Top 10 Tourism Destinations rated today.

If you like travelling, these countries should be on your list.

Image: UNWTO

The global value of the tourism trade

Despite growing concerns over the environmental impact of international travel, tourism is a burgeoning business – which made $1.4 trillion in 2018, up from $475 billion in 2000.

Bhutan

Bhutan | Gavi

Hiking trails with dramatic views, and world-beating eco credentials put Bhutan at the top of the list for 2020. The Himalayan kingdom has a policy of being 60% forested, but has exceeded this, at 70%, which has made it one of the world’s first carbon-negative countries. It’s aiming to be the first fully organic country in 2020 – and, since 1972, it has measured Gross National Happiness, putting people’s wellbeing before wealth.

The Lonely Planet says: “Bhutan punches well above its weight when it comes to sustainability. It operates a strict ‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism policy, compelling travellers to pay a high daily fee just to set foot in its monastery-crowned hills. The pay-off for visitors is a chance to walk along mountain trails unsullied by litter, in the company of people whose Buddhist beliefs put them uniquely in tune with their environment.”

England

The Lake District – England

A nation of walkers, England has enshrined a ‘right to roam’, meaning visitors can access many mountains, moors, heaths and downs that are privately owned. In 2020, the government will open new sections of the England Coast Path, some of which is also ‘access land’. It will be the longest continuous trail of its kind in the world, giving access to the country’s entire coastline – nearly 3,000 miles – for the first time – as well as all the delights of the English seaside, from fish and chips to fossils.

North Macedonia

Canyon Matka | Village Matka – North Macedonia

Known for slow food and foraging in nature, the tiny Balkan nation has adopted a new name, a new era of good relations with Greece– and new flight routes to Unesco-protected Lake Ohrid. It also recently launched the High Scardus Trail, a 495-km trek along the region’s most dramatic peaks.

Aruba

Aruba Beaches – Aruba

By 2020, the Caribbean island of Aruba willtransition to 100% renewable energy, while also tackling a raft of issues including reducing traffic and improving water conservation. Besides the appeal of its pristine beaches and sustainability drive, the southern city of San Nicolas is having a colourful cultural renaissance, with artists ensuring festivities carry on year-round through pop-up carnival experiences.

eSwatini

eSwatini – Swaziland

The country formerly known as Swaziland is one of Southern Africa’s most underrated and least visited destinations, according to the Lonely Planet. Abundant with culture, adventure and wildlife, it has a new international airport and improved road infrastructure – aimed at boosting tourist numbers in the coming years.

Costa Rica

Marriot Costa Rica

The tropical paradise is known for embracing sustainable tourism and, with more than 90% of its energy coming from renewable resources, it’s well on its way to becoming carbon-neutral. Its catchphrase ‘pura vida’ (the pure life) encapsulates its approach to protecting biodiversity, while enjoying what nature has to offer: from hiking up volcanoes to riding a zip line through the rain forest.

The Netherlands

Amsterdam – Netherlands

Next year marks 75 years since the end of World War Two and the Netherlands is planning events across the country – easily accessible through its super-efficient rail network. The Lonely Planet says April and May are the months to visit, to take in King’s Day, Liberation Day and the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be hosted there.

Liberia

An aerial view of Elizabeth Village and Resort

Liberia has the second-largest area of primary rainforest in West Africa: Sapo National Park, where pygmy hippos run wild with forest elephants and chimpanzees. Thanks to a deal with Norway, Liberia is hoping to put a stop to deforestation by 2020, preserving its precious biodiversity for generations to come.

Morocco

Marrakech-annie-spratt – Morocco

Marrakesh will be Africa’s first Capital of Culture in 2020. Its ancient medinas, as well as those in coastal Essaouira and Fez, are getting a makeover and Africa’s first high-speed train means that you can go from Casablanca to Tangier in just two hours.

Uruguay

Punta del Este – Uruguay

In recent years, the country has become one of the most progressive in the world– from marijuana legalisation and embracing LGBTQ+ rights, to the promotion of sustainable tourism. It also has a burgeoning wine industry, and more than 600km of Río de la Plata and Atlantic shoreline.

Stories of Travel Adventures That Caught Tourists Completely Unaware – (PART 2)

Welcome to great “Stories of Travel Adventures Caught Tourists Completely Unaware” Part 2. Great humor great fun great stories:

Story 9

 

I just don’t understand the kind of tourists who keep complaining about everything under the sun, saying things like, “Well, Goa didn’t impress me in the least…France is way too dirty…There’s nothing worth seeing in Germany!” Whenever I’m away from home (even if we’re taking a trip to a neighboring town) I’m always like, “Wow, what an interesting monument! Your pavement looks so different from ours! This is so cool!”

Story 10

Traveling is my passion. I’ve already visited many different countries, and what’s really amazing is that this cost me next to nothing. Of course, my vacations are somewhat different from ordinary tourism; I don’t sunbathe on sandy beaches or ski down snow-covered mountain slopes. All I do is explore different cities. I walk the streets, stroll around the squares, and generally enjoy myself, feeling like a local. And all thanks to the internet! Whenever I have time, I open up Google Maps, put on some quiet music, and let my next journey begin.

Story 11

This morning, I suddenly decided to go for a walk. A really long walk. So, I set off to the neighboring town. I’ve covered about 40 miles on foot, and so far, I have no desire to return home. I guess this makes me an explorer…or a hobo

Story 12

It never ceases to surprise and even sometimes annoy me that, in Europe, everything is closed on the weekends. Even buying yourself a can of Coke is out of the question, not to mention visiting a cafe. Saturdays are tolerable but Sundays are downright impossible. Once, when I was on vacation in Italy, I got stung by a jellyfish. This caused me great pain and scared the heck out of me. I hopped over to the hotel and asked an employee for assistance. Staring at my extensive wounds, he said in a shaky voice, “You need to go to the pharmacy at once and buy some ointment! The pharmacy is just around the corner!” And then, he suddenly added in a lazy, half-hearted tone, “But it’s Sunday. So everything is closed.”

Story 14

There’s a cleaner working in our office. Her salary is nothing spectacular. She usually comes in the afternoons and proceeds to mop the floors, always wearing the same outfit. The woman has a son and a grandson, but they live separately and as far as I know, she doesn’t support them financially. She’s not very good at her job, but that’s not too surprising. Anyway, she’s famous among our staff for having visited most of Europe several times already. She’s also been to Egypt, Tunisia, the Emirates, and many other places. On average, our cleaner goes on trips abroad 4 times a year. Right now, she’s on another voyage to Egypt. As for me, I’m sitting at my desk, thinking, “What have I done wrong with my life? My salary is twice as big, yet I’ve never been abroad!

Have you ever had any bizarre travel experiences?

For example, realizing that you’ve left your passport and plane tickets at home half an hour before departure?

Share with us in the comments below;

Stories of Travel Adventures That Caught Tourists Completely Unaware – (PART 1)

When planning a holiday, we always hope that our trip will be as comfortable as possible and we do everything we can to avoid any incidents. But, as you’ll surely agree, life often makes adjustments to even the most carefully thought-out plans. At best, those surprises can be merely annoying. At worst, they can turn all of your expectations upside down.

Story 1

There was this girl, Jane, working in our department. She was a very good employee; always keen to excel and learn something new. A couple of years ago, her grandmother died and left her a luxury villa in a prestigious neighborhood. Someone from our office told Jane that she could use her inheritance as a way to radically change her life. For example, she could rent the house out and use the money to settle down in some exotic place. Of course, this was a joke, and we soon forgot about it. Until one Monday, Jane came to work with a resignation letter in one hand and a ticket to India in the other. We all wished her the best of luck!

Story 2

Whenever I end up in one of those hotel rooms where the hair dryer can’t be pulled out from its socket and the coat hooks are loose, I always think, “Do you guys honestly think I travel without a screwdriver?

Story 3

Tourists are a peculiar folk. This story happened in the Ukrainian town of Mariupol. One foreign tourist decided to see if he could walk to the Russian town of Taganrog and back again in one day. As he set out on his journey, he joked to his wife that he was going to another town to buy some bread. Mariupol is about 30 miles from the Russian-Ukrainian border, and Taganrog is another 30 miles further away. When the guy reached the border, the guards asked him about his destination and the purpose of his visit. He answered, “I’m just walking to Taganrog to buy some bread!” The guards began to suspect he was crazy so he gave them his wife’s phone number. They called her and the conversation went something like this:

“Are you and your husband currently staying in Mariupol?”

“Yes, but my husband is away right now.”

“Where is he?”

“We ran out of bread, so he went to Taganrog!”

Story 4

There is a theory that our universe is infinite and because of this, it might contain copies of our own planet. Just imagine it — a spaceship travels millions of light-years in search of alien worlds…only to touch down in Oklahoma

Story 5

I went on a tourist trip to another country recently. I had almost no knowledge of the local language so I didn’t really feel comfortable being surrounded by crowds of people I couldn’t understand. Also, everyone seemed a bit too carefree and cheerful for my taste. There were too many people smiling everywhere. And then, amidst all these happy, smiling faces, I suddenly heard, “What the hell are you smiling at, weirdo?” in my mother tongue. It was the best moment of the entire trip.

Story 6

My friend went to Brazil last year. Upon his arrival, he was immediately warned about the local crime rate. Also, he was advised not to visit the beaches at night, since there was a high risk of bumping into one of the numerous youth gangs. However, he didn’t heed the warnings. In his own words, here’s what came of it, “Right from the start, I overdid it with the sunbathing and burned my skin pretty seriously. So I decided to take my chances and go for a swim at night when there’s no sun but the water is still warm. When I got to the beach, I was immediately surrounded by a group of 10-15 youths. They didn’t waste time and immediately took my T-shirt. This didn’t stop me from returning to the beach the next night. Once again, the same thugs surrounded me but this time they didn’t take anything. On my third nighttime visit to the shore, they simply waved at me. And on my fourth, they gave me back my T-shirt. On the fifth night, we had a drink together, something that tasted like a mixture of rum and brandy. Then, on the sixth, I brought the guys some proper alcohol and a couple of 6-packs. In the end, I was driven back to the hotel in the thugs’ car, followed by an entourage of scooters and mopeds.”

Story 7

My Russian friend told me this story from his trip to Cuba: “There I am, standing with the rest of my tourist group, listening to a smiling guide telling us about the pleasures of life on the island. Suddenly, the guide interrupts his lecture and says, ’We really love Russians over here. So much so, that we’ve even got a saying, ’Russian people are famous for their ability to find a way out of any kind of trouble. The only thing they’re even more famous for is their ability to find a way into every kind of trouble.’ And then he looks at us, and gives us a really big smile.”

Story 8

Recently, my friend and I went on a trip to Spain. To save money, we shared a single room at our Madrid hotel. The room had a double bed that was actually 2 beds put together. Of course, we always moved our beds apart before going to sleep. However, every single morning, the hotel maid unfailingly pushed the beds back together. Not only that but she also never forgot to put a rose on one of them; on my bed, to be precise. Whatever gave her that idea?

Breathtaking Destinations You Didn’t Know Exist – Part 1

We’ve put together a 2-part list of ten breathtaking and lesser-known places in the world, from areas of unbelievable biodiversity to phenomena you have to see to believe.

Darvaza Gas Crater, Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan may not be high in many peoples travel list and that is a huge shame. The beautiful Central Asian country shares a border with fellow ‘stans’ Kazakhstan and Afghanistan as well as Iran and the Caspian Sea, the connective body of water between Asia and Europe. Turkmenistan has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries, an important and strategic country and an essential stop on the Silk Road trade route through Asia and Europe. Turkmenistan is the least traveled country in Central Asia, so its mysteries and secrets are perfect for the intrepid explorers among us. Contrary to what many believe due to a potential mix of geographical location and ignorance, Turkmenistan is a relatively safe country with a currently stable political situation and low crime rates. Tourism is on the up but it’s a fairly new concept so travelers will often find locals curious in rural areas, but its more often than not friendly intrigue, and if you linger long enough you’ll probably be invited in for tea and food, and it’s absolutely fine to do so.

The Darvaza Gas Crater known as the Door to Hell, is a natural gas field that has collapsed into a cavern in Derweze, a town of 350 people in the middle of the Karakum Desert. Geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of harmful methane into nearby towns, and the 69-metre-wide flaming abyss has been burning continuously since 1971.

Entry Requirements: You’ll need a full visa to enter Turkmenistan and you’ll usually need a letter of invitation from a Turkmen tourist agency that is only issued upon booking a full tour. It’s pretty difficult to navigate your way through Turkmenistan without a full guide due to pretty restrictive tourism. Turkmen wants to encourage tourism but they’re not quite ready for you go backpacking off on your own.

Currency: Turkmenistan manat

Hello: Salam

Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Another Central Asian country, Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful landlocked country characterized by ancient Islamic architecture, unspoiled high mountainscapes that have preserved its ancient culture, and vast crystal-clear lakes. Another Silk Road thoroughfare, Krygz culture is a historic combination of its own Turkic origins as well as elements of Persian, Mongolian and Russian influence. Tourists from a large amount of countries don’t need a visa to get in to Kyrgyzstan, making it more accessible than the surrounding Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan, despite only opening its borders in 2012.

Voted the fifth best adventure travel destination on earth by the British Backpacker Society in 2018, the beauty, friendliness and mystery of Kyrgyzstan make it a highly underrated travel destination.

Issyk Kul lake is one of the country’s biggest attractions that nobody has heard of, a crystal sharp lake with warm beaches surrounded by snow capped mountains. Issyk Kul means ‘warm lake’ in the Kyrgyz language, and although you can camp on its beaches gazing in to the distance as the sun goes down over snow-capped mountains, the lake never freezes. The lake is salty so bare that in mind if you plan to go for a dip, it’s also freezing, but it’s well worth it as the water is shockingly blue, turning from an light ice blue to a deep cobalt the deeper you go. Kyrgyzstan, like its neighbor Kazakhstan, has pretty relaxed rules in more rural areas when it comes to where you can camp. There are hotels around the lake, but they might be closed during low season and camping on the beach is much more fun. Some parts of the lake are pretty remote, and shops and restaurants are scarce, so make sure you have plenty of food, water and beer.

Entry Requirements: British nationals do not need a visa to enter Kyrgyzstan for up to 60 days.

Currency: Kyrgyzstani Som

Hello: Salam

Mtirala National Park, Georgia

Georgia in the Caucasus region of Eurasia bridges the gap between Europe and Asia and is a highly underrated country with a dramatic and long history. A prolific wine making country with a vibrant capital, well preserved medieval architecture, beaches with crystal clear sea and incredible mountain ranges, Georgia is the perfect relaxing and adventure holiday destination that no one is talking about.

The Mtirala National Park is a protected area in Western Georgia covering roughly 38,790 acres between the Black Sea and the Adjara Mountains. Although technically a forest, Mount Mtirala is one of the most humid areas in the country and with waterfalls and an abundance of flora and fauna, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in an exotic jungle.
There are 2 marked and comfortable trails in the park, and yet again camping and campfires are allowed. Horse riding, hiking, bird watching, and adventure tours are also available. The Chakvistskali River runs through the park and the stunning 28 metre Tsablnari Waterfall, perfect for a cooling dip. Brown bears, roe deer, wild boar, eagles and owls, birds and snakes live in the park, making Georgia the perfect exotic location with touches of the familiar.

Entry Requirements: British nationals do not need a visa to enter Georgia for up to one year.

Currency: Georgian Lari

Hello: Gamarjoba

Jeju Island, Korea

The natural beauty of Korea is often eclipsed by complicated political situation, images of busy built up cities, and recent military history. Despite its history and testing relations with its northern counterpart, Korea is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination, a place of delicious cuisine packed with beautiful scenery, unique within Asia.

Jeju is a semi-tropical island found just off the southernmost coast of South Korea’s mainland. It’s home to the country’s highest mountain, Hallasan, which is perfect for hiking and gives some of the best views in the country. What makes this mountain unique is that if you see the hike all the way to the top, you’ll find the crater of an extinct volcano full of ‘lava tubes’, formations in the rock made by ancient lava trails.

Often called the Hawaii of Korea, Jeju has a subtropical climate and 200 km of beach including Geumneung Beach, a huge expanse of white sand and clear sea with the nearby Geumneung Village of traditional houses and pretty narrow streets. It’s also known for its good surfing, home to the first surf club in Korea as well as the stunning Cheonjiyeon Waterfall.

Being an island, it’s no surprise that there is some seriously good food to he found on Jeju. Naturally seafood plays a big part and the island is famous for its abalones, traditionally hand dived by haenyeo, Jeju’s mermaids, or female divers who dive to depths of up to 15 metres to get the abalones, as well as octopus, sea urchins and oysters. Black pork is another speciality, succulent pork made from domesticated black pigs only bred on the island. Try Black Pork Street, a whole street dedicated to the meat.

Entry Requirements: British nationals can enter South Korea for up to 90 days without a visa and you must have an onward ticket.

Currency: South Korean Won

Hello: Annyeonghaseyo

The Sequoioideae, California

More commonly known as the Redwoods, these gigantic trees are most commonly found in the coastal forests of North California and are the largest trees in the world. Most people have heard of the Redwoods, but people who haven’t seen them in the flesh might not quite be able to comprehend exactly how big they are, or how incredible.

The first Redwood’s showed up on Earth shortly after the dinosaurs, before flowers, birds, spiders and humans, roughly 240 million years ago as opposed to modern humans who arrived about 200,000 years ago. The oldest official redwood is at least 2,200 years old and the tallest is over 360ft high and they can reach up to 20ft in diameter. That’s taller than the Empire State Building and the clock tower of Big Ben, and almost as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza! Since the California Gold Rush of 1848, 95% of the redwoods were cut down to build and rebuild cities like San Francisco and San Jose, so many of the ones still standing are only about 50 years old. Rare wild animals like mountain lions and coho salmon rely on the local redwoods, and tens of thousands of people flock to see the gigantic trees every year. It’s almost impossible to comprehend the size of these woodland giants.

Entry Requirements: British nationals can apply for an online ESTA as part of the Visa Waiver Program which is valid for up to 90 days. For a full US visa you’ll need to fill out a longer DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US consulate or embassy.

Currency: US Dollar

Hello: Hey man

Hiking the Rwenzori Mountains is a Mystical challenge

This takes 7 days to reach the top most peak which is Margherita peak. There are many peaks on the different peaks like Speke.

It’s a 50km walk/hike up to 5109m high above sea level.

It features a wide range of vegetation. It’s a rain maker so anytime the weather changes. The flow of rivers and waterfalls is endless.

The beauty of Rwenzori mountains cannot be explained. It needs to be experienced individually. Come take on the Mystical challenge.

Mount Elgon Climbing

This is the second highest mountain in Uganda with the highest peak being Wagagai at 4321 meters high.

Mountain Elgon is shared between Uganda and Kenya

It’s a volcanic mountain and it has a very big caldera that traverses to the Kenyan side. It also have more than 5 crater lakes formed almost at the top of mountain.

It’s the most beautiful and with the best scenic views compared to any other mountain in Uganda.

It features a famous pool called the Jackson pool. The vegetation from the bottom to the top is quite amazing. Medicinal, fruits and food are all got from mountain

Come and embark on this yet a beautiful hike to Wagagai peak.

Living room / Couch Travel: captivating books to get you through Corona virus lock-down

During this timeless lock-down to “flatten the curve” of the global Covid-19 pandemic and prevent further spread of the virus, those of us with the travel itch have been thinking of ways we can still enjoy the best parts of travel from the comfort of our own homes.

Sure Travel Journey’s Assistant Editor, Rebekah Funk, shares some of her favorite reads and explains how they’ve inspired trips to far-off places, in the hopes you’ll pick one up during lock-down. Experience the same excitement of being transported to a new land with captivating cultures and characters — and a little respite from anxiety inducing news headlines.

1. Shantaram

“It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured.”

Powerful opening words to this novel by Gregory David Roberts, set in the underworld of India’s most densely-populated city, Mumbai. The story follows Lin, an Australian convict with a fake passport who is searching for love, meaning and a way to disappear — and is allegedly (though perhaps loosely) based on the life of the author.

His story is gripping, tumultuous, thought-provoking and in some parts, hectic (ie. torture) — but it left me wanting to travel to India to experience its chaos, colour and unparalleled culture. A book I’d read again!

2. The Harry Potter series

There are few stories more magical (literally) than the seven-book Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. While Rowling created another world of wizards and witches for readers, many of the books’ settings are based on real places in the United Kingdom.

In fact, she completed the first at a cafe in Edinburgh (because she struggled to pay the heating bills at home as a young single mother on government assistance) — and characters like Harry, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley were hatched on a train from Manchester to King’s Cross Station in London.

3. Pride and Prejudice

A literary (and Hollywood) classic, this book (and others like Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey or Emma by its author, Jane Austen) has inspired many a trip to England’s romantic countryside and historic estates.

I visited Bath and the fairytale Cotswolds in June, when green rolling hills and flowers in bloom made it easy to imagine picnicking scenes from the book. It was the sort of place you could wander or spend an afternoon on your back, reading and watching the clouds go by.

All Austen’s books mention Bath, as she lived in the city for about five years (you can tour her Georgian townhouse and have tea). While settings like the country estate at Pemberley were a fictional creation, it’s believed by some to be based on Chats worth House, near Bakewell in Derbyshire — all-in-all, plenty of picturesque places to explore if you’re a fan of this author and novel.

4. Long Walk to Freedom.

I’ve long been inspired to read personal biographies of the world’s notable heroes in an attempt to discover what events — and surroundings — made their shaping mark. There are few people who could weather 27 years in prison and come out the other side ready to forgive and unify a nation.

“I always knew that deep down in every human heart, there is mercy and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Former President Nelson Mandela’s optimistic biography attests to his passion for South Africa and its people — including his belief that all are created equal and must fight against racism, socio-economic divides and oppression in all its forms. The book inspired my original trip to Cape Town in 2012 (along with another called Playing the Enemy by John Carlin), yet it was the people I met here that kept me coming back year after year.

5. The Hobbit

While J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythical land of “Hobbiton” was the stuff of his imagination, modern depictions of “The Shire”, set in New Zealand, have this country at the top of my travel bucket list! Well that — and the beaches, hikes, vineyards, volcanoes and Maori culture.

6. The Count of Monte Cristo

Set in France, Italy and the islands of the Mediterranean, it’s hard not to be enthralled by this classic tale of an innocent man, wrongly accused and imprisoned — and his subsequent quest for revenge.

An island fort called Chateau d’If (off the coast from Marseille’s tourist-lined beaches) was forever immortalized as the site where author Alexandre Dumas imprisoned his character, and today, the perfectly-preserved site is accessible by boat. I was there in 2009 and it’s definitely worth a visit!

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