Everyone knows about countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and many would dream of visiting them or have already been there. However, if you want to create your own route around the world and find hidden tourist treasures, you should pay attention to the little-known but interesting countries that will be discussed in the article.
1. Brunei (on the map)
On the northern coast of the island of Borneo, next door to Indonesia and not far from Malaysia, there is a small country called Brunei. It is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, whose family has occupied the throne of Brunei for the last six centuries. Brunei’s cultural heyday occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries, when this state controlled the coastal waters of many islands.
Brunei has nine climbable mountains and many forest reserves suitable for walks and long hikes. If you visit Brunei, try to catch a baseball match at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium or spend time exploring the unique exhibits at the Malay Technology Museum. The best time to visit the country is from October to February; the rest of the months are quite hot and humid.
2. Vanuatu (on the map)
The state of Vanuatu can be found on the map in the South Pacific Ocean. People settled on this island about 3,500 years ago, but the first European visited here only in 1774 – it was the legendary explorer James Cook. If you decide to follow Cook’s example and come to Vanuatu, you will see beautiful beaches and waterfalls, you can go diving and explore shipwrecks off the coast, climb the world’s most accessible active volcano Yasur and dine in restaurants with delicious exotic cuisine. Visit Vanuatu from May to October, during which time there are many festivals and sporting events.
Photo: Nick Hobgood
3. Kiribati (on the map)
The state of Kiribati with a population of just over 100 thousand people is located in the Pacific Ocean. There is first-class fishing and an interesting unique culture, for example, “sit-down” dances, which the locals can teach, and numerous ritual holidays. Kiribati has many traces of the Second World War: one of the bloodiest battles on the Pacific Front took place on Tarawa Atoll in 1943, the Memorial to the Heroes of the Outpost was erected here, the remains of huge small arms can be found on Betio Island, and downed aircraft lie in the coastal waters. It’s very hot here all year round, so don’t forget the sunscreen, drink lots of margaritas and hang out on the beach.
4. Mayotte (on the map)
The island of Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel is part of the Comoros Islands. France gained control of it in 1843 and retains it today. Holidays here are quite expensive, but if money is not an issue in your case, you have the opportunity to go on a multi-day hiking trip, visit several nature reserves to watch the life of lemurs and the blooming of orchids, finally, go diving and, if you are lucky, see how whales play with their babies. The best time to visit is from June to November.
Photo: Hadi Zaher
5. Nauru (on the map)
Nauru, the smallest island nation on Earth and Kiribati’s closest neighbor, was formerly known as the Pleasant Island (early Europeans were struck by the friendliness of the islanders). The tiny island has something to offer tourists: old phosphate rock deposits (the basis of the country’s wealth),
the Command Ridge fortification, where Japanese soldiers served during World War II, and, of course, beautiful beaches. From November to February there is a rainy season, so it is better to come here in any other month.
6. Burkina Faso (on map)
The state of Burkina Faso lies between six countries in West Africa and is landlocked. Tourists are attracted here by many natural parks, in one of which, located in the city of Koudougou, crocodiles are so harmless that you can pet them. There are several museums in the country; The most popular one, called Manega, houses the most ancient cult objects and funeral masks. The country has monuments of ancient African architecture and regularly hosts festivals of different nationalities. The best time to explore the country is from mid-October to December, before the wet season begins.
7. Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast) (on the map)
One of the countries in West Africa that borders Burkina Faso is Cote D’Ivoire or Ivory Coast. The Atlantic coast in this place was an important trade route from the 10th to the 15th centuries, and later a European port appeared here, which became the property of France in 1893. Thanks to its French heritage, Abidjan, the former capital of the country, has acquired the poetic title of Paris in West Africa: there are many luxurious parks and gardens, architectural monuments, restaurants and nightclubs. In Côte D’Ivoire, relict rain forests have been preserved, in which hiking tours are organized. White sand beaches are especially good around the port of Sosandra. The best time to visit there is from November to early March.
8. Tuvalu (on the map)
This Polynesian nation, known in colonial times as the Ellis Islands, lies midway between Australia and the Hawaiian archipelago. The islands were under British protectorate from 1892 to 1916. They are located very low – the highest point of the country rises only 5 meters above sea level, and global warming is a dangerous reality for the island. So make sure to visit Tuvalu, a tropical island with palm trees and beaches, while it’s still possible. The best time to visit is from May to October.
9. Palau (on the map)
Palau is an island nation in the Western Pacific Ocean, consisting of small, beautiful islands. Many countries, including Spain, Germany and Japan, owned this archipelago. With countless coral reefs, shipwrecks, caves and tunnels, and a unique and diverse underwater world, Palau is one of the world’s most popular diving destinations. The best time to explore the islands is from February to March.
10. Futuna (on the map)
The small island of Futuna with an area of 80 square kilometers is inhabited by only 5 thousand inhabitants. In this country in the center of Polynesia, little has changed since ancient times, and it seems that modern life will never reach here. If you want to take a trip to the Polynesian past, see how crowded ritual holidays take place, see pristine nature – crater lakes, dense forests and pristine beaches, go to Futuna from April to October, but remember that heavy rains can fall here at any time years.
11. Federated States of Micronesia (on map)
The Federated States of Micronesia consists of four states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, located in the western Pacific Ocean, near Papua New Guinea. Interestingly, each state has its own attractions. For example, Chuuk is famous for its underwater museum, and on the island of Ponape in the state of Pohnpei there are the ruins of the prehistoric city of Nan Madol. Moreover, each state has a different climate: for example, Yap is arid, while Pohnpei, on the contrary, is overgrown with rain forests and is considered one of the wettest places on the planet.
12. Falkland Islands (on the map )
The Falklands Islands, formerly known as the Malvinas Islands, are a British-owned archipelago in the south Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Patagonia (Argentina). Penguins, fur seals, albatrosses, and other interesting Antarctic animals live here, migrating between neighboring continents. There is plenty for the traveler to do in the Falklands, from animal and bird watching to visiting the Falkland Islands Museum or battle sites and military history; for example, the ruins of the first British garrison, built in 1765, or a memorial to a cruiser sunk in 1982. It is not necessary to take beach clothes – the temperature here rarely rises above 24 degrees.
13. Ascension Island (on the map)
One of the most isolated inhabited places on Earth, the volcanic Ascension Island is washed by the southern waters of the Atlantic Ocean near St. Helena. About a thousand island residents (mostly British military personnel and their families) live in the capital, Georgetown. Getting here is quite difficult, and few people decide to take such a trip, so this is the best destination for lovers of unusual tourism.
Source: www.lifehack.org
You can find hotels on OneTwoTrip.
Take a look at this:
5 exotic tribes you can visit
Cargo cult: who are “airplane worshipers” and where to see them
