6 Extra Special Travels For 2017
1: Peru
Think of Peru, you think of the Andes, Llamas, and ancient ruins.
But Peru is much, much more than that.
There are calm seas, beaches, dunes, abundant natural wildlife and a thriving nightlife to enjoy.
Plaza de Armas in Cusco is a vibrant area that marks the colonial centre of the city. Stroll along the stone pathways and colourful gardens to uncover iconic buildings like the Cusco Cathedral.
As well as being an architectural dream it is the ideal hot spot to meet and socialize with the welcoming locals.
2: Japan
The massive mountain, Mt Fuji, just outside of the sprawling metropolitan capital of Tokyo is just a spectacular sight. This giant, with an exceptionally symmetrical cone, is actually still an active volcano, but don’t fear, it hasn’t erupted in over 300 years.
The walk up Mt Fuji, a 3,776m monster takes roughly nine hours, 6 to climb up, 3 to come down – thanks, gravity!
Often referred to as the largest city in the world, this massive capital is home to quite possibly the cleanest streets in the world.
While walking the streets you’ll see health conscious residents masked up so not to pass on or catch others germs, you’ll find free hand sanitizer on every street corner and mascots of MNCs handing out free packs of tissues.
Food:
There’s so much more to Japanese food than rice and Sushi. The proof is the 560 Michelin star restaurants in Tokyo alone, but you can still find cheap ramen noodle bars down many a backstreet.
In Japan, they practice ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ or ‘eat until 80% full’ (literally translates into ‘stomach 80%’), an impressive activity when surrounded by so much heavenly cuisine.
3: Easter Island
Easter Island: Rapa Nui, Spanish: Isla de Pascua) is a Chilean island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. The Island is famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called Moai, created by the early Rapa Nui People.
Much of the island is protected within The Rapa Nui National Park.
Located in the South Pacific more than 2,000 miles off the Chilean coast, Easter Island’s not the easiest place to reach. (If you’re interested, the easiest access is by air from Santiago or Tahiti.)
But isolation has helped preserve the 1,500-year-old mysterious congregation of volcanic rock sculptures (maoi) that’s the island’s biggest claim to fame.
After exploring the unique landscape, relax on an uncrowded beach and ponder one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
For those who love diving into lapislazuli colored water or walking along beaches of soft white sand, Anakena is perfect.
Easter Island beaches are ideal for swimming all year round. The sea in this part of the Pacific Ocean is quiet with a fascinating turquoise color and the perfect temperature. On the other hand, the luminosity of the waters surrounding Easter Island is rare to find in other parts of the world, so it is very common to see clearly small goldfish swimming around.
Polynesian settlers were on the Island sometime between 700 and 1100 Common Era, creating a thriving and industrious culture as evidenced by the island’s numerous enormous stone moai and other artifacts.
However, human activity, the introduction of the Polynesian Rat and overpopulation led to gradual deforestation and extinction of natural resources which severely weakened the Rapa Nui civilization.
By the time of European arrival in 1722, the island’s population had dropped t o 2,000–3,000 from an estimated high of approximately 15,000 just a century earlier. European diseases and Peruvian slave trading in the 1860s further reduced the Rapa Nui population, to a low of only 111 inhabitants in 1877
Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world. The nearest inhabited land (around 50 residents in 2013) is Pitcairn Island, 2,075 kilometres (1,289 mi) away; the nearest town with a population over 500 is Rikitea, on the island of Mangareva, 2,606 km (1,619 mi) away; the nearest continental point lies just in central Chile, 3,512 kilometres (2,182 mi) away.
According to a recent census, the island has about 5,800 residents now, of whom some 60 percent are descendants of the aboriginal Rapa Nui.
4: Mauritius
Mauritius, another enchanting place to spend a vacation. It will lift your soul and make you feel that you belong to the chosen few.
The Mauritian peoples will extend a special personal welcome to each visitor, with every encounter an opportunity to discover a friendly face.
The island is set in a turquoise sea and is an oasis of peace and tranquility. It is a melting pot where past and present are blended together.
The average temperature during day time is 25° C (75° F) and rarely under 13° C (62° F) at night.
There are two seasons. Hot from November to April. Warm from May to October. Offering an essential beauty that will compel you to return time and time again.
Relax on pristine beaches listening to the sea.
5: Norway
Norway is a once-in-a-lifetime destination and the essence of its appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.
Norway is on a large peninsula shared with Sweden in northern Europe, which also borders Finland and Russia.
Well known for its amazing and varied scenery. with the fjords in the west of the country are long narrow inlets, flanked on either side by tall mountains where the sea penetrates far inland.
By far the major part of the land is a rocky wilderness, and thus Norway has large, completely underpopulated areas, many of which have been converted to national parks. Even outside the national parks, much of the land is unspoiled nature.
The northern lights are a wonder to see and the main reason for visiting and enjoying the unique spectacle.
A rugged landscape shaped by the Ice Age, shows forested hills and valleys, mountains, waterfalls, and a long coastline with fjords, islands, and mountains growing directly up from the sea.
Norway’s highest point is Galdhøpiggen, 2,469m (8,100 ft) in the Jotunheimen region that lies midway between Oslo and Trondheim, but away from the coast. In the far north (Finnmark), you will find flatter open spaces.
Several of the world’s greatest waterfalls are in Norway, particularly in the western fjords and the mountain region.
Igloo Hotel, Norway
The Igloo Hotel is situated in Sorrisniva, 20km from Alta, in northern Norway. It opened 16 years ago with just six rooms, but has grown every year so that it now offers 30 guest rooms, an art gallery, a bar and restaurant and a consecrated ice chapel.
A nice touch is that everyone who works at the Igloo Hotel also helped to build it – the head chef, for example, is also a dab hand at ice-sculpting and the theme of the hotel changes every year. Further information, Igloo Hotel
6: Naples
The city is the third most populated city of Italy, but the second after Milan. It has one of the biggest historical city centres in the world, and its pride are the 448 historical and monumental churches, the highest number in the World for a single city.
The city of Naples is thought to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on the planet, but its recorded history began when Greek settlers established colonies in the area during the second millennium B.C
Sure, the city has had a bad reputation concerning the Mafia, trash crisis (the worst is actually over). Some parts of the city are impoverished, but if you look even further than that and by excising a bit of caution, you will find a vibrant city with plenty to see and do.
A city where the large influx of tourists like in Rome, Venice, Florence etc… have not happened (for now).
The city however, has been allowed to retain much of its original culture, allowing you to visit a hidden gem just 2 hours south of Rome.
With excellent pizzerias and famous streets like Spaccanapoli, with shops selling traditional Neapolitan nativity figures.
Baroque churches are everywhere, underground greco-roman ruins, you can get mozzarella at each shop, costumes, souvenirs and a vibrant night-life with atmosphere that makes this free-of-charge living museum a must see among the must sees of Naples.
A freedom that cannot be defined.
