put on your adventurous boots and battle the snowy winter nights. Either way, there are so many sights to see, you won’t be able to Finnish exploring.

  • Things to do.

  • Website to get you started: Discover Helsinki

  • Travel Guidebook: Helsinki Pocket Guide

  • Source: tripzilla.com


 
 

Budapest, Hungary

  • With beautiful architecture in every direction you turn, Budapest is a city that sets heads turning. It has just the right amount of baroque, among other architectural styles, to please everyone and just enough individuality to distinguish itself from other European powerhouses. 

  • A great experience is dipping into one of the many hot springs found in the city. Since the times of the Romans, “taking the waters” has been the ultimate Budapest experience! And if it that isn’t enough, you will be puzzled for choice when picking a bathhouse. From Turkish-era bathhouses to modern establishments, indulge in a therapeutic pampering unlike any other.

  • Taste traditional delicacies such as Lángos (fried dough) and Pörkölt (meat stew).

  • Website to get you started: Visit Budapest and travelwildnow-Budapest.

    Travel Guidebook: DK Eyewitness Budapest Guide

  • Source: tripzilla.com


 
 

Tallinn, Estonia

  • Tallinn is probably the most under-rated city in Europe. The “Baltic pearl” combines charming cobbled alleys and medieval architecture with modern high rises and a buzzing nightlife scene.

  • The Old Town contains several amazing sets of fortifications and some great viewpoints. The promenades on the Baltic shore are moreover an excellent place for a stroll and lined with beautiful parks. Tallinn’s museums and other cultural institutions are the perfect way to spend your days in the Estonian capital before spending a night out in one of the many nightlife spots this city has to offer.

  • Website to get you started: Visit Tallinn

  • Travel Guidebook: Insight Tallinn Guide

  • Source: findworldsbeauty.com


 
 

Muscat, Oman

  • Oman’s capital, sits on the Gulf of Oman surrounded by mountains and desert. With history dating back to antiquity, it mixes high-rises and upscale shopping malls with clifftop landmarks such as the 16th-century Portuguese forts. It is known for dazzling souks and superb seafood.

  • Traveling to Oman is safe and easy, but most nationalities (Europeans, Canadians, Americans, and Australians) need to get an E-visa before arrival at the airport.

  • In Muscat and the surrounding area, there are countless beaches. <read more>

  • Things to know.

  • Things to do.

  • Website to get you started: Visit Oman.

  • Travel Guidebook: Lonely Planet Oman

  • Source: wildjunket.com


 
 

Kyoto, Japan

  • Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan and a major tourist destination. It is home to numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces and gardens.

  • Kyoto is home to 1.4 million people. The city was once the capital of Japan, which is why you will find Kyoto is home to over 1600 temples, many with beautiful Zen gardens and massive gates. Kyoto was also spared the devastation which occurred during the bombings of World War II, meaning it has been very well preserved.

  • Things to do.

  • <Website to get you started>

  • Where to Stay - downtown Kyoto is an ideal place to stay due to its most central proximity to sights. You’re footsteps from the river, near Nishiki Market, and can be to any other sight in around 15 minutes. It is the most convenient location to be based in.

    • Nishiki Market is a marketplace in downtown Kyoto. Rich with history and tradition, the market is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto's famous foods and goods.

  • Kyoto is 283 miles (445 km) from Tokyo, but you can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two(2) hours if you travel on a high-speed bullet train.

  • The best time to visit is during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November).

  • Travel Guidebook: Lonely Planet-Kyoto and Moon Tokyo, Kyoto & Hiroshima.


 
 

Zagreb, Croatia 

  • Often described as the fairytale capital, Zagreb has remained largely undiscovered by mainstream tourists due to its inland location. But it is a fascinating medieval city and a must-see for those seeking something different. From its majestic cathedral, to the archbishops' palaces, St Mark's Church and the Opera House, it is a city beaming with old-world charm.

  • One of the most enjoyable pleasures is simply sitting at one of the many downtown outdoor cafes and watching the world go by.

  • Top attractions.

  • Website to get you started: Visit Zagreb

  • Travel Guidebook: Fodor’s Croatia

  • Source: news.com.au


 
 

Olomouc, Czech

  • Olomouc has it all, including UNESCO-protected architecture, great museums and energetic, student-oriented nightlife.

  • The advent of high-speed rail service from Prague makes it easy to reach. A 3-hour journey one way.

  • It is home to countless beautiful buildings, great culture (home of the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra), and hundreds of unique restaurants, bars, and pubs. Olomouc is totally off the radar of most tourists, a quiet and relaxed town even on a nice day in July.

  • Websites to get you started: Visit Olomouc and Czech-tourism-Olomouc

  • Travel Guidebook: Lonely Planet: Czech

  • Source: Lonely Planet


 
 

Graz, Austria

  • Graz is known for its striking buildings and architecture. At its heart is Hauptplatz, the medieval old town’s main square. Shops and restaurants line the narrow surrounding streets, which blend Renaissance and baroque architecture.

  • Stroll the Mur River to explore the hipster neighborhoods such as the Annen Quarter and the Mariahilferstrasse. Drop by at the lively Farmers Market or have a coffee at one of the cool cafés.

  • A funicular leads up Schlossberg, the town hill, to the Uhrturm, a centuries-old clock tower.

  • Things to do.

  • Website to get you started: Visit Graz

  • Austria Travel Guidebook: DK Eyewitness Austria


 
 
 

Adelaide, Australia

Source: escapehere.com

  • Adelaide is a picturesque coastal city with a mild, year-round climate and lots of things to enjoy.

  • The beaches stretch for miles, from North Haven Beach with its boat marina to Sellicks Beach, a popular surfer’s paradise.

  • Adelaide is also a city that’s full of exciting outdoor activities, culture and entertainment. If you are an outdoors person, visit one of Adelaide’s 29 beautiful parks, the Adelaide Botanic Garden or the Adelaide Zoo, home to the world’s prized giant pandas. Engage in some culture at Migration Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

  • Enjoy a night out at one of Adelaide’s many restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars, then relax on the banks of the River Torrens while you row a boat and feed the ducks.

  • Website to get you started: Southaustralia/Adelaide

  • Adelaide Travel Guidebook: Lonely Planet: South Australia.


 
 
 

Dunedin, New Zealand

  • Dunedin is a city in South Island, New Zealand, at the head of the Otago Harbor.

  • It's known for its Scottish heritage, Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and a large student population.

  • Walk across Dunedin’s downtown Octagon and Esplanade, and you’ll be welcomed by the aroma of award-winning roasted coffee beans and an eclectic range of restaurants and cuisines.

  • Excellent hiking and cycling trails dot the dramatic landscape of the adjoining Otago Peninsula, home to colonies of albatross, sea lions and rare yellow-eyed penguins.

  • Dunedin was once New Zealand’s largest and wealthiest city, an important hub of commerce and trade.

  • The best way to truly appreciate the beauty of the city, is on foot. There are two (2) inner city heritage walks to choose from.

  • Websites to get you started: Dunedin E-Guide and Pure New Zealand.

  • Dunedin Travel Guidebook: Lonely Planet: South Island New Zealand.


 
 
 
 

Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • Surrounded by the mountains of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a flourishing city often used as a base by tourists wishing to explore the lush landscapes, hill tribes and outdoor adventures of the region.  

  • Chiang Mai is a culturally important city where historical and modern Thai architecture and traditions coexist. A walk around the historic center displays views of old city walls and dozens of Buddhist temples. The most famous of these temples, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, lies outside Chiang Mai on a mountainside overlooking the city.

  • Avoid monsoon season, June thru October.

  • Website to get you started: Chiangmai-Bangkok.com

  • Chiang Mai Travel Guide: Frommer’s Thailand.


Portland, Maine USA

  • The largest city in Maine,Portland is the gateway to the beautiful Maine coastline.

  • A revitalized Old Port District with craft shops, and great restaurants, enjoy strolling down the brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets.

  • Other activities include exploring the quaint towns that dot the coastline. Visit the Portland Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use in the U.S.

  • Website to get you started: Visit Portland

  • Portland Travel Guidebook: Portland before you die Book


 
 

Savannah, Georgia USA


 
 

Hoi an, Vietnam

  • Hoi an is a beautiful town located towards the middle of Vietnam on the coast, 45 min away from the city of Da Nang.

  • Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

  • What to do in 48 hours.

  • Best time to visit is March and September. The rainy season (mid October – mid February) should be avoided.

  • Website to get you started: Vietnam Guide

  • Travel Guidebook: Vietnam Travel Guide.


 
 

Port Douglas, Australia

  • Humid and breezy Port Douglas could easily double as a Caribbean town, where mountains shine five shades of green and cascade into dreamy blue waters. Intermingling with wealthy vacationers you’ll find backpackers and dive bums shouldered up at the Ironbar Saloon, preparing to hike the Daintree Rainforest or dive the Great Barrier Reef.

  • <Learn more about Port Douglas>

  •  In town, Macrossan Street is lined with boutique shops and restaurants. Curving south is popular Four Mile Beach.

  • <More things to do>

  • It is a one (1) hour drive to Cairns along the Captain Cook Highway. The drive is a stunning, tropical version of the California Pacific Coast Highway. 

  • Website to get you started: Port Douglas tourism.

  • Guidebook: Moon Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef.


 
 

Luang Prabang, Laos

  • Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos, lies in a valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Inhabited for thousands of years, it was the royal capital of the country until 1975. It’s known for its many Buddhist temples, including the gilded Wat Xieng Thong, dating to the 16th century, and Wat Mai, once the residence of the head of Laotian Buddhism.

  • If you are in Luang Prabang in during September or October then make sure you come to the Bun Awk Phansa Festival. This takes place on the Nam Kahn River and you can enjoy vibrant boat races on the water.

  • More things to do.

  • Websites to get you started: <Visit Luang Prabang> <Laos Tourism> <EcoTourism Laos>

  • Recommended Guidebooks:


 
 

Tbilisi, Georgia

  • Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobble stoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures.

  • The best time to visit Georgia is May, June or September, especially in the lowlands around Tbilisi, as you'll avoid the summer heat and humidity as well as the freezing winter.

  • Learn more about Tbilisi.

  • Websites to get you started:

  • Recommended Guidebooks: Bradt Guides-Georgia and Lonely Planet-Georgia.


 
 

Paros, Greece

  • Paros sits in the heart of the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Cyclades island group (such as Mykonos, Santorini, and Naxos) The island of Paros offers the perfect chance for island hopping! <Learn more>

  • Boasting a beautiful natural landscape and 120 km of coastline, it has endless blonde-sand stunning beaches, verdant mountains and cliff-top villages galore.

  • The two main villages of Paros Greece are Parikia and Naoussa. Full of traditional taverns, restaurants and bars, both towns overflow with crowds every night. If crowded places and loud music is NOT your style, you can wander in the tranquil traditional villages of Lefkes and Marpissa. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the different faces of Paros !

  • <Website to get you started>

 
 

Bergen, Norway

  • While often overshadowed by Oslo, the Norwegian capital, Bergen the country's second-largest city has plenty to offer.

  • From the vibrant buildings that dot Bryggen, a historic harbor district and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the spectacular views from Fløyen Mountain, which is accessible by funicular, charm and natural beauty abound. An ideal destination for watersport fans, visitors can also go kayaking and rafting through Norway's famous fjords. <Learn more about fjords>

  • Bergen is also often called “the city between the seven mountains”. By far the most easily accessible summit is Fløyen, 320 meters above sea level. It is connected to the city center by Fløibanen funicular by a six-minute ride.

  • Experience the Bergen Railway – voted one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys.

  • 17 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Norway.

  • Recommended travel guidebook: Fodor’s Norway.

  • <Website to get you started>


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Sources: wikipedia.org, wikitravel.org