Revealed: 7 of the world’s best travel destinations
While New Zealand, Indonesia, Fiji and the USA top the most popular destinations for Australians, finding less-travelled holiday spots is becoming increasingly popular. Here are seven places worth visiting at least once in your lifetime.
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The pyramids of Egypt, the ruins of Machu Picchu or an African safari — what’s on your travel bucket list? Just about everyone has one, whether it’s the world’s most treasured icons or destinations that show you a completely different way of life to your own.
Photographer Scott Stramyk, a member of Canon Australia’s Collective ambassador group, says a keen curiosity can sometimes take a traveller off the well-worn paths to discover hidden treasures.
“Life has a way of making us creatures of habit and that can switch off our ability to notice or explore the things around us,” Stramyk tells BW Magazine.
“With travel too, we can go down familiar paths but we can really benefit from going off the beaten track.”
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While New Zealand, Indonesia, Fiji and the USA top the most popular destinations for Australians, finding less-travelled holiday spots is becoming increasingly popular.
Canon Australia asked its passionate ambassadors what unique parts of the world inspired them and here is the result.
MOROCCO
Morocco is a country of contrasts, with both the desert and the busy market life of Marrakech the most popular pit stops on a travel adventure there.
Photographer Brook Ruston, who has been travelling to the North African country since 2008, says a camel trek into the desert for a night under the stars is a must.
“If you want to experience the quintessential Moroccan Sahara, then a trip to Merzouga is essential,” Ruston says.
“This is the gateway to Erg Chebbi, a vast expanse of sand dunes located near the Algerian border. This is the spot to capture camel caravans.”
INDIA
The colour and chaos can be confronting for a first-time visitor but it’s precisely this kind of interaction that makes a trip to India an unforgettable experience, says travel photographer Melissa Findley.
“India will get inside you, turn everything upside down and rip it right out of you,” Findley says.
“Your hands will be dirty, your hair messy, your heart full.”
In the north, Findley recommends visiting Karauli, where you can get a sense of rural Indian life, and Rishikesh, known as the yoga capital of the world. In the south she says the ancient seaport of Mamallapuram is best explored on a bike and, for a complete contrast, the Kerala backwaters.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
The natural phenomenon often referred to as the northern lights can be seen from many places, mostly Alaska, northern Canada, Iceland and Norway.
Those lucky enough to capture the hazy hues are sure to rate it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But choosing the right location and time (generally April to August) is important, says Canon Collective ambassador Elaine Li: “For someone who has never seen the northern lights before, joining a tour that specialises in finding them is great.”
MADAGASCAR
The island nation may just be a three-hour flight from South Africa but Canon Australia wildlife photographer Jay Collier says it couldn’t be more different to mainland Africa.
However, it does share a major attraction — wildlife.
“The sheer volume of photographic opportunities is mind-boggling with over 100 species of lemur alone,” he says.
One of Collier’s favourite spots is Baobab Alley, a few hours drive from Morondava in the west.
“While being a tourist hotspot the village is still quite authentic,” he says.
While the wildlife may attract you, Collier says it’s the locals who will charm: “(They are) some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.”
CANADA
Most people who visit will explore the gateway cities of Vancouver and Toronto. But more and more people are heading to the Rockies towns of Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.
Landscape photographer Tony Irving counts these among his favourites.
“The mountains and the lakes are relatively untouched by modern travel and tourism,” he says.
“Having visited in early winter, spring and summer, it’s hard to recommend a favourite time to visit as each season is especially unique. But if you want to have full access to the lakes, I would avoid winter.”
ICELAND
It takes serious effort to get to Iceland from Australia with at least two stopovers regardless the route but the effort is well worth it.
While the capital Reykjavik is the most popular tourist hub, Canon Collective photographer Stephanie Vella recommends heading further afield.
“I couldn’t get past the intensity of Skogafoss in the south of Iceland,” Vella says.
“It is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls with an astonishing width of 25m and a drop of 60m. This waterfall is so powerful it sounds like thunder and is definitely a grand sight to witness.”
JAPAN
Aussies heading to Japan will often hit the slopes during the ski season, visit the bustling major cities of Tokyo or Osaka and experience the cherry blossom season in April.
But it’s also worth wandering off this well-trodden path to places like Miyajima, an island about 20km from Hiroshima.
The island is home to the Itsukushima shrine and attracts visitors who want to see the famed floating torii gate.
There you can also enjoy the various parks, namely Omoto and Momijidani Parks.
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