Unusual guide
This unusual holidays guide takes you on a journey of eclectic adventures, one of which is guaranteed to wow you into doing something different.
Best time to go to an unusual destination
Spring
This is the season for walking and cycling holidays in Eastern Europe, when carpets of greenery roll out across the mountains and beautiful blooms put a spring in your step. Hiking is less enjoyable in the summer heat, so the cool months of April and May, when temperatures peak in the low twenties, are ideal for rambling in Romania, walks in the Caucasus or exploring the Albanian Alps.
Further east, the wet season has done wonders for exotic florals and foliage in Borneo and Bhutan where, although a little bit moist, the misty mountains are fantastically atmospheric. Wildflowers dress the usually drab Uzbekistan landscapes in green and gold, a polar opposite to the parched hot summers and harsh winter months.
Further east, the wet season has done wonders for exotic florals and foliage in Borneo and Bhutan where, although a little bit moist, the misty mountains are fantastically atmospheric. Wildflowers dress the usually drab Uzbekistan landscapes in green and gold, a polar opposite to the parched hot summers and harsh winter months.
Our Unusual destinations Holidays
Albania holidays, small group tour
An incredible history set against a rugged landscape
From
£1049 to £1399
10 days
inc UK flights
New Zealands Subantarctic Islands cruise, including Macquarie
Wildlife voyage to the Subantarctic inc Macquarie Island
From
US $7500 to US $7750
13 days
ex flights
Albania cycling holiday
A wild and rugged corner of the Balkan Peninsula
From
£1249 to £1549
8 days
inc UK flights
Georgia & Armenia cultural holiday
Journey to the furthest reaches of Europe
From
£2325 to £2450
16 days
ex flights
Sao Tome & Principe holiday
A wonderful break on the tropical isles, Sao Tome & Principe
From
£2995
12 days
inc UK flights
Sao Tome discovery tour
Explore these paradise islands with the Bradt Guide Author
From
£3225
10 days
ex flights
Albania walking holiday
A wild and rugged landscape with historic folkore
From
£1049 to £1299
8 days
inc UK flights
Ivory Coast small group tour
Explore the little known but welcoming Ivory Coast
From
£2895 to £2995
13 days
ex flights
Chad holidays, expedition to the Ennedi
Tubu nomads, desert crocodiles and the Sahara's best scenery
From
£3599
15 days
ex flights
Kamchatka holidays, small group tour
Explore Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula
From
£2255 to £2415
11 days
ex flights
Algeria holidays, Desert and History
Explore the history and culture of Algeria
From
£2995 to £3145
12 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia holiday
Churches, monasteries, snow capped mountains, lakes and waterfalls
From
£2249 to £2449
14 days
inc UK flights
Equatorial Guinea holiday, small group adventure
A unique group tour encompassing Equatorial Guinea
From
£3895 to £3995
10 days
ex flights
Cape Verde walking and cultural holiday
Celebrate the locals and landscapes of Cape Verde
From
€750 to €1250
7 days
ex flights
Papua New Guinea holiday, Tribes & Traditions
Unique small-group cultural tour to Papua New Guinea
From
£7945
12 days
inc UK flights
Falkland Islands tour, birds and wildlife
A comprehensive Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£4185
15 days
ex flights
Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro tour
National parks, historic cities and rural traditions
From
£1899
15 days
ex flights
Mauritania small group holiday
Ancient towns, stunning desert scenery and nomadic culture
From
£1999
10 days
ex flights
Iran cultural holiday
A captivating land dripping with history and culture
From
£2395 to £3195
15 days
ex flights
Mongolia adventure holiday with festival option
Off the beaten track adventure through spectacular Mongolia
From
US $3005 to US $3210
23 days
ex flights
Romania holiday, the Beauty of Yesterday
Small group tour to rediscover enchanting rural Romania
From
£1395 to £1425
11 days
ex flights
Bangladesh small group tour
Mangroves, rural villages & ancient temples
From
£2995
14 days
ex flights
Albania small group holiday
Explore the charming country of Albania.
From
£1075 to £1150
9 days
ex flights
Falkland Islands wildlife tour
10 day Falklands birds and wildlife adventure
From
£2894
10 days
ex flights
Romania adventure holiday
An amazing tour exploring medieval Europe and Transylvania
From
£2655 to £2845
14 days
ex flights
Bhutan holidays, cultural tours
Discover Bhutan for a once in a lifetime experience
From
£1275 to £1375
11 days
ex flights
Santo Antao walking holidays, Cape Verde Islands
Explore the dramatic coastline on the island of Santo Antão
From
£908 to £1164
8 days
ex flights
Summer
Temperatures don't budge much in Borneo from season to season (around 30°C), but summer is still drier than the wet winter months – making it a good time to go for families. Colombia also enjoys its first, shorter dry season between July and September, a better time to go than the much busier dry season later in the year.
If beaches float your boat, but you're looking for somewhere a little more unusual than the Costa del Sol, try the sandy shores of Romania or Albania. If you're tied to travelling in summer holidays you'll find these sunny spots don't see half the number of tourists as their Mediterranean neighbours, despite being just as beautiful and reliably hot (high 20°Cs). Armenia can't boast the beaches of Georgia, but lounging by Lake Sevan offers plenty of opportunities for a swim.
If beaches float your boat, but you're looking for somewhere a little more unusual than the Costa del Sol, try the sandy shores of Romania or Albania. If you're tied to travelling in summer holidays you'll find these sunny spots don't see half the number of tourists as their Mediterranean neighbours, despite being just as beautiful and reliably hot (high 20°Cs). Armenia can't boast the beaches of Georgia, but lounging by Lake Sevan offers plenty of opportunities for a swim.
Autumn
Autumn is a great time to be outdoors. If you like your Septembers to be scenic and your Octobers pumpkin-orange, you'll find Eastern European forests filled with fiery foliage and warm as southern Spain (high 20°Cs). Hiking, but also cultural tours, are popular in this colourful period, when trips may involve foraging for mushrooms and berries or vineyard tastings while this year's grapes are fermenting into wine.
On the other side of the world, October is ideal for a holiday in Bhutan, which is dry from September to November. Clear skies make for impressive mountain hikes and stunning views. Meanwhile, in Madagascar, birds are breeding and baby lemurs are leaping from tree to tree.
On the other side of the world, October is ideal for a holiday in Bhutan, which is dry from September to November. Clear skies make for impressive mountain hikes and stunning views. Meanwhile, in Madagascar, birds are breeding and baby lemurs are leaping from tree to tree.
Winter
A blanket of snow in Bhutan is a photographer's dream, but be wary that temperatures can drop as low as -4°C. January and February are great for winter activities in Romania, whether snow sports or slower explorations of its pristine white wilderness.
Temperatures in Colombia tend to be steady throughout the year; cooler around the Andes (average highs of 17°C) and hotter along the Caribbean coast (30°C). But the months between December and March are the driest, although often the busiest, time to go. Oman is coolest from October to March, the only sensible time to visit considering days in the desert still reach 30°C, and December to February promises a pleasant summer (around 21°C) in Tasmania – perfect for exploring the outback.
Temperatures in Colombia tend to be steady throughout the year; cooler around the Andes (average highs of 17°C) and hotter along the Caribbean coast (30°C). But the months between December and March are the driest, although often the busiest, time to go. Oman is coolest from October to March, the only sensible time to visit considering days in the desert still reach 30°C, and December to February promises a pleasant summer (around 21°C) in Tasmania – perfect for exploring the outback.
Our top Unusual destinations Holiday
Albania cycling holiday
A wild and rugged corner of the Balkan Peninsula
From
£1249 to £1549
8 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2020: 22 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
2021: 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 28 May, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 8 Oct
2020: 22 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
2021: 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 28 May, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 8 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Unusual destinations or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Advice for holidays in unusual destinations
Dan Clarke, from our supplier RealWorld Holidays, on why you should visit Colombia:
“Colombia doesn’t have a single stand out site like some other countries in South America, but what it does give you is the full package in one place: mysterious, ancient ruins and huge, prehistoric statues; fabulous Caribbean beaches and tropical islands; gorgeous Andean colonial towns; the Amazon jungle plus more amazing wildlife like whale watching on the Pacific coast… It really is amazing how much it fits in.”
“Colombia doesn’t have a single stand out site like some other countries in South America, but what it does give you is the full package in one place: mysterious, ancient ruins and huge, prehistoric statues; fabulous Caribbean beaches and tropical islands; gorgeous Andean colonial towns; the Amazon jungle plus more amazing wildlife like whale watching on the Pacific coast… It really is amazing how much it fits in.”
Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, on the highlights of a holiday in Uzbekistan:
“Try and get to the opera in Tashkent. It is well worth it, and if you can’t get a ticket they often leave the doors open onto the main square. I listened to Madame Butterfly there, eating Pringles, as they were the only thing I could find to eat that was edible that night. But the opera and ballet there really are outstanding.”
“Try and get to the opera in Tashkent. It is well worth it, and if you can’t get a ticket they often leave the doors open onto the main square. I listened to Madame Butterfly there, eating Pringles, as they were the only thing I could find to eat that was edible that night. But the opera and ballet there really are outstanding.”
Jim O’Brien from our supplier Native Eye, on why you should visit Georgia:
“Many of the ethnic villages that we visit aren’t particularly ‘opened up’ for tourism yet, so it’s really a case of wandering around, occasionally stopping to meet and have a chat with the locals. The Tusheti region in the northeast of Georgia is one of my favourite places to visit as it has remained somewhat hidden from the outside world. It presents a much more low key and simplistic approach to life as opposed to what you'll find in the cities.”
“Many of the ethnic villages that we visit aren’t particularly ‘opened up’ for tourism yet, so it’s really a case of wandering around, occasionally stopping to meet and have a chat with the locals. The Tusheti region in the northeast of Georgia is one of my favourite places to visit as it has remained somewhat hidden from the outside world. It presents a much more low key and simplistic approach to life as opposed to what you'll find in the cities.”
Laurenne Mansbridge, director of our supplier Pioneer Expeditions, on visiting Madagascar:
"Don’t try and see it all. The logistics aren’t great – and it’s better to base yourself in one region. That way you get to see things properly, rather than just spending your time travelling."
"Don’t try and see it all. The logistics aren’t great – and it’s better to base yourself in one region. That way you get to see things properly, rather than just spending your time travelling."
Unusual destination travel tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful travel tips for unusual destinations that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful travel tips for unusual destinations that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
Take your camera and binoculars! This was a wonderful holiday and an opportunity to see the different sides of Borneo – city, island, rainforest – all of which were fantastic.![]()
– Lindsay Melling on a tailor made tour of Borneo
“Just about everything was memorable. But travelling through and swimming in the wadis and canyons would be the top highlight. If you would like to try something different from a normal holiday then this is perfect. Remember to always do what the guide asks you to do and you will have no problems.” – Oliver Grumitt on a small group tour of Oman
“Be open-minded about Albania and embrace the local culture and lifestyle. Treat the people with respect and dignity.” – Neeta Bhadauria on a small group tour of Albania
“Walking in the Carpathian Mountains was stunning. Watching bear and wild boar at close quarters and visiting the bear sanctuary was definitely one of the highlights. Gaining an insight into the history of Romania by visiting castles, fortified churches and local towns was also fascinating. If you want to have a holiday with lots of shops to visit and a wide range of entertainment then this holiday is not for you.” – Alison Mitchell on a Carpathian Mountains holiday in Romania
“Use a travel specialist who has good personal knowledge about Tasmania. The travel plan and the accommodations arranged by travel specialist, Susie, were exceptional to meet our wish list of nature conservation, eco-systems and the penal history of Tasmania.” – Tony French on a self drive tour of Tasmania
“Be open-minded about Albania and embrace the local culture and lifestyle. Treat the people with respect and dignity.” – Neeta Bhadauria on a small group tour of Albania
“Walking in the Carpathian Mountains was stunning. Watching bear and wild boar at close quarters and visiting the bear sanctuary was definitely one of the highlights. Gaining an insight into the history of Romania by visiting castles, fortified churches and local towns was also fascinating. If you want to have a holiday with lots of shops to visit and a wide range of entertainment then this holiday is not for you.” – Alison Mitchell on a Carpathian Mountains holiday in Romania
“Use a travel specialist who has good personal knowledge about Tasmania. The travel plan and the accommodations arranged by travel specialist, Susie, were exceptional to meet our wish list of nature conservation, eco-systems and the penal history of Tasmania.” – Tony French on a self drive tour of Tasmania
Don't hesitate, an amazing experience especially if you are drawn towards spiritual ways and a completely different way of looking at the world.![]()
– Linda Marlow on a cultural tour of Bhutan
More about Unusual destinations
Our kind of unusual destinations aren't necessarily the next big travel destination, they’re places that offer something different, where low-impact tourism offers high-quality experiences.
When it comes to unusual destinations, you have a world of choice. To help guide you in the right direction, here are our top 10 unusual destinations – try one for your next holiday.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Bernd Thaller] [Spring: iStock]
[Summer: Pudelek]
[Autumn: Arian Zwegers]
[Winter: Oscar Weeks]
[Dan Clarke advice: Randal Sheppard]
[Lindsay Melling quote: Dukeabruzzi]
[Linda Marlow quote: aaron boris]
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