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Norway
Why go?
The Lofoten Islands located 1350 km from Oslo and 160 km north of the Arctic Circle, are known for their remote rugged beauty, the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun.
Norway is undoubtedly one of the most scenic countries in the world, famous for its jagged coastlines, colossal glaciers and narrow fjords.
For active nature enthusiasts, it is a must visit.
Norway has some of the most spectacular roads in the world.
If you want to experience the fjords, charming villages and local food a coastal cruise may be the way to travel. <Read more about cruises>
The best time for a fjord cruise is June through to August if you're looking for sun.
The Northern Lights are spotted from October to March during the night. <Read more on the best location and months>
Oslo is an amazing city with stunning architecture and home to excellent museums in which you can learn about Vikings, Norwegian traditions and music.
Bergen is a beautiful Norwegian city and a designated UNESCO World Heritage City. It is situated on the south western coast and is surrounded by the beautiful mountains and wonderful fjords.
Recommended Guidebook: Fodor’s Norway
Oregon, USA
Why go?
There are five national parks in Oregon. The most popular are Crater Lake and Oregon Caves.
Oregon—from Mount Hood, scenic bikeways, wild rivers, mountain vistas, abundant farmlands to the spectacular Pacific coastline, Oregon is one of the most breathtaking states in the USA.
Portland is pretty unique. It has world-renowned chefs and hundreds of food carts, the highest concentration of craft breweries; a huge urban forest and a bridge reserved for bicyclists. This isn’t your typical city.
Things to do in Portland.
Explore the 363 miles of the Oregon coastline. Home to soaring sand dunes, pristine state parks and bustling harbors.
Top 10 attractions on the coast.
The best time to go is from June to September.
These are the warmest and driest months of the year.
Recommended Guidebooks: Fodor’s Travel Oregon.
Bhutan
Why go ?
Tiger's Nest monastery clings to sheer cliffs over the Paro valley. The highlight of any trip to Bhutan!
Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses and dramatic landscapes.
Bhutan is one of the most unknown and unexplored countries in the world.
Bhutan.travel website has all the information to get you started.
Visit Bhutan’s bustling capital, Thimphu, with its many interesting museums and temples.
Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong and take a short walk to a fascinating temple of fertility. (Definition of a dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress)
Journey east to Gangtey in the remote Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha is a beautiful protected valley where you can get a taste of rural Bhutanese life.
Enjoy the festivities alongside locals at the annual black-necked crane festival. Bhutan festivals are colorful and mainly celebrate religious events.
Explore the Paro valley, including a visit to the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong.
October to December is the ideal time to visit Bhutan as the air is clear and with sunny skies.
Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Bhutan.
Georgia
Why go ?
A country where visitors will feel as if they’ve been transported to the past while walking through the villages and towns.
A former Soviet republic, Georgia (the size of Ireland) is one of the most beautiful countries on earth. Its green valleys, vineyard and its towering mountain scenery attracts visitors from every part of the world.
The capital city of Tbilisi's consists of deep valleys around Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively cultural scene, funky bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries and plazas, adding more excitement than ever before.
Discover Svaneti from Ushguli to Mesti.- a historical region in northwest Georgia, it's characterized by snowcapped peaks and deep gorges.
Journey to Kakheti wine region.
Sighnaghi is the ideal place to base yourself for your time in Kahketi.
Visit the Kazbegi region. This is one of Georgia’s most picturesque regions.
Another reason to visit Georgia is its warm people. Few countries in the world can match their hospitality for visitors. Guests are a sacred thing for Georgian and they will do everything in their power to help you in any way they can. Even though many of them don’t speak English, their generosity and hospitality are on another level.
Websites to get you started:
Laos
Why go ?
A luxury River Cruise down the Mekong River is a great way to see Laos.
The country of Laos is gorgeous, surrounded by green mountains, scenic rivers, impressive waterfalls and numerous caves.
Plus add jagged limestone cliffs, brooding jungle and the snaking Mekong River as a backdrop and you can see why it’s being discovered by seasoned travelers.
A remarkable country with a fascinating history, people and traditions that continue in present day.
Famous foods in Luang Prabang are ‘Aur Lam’ (a thick stew made with the forsted herb), ‘Sakhan’, (meat and eggplants), and ‘Jaew Bong’, (a sauce made with hot chilies and buffalo skin).
Luang Prabang is a patchwork of traditional Lao wooden houses and of European architecture, when Laos was part of the French colony.
Walking tours in Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
Laos is best visited between October and April, when the weather's warm and dry throughout.
River travel is best between November and January, along Laos' main waterway, the Mekong River.
Websites to get you started:
Recommended Guidebooks:
Kyrgyzstan
Why go?
Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries where you can still experience authentic nomadic culture. The Kyrgyz Nomad are cattle-breeders who live in yurts and move to different camps in the mountains.
Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Often referred to as the “Switzerland of Central Asia”, it is similar in size to Romania and the United Kingdom.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the most beautiful countries in Central Asia. Highlights includes gorgeous wild mountain pastures inhabited by modern semi-nomads living in summer yurts, as well as large alpine lakes dotting a landscape characterized by charming villages.
Most of the attractions are rural and high altitude, the timing of your visit is crucial. May through September is best with hikes and roads generally accessible.
Websites to get you started:
Recommended Guidebooks:
SELECTIONS FROM PAST YEARS:
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Why go ?
Travel alert due to Ukraine invasion. <Do not travel>
Visit the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, an exquisitely designed Russian Orthodox church and one of Russia’s most photographed sights.
Saint Petersburg is home to beautiful white nights and is Russia’s best preserved and most elaborate city. Brimming with baroque palaces, classical sculptures, royal gardens, museums and grandiose cathedrals, it is a city waiting to be discovered.
Just walking around the city is like wandering through a living museum. St. Petersburg has a network of stunning canals and bridges just like Venice.
Visiting St. Petersburg in your lifetime is a must.
Visitors should not miss: Saint Petersburg Rivers and Canals Boat Tour (see all the main attractions of the city from a different perspective) and the Hermitage Museum. The museum displays artworks that span the ages, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Renaissance paintings.
Visit Peterhof Palace and Gardens - a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The estate is found in the town of Petergof, which is about a 45-minute drive from St. Petersburg.
St Petersburg does boast a lively nightlife scene. There are plenty of cafes to hang out, and the clubbing scene is vibrant.
St. Petersburg is so far north that it has sunlight nearly 21 hours a day from mid-May to mid-July.
Note: If you arrive in St. Petersburg by plane or land — you will need to obtain a Visa beforehand.
However, CRUISE passengers arriving can visit the city for a period of up to 72 hours WITHOUT needing a visa.
Websites to get you started:
Recommended Guidebooks:
Dubai, UAE
Why go ?
The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building (828m) 163 stories.
Dubai has one of the most amazing skylines in the world. Home to the world's tallest tower, one of the world's largest shopping malls, and one of the world's largest man-made marinas.
Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert.
Here camel tours and quad bikes are very popular with many tour operators to choose from.
It's a multi-cultural melting pot, with almost 200 different nationalities calling it home.
It’s a food heaven, where there is a spectacular range of food styles available in the city. <Join a food tour>
With 300 days of sunshine per year and over 1,000 km of coastline, this is definitely one of the main draws for visitors. < Top beaches>
The best time to visit is from late October to April. The summer should be avoided due to the extreme heat and humidity.
USA and Canadian citizens: NO advance Visa required. Simply disembark from your flight at Dubai Int’l Airport and proceed to Immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visa, free of charge.
Websites to get you started:
Recommended Guidebook: Fodor’s Guide Dubai
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