The road less travelled
Venice, Paris, New York and the Greek Islands are wonderful places to visit, but at times you can get lost in the crowd.
If you’re seeking destinations off the beaten track, here are four places to add to your must-see list.
1. Magical marvel
With its cobbled streets, hilltop castle and medieval old town, Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana has a fairytale feel.
The city straddles its narrow, namesake river, which has more bridges spanning it than you might have time to cross.
The ornate triple bridge leads to bustling Preseren Square and the striking, salmon-pink Franciscan Church of the Annunciation – one of the city’s major landmarks.
After a day of exploration, settle in for a meal and a drink at one of the many riverside bars and eateries.
Sacha Bunnik from Bunnik Tours says the best time to travel to this eastern European gem is late spring, around April/May, or early autumn in September/October.
“This time of year offers milder weather and fewer tourists,” he says.
2. Wildlife bonanza
Many travel bucket lists include the thrill of an African safari. While plenty of destinations offer this experience, Tanzania is considered one of the most relaxed locations for a wildlife adventure.
The vast Serengeti is not only home to giraffes, elephants and toothy big cats, it’s also the site of the Great Migration, when massive herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles follow the seasons in search of food and water.
Encircled by 600m-high walls, the enormous Ngorongoro Crater is a scenic delight and a wildlife paradise, with so many animals it’s like an open-air zoo.
According to Sacha, the best way to travel is with an expertly guided, small group safari.
“Trusted local operators can provide authentic insights and deeper connections with the people, wildlife and landscapes,” he says.
“June to October offers dry weather and peak wildlife viewing.”
3. Plan a stan
Formerly major trading locations on the Silk Road, the Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are known collectively as the 5-Stans.
In Turkmenistan, the expansive plains of the Karakum Desert contrast starkly against the gleaming marble buildings of Ashgabat, dubbed the ‘white city’.
Dotted with mountain lakes beneath towering peaks, Kyrgyzstan is blessed with breathtaking alpine scenery. The capital Bishkek is well known for its parks and gardens, bold Soviet-era architecture, and a vibrant café, bar and restaurant scene.
On the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and is noted for its diverse scenery, with a mix of desert, grassland steppes and majestic mountains.
Scenic highlights include the precipitous orange cliffs of Charyn Canyon and the Medeu outdoor ice-skating rink- the highest ice-skating rink in the world, nestled deep in the Trans-Alatau mountains.
In Tajikistan’s northern city of Khujand, wander beneath the elegant arches of the sprawling Panjshanbe Bazaar for a sensory treat of colour and aroma.
On a hilltop west of the capital Dushanbe, the imposing Hisor Fortress stands witness to more than 2500 years of Tajik history.
Home to more than 30 million people, Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia.
From ornate mosques in the holy city of Bukhara to the exquisitely tiled madrasahs in Samarkand’s Registan Square, Uzbekistan offers a window into the region’s mystical past.
Language difficulties, vast distances and unpredictable border crossings can make independent travel among the 5-stans challenging.
“Travel overland in a small group with a local guide who can navigate language barriers and cultural nuances,” Sacha recommends.
“And be prepared to disconnect – Wi-Fi and western comforts are scarce in parts, but the trade-off is a truly immersive adventure.”
Sacha says spring and autumn are the best times to travel to the region.
4. East meets west
Georgia sits in the mountainous Caucasus region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The area has a rich and ancient history, and is thought to be among the first places in the world to produce wine, more than 8000 years ago.
The country has been ruled by the Mongols, Persians, Ottomans and Russians and the capital Tbilisi was an important centre on the Silk Road. The city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town reveals a fascinating blend of western and eastern architectural styles.
From the Black Sea in the west to the Kakheti area in the east, the country is renowned for its diverse cuisine.
“Come hungry,” Sacha says. “Georgian cuisine is bold, regional and seriously underrated – from juicy khinkali dumplings to buttery khachapuri, and beyond.”
May, June, September and October are considered the best times to travel in the Caucasus.