Off the Beaten Track: 5 amazing destinations to explore in 2013

The world might have remained a mystery book till today if people like Christopher Columbus, Vasco Da Gama, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo and James Cook were not born. These great explorers not only discovered many new continents, routes and places, but unveiled the diverse cultural groups that together form the entire humanity. In this globalized world, technology has enabled us to travel beyond time and space, but still there are people who love new challenges and thus sets on for expeditions every time they get a chance. Places like Mexico, Italy, Maldives, Sydney, Mauritius, Rajasthan, Kerala and the like have already placed themselves high in the travelers’ list of destinations; so, there must be something new for the year 2013. Browse through the list below to find out some of the adventurous yet off the beaten places on the face of earth to explore in 2013.

1. Machu Picchu, Peru: In the southern region of America lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu; located 2, 430 meters above the sea level, Machu Picchu talks of a history that goes back to the 15th century AD. Placed above Urubamba Valley in Peru, the site is surrounded by the awe-inspiring picturesque beauty of the virgin mountains. Every year adventure enthusiasts from across the globe head to Machu Picchu to enjoy trekking in Inca Trails. Peru has well-developed air transportation system that connects this part of America to a number of major destinations including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, London, the US and Canada.
2. Tasmania, Australia: While Australia is counted among one of the most sought after tourist places in the world, Tasmania remains an uncrowded and unspoiled piece of the Australian territory. For nature addicts, Tasmania is nothing but a paradise. Here, the green fields pave the way for the gargling river, the clouds float on the blue sky like cotton balls and the golden rays of the sun spread its magic rays during the dawn and dusk. While almost all the famous beaches of the world remains crowded during the tourist season, Tasmanian coast is all for you – quiet, empty and with abundant of nature.
3. Senegal, Africa: Framed between the arid deserts and tropical forests, the African country of Senegal boasts of a stunning array of sights, sounds and flavors. The relentlessness of the city life keeps beating with its busy streets, crowded markets and dazzling nightlife. Whether you want to experience the heart beat of modern Africa or want to be alone with your thoughts and sounds of nature, Senegal is one of the finest places to be in. The far-stretching white sandy beaches invite swimming and sunbathing all year-round. A lazy day on the beach of Senegal can be followed by a dazzling night at clubs or if you find comfort in loneliness, head to the coast’s charming fishing village where the colorful wooden pirogues dot the shoreline. Senegal is well-connected to the rest of the world via air transportation. It takes around 7 hours from Europe and approximately 9 hours from New York to reach Senegal by airway.
4. Paraguay, South America: If you don’t want to follow the guidebook path of tourist-invaded South America, plan for a visit to Paraguay, a country famous for its on-your-face contrasts. There you can see the rustic as well as the sophisticated, the extremely poor and the obscenely wealthy at the same time. While in Paraguay, you can discover wild nature, the UNESCO World Heritage of Trinidad, splendid Rio Paraguay, and surrealistic Filadelfia among other fabulous tourist attractions. The works of artists and craftsman haven’t lost their charm amid the glitzy of Paraguay’s shopping arcades and night clubs. If you have a plan to visit this secluded region in your next holiday, book your flight tickets well in advance to avoid last-minute rush. Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is the main air terminal in Paraguay that operates regular flights to major destinations of the world.
5. The Narrows, USA: If you want to experience spine shivering thrill and adventure, The Narrows in Zion National Park, USA, is a must visit destination for you. Journeying through the dramatic canyons carved over centuries by the Virgin River has an ecstasy of its own and is sure to bring shivers down to your spine. As the river paves the route, you may need to cross half of the hike by wading and swimming. While it’s an extremely adventurous trail, it also demands high physical fitness from the part of the hikers. June to September is the ideal time to plan a visit in this majestic place.

There are bundles of such destinations across different regions of the world, which are yet to be explored. The world is a mystery casket with numerous key holes; you just need to be enthusiastic enough to find the right key to fit in a hole.