Do something different on your next trip abroad and try some of these seriously cool travel experiences. They’re a bit out of the ordinary, and will give you tons to talk about with your friends back home.
Learn flamenco in Granada.
Andalusia in southern Spain is famous for being the birthplace of flamenco – a traditional form of music and dance. And in no other place in the country (except perhaps Seville) will you be able to learn the art form in its most authentic way.
Apart from being a flamenco hotspot, Granada is also known for the stunning Alhambra (an 11th century castle built on a hilltop by the Moors) and for its free tapas culture: order a drink and you’ll receive a delicious tapa, free of charge.
There are many schools that offer flamenco lessons for tourists in English, such as the Escuela Carmen de las Cuevas and Centro Flamenco La Fuente
Meet the Tsaatan reindeer herders in Mongolia.
Experience one of the world’s most beautiful, yet otherworldly landscapes in Mongolia and channel your inner nomad.
Before getting into nature, spend a few days in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and see the ruins of the once powerful Mongol Empire made most famous by the infamous Genghis Khan.
The best month to visit Mongolia is July, which coincides with the biggest and most-loved traditional festival in the country, the Nadaam Festival. During the festival, you’ll be able to witness Mongolian wrestling, traditional horse racing and archery.
Don’t leave without staying in a yurt and feasting yourself silly on a traditional Mongolian barbecue!
Go for a hike in Bhutan.
Bhutan, known as the Dragon Kingdom, is like an enigma hidden in the clouds that’s only been open to the world since 1974.
Set within a dramatic landscape of towering Himalayan peaks and verdant valleys, Bhutan is a trekker’s dream destination.
It’s also a country dotted with ancient Buddhist monasteries – such as the Gangte Goemba and the sacred Jambay Temple.
The best time to visit Bhutan is in October through to April.
Party at a Balkan Music Festival.
Spend your days exploring quant medieval villages, knocking back palinka (a taditional fruit brandy) with friendly locals and turning a darker shade of brown at on of the many beaches along the Adriatic coastline, and then party the night away at one of the many music festivals that spring up in the Balkans during the European summer.
The Exit festival in Serbia is one of Europe’s biggest, and is held in the university town of Novi Sad; the Refresh Festival in Montenegro is like Ibiza in Eastern Europe; and the Dimensions Festival in Croatia has a reputation for playing some of the most epic underground electronic music in the world.
Best thing? Partying in this part of Europe is significantly cheaper than the rest of the continent.
Another drink anyone?
Trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
True, not everyone may be cut out to scale the highest peak in the world, but most could probably make the trek to Everest Base Camp and scratch that itch.
Not only will you be surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, but you’ll also be surrounded by some of the friendliest people on the planet: the Nepalese.
And that’s even more reason to visit this jewel of the Himalayas.
