I’ve been fortune enough to travel to some pretty epic places in our wonderful world and so whittling them down to a list of just 5, has been no easy task. Whether you are the world’s biggest culture seeker, an adventure junkie, a sun god(ess) or a through and through luxury traveler, if you like unique travel experiences, there is something in this list for you. So here it is, my all time favourite out of the ordinary destinations…

Itacare, Brazil 

What was meant to be a three day stop on route from Salvador to Rio de Janeiro, turned into a three week stay in one the most unexpectedly stunning places I’ve ever had the pleasure to be. 

Miles and miles (and miles), of untouched beaches and hidden rock pools perfect for diving.

Out of this world surf spots only accessible by long treks through enchanted rainforests.

And a buzzy whilst relaxed town at the heart of it all… packed with bars, boutiques, surf & coffee shops galore. 

But perhaps what made this place the most special was the sensational people, their sense of community and their openness to allow us to be part of it. It’s rare to travel these days and not feel like a tourist, but that was the feeling the people of Itacare gave us. We didn’t just meet locals here, we made actual friendships. 

If you like the sound of Brazilian style yoga on the beach, dancing on the street to Forró (local folk dance) & reggae tunes and/or doing absolutely nothing, you will LOVE Itacare and its non-try hard, relaxed but fun Brazilian culture. 

Warning! Like most places in Brazil, you will need to keep your wits about you but please don’t let that put you off, the majority of the people here are incredibly friendly, honest & welcoming. 

Cappadocia, Turkey

How I’m going to describe this place is a wonder. Because it’s indescribable. However, I feel it is important I try since I’ve never experienced anywhere quite like it. 

I’ve never been to the moon but I can only imagine it closely resembles parts of Cappadocia (local spelling, Kapadokya), perhaps just slightly more yellow and much warmer. Volcanic eruptions followed by centuries of erosion are responsible for the most incredible soft rock formations scattered across this incredible land (more cutely named ‘fairy caps’ i.e. 1000’s of naturally formed rock style chimneys reaching up to 130 feet, which you can see for miles). You won’t quite believe it until you see it. 

On top of the natural beauty, what adds to the amazing wonder of this place, is the incredible cave dwellings which have been carved into the rocks so you can quite literally sleep inside the hills. We opted to stay at Luvi Cave Hotel in Göreme, a quaint cave hotel with a cozy rooftop overlooking the town and beyond ie the perfect spot for delicious Turkish breakfast whilst spying the iconic morning hot air balloon frenzy. 

And speaking of hot air balloons, what better way to see it all than by these incredible floating vessels. It may have taken my husband some convincing to join me on this voyage but he since admits that it was up there with the best things he’s ever done. Rising and falling between the canyons and fairy caps in the still, calming air is simply an unforgettable experience that I’d implore anyone visiting to give a go. 

But Cappadocia is not all about Instagram and hot air balloons. The history of this land is frankly inspiring and one that has touched nearly every historical era. It was a crucial junction in the silk road, a place where entire cities were built underground in an attempt for the Christians to hide from the Ottoman empire and one which was further developed with the eventual incoming of the Arab population. And you know you are in the presence of greatness when even Alexander the Great himself struggled to conquer it. 

Make sure you check out sites like Derinkuyu (the deepest underground city), Göreme Open-Air Museum where you can see stunning decorated churches and then spend your evenings dining on the floor in authentic restaurants like Dibek. 

Top Tip! Avoid the crowds and consider visiting during the winter months. We visited during December and were greeted with blue skies, temperatures up to 18 degrees celcius & almost had our hotel to ourselves. 

Bonus Tip! If there is a hint of wind, the balloon flights will be called off so I’d advise booking for your first morning and stay a few days if you can to give you a chance to move your booking back if needed. There is PLENTY of things to see and do in this time. 

Machu Picchu, Peru

Picking one of the seven wonders of the world may seem like an obvious choice but in honesty, I’ve found it hard to beat. My experience of Machu Picchu, like most, started with a cruel 3am wake up call in preparation for the 1.5 hour pitch black trek to the Sun Gate ready to capture the sun rising over the kingdom in all its glory. Much to my dismay, the unfortunate reality was being greeted at the end of the trail to a view so thick with cloud, it was difficult to see my own hands, let alone anything else. Ready to give up and go home, a sudden miraculous unveiling of the most magical sight I have ever had the honour to see occurred, as the clouds quite literally lifted from the ground. It’s everything you imagine and more…breathtaking architecture against a backdrop view that only exists in dreams (and in Machu Picchu), further enhanced by its friendly alpaca inhabitants.     

Interested in history or not, it’s impossible not to marvel in the wonder of this place. Being there arguably raises more questions than it answers, in particular, ‘how on earth did the Inca’s build an entire city 2,400m above sea level’ and ‘why would they abandon somewhere so amazing’? But this is all part of the unforgettable charm of this magnificent and quite frankly, unbeatable lost city.  

Warning! You are likely to want to combine your visit to Machu Picchu with the epic 5 day Inca trail hike (and so you should!). Be aware that a limited number of hikers are permitted on the trail at any one time so make sure you book months in advance and with a reputable provider like G-Adventures  

Top Tip! The Inca Trail isn’t the only trail which leads you to Machu Picchu. You can opt for the more under the radar Salkantay Trek which will offer you 15,000 ft high view points, stunning valleys & cloud forests. 

Bonus Tip! Whilst Machu Picchu is arguably the pinnacle of travel destinations, there is so much more to Peru, including but not limited to the wonders of Lake Titicaca or the (sometimes scary) mysteries of the Amazon Rainforest. However, the cost can easily mount up. Admittedly I’m usually a die hard independent traveler, but I found it much more economical to join a G-Adventures tour which covers your booking fees, accommodation, some food plus add some lifetime friends to the list of inclusions.  

Panama 

When you think of tourist destinations in Central America, your mind likely wonders to Costa Rica (another great option that I’ll tell you about later). But I’m here to tell you that under the radar neighboring country Panama might just give you a more unexpected trip of a lifetime. This time I’m not going to pinpoint one specific location as what got Panama into my ultimate list was the combination of experiences in one relatively compact country. 

One day you can be exploring the incredibly vibrant and historic pebbled streets of Panama City’s old town, the next taking a boat down the Panama canal whilst feeding wild monkeys (be careful, they are cute but they bite!) or even riding horses whilst taking in the spectacular mountain views in Chiriquí. If that isn’t enough, the next day you can be relaxing in some of the most picturesque, tropical islands you could imagine (our favourite being Bocas Del Toro and nearby Zapatillo accessible by boat ride. San Blas islands are also a popular choice).  

Cloud & rainforests, check. Sloths, check. Coolest, most cosmopolitan city in the world, check. Stunning islands off islands, check. If you want a different and diverse adventure, Panama might just be the place for you! 

Food for thought! If you are stuck deciding which central destination to settle on, why not consider Panama AND Costa Rica?! 

Top Tip: Don’t go horse riding in the middle of a freak storm if, like me, you don’t really know how to ride a horse. It may not end well. 

Bora Bora, French Polynesia  

After reading the above you may be exhausted by the adventure of it all, but do not fear, if you are seeking relaxed luxury, the last destination on my extraordinary list is the one for you…  

Anyone who has been to Bora Bora is lying if they say it isn’t in their top visited destinations. Not only is it like living inside a postcard, there is more to do on the island than you might think. 

Forgotten to pack your swimming goggles? Don’t worry about it, Bora Bora is home of the most crystal clear water on earth so goggles are practically pointless. To say that Bora Bora has a diverse and abundant sea life would be the world’s biggest understatement. You will be surrounded by stingrays, manta rays, sharks, coral & fish of every shape and shade imaginable at every turn (don’t worry, they are nice sharks…well, mostly). 

If water isn’t your thing, you only have to look up to see the dramatic, rich green rainforest-covered mountain peaks to imagine the adventures you could have on land. Hiking, cycling, waterfall spotting/bathing, pearl shopping are just a few of the possibilities on this magical island. 

Too tired to explore the land or ocean? Luckily for you, Bora Bora is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful, luxurious hotels where you can kick back and do absolutely nothing except sip on your tipple of choice. Fancy an overwater bungalow overlooking the ocean, no problem. Or want a more affordable abode but don’t want to sacrifice on ocean view, also no problem. 

Top Tip! Tahiti is just a casual 25 hour flight (with 1 or 2 stops) from the UK, followed by a breezy sea plane over to Bora Bora so why not consider a stop over in LA, New Zealand or in my opinion the best option, Japan? 

Top Top Tip! Bora Bora may be the most iconic of the French Polynesian islands, but please don’t neglect other nearby gems. We opted for Moorea for our more under the radar paradise fix and Huahine for our completely off the grid tropical adventure. Read my full guide to the French Polynesia here. 

I very much hope my extraordinary, out of the ordinary list of destinations has served as some food for thought for your next big adventure. Keep an eye out for more travel inspiration & guides coming soon!