In first place on the list, according to Travel.ru, is the resort town of Bay of Fires in Tasmania. Snow-white sandy beaches, sapphire sea and no one around - this place is considered ideal for a relaxing vacation. Here you can sunbathe, go surfing, and eat incredibly tasty lobsters. Along the coast are charming cottages that can be rented for $117 (per night for two).
The Basque Country, occupying parts of France and Spain, has long stirred the imagination of travelers. And currently, according to the Times, it is one of the most interesting places in Europe. Art lovers can visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. And parties are held right on the city streets. The Basque Country is a cocktail of fun, sun, culture, and beauty. One of the best hotels in Bilbao is considered the Miro Hotel ($159 for a double room).
Chiloe Island, belonging to Chile, will delight all fans of agro- and ecotourism. Here modernity and deep antiquity are organically combined. Here and there you see pirate ships disappearing into the sea in the fog and begin to believe all the legends at once. And for modernity, you can visit the local Museo de Arte Moderno. There are not many hotels on the island, so it is recommended to stay in hospitable private homes and farms.
Tao Island has become the next pearl of the Thai coast after Samui and Pha-Ngan. Here you can indulge in diving or play Robinson Crusoe in the lush jungles of the island. When you crave civilization, you can spend the whole night strolling through local bars and restaurants. Staying in one of the bungalows at Big Blue Diving will cost very little - from $5 to $29 per night.
The French region of Languedoc is forever in the shadow of the Côte d'Azur and Provence. However, it is definitely worth a visit. Lower Languedoc will delight with long sunny beaches and dynamically developing cities like Nîmes and Montpellier. Upper Languedoc boasts dizzying gorges and mountain plateaus with fantastic views. It is best to stay in Carcassonne. A night at the picturesque Hotel Montmorency costs €64.
The mountainous region of Nam Ha in Laos is literally infused with the culture of thirty ethnic groups. Exotic villages, mountain plateaus, waterfalls, jungles - Nam Ha is an amazing place for adventure and wildlife enthusiasts. However, it is important to note that this is a state-protected area. You can only get there as part of a small organized group accompanied by guides recruited from local residents. The trip will be fascinating, as the guides are well-versed not only in the routes but also in local flora and fauna. The best accommodation for tourists is the Boat Landing Guest House ($29 per person).
The Big Island in Hawaii might seem less glamorous and luxurious than other islands, but here you can find all possible tropical activities at a low price. There are beaches with white, black, and even green sand. You can travel around the island on horseback, or explore petrified lava. And a week at the charming Kona Village Resort will cost $3,000 including transfer and excursions.
San Andres and Providencia, islands off the coast of Nicaragua, embody the 'yin and yang of local hospitality'. These two islands in the Caribbean Sea offer a wide variety of tourist activities. On San Andres, they are more adventurous: there are segway tours and even submarine rides. While Providencia offers a more calm and relaxed vacation.
The Norwegian part of the Svalbard archipelago is also on the list of best places for recreation in 2009. It is cold here (only 1,000 km to the North Pole), expensive, and very beautiful - few places can boast such clean snow and such impressive glaciers. To make the trip worthwhile, you should sign up for a 'north safari' and observe deer, walruses, and, of course, polar bears. The best time to go is August.
Yunnan in China is currently one of the most popular destinations. Gorges, beautiful sunsets, jungle walks, the cities of Lijiang and Dali - all this will not leave travelers indifferent. You can stay at one of the Banyan Tree hotels in Lijiang or Zhongdian - this will cost about $470 for a double room.
• You too can get to these wonderful tourist destinations. And for this, you don't have to save up for a trip your whole life. Just take advantage of discounted airfare and rent a cottage for a day or two. A short-term trip with accommodation in a cottage or villa will help reduce travel expenses.
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