At the start of 2020, few would have predicted the havoc that the coronavirus would wreak on lifestyles and the economy of the world. Certainly, the idea of a global lockdown was not a notion that many would have considered possible as they partied in the New Year. But it has happened and the effects will be felt for a long time to come.
We should not stop dreaming or thinking about views and worlds beyond the borders of our state or country. With this in mind, maybe it is time to start thinking about some unusual destinations to visit once the world returns to normal. Here are a few, off the beaten track countries that you might want to consider visiting:
1. Lichtenstein
If you are looking for a post-Covid fairy-tale experience, then Lichtenstein could be your perfect destination. This mountainous nation is so small that it doesn’t even have an airport – to get there you need to take a train from neighbouring Switzerland or Austria. An ideal place to ski or hike, Lichtenstein is so small that it has more tourists annually that it has actual residents.
2. Suriname
In a recent poll, Suriname was named as the country that the fewest people could locate on a map. For the record, it is in South America. It is also South America’s smallest country. But that is not to say that it is not fascinating. With an eclectic mix of cultural influences that range from indigenous people through to Dutch colonization, African slaves and modern Chinese it is a veritable melting pot of architecture and adventure.
The capital Paramaribo buzzes with a myriad of fantastic market places and open grassy plazas, while the interior of the country is dedicated to conservation, with more than 12% of the country declared a nature reserve.
3. Lesotho
This tiny mountain kingdom is the only country in the world to be completely surrounded by just one other country- it sits in the middle of South Africa and you would have to stop in Cape Town or Johannesburg to make it to Lesotho’s capital Maseru. Once there you will feel like you are on the top of the world. Hiking, skiing, pony trekking are all part of the allure and there are also many fantastic 4×4 routes if that is your vibe.
