When the time comes to choose where to go in the summer, the temptation to focus on the most well-known destinations is always strong. The large European cities, the most advertised seaside resorts and the classic organized itineraries remain very frequent choices. Yet, often, it is the less obvious destinations that make travel more interesting.
Visiting countries with spectacular landscapes, historical testimonies and a strong local identity allows you to live a unique experience. Furthermore, you have the possibility of alternating days dedicated to the discovery of ancient sites, nature excursions, visits to fascinating cities and moments of pause in places far from the most intense tourist flows.
For the summer, choosing less conventional destinations can represent an ideal opportunity to discover new landscapes, cultures and ways of travelling.
What to know and how to organize before leaving
For intercontinental trips, especially to particular destinations, it is important to carefully plan the practical and logistical aspects of departure.
Fiumicino airport, in Rome, is the main reference in Italy thanks to connections with many international destinations, both with direct flights and with well-distributed stopovers throughout the world. Furthermore, it is possible to leave the car in the official car parks of Fiumicino, in particular in the areas dedicated to long-term parking, a safe and practical solution that allows you to reach the terminals easily, without having to worry about last-minute travel.
Finally, before leaving it is always advisable to check the validity of your passport, check any required visas and find out about the health coverage provided in the destination country. For long routes it is also worth considering times and duration of stopovers, so as to make the journey easier.
Five unique destinations
Some countries offer a rare mix of spectacular landscapes, historical richness and variety of experiences. They are destinations that allow you to build interesting and never monotonous itineraries.
Georgia
Georgia is one of the best destinations for those who want a rich and varied trip. Tbilisi, the capital, is striking for its thousand facets. The streets of the historic center alternate with modern neighborhoods, ancient buildings and spa areas that tell of centuries of different influences.
A few hours from the capital the scenery of the Caucasus opens up, with immense valleys, villages suspended between the mountains and monasteries located in spectacular places. The Kazbegi area remains one of the most evocative stops.
Georgia is worth a visit because it manages to combine grandiose landscapes and a very rich historical heritage, while still keeping costs affordable.
Armenia
© Armenian-German Artaxata Project
Armenia is a destination that is decidedly out of the ordinary, but capable of leaving a very strong impression. The capital Yerevan is a lively city and well connected to the country’s main historical sites. From here you can easily reach the Geghard monastery and the Garni temple, two fundamental places for understanding Armenian history.
Lake Sevan, with its monasteries overlooking the water, offers a very particular setting, especially in summer when the climate is very pleasant. Further south, the Tatev area adds an even more spectacular dimension to the trip, between deep gorges and mountain landscapes.
Armenia deserves attention because it retains a strong authenticity and offers direct contact with an ancient history.
Peru
@New7Wonders
Peru is a destination that manages to bring together archaeology, large historic cities and very different natural scenery. Cusco is the heart of the journey: the ancient capital of the Inca empire, it preserves a historical stratification evident in every corner. The itineraries towards Machu Picchu, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world, start from here.
The Sacred Valley allows you to visit villages, markets and ruins in a mountain context of great impact. Those who have more time can head towards Arequipa and the Colca Canyon or reach Lake Titicaca.
Peru is worth the trip because it allows you to travel through different historical eras, while at the same time immersing yourself in Andean landscapes that are truly unique in the world.
Thailand
Thailand is often associated only with the sea, but in reality it offers much more. Bangkok is an intense city, full of contrasts, majestic temples and modern neighborhoods. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the rest of the country.
Towards the north, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai tell of a more intimate Thailand, made up of ancient temples, local markets and mountain areas. Ayutthaya Historical Park is also worth an in-depth visit; its ruins are a fundamental testimony to the history of Southeast Asia. For those seeking the sea, the islands of the Gulf of Thailand offer very beautiful scenery, especially in the summer months.
Thailand remains a very valid destination because it manages to combine spirituality, history, nature and great ease of internal travel.
Japan
Japan continues to be a destination capable of offering very varied itineraries.
In addition to the most well-known stops, there are less frequented areas that deserve to be visited. For example, the Japanese Alps, with locations such as Takayama and Shirakawa-go, show a more peaceful and traditional face of the country. Kanazawa, with its historic districts and famous gardens, is a destination with strong historical interest. The Kii peninsula, crossed by ancient religious paths, offers routes surrounded by greenery and small temple complexes of great charm.
Japan is a destination that continues to be an excellent choice for those looking for a trip capable of alternating modernity, history and nature.
A different summer, with destinations that know how to leave their mark
Choosing a less predictable destination often allows you to have a more intense and more varied experience. Georgia, Armenia, Peru, Thailand and Japan are places that are very distant from each other but, despite this, they have something in common: each immerses you in landscapes that are never forgotten and puts you in direct contact with profoundly different stories, cultures and territories.
These destinations allow you to take trips that are not limited to “visiting a place”, but that build a journey made up of details, encounters and glimpses that remain in your memory for a long time, long after returning home.
