Do you like to explore when you are on vacation? If you are the kind of person who is continuously looking for hidden gems and would rather choose camper rides instead of an all-inclusive vacation in a luxurious hotel, this article is made for you.
Tarragona, Spain. UNSPLASH Isma LlanesPersonally, we love discovering new places and experiences. It’s even more thrilling when you don’t know anyone in your social circle who did it, and you can be the first person to tell your friends about your amazing holiday experiences.
Some places on the list are considered unusual because of the climate, or they are just overlooked as they are sometimes smaller than the more popular tourist destinations. And while the least popular places might be harder to reach, everything is possible with a little effort.
Tarragona
Tarragona is a small city located in Spain. It was founded before the 5th century BC, so it’s a city with thousands of years of history.
If you want to explore Tarragona, you can start your journey by visiting the Roman Amphitheatre. It is one of six ancient amphitheaters that remained in Spain to this day. It is in great shape, so you can experience what people might have felt when they were watching spectacles there hundreds of years ago.
Another well-preserved sight is the Roman Circus. Most of the best-preserved parts are located beneath the city, so you can access the vaults underneath and watch the video presentation about the restoration of the circus.
There are many beautiful buildings to see, like the Cathedral, the Balcony of Medithereean or Les Ferreres Aqueduct. On top of that, you just have to try the local cuisine. If you happen to be there in the winter, ask about calçots to your Spain Driving Guide. These are large green onions roasted in their skins over wood-fires and then served with a romesco sauce made with nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Many tourists find them really appealing!
Isfahan
Isfahan is considered to be the most beautiful city in Iran, with many magnificent monuments, mosques, and bazaars. It is full of places that were built before Islamic revolutions that are definitely worth checking out.
One of these places is Atashgah – the Zoroastrian Fire Temple. It dates back to the Sassanid era. It was a sacred place for the followers of Zoroastrianism, the first known monotheistic religion in history. Zoroastrians believed in the cleansing power of fire and prepared various acts of purification. As of 2019, there are only 167 temples like that left in the whole world.
Isfahan is also known for its beautiful bridges. The biggest one, the Si-o-Se-Pol bridge, is the symbol of the city. It was built in the 16th century, and it serves as both a bridge and a dam. It is the center of the city’s nightlife both for the locals and the tourists.
Derweze
Derweze, also known as The Gates of Hell, is a natural gas field that collapsed into a Cavern in the 70s. Soviet geologists intentionally set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas, and it has been burning ever since.
The crater is situated near the city of Derweze in Turkmenistan, Asia. It was discovered in 1971 by the Soviets, who suspected it to be an oil deposit. During the drilling, the rig accidentally punched into a massive underground gas cavern, which caused the whole thing to collapse. The whole drilling rig fell inside.
Scientists were afraid of a potential environmental catastrophe, so they set it on fire, hoping that it would stop after a few weeks. The gas has been burning for 40 years now, and it does not look like it will stop in the near future. It became a popular place among tourists who like camping.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is an amazing red desert in Jordan. The locals call it the Valley of the Moon. It is a popular site in Jordan and it attracts many tourists. It is home to the Zalabieh tribe, which is guarding the desert and practicing eco-friendly tourism.
People who want to enter Wadi Rum have to buy a trip with a guide from the tribe, and they can spend the night in special tents. Every night, they are given an opportunity to attend a traditional ceremony that involves taking food out of the sand. It is put there so that it can be protected from heat. Wadi is a perfect place for movie geeks, as many famous movies were filmed there.
Musandam Fjords
When you think about fjords, you probably have Norway on your mind. But Oman is a country filled with fjords that is located in the Persian Gulf, and an average tourist might not be aware of its existence. The fjord-like Musdaman landscape gives the area the title of the Norway of the Middle East.
If you choose to travel there, you will have an opportunity to kayak in the warm waters of the fjords. On top of that, you can support the locals by buying a six-hour sailing trip around the Khor al-Sham.
Timișoara
Timisoara is one of the largest cities in Romania. It dates back to the 13th century, and it used to be a part of the Ottoman Empire. It is also worth mentioning that it was the first European city to have electric lights on the streets and where the anti-communist revolution of 1989 started!
Here, you can find the finest square in the whole country – the Piaţa Unirii. You can also take your time and enjoy looking at monuments like the Baroque Palace, the Roman Catholic Canonic Houses, or the Orthodox Episcopal Palace.
The Bottom Line
All the places that we mentioned above have their unique style and history. While they might not be that well-known and trendy, they are definitely worth seeing. Just because something is not popular does not mean that it is not going to be worth your time!
Considering this, if you did not get to travel all that much in recent months, you should definitely consider visiting these places in the near distant future. After all, traveling can be a really exciting and educational experience!
Most importantly, it can broaden your horizons, and make you stronger and more empathetic. Additionally, meeting people from other cultures can show you the way in which people from other countries perceive the world around them. Because of that, you should travel as often as you possibly can!
