A new year. What could be more exciting? A chance to do things better, become the best versions of ourselves, and accomplish everything we’ve been putting off for far too long.
And, at least at the Global Citizen office, it’s also the time when a lot of us start thinking about where we want to visit next. There’s no better way to learn about different cultures than to experience it for yourself. But, there are so many incredible places in the world that are barely seen. We love Paris and Rome, but what about Malindi, Kenya, or Pai, Thailand?
With that in mind, we decided to create our own “Lonely Planet” of sorts, a short collection of places we’ve traveled to, have come to love, and HIGHLY suggest you visit.
1. Malindi, Kenya - Zoe Kelland, Designer and Social Media Officer
Visiting the Gedi Ruins near Malindi | Photo: Zoe Kelland
A beautiful little town on the Swahili coast of Kenya, Malindi is a treasure trove of markets, arts and crafts, and the tastiest street food I’ve ever tried. I spent my days lazing on the golden beach, watching fishermen catch crabs from long wooden canoes, then enjoying fantastic meals in candlelit restaurants when the sun set. The Gedi Ruins, the remains of a 12th Century coastal community, and Mida Creek, a stunning yet secluded nature reserve, are only a short bus journey away. You can also explore the coral gardens of Watamu on a glass-bottomed boat, or snorkelling trip. The reefs are home to sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and tropical fish!
2. Chefchaouen, Morocco- Christina Nuñez, Editor, Global Citizen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Easily the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited, I could spend all day roaming the streets of Chefchaouen and admiring the blue-painted buildings. My friends and I had the good fortune of visiting this town when we were studying Spanish in Southern Spain (Morocco is just a hop, skip, and a jump away.) Make sure to check out the open markets for beautiful jewelry, blankets, pots, bags and shawls.
3. Palau- Aaron Korman, friend of Global Citizen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Gaining notoriety for being number one of National Geographic's "Last Great Places", Palau is a must go for eco adventures. Dive, snorkel, kayak, and camp in a UNESCO World Heritage site, and swim in Jellyfish lake - a surreal marine lake filled with millions of stingless Jellyfish . For a local experience, overnight and see the sunrise on North Beach (now sunrise beach), try local fare at 'The Kitchen', and hang at 'The Dropoff'. Ferries run to Peleliu island, where you can see relics of WWII, and, for the truly adventurous, to Helen's Reef (a week's journey).
4. Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva -Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer, Managing Editor, Global Citizen
Tamerlane Tomb, Samarkand | Photo: Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer
The heart of the old silk road, these cities have old sections that have been preserved (intentionally or otherwise) that are still actively used. Samarkand is historically better known but Bukhara has some amazing old sections with particularly great textiles markets with goods still being handmade in the region.
5. Datong, China - Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer, Managing Editor, Global Citizen
Caves in Datong | Photo: Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer
While travelling to China the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the gardens in Shanghai get a lot of attention, this small city that is an overnight train ride from Beijing is pretty awesome. Among the top sites to see are: a “Hanging Monastery” that is literally built into a cliff face; and the Yungang Grottoes, which features over 50,000 carved Buddhas. A bonus: these sites can be done in a one day trip from Beijing if you take the overnight train there and then back. Throw in the 9-dragon wall to complete the day.
6. Jinja, Uganda - Hilary Gleason, Campaigns Fellow
Flickr: Global Environment Facility
Just a few hours outside the capital city of Kampala, Jinja boasts many activities and attractions for an off-the-beaten path adventure. The city is extremely close to the site of the world-famous Nile River, on the shores of Lake Victoria and I like to think it’s one of the only places in Africa you can go white-water rafting. Some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were scattered here at the White Nile, and are marked with a small memorial. Lastly, it’s home to Nile Breweries, a must-visit for any beer drinker with a taste for international affairs.
7. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania - Simon Moss, Managing Director- Programs
A lioness (Mrs. Michael?) in Ngoronogoro Conservation Area | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
One of East Africa’s greatest nature reserves, Ngoronogoro gives you the chance to see all big 5 game in the same location, and if you’re lucky enough to visit when we did, a male lion nicknamed George Michael who spent his time hanging around the men’s bathrooms.
8. Geneva, Switzerland - Simon Moss, Managing Director- Programs
Rue du Rhone, Geneva | Flickr: Erik Harstrom
Best known for its watchmakers, chocolatiers, amazing Cheese Fondu, and proximity to great skiing, Geneva is also the home of some of the world’s most important global health institutions. For a truly nerdy holiday experience, wander their museums and exhibitions at places like the World Health Organization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNAIDS, Red Cross and the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.
9. Yazd, Iran- Kelly Sheldrick, friend of Global Citizen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Yazd is my favourite place in Iran. It is a desert city with a historical city that consists of traditional mud-brick houses, badgirs, ancient mosques and interesting museums. It also has a large Zoroastrian population, and you can see the influence throughout the city (silent towers, fire temple.)
Things you must do in Yazd: check out the sunset from the rooftop of a mud house, try the local sweets (famous throughout Iran), eat bademjun (a yummy tomato eggplant dish), roam the streets of the historical city, stay in a traditional house (I recommend 'the Silk Road' or 'Kohan Hotel'), visit the nearby desert towns and stay with a local families (Persian hospitality is an experience in itself.)
10. Easter Island, Chile - Michael Wilson, UK Communications Manager
Photo: Michael Wilson
You want the middle of nowhere? Then it’s not here. Easter Island isn’t even in the middle of nowhere, it’s somewhere out on the edge of nowhere, part way to… nothing (ok, part way to Tahiti). There’s one town of 3,000 people on the island, and it’s the most isolated town in the world, with the nearest town over 2,600km (1,600 miles) away. And even that town only has a total of 1,103 people. So if you don’t like your neighbours, well… shut up and like them, cos that’s all you’re getting.
Easter Island is famous for its giant carved stone heads. Scattered around the island, there are various theories on how the heads came to be, and how on earth they were transported to their current locations. The civilisation which carved the heads had all but disappeared by the time western ships found the island, and seemed to be victims of tribal wars and cutting down all of their trees. Perhaps a cautionary tale for planet earth in the 21st century?
While I was there, I went mountain biking, ate the latin-infused cuisine, went scuba diving, and butchered the Spanish language. It’s where I learned the Spanish word for prawn; camarón. Ever since that day, I’ve been able to request prawn-related food from Spanish speakers. Thanks, Easter Island. Camarón.
11. Pai, Thailand- Sofia Van Raan, Social and Digital Coordinator
Photo: Sofia Van Raan
We all know Thailand is famous for it’s incredible beaches, but have you heard much about it’s mountainous region and all it has to offer? Take my word for it, GO THERE. In the northern region of Thailand, bordering Myanmar is a small town called Pai (pronounced, Bye). To get there, start in Chiang Mai and catch a bus from the main bus station. Next, take lots of anti-nausea medicine. You will then be brought on a 5 hour bus ride, up a windy mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. It’s beautiful. Pai is a laid back, small town rich in color, culture, and food.
There is plenty to do in Pai. Trek through the mountains, rent a motorbike and drive through the hills of Pai, relax in the all-natural hot springs, visit the elephant rehabilitation center and browse the night markets.
12. Bhutan - Beckylee Dell, Front-end Web Developer
Photo: Beckylee Dell
Bhutan is a tiny country, nestled high in the Himalayas, right between India and China. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, Bhutan might just be the happiest- literally. They measure their progress as a nation by Gross National Happiness. Everyone I met was friendly, kind and incredibly welcoming. On one occasion, I was stopped on the street by an older woman, just to have her lick her thumb and wipe some dirt from my face.
The most memorable place that I visited was the Tiger's Nest Monastery. Legend has it that the Guru Rinpoche travelled to a cave in the mountains on the back of a flying tigress. Unless you have a flying tigress of your own, you have to hike along a narrow, twisting, cliffside path and then cross a long, rickety bridge to get there. Once you make it over the bridge, you have to be wary of the nearby monkeys who like to steal belongings from visitors and throw them off the cliff. Despite the challenges in getting there (or maybe because of them), the Tiger's Nest Monastery is an unimaginably beautiful and exceptional place.
13. Mekong Delta, Vietnam - Tom Blake, Lead Editor, Global Citizen
Photo: Tom Blake
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam was one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. Tours of the region depart from Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) daily and many of them are really affordable. The far south of Vietnam, where the delta is located, is still fairly free of overt Western influence. Take one of the riverboat cruises: they’re touristy but a really extraordinary way to see the scenery. And bonus: you can try Snake Wine like in the picture above. And yes: it’s exactly what it sounds like.
14. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia- Beckylee Dell, Front-end Web Developer
The Plitzvice Lakes look like something out of a fairy tale. There are 16 lakes spanning across 73,350 acres, connected by a series of streams and waterfalls. Depending on the time of year and the weather, the lakes can be any color; when we went, they were a beautiful blue-green. The truly incredible thing about the Plitzvice Lakes is that no matter how many people are actually in the park, you feel like you have the whole place to yourself. My brother and I hiked around the national park for 7 hours and only ran into 2 other people.
Photo: Beckylee Dell
Got any awesome places to add to our list? Let us know in the comments, and submit a picture- we might add yours to the list!