Each week, I’ll be publishing a “best of” list relating to all things travel. If you have anything you would like to see, feel free to send me a message!

Call me hipster, but one of the things I love about travelling is coming across destinations that not many people know about. There’s a sense of excitement discovering a place where it hasn’t been heavily visited by tourists and information about it is scarce. Often times, these places allow the best chances to connect with locals and to really get to understand the culture of the country.

Nong Khiaw, Laos

Situated between beautiful limestone mountains and the Nam Ou river lies the small village of Nong Khiaw. Essentially just a collection of a few streets, this is a great place for outdoor activities. There are several cheap tours where you can hike, kayak down the Nam Ou river, swim under one of the hundred waterfalls or just bike through town. However, the highlight is certainly heading to Phadeak Peak. An early morning 1-1.5 hour hike up the mountain will bring you above the clouds with some of the most spectacular views I’ve seen. It honestly felt as if I was on top of the world!

Flores, Indonesia

Often overshadowed by the nearby island of Bali, Flores should not be missed. The town of Labuan Bajo is the gateway to the Komodo Islands, home to the largest collection of the massive and deadly lizard species. The standard one day boat tour to the Komodo National Park will include a visit to the breathtaking Padar Islands, swimming around a beach with pink sand, snorkelling with manta rays and a guided tour to see the dragons up close. Located in the centre of Flores is the Kelimutu volcano and its tri-coloured lakes. What’s fascinating about these bodies of water are although they are just within walking distance from each other, they often reflect a different colour, either blue, green or red.

Coimbra, Portugal

I only happened to come across this university town because I needed a place to stay for the night as all the hostels in Lisbon were booked up the days I intended to go there. It turns out that I stumbled upon the “Oxford of Portugal”. Home to the ninth oldest university in the world, the campus sits atop a hill where the rest of the medieval town cascades down towards the river. It’s even prettier at night when the entire hill lights up.

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

First off, Slovenia should be on everyone’s European bucket list if not already. The country is absolutely gorgeous. While most visitors come to see the charming town of Bled, Lake Bohinj should not be missed. Currently not bombarded with tourists, the lake is one of the most serene places. I’ve never seen such a clear and calm lake in my life.

Weggis, Switzerland

This town of 4,000 has to be home to one of the most picturesque landscapes. In fact, famed author Mark Twain wrote that it was the loveliest place he had ever visited. Situated on Lake Lucerne and surrounded by ice capped mountains, it’s hard to dispute his claim. For even better views, a hike up to the peak of Mount Rigi offers breathtaking panorama of the landscape below.

Miyajima, Japan

Known as the Island of Gods, Miyajima is famous for its floating Torii Gate. During high tide, the large shrine is partially submerged in the water and is one of the coolest things to see in Japan. To top it off, a number of wild deer roam the island!

Shkoder, Albania

Have you heard of those stories where Westerners are seen as celebrities in some Asian countries just because some of the local people have never seen somone with blonde hair before? Being Asian, I never thought I would ever come across this scenario until I got to Shkoder. Curious locals kept on coming up to be to ask where I’m from, take pictures and thanking me for visiting their lovely town. Meeting the friendliest and most hospitable locals in Europe is enough of a reason to visit Shkoder, but the old town is filled with colourful cafes, restaurants and shops that could rival any other European city. For a remarkable view at sunset, head to the Rozafa Castle which has been around for centuries and is still relatively in decent shape. It’s perched atop a hill and offers incredible panoramic sights of the town.

If you would like any more information about any of these destinations, leave a comment below! Subscribe to the blog to get an update of my next list!