New York (BBN)- We should add eight exciting and amazing destinations including Bangladesh in our “2015 Hot Travel Destination” lists considering the travel goals and style.
There are plenty of “2015 Hot Travel Destination” lists circulating, even though the dust has settled a bit on looks forward.
As we field questions about our own favorite destinations, most memorable experiences and where we recommend people to travel this year, we thought we’d add a twist to the traditional 2015 travel lists and share some places including Bangladesh that might not be on your travel radar — but maybe, should be, reports uncorneredmarket.com.
Here’s the caveat. These places are not for everyone; they are not a universal fit for travel goals and style.
The eight destinations for travel are Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Republic of Georgia, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Pamir Highway and Mountains (Tajikistan/Kyrgyzstan) and Haiti.
They are the sorts of destinations in which things may not always go as planned; hotels and transport can even be a bit rough.
In travel marketing speak, one might call these emerging, recovery or even under-discovered destinations.
But in our experience, they are simply fascinating places that travelers are either unaware of or actively avoid from a travel perspective.
They are the sort of destinations that push you emotionally, sometimes physically, and always challenge you mentally — all with the result of returning you from your trip with a different view of the world and quite often with a different view of yourself.
Much time is spent outside the proverbial comfort zone in attempts to immerse yourself in a new culture, comprehend challenging socio-economic circumstances and process the stimuli swirling about you.
Some days can even feel difficult. But there is a payoff. If you were to sit down with us over a beer and ask:
“I want to go somewhere different from what I’m accustomed to. I’d like a place that will make me think, feel and question some of my assumptions about the world and myself. Someplace not very well touristed, with a bit adventure and the unknown. Where would you suggest I go?”
HERE’S WHERE WE MIGHT SUGGEST YOU GO IN 2015.
1. BANGLADESH
Why: To truly get off the tourist path and immerse yourself in a sea of humanity. We’re certain there are more tourists now, but during our five-week visit there a couple of years ago, we saw a total of five tourists.
Bangladesh is funky. It’s intense. It’s Bangladesh. And the country actually offers more diversity in sights and experiences that you might first expect, from UNESCO pre-Moghul mosques and cycling through tea estates to tracking tigers in mangrove forests and visiting ethnic minority areas.
But it’s the human interactions — and boy, are there a lot of them — that make visiting Bangladesh such a unique experience.
2. KYRGYZSTAN
Why: To experience a country that is over 90% mountainous and littered with stunning landscapes.
Add to that, a taste of traditional nomadic culture with a bit of a Soviet hangover, and you have the makings of a unique yet approachable destination.
This makes Kyrgyzstan a great fit for trekkers and outdoor types, as well as those interested in culture and off-beat experiences.
There is a terrific community-based tourism network throughout the country that makes it easy to connect and interact with locals.
These networks can also organize mountain treks on horseback, homestays, and overnight yurt experiences.
3. IRAN
Why: To travel to a country where the on-the-ground travel experience couldn’t be more different than impressions left by the news.
Iran also features some of the most impressive historical sites we’ve ever seen (including 17 UNESCO sites). Visiting 2500-year-old Persepolis, once the capital of ancient Persia, is a lesson not only in the strength of the Persian Empire, but a perspective regarding how civilizations and power come and go.
Eyeball-bending Persian design and architecture that holds the gaze can’t be missed either. In addition to Iran’s Big Three (Shiraz, Esfahan and Yazd),
expand your sense of the country with a visit to the northwestern part of Iran for even more surprises like fairy chimney villages and Armenian monasteries.
And again, it comes down to people. That’s what may surprise you most about Iran.
NOTE: Obtaining a tourist visa for citizens from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom can be tricky. Be sure to check out this article on how to get an Iranian visa (including the vast comment thread) for all you need to know.
4. REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA
Why: Despite all the history and remarkable mountain landscapes, the Republic of Georgia, at its very best, comes back to the Georgian people.
Cross hospitality-obsessed with crazy gregarious and you’ve got a sense of the Georgian people. Add to this beautiful mountain ranges, a culturally and architecturally eclectic capital city, some of the most spiritual churches we’ve experienced, and incredible food.
Then you’ll understand why Georgia is one of our favorite places in the world. We joke that in Georgia, one
doesn’t need to make plans as the people you meet seem to create the adventures for you.
5. BOLIVIA
Why: Stunning and often surreal landscapes blended with a strong indigenous culture.
For various reasons, travelers often skip Bolivia in favor of its neighbors — Peru, Argentina, Chile — when making their way through South America.
For Americans, some say it’s because of the visa fees and paperwork, but Bolivia is more than worth the extra spend and brief bit of bureaucracy.
The Salar de Uyuni and in particular the journey from Tupiza features some of the world’s most beautiful and otherworldly landscapes with green lakes, Dali-esque rock formations and the mind-bending salt flats.
And although you’ll see tourists around the Salar, you see much less throughout the rest of the country.
We recommend stopping by Lake Titicaca and taking a hike around Isla del Sol, Tarija in the south for a taste of the Bolivian wine scene, Potosi to understand the realities of mining on people and communities, Sucre for a beautiful colonial city and La Paz for the capital with the most dramatic mountain backdrop.
Personally, I’d love to return to Bolivia to take on some of these treks.
6. ETHIOPIA
Why: Ancient rock-hewn churches carved from below ground, remarkable mountain landscapes, castles, ridiculously large plates of delicious local food.
Need we say more? Ethiopia surprised us in so many ways, especially with its depth of history and culture dating back over 2,000 years to the Aksumite civilization and the adoption of Christianity in 330 A.D. (the 2nd Christian nation in the world).
One could feel a direct connection between Ethiopia’s past and present through its adherence to ritual. We also weren’t expecting to be awed by its mountains and trekking options available in the Simien and Gheralta Mountains.
7. PAMIR HIGHWAY AND MOUNTAINS (TAJIKISTAN/KYRGYZSTAN)
Why: To enjoy a road trip adventure in a mountainous region that not only stands out for the severity and beauty of its landscape, but also shines for the colorful, hospitable and fascinating Pamiri people who live there.
The Pamir Highway, roughly speaking, begins in southern Kyrgyzstan and winds its way through Tajikistan, passing by some of the most spectacular scenery we’ve seen on our around the world journey thus far.
As tourism infrastructure in this area ranges from little to none you’ll likely stay and eat with Pamiri families most of the time, one of the great joys of this journey. (There’s more in our Pamir Highway slideshow for BBC Travel.)
8. HAITI
Why: Because Haiti is surprising, complicated and fascinating. Sure, the country has some beautiful white-sand beaches, but it’s the artists, musicians, waterfalls, hilltop fortresses, cave networks and the mysteries of Vodou that will likely leave the most lasting impressions on you.
Although Haiti is only 1.5 hours away from Miami by air and shares the same island landmass as popular vacation destination Dominican Republic, it only sees a relative handful of travelers each year. At least for now.
BBN/AKG/AD-31Jan15-5:20pm (BST)