the Travel Enthusiast
- 11 Aprlizzy_a in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
A traveler’s guide to Nauru
photo by sadie and maude’s place on Flickr
Nauru is yet another speck of land in the vast archipelago of Micronesia, but this little island is special: it is the world’s smallest independent republic. It is so tiny that it takes about an hour to drive from one shore to the other, but that doesn’t mean that Nauru is not diverse and interesting. The island used to be very rich in the 20th century, thanks to its huge phosphate deposits, but its fortunes took a turn for the worse in 2005.
Today Nauru hasn’t got it too good, but it manages to stay afloat, and it has by no means lost the thinks that made it attractive in the past. Tourist facilities may be minimal, but the natural beauty of the island makes it well worth visiting. Here’s a traveler’s guide to Nauru, for those who want to visit the world’s smallest, and rather underrated country. …
- 02 Aprtylerd in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Palawan, the last frontier of the Philippines
Palawan
Despite being the second largest archipelago in the world, and being home to more than seven thousand island, the Philippines remains one of the least explored tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. But even if many travelers ignore the Philippines in favor of more popular destinations, these islands are a paradise for backpackers and adventurers who are itching to find the last untouched corners of the continent.
Palawan is the largest island province in the Philippines, and it is said to the country’s last pristine paradise, where nature is found in its purest form, and where dramatic landscapes are more common than pebbles. Fly to the Philippines to get to Palawan, the last frontier of the Philippines, where adventure and the beauty of nature awaits you. …
- 24 Martibi60 in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
5 amazing things to do in Tonga
photo by Sarah Kelemen on Flickr
Tonga is one of those places that stand out from the crowd, so if you want to experience something unique in the already fascinating Polynesian islands, you can’t go wrong with this island nation. As opposed to most neighboring nations, Tonga has managed to escape colonization, and thanks to the warm welcome it gave to its would be colonizers in the 18th century, it was nicknamed the ‘Friendly Islands’.
And apart from heart-stoppingly beautiful, friendly is the best word to describe Tonga even now. Traditional culture lives alongside every modern amenity you could imagine in Tonga, and while there are plenty of high class resorts for luxury travelers, the appeal of Tonga lies in its untainted culture. Here are 5 amazing things to do in Tonga, for the curious traveler. …
- 22 Marandra88 in News | NO COMMENTS
Tourist attractions in Tuvalu
photo by mrlins on Flickr
How does the fourth smallest country in the world manage to still be a huge tourist destination? Tuvalu has the natural advantage of being midway between Hawaii and Australia, so the tropical climate is already reason enough to visit it, but laying on the beach and scuba diving is not all you can do in this beautiful archipelago.
These low islands covered in forest don’t have many attractions that are jaw-droppingly spectacular, but there are quite a few interesting things to see when you get tired of relaxing too much. Discover the low-key yet interesting tourist attractions in Tuvalu. …
- 12 Martylerd in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
A traveler’s guide to the Northern Mariana Islands
photo by ctsnow on Flickr
The Northern Mariana Islands are either a tourist’s paradise, or a nightmare, depending on how you travel. This Micronesian archipelago is not the typical tropical island paradise with abandoned beaches and interesting local culture, or at least not anymore, and not in a very obvious way.
The Mariana Islands are often seen as a package tour machine, where there is little authentic culture left and all most of the island’s assets have been mobilized for the benefit of tourism. If you are looking for a package tour destination with giant hotels and some good scuba diving spots, you will love these islands, but even if you travel independently there’s no reason to completely dismiss them.
If you travel off season and avoid the heavily touristy areas, you can find historical sites and quiet beaches. Here is a traveler’s guide to the Northern Mariana Islands, if you’re wondering what you can expect. …
- 01 Marlizzy_a in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
The best uninhabited islands that you can visit
Eil Malk, Palau, photo by Lakshmi Sawitri on Flickr
It was probably easier to end up staying on a desert island centuries ago than nowadays, so those adventurous travelers who want to play at becoming Robinson Crusoe will make to make an effort to be forgotten on some remote island or other. But what you can do quite easily nowadays is visit an uninhabited island – you and many other curious travelers.
Just because an island is uninhabited it doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of people who will want to visit it, and just as many people willing to arrange a visit for you. You won’t feel completely like a castaway, but if you like ‘stranded on a desert island’ stories, you will love some of the best uninhabited islands that you can visit. …
- 24 Feb
Remote Baltic islands you’ve (probably) never heard of
Saaremaa, photo by Ekke on Flickr
Islands like Bali, the Maldives, Fiji and other tropical wonders get all the attention on the travel scene, and even a few islands with temperate climate are quite popular with mainstream travelers as long as they are famous.But what about the scores of islands that are located in parts of the world that are slightly off the beaten path?
The Baltic Sea is bordered by countries with huge touristic potential, like Denmark, Finland, Sweden or Germany, and sticking to dry land will reward you with amazing sights, but there is a bunch of islands scattered over the pond that are just as worthy of interest. If you want an island holiday that goes beyond the conventional, here are some remote Baltic islands you’ve (probably) never heard of.
- 17 Febtibi60 in Amazing Places | 1 COMMENT
Top 5 attractions in Chile for outdoorsy travelers
Arica
It’s almost as if civilization and had conspired to make Chile one of the geographically diverse countries on the planet, stretching from the driest desert on the planet, Atacama, to the icy north of Patagonia, and encompassing about half the length of the South American continent.
Chile has beaches and islands along the coast, plenty of volcanoes, waterfalls, archaeological sites, vineyards and ice caps, which is to say that if you prefer to spend your time outside, Chile has more than enough sights and things to do to keep you out of your hotel room 24/7. So pack a good pair of walking shoes and prepare to submit to the elements while visiting the top 5 attractions in Chile for outdoorsy travelers. …
- 13 Feblizzy_a in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
The traveler’s guide to Palau
photo by Stefan Krasowski
Palau, a small cluster of islands in Micronesia, is easy to miss on the map, and even easier to miss when it comes to politics. Except the occasional guidebook praising the wonders of the Pacific Islands, this small island nation is rarely heard of.
Palau is a new country (it became independent in 1994), but it is slowly and steadily making a name for itself among the connoisseurs of exotic islands and interesting cultures. Whether you prefer to spend your time on land or underwater, Palau is fully equipped to surprise even the most well-traveled tourist.
Unique wildlife, rich flora, stunning beaches and breath-taking coral reefs make these islands a haven for anyone who needs a break from day to day life. Here’s a traveler’s guide to Palau, for those who are ready to discover the marvels of this island nation. …
- 08 Febtylerd in Travel Planning | 1 COMMENT
The world’s most underrated islands that make great travel destinations
Maluku, photo by Eustaquio Santimano
Bora Bora, the Cayman Islands, the many islands of Thailand and other island destinations that usually catch the traveler’s eye in brochures and guides are often the only kind of island destinations that are mentioned at all.
Not only because they are naturally beautiful, but also because they are have well developed tourist facilities. But there are so many other islands and island nations on the planet that would do just as well, despite the fact that they get fewer visitors and are less well endowed with luxury resorts and touristy restaurants.
Whether you like your islands tropical, exotic, rugged, windswept, tree-covered or cold, there are hundreds of islands is the world that deserve a little more attention from visitors. Here are some of the world’s most underrated islands that make great travel destinations. …
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