Travel After Five

Stonehenge is such a mysterious location, which is why it is one of the best places to visit in the world.

Heavy rocks sit in a semi-organized pile in the middle of a valley, balanced on each other.

It’s unknown who exactly put them there, what they were for, or even how they all were brought to that spot and arranged.

A guided tour will show you around the area, and you’ll be impressed with how much beauty such a simple-looking landmark can hold.

If you’re there at the right time, you can even watch as the sunset casts a bittersweet glow over the pillars.

Bora Bora is an island paradise isolated from much of the world, in the middle of the South Pacific ocean.

It is one of the world’s most famous go-to honeymoon locations. It hosts a dormant volcano, which is encircled by thick, gorgeous green.

This is the perfect spot to just kick it back and relax. It’s romantic and close to nature, yet is extravagant in its elegance.

You’ll want for nothing in this heaven-like spot.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous vacation spots in the world, and with good reason!

It’s one of the world’s Seven Wonders and it serves as a symbol of true, never-ending love.

This mausoleum is, contrary to popular belief, not a palace – but the final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal, built by her husband for her.

This architectural success is a prime example of the finest in Mughal architecture, with four completely identical sides over its 240-foot height.

Its appearance shifts ever so slightly throughout the day with the sunlight, and you can see its reflection ripple in its huge pool beneath.

Plus, stroll through the large garden outside for even more beautiful magnificence!

Machu Picchu may have been famous for a long time, but it’s one of the more recently discovered old archaeological ruins, and it’s definitely one of the top best places to travel in the world.

These Incan ruins are full of mystery and intrigue, making them a stunner for historians and those who study them.

The ruins contain plenty of interesting spots, including the famed Temple of the Sun, and the view from the peak of these ruins is more than worth the trip all on its own.

One of the hottest up-and-comers in tourism is Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. Situated on a beautiful river with plenty of sunshine, palm trees, delicious food and attractions, it's no wonder Tripadvisor has the glamorous city on its top 20 list. You'll find museums, parks, fortresses and palaces, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Belem Tower.

Explore the cobbled streets of the Alfama neighborhood, home to a combination of gothic and Arabic architecture, plus plenty of cultural sites.

Edward_C said said of this hilly neighborhood that requires some steep climbs to maneuver, "Just lose yourself in this maze of little streets. It's old Lisbon. [It has] a plethora of bars and eateries, decaying and beautiful buildings, and sudden delights."

Mount Everest may be out of reach (Nepal recently shut down admittance to Base Camp to help restore and clean the mountain), but visitors can still enjoy the ancient sites of its closest major city, Kathmandu. From climbing the smaller mountains of Nepal (or just getting a taste of the trails) to visiting Nepalese temples and shrines, Kathmandu offers a memorable vacation experience rooted in history and natural wonders.

Considered a "must -see," make your way to the Bouudhanath Stupa, a Buddhist holy place and Nepal heritage site.

With turquoise blue waters and powder-soft sand, Egypt's Red Sea coastal resort town of Hurghada should be on your radar if you have been there and done that in Hawaii and the Caribbean. A renowned beach escape for Europeans, Americans have yet to discover this stunning town with some of the clearest snorkeling sites on earth.

In fact, Hurghada's Careless Reef is one of the top attractions here, with divers highlighting its "amazing" views, fish and colors.

Thailand’s largest island is an international magnet for beach lovers and serious divers, who enthusiastically submerge themselves in the Andaman Sea. Blue lagoons and salmon sunsets make for a dream-like atmosphere, and indeed, a vacation here can feel a bit surreal. Watersports are the most popular activities, though once you’ve had enough sun there’s still plenty to explore at the island’s aquariums, gardens, and Buddhist temples.

The Singapore cityscape looks like it was ripped from the pages of a science fiction comic book. If you’re hungry for a true Singapore experience, sample the myriad street foods or take a cultural cooking class. The Botanic Gardens and the Gardens By the Bay offer a slice of horticultural heaven, and the observation deck of the Sands SkyPark makes you feel like you’re high above the clouds. The banks and walkways along the Singapore River bustle with local activity.

Stunning coral reefs and turquoise waters perfect for windsurfing have made Hurghada, on Egypt's Red Sea Coast, a busy resort town. Within easy reach of the stunning Giftun Islands and the Eastern Arabian Desert, Hurghada has seen enormous amounts of development in the past decade—and yes, it does seem overrun with tourists at times. But it’s a relatively easy beach escape for Europeans, and some of the world's best diving and snorkeling sites are just offshore. Walk or catch a cab to explore the old quarter, El Dahar.

If you love history and archaeology, Angkor Wat is one of the best places to travel in the world. Across 400 square kilometers, this temple of the Hindu faith was built in the 12th century under the Khmer Empire and took a whopping 35 years to complete. Today, Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it doesn’t just host the staggering ancient wonders of the temple, but also other attractions for tourists, and plenty of jungle-trekking to get there. Make sure you’re all geared up early and you just may catch the sunrise!

Sossusvlei is undeniably one of the best vacation spots in Nambia.
It is a clay and salt pan located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. It is characterized by red dunes that roll, rising and falling, across a wide expanse of land. They form as a result of the rare rain that reaches the usually dry desert land. Some flora and fauna linger around this area, having adapted to the rough conditions, but it’s when moisture seeps its way into the environment that it truly flourishes.

China’s Reed Flute Caves are among the nation’s best places to travel. The cave system runs for about 240 meters and it has been open for public viewing for more than a thousand years! As such, it’s rich in history, intrigue, and fascination. In modern times, pillars and other cave formations are highlighted by the installation and use of bright colorful lights, which fill the caves with exquisite beauty.

Northern Lake Baikal is an extremely large freshwater lake – the biggest on the planet! If you visit when temperatures are at great lows, you’ll be in for an aesthetically pleasing treat. Ice sheets form over the top of the water, glowing turquoise and sea foam in the light. This lake is truly splendid in all its beauty, and it’s really not a surprise that it’s among the best vacation spots in the world. If you like lakes and can’t resist some ethereal beauty, this is the place for you!

The Okavango Delta is one of those travel destinations that have to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. The river delta winds in and out of gorgeous greenery and spans a whopping 49 million acres.

Halong Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. Board a Chinese junk boat to experience the beauty—and associated myths and stories of the mist-shrouded emerald basin for yourself.

If you haven't heard of the Faroe Islands, you will soon. With its grass-roofed houses, rocky coastlines, and abundance of puffins, the self-governed group of 18 volcanic islands is basically one giant photo op. Mulafossur Waterfall might be the archipelago's most famous site the cascade is like something from a fantasy novel, falling over the rocky cliffs of Vagar Island to the ocean below, with the green hills of Gásadalur village as a backdrop.

Greenland is icy, mysterious, and one of the most naturally beautiful places on the planet. The world's biggest non continental island is so much more than glaciers, too (although the glaciers are spectacular) think magnificent fjords, colorful villages, fields of sheep, and that ever-alluring midnight sun.

Moscow, Russia: Russia’s cosmopolitan capital, Moscow is a beautiful destination to visit in any season. Colorful domes and bell chimes ring out from over 600 churches in the city, and the sense of history is immense. Culture lovers will be impressed with the museums and ballet.

Los Angeles: In a city with year-round sunshine, glam bars, beaches and hikes, there are endless incredible experiences to enjoy in Los Angeles. It’s no wonder there are almost 5O million ‘LA’ hashtags on Insta.

Antarctica: Earth’s southernmost continent, Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Nowhere else can compare with the extreme remoteness of this snowy place. It’s not an easy trip to make, but you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the white wilderness, icy sea kayaking and whale sightings.

Tokyo, Japan: Visiting Tokyo is like visiting the future, flashing neon lights, incredible technology , yet there’s still a rich sense of culture and history.

Waikato, New Zealand: Waikato, a region in New Zealand’s North Island, is home to massive underground caves, lush rainforest and the buzzy city of Hamilton. But the area’s main attraction? A Middle-earth adventure on the film set of Lord of the Rings. Hobbiton Movie Set still has the original Hobbit holes from the making of the films.

As the world’s most visited city, it is perhaps no surprise that London nears the top of the list for 2015. To discover more of London beyond the tourist attractions, be sure to check out the London contributor’s top tips.

This ‘just passing through’ city in Central Europe has quickly become a favourite for European adventurers. The Czech Republic capital offers visitors great beer, partying, and oodles of sightseeing for the more tame traveller. Be sure to visit nearby Cesky Krumlov (a short 2 hour drive away), as it might just be the most romantic town in Europe.

Now the capital of Vietnam and the countries’ second-largest city, Hanoi is often cited as a must-visit for travellers making their way to Vietnam. While the streets are busy and often chaotic, there is an abundance of culture to be found in the distinct blend of influences over the years: particularly the Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences.

As the gateway to the ruins of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap attracts tourists from around the world and has recently become one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions.

What is there not to love about Marrakech!? This city is an abundance of colours and fabrics, an endless maze of souks, and with many mosques, palaces and gardens to keep you exploring for days on end. Be sure to avoid the warmer months, as Marrakech experiences extremely high temperatures year-round. Watch out for the snake charmers in the Djemaa el-Fna!

Tourism might be booming in Portugal, but that won’t hurt your budget necessarily. Portugal is a great destination for the entry-level budget traveler to develop a taste for simple, cheap travel. Mainly so because of its safety and a well-developed tourist network of excellent train and bus connections.

Why we recommend it
Come here to lounge in Lisbon’s charming cafe’s and listen to Fado, the local music tradition that has also been named UNESCO World Heritage.
Portugal’s public transportation network is highly developed and efficient, making it very easy for you to save money and learn to handle public transportation in new cultures. In Lisbon and Porto, take the metro. It will cost you 7 USD for a whole day in Lisbon and 6 in Porto.
Every major city in Portugal is connected by a highly efficient rail network. There are the inter-regional trains connecting bigger towns but also stopping in the smaller ones, the intercity trains with the same function, but fewer stops, the urban commuters active and around Lisbon and Porto, and the Alfa Pendular, a high-speed train running the Braga-Porto-Coimbra-Lisbon-Far route.
Carris is Lisbons’s public transportation company and you will often get a 40% discount if you buy the tickets ahead of time at the yellow booths.

Romania is part of Europe’s colorful south-east. While tourism has slowly been on the rise, Romania is still one of those European countries you can visit without being completely overrun by other travelers. This means less stressful travels and also, less expensive. When thinking about Romania, you might instantly think about the world’s most famous vampire, Dracula. But what will charm you most is the vibrant energy of the county’s capital, Bucharest, the green, rolling hills, and the Transylvanian towns that transport you back in time.

Why we recommend it
Romania has many types of buses going from the normal sized ones to mini-buses and maxitaxis. If you want to travel around the country cheaply, the bus is a great option but you may need to step outside of your comfort zone and plan ahead. A chance for adventure.
Within the larger cities itself, public transportation is a lot more reliable and also very affordable. You are expected to purchase your ticket before boarding (cash only in most cases). Bucharest is the only city with a metro.
Romania has been inhabited since prehistoric times, so there is history everywhere.
Romania has some unique natural wonders with the second largest underwater glacier in the world and an underground amusement park in a salt mine!

Bolivia is a budget traveler’s dream and combines fantastic natural sites with a beautifully varied cultural heritage. While this is an ultimate destination for the budget traveler, but we do recommend the more experiences backpacker to put Bolivia on their list, especially when traveling alone. While Bolivia is safe for tourists, the tourist infrastructure is still mainly lacking.

Why we recommend it
If you chase down local haunts for dinner, you can eat for a couple of dollars.
Public transportation is widely used by locals as well as tourists. While safe, you should realize that it is not uncommon to be stuck due to bad weather, bad roads or even illegal blockades.
You can get to most places on local buses so you don’t have to pay for tours and private transport. You can also visit most landmarks alone, except for the Amazon.
Hostel culture is highly developed and most in Sucre offer cheap Spanish classes and you can find abed starting at 5 USD.
While one if its most beautiful countries, Bolivia is less visited in Latin America because it is landlocked, meaning less tourists!

Tanzania
Why we recommend it

Many true nature lovers will have ‘the great migration’ on their bucket list. While essentially nothing more than a search for greener grass, the migrating wildebeest need to cross the Serengeti and face the element as well as looming predictors.
In addition to having over 1000 bird species to spot, Tanzania is home to lions, elephants, rhinos buffalo, crocodiles, hippos and more.
Almost 30% of Tanzania is made up of national parks. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places to spot the famous big 5 and the Selous Game Reserve boasts the largest concentration of wild dogs, hippos and crocodiles.

his western state is the 4th biggest in the United States but only 44th when it comes to population. The low population rates leaves room for vast, open spaces in-between tall mountains. The outdoor lovers will find plenty to do with sports like hiking, mountain biking, winter- and water sports.

Why we recommend it
Montana is often referred to as “the big sky country”. With so little light pollution, it is an ideal destination for stargazers.
Montana is a top fly fishing destination, especially in the Bitterroot River.
Montana has some true wilderness to be discovered where you can feel completely alone. The most notable one being Glacier National Park located in Montana’s Rockies.
You can spot a large variety of wildlife species in Montana. For example, Montana has the biggest migratory herd of elks, has a large population of breeding trumpeter swans and holds the record for bald eagle sightings in one day.
Africa has been referred to as the cradle of civilization and traveling there will definitely make you feel like you are going back to your roots. Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular destinations with the wild array of wildlife spread over 16 national parks and game reserves, the Maasai people and iconic Kilimanjaro. If you want to go to Africa for the Big 5 and want to spot as many animals as you can. Tanzania is the country to visit.