Just when I think I’ve decided on the countries I’d like to visit in the next few years, I’m introduced to a new destination that I never gave much thought to (or any thought at all). I went to the New York Times Travel Expo earlier this month, which featured an array of travel seminars and exhibitors from all around the world. While I felt inspired to visit so many of these exciting places that I have yet to venture to, there are three places in particular that really stuck out to me.
Papua New Guinea
A lot of people ask me what my favorite type of trip is, and I have to say that I’m tied between two. I can’t resist a great beach destination, but I also love trips that really put you in touch with nature—whether it be wildlife viewing or up-close animal encounters. But Papua New Guinea is a destination that offers the best of both worlds.
Booking a Papua New Guinea trip: Not quite sure where to begin for a Papua New Guinea itinerary? Leave the planning for the professionals and go on a tour provided by TourRadar.com. If you’re looking for hotel options, Otel.com has a pretty good selection of top hotels in Papau New Guinea.
Taiwan
I love Asia, but never really thought about visiting Taiwan until Pauline Frommer sold me on it during her seminar. Her fun stories and beautiful photographs of this fascinating destination certainly persuaded me. There are also more than 5000 temples throughout the country, all with unique characteristics. She mentioned one temple she visited that had the answers to all of your questions—literally. Think 8-ball style contraptions that you put a coin in while asking something that’s been on your mind, and a yes or no answer is printed out and distributed at the bottom.
Booking a Taiwan trip: If you’re looking for inexpensive airfare to Taiwan, check out Cheapflights.com, which tends to have some good deals to Taiwan. Use some of the cash you save to splurge on a luxury resort during your stay, like the Seaview Resort Xiamen.
Antarctica
Yes, Antarctica! Yeah, you can’t exactly book a direct flight and vacation package to the bottom of the world—and the difficulties (and expense) is what makes this such a rare vacation destination. It’s probably on every avid traveler’s bucket list—after all, who wouldn’t want to be able to say they’ve visited all seven continents? I’ve wanted to go to Antarctica for a while, but it’s been on my mind a lot more lately. Even though it’s insanely pricey, here’s the good news: it’s also becoming more affordable. And by more affordable, I mean you can find cruise packages priced under 10k per person, whereas they were closer to 20k per person a few years ago.
Booking an Antartica trip: Cruises and other itineraries involving a journey to Antarctica are becoming more common than many years ago. G Adventures offers some pretty awesome trips to Antartica!
