Amazing Places You Never Thought to Visit (But You Should)

*collaborative post

There are 195 countries on this planet, and contained within those countries are a staggering 4,416 cities, not to mention the numerous towns, villages and settlements that make up so much more of this planet, and that means there are a whole lot of places for us to explore. It’s kind of sad then that certain destinations tend to become known as vacation spots, while others do not. Most of us will have considered heading to Paris, London, New York or Rome on vacation, but fewer of us will have considered seeing Azerbaijan or heading off to Moscow for the weekend, bit maybe we should?

If you’re ready to get a bit more adventurous and head off for weekends in places you may not have even thought about visiting before, here are some amazing destinations to consider. Visit any one of them and you are unlikely to be disappointed…

Russia

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Russia probably isn't one of the first places you think of heading to for a fun vacation, but places like Moscow are fabulous. Russia’s capital city is packed with history and culture, full of fun attractions and although it might be really cold there much of the time, you’ll never be bored, especially with a shot or two of the local vodka inside you! You’ll get to see the Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and the famous Red Square. You will be blown away by the beautiful treasures on display at the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, before retiring to the luxury of the Courtyard Moscow Paveletskaya or similarly sophisticated hotels in the city. What’s not to love about all that?

South Korea

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Visit any part of South Korea and you’re in for a treat. The area is home to numerous breathtaking national parks, luxurious ski resorts and fantastic food. The Korean BBQ in Seoul in particular, is to die for. Not only that, there are plenty of coastal beaches, like the one at Busan, which are perfect for chilling out on. While you’re there, be sure to immerse yourself in the sometimes unusual culture of the country, like the hot dogs covered in fries and batter, the wildly popular boybands and the Jangsan Puppy Cafe ( so cute). One thing’s for sure, if you visit South Korea, you will have more than a few stories to tell upon your return, and they won’t put any of your friends to sleep.

Kazakhstan

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Kazakhstan is the ninth biggest country in the world, so it is surprising that more people aren't really aware of it, and that more people do not choose to vacation there. If you love impressive, ancient architecture and beautiful landscapes - the Tian Shan Mountains are so beautiful. You'll love the quaint cities where you can chill out and watch the world go by. It is certainly a place you will enjoy. I suggest you visit Almaty, the country’s largest city, which is home to fabulous clothing markets, high-end restaurants and quaint cafes.

Try something different and you might just be pleasantly surprised!