An assortment of affordable and underrated travel destinations to choose from for a unique vacation experience
If you’ve already ticked off the popular travel destinations from your list, here are some less clichéd vacation spots to visit. Not only will they make for an enriching vacation, but also an affordable one.
Vietnam
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As more and more travel enthusiasts learn about the charms of Southeast Asia, Vietnam, located right next to Thailand, becomes the go-to destination for many who are intrigued by its savage past. The paddy fields and striking landscapes of Ho Chi Minh City hint that much has changed. With locals offering top quality services and three-course meals that cost only $3 (approximately Rs300) per person, it is certainly at the top tourist destination for foodies and history lovers.
Things to do:
• Relish a bowl of noodles at ‘dust cafes’ (tiny cafes that spring up on sidewalks) for as little as $1 (approximately Rs100).
• Watch an opera, symphony or a musical at the Saigon Opera House in the Ho Chi Minh City.
• Look around the city of Hoi An for neat, tailored clothes.
• Go hiking in the mountainous of Sa Pa, the town located in the Lào Cai Province, north-west Vietnam.
Nepal
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If you are looking for a country with a tropical temperature, ancient culture and mountains in the backdrop, Nepal is the place to visit. The Himalayan country offers the perfect blend of outdoor activities, such as hiking and bungee jumping and relaxation. For an airfare well within $300 (approximately Rs30,000) and daily spending of less than $25 (approximately Rs2,500), it could prove to be the dream vacation spot for a large family.
Things to do:
• Float on the Phewa Lake, a freshwater lake in Nepal located in the south of the Pokhara Valley, after trekking in the Himalayas.
• Take a look at the Bengal tigers on your safari tour in Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal.
• Marvel at the stalagmites and stalactites of the largest cave in Nepal, Siddha Gufa, which is 437-metre deep and 50-metre high.
• Visit the historic sites of the capital city, Kathmandu, and enjoy the green valleys.
Sri Lanka
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From the well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilisation, larger-than-life statues of Buddha and never-ending tea plantations, Sri Lanka caters to tourists looking for a complete package. And for $60 (approximately Rs6,000) a day, you can enjoy this and many more attractions that the country has to offer.
Things to do:
• Take a tuk-tuk (rickshaw) and visit the turtle farm in Habaraduwa (southern part of Sri Lanka).
• Climb your way up the Adams Peak, the 2,243-metre tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka, which is famous for Sri Pada, or the ‘sacred footprint’ of Buddha, which is a 1.8-metre rock formation near the summit.
• Take a stroll along the west coast to Galle, a town situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, and experience their traditional cuisine.
• Enjoy the contemporary art at Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo city.
Cambodia
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The country of temple attracts visitors who are in search of a spiritual travel experience. With an airfare of $200 (approximately Rs20,000), one can be at one with nature and enjoy the old-world charm and slow-paced life of Cambodia.
Things to do:
• Take a helicopter tour of the predominantly flat and agricultural lands of Cambodia.
• Watch The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap, in north-west Cambodia.
• Meditate at various Cambodian meditation centres and take yoga lessons that are available at every district in the country.
• Learn to cook Cambodian (Khmer) delicacies at quick cooking classes for travellers in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia.
South Korea
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With UNESCO world heritage sites, such as the royal tomb of Queen Jeongsun and the 400 stone graves at the Gochand Dolmen site, the Soyang Dam, Asia’s largest rock-fill dam, and breathtaking Hyeupjae Beach, South Korea has plenty to offer. Get your hands on a ticket for as cheap as $150 (approximately Rs15,000) and explore this iconic county.
Things to do:
• Try out the country’s best dishes, such as kimchi (a side dish made with vegetables), mandu (Korean dumplings) and the famous South Korean barbeque that will keep you coming back for more.
• Relax at the public bathhouse, Jimjilbang, located in every city and get a chance to mingle with locals.
• Cherish the beauty of the largest metropolis and capital of South Korea, Seoul, and go cycling around the peaceful neighbourhoods.
Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, August 31st, 2014.
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