If 2020 has taught us anything, it is not to take traveling for granted. It has also taught us how to travel safely. This is not always easy, as many destinations can be crowded. If you are still wanting to travel, the best way is to find local, yet remote destinations! This blog has all the best remote destinations to escape to all over the world!
Blue Ridge Mountains, USA
The perfect place to cuddle in a cabin and explore the great outdoors (by car) is western North Carolina. You could spend your whole week just driving and hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway. AirBnb lists dozens of cabins in tiny towns built near the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). I was completely alone in the woods yet within 30 minutes of Asheville (an amazing city of artists and breweries). Eater proclaims “Hippies, tattooed Millennials, and hop-heads all find a place in this high-elevation Southern stop.” Another must-see (but expensive) is Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance chateau built by George Washington Vanderbilt II. Known famously as “America’s Largest Home,” it spans 135,280 square feet. The Biltmore Gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, considered the father of American landscaping.
If you want to self-isolate, stay in your car and drive the BRP. There are four separate regions (each with unique attributes): Ridge (MP 0 to 106); Plateau (MP 106 to 217); Highlands (MP 217 to 340); and Pisgah (MP 340 to 469). At 469 miles in length, BRP takes a minimum of 11 hours to drive non-stop. The speed limit is 45 mph. But the reality is you want to stop at every overlook.
Blue Ridge mountain vistas drag you out of your car seat like a giant magnet. These mountain passes have been traveled since pioneers from Scotland, England and Ireland began immigrating to North Carolina to build homesteads in the late 1700s.
Recommended by Terri Markle at Female Solo Trek
Texas, USA
Big Bend National Park might not be the most famous of the national parks in the USA, but it is certainly no less breathtaking. From the mountains to desert, to canyons the landscapes within the park are incredibly varied. It is also the only national park in the USA with its own border crossing. Make sure you bring your passport and you can cross over into Mexico from within the park! The small town of Boquillas on the Mexican side of the border is a fun little stop to grab some yummy tacos and a beer after a morning of hiking in the park.
Hiking trails in the park range from short day hikes to overnight backpacking trails so you are sure to find a hike that’s right for you no matter what your skill level. Check out Big Bend’s official website to find the hiking trail that’s best for you. Prefer to be on the water? You can also explore Big Bend through a river trip! The closest airport to Big Bend is in Midland, Texas. From there you’ll need to rent a car to make the 3-4 hour drive. Accommodations within the park vary from primitive campsites to hotel-style lodging. However, the most unique places to stay can be found in nearby Terlingua, Texas. I
n this groovy former ghost town, you can find glamping accommodations of all sorts from yurts, bubble tents, airstream trailers, teepees… any glamping situation you can think of, they’ve got it covered!
Note: To avoid the intense summer heat and the rainy winter weather, the best time of year to visit Big Bend is in the spring or autumn.
Recommended by: Jackie Carbo at Bon Voyage, Jackie
Utah, USA
For adventure lovers, Kanab, Utah is a destination that should be on the top of your list. Kanab is basically about as south as you can get within Utah and it is about 3 hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. Traveling to Kanab, you may feel like you are headed to the middle of nowhere. However, when you arrive in Kanab you will find yourself at the center of an incredible outdoor hub. And while it’s not adjacent to any national parks, it’s not far from both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
So if you’re on a road trip through the southwest, Kanab is a perfect place to set up your base camp to explore for the week. Many people first decide to visit Kanab while trying to win an elusive lottery permit to visit The Wave. Ten lucky spots are awarded daily at the Bureau of Land Management Office located in Kanab. However, Kanab has a lot more than The Wave.
In addition to outdoor adventures, Kanab is one of the few places in Southern Utah with an actual foodie scene. Kanab is also known as “Little Hollywood” because many westerns were filmed in the town which may pique your interest if you enjoy entertainment. Kanab has a variety of hotel options within walking distance of restaurants as well as Airbnb’s and RV campgrounds.
Recommended by: Andrea Cannon at BeaUTAHful World
Mindo, Ecuador
Just two hours away from Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, is the small town of Mindo, making the perfect long weekend getaway in nature. Located between the Pacific coast and the Andes mountains, Mindo is the perfect base for exploring Ecuador’s cloud forest. A great option for those who don’t have time for a proper Amazon rainforest experience, travel to Mindo, Ecuador for the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation. Perhaps best known for being a mecca for birdwatching – this biodiverse cloud forest holds over twenty percent of the world’s bird species.
Mindo also has plenty to do for those looking for more adventure. Favorite excursions in the surrounding mountains and forest include countless waterfall hikes, zip-lines, tubing, and cable car rides across the forest. Plus, no visit to Mindo is complete without a stop at El Quetzal, an artisan chocolatier. Sourcing their cacao from nearby family farms and offering chocolate tours and tastings. Teaching participants how to make their own chocolate. To complete the feeling of a peaceful nature retreat, staying at Casa de Cecilia is a must – set beside a river descending from the mountains with its own swimming hole, you’ll feel miles away from everything, while still within walking distance from this small town’s main street.
This peaceful retreat is completed by terraces and decks looking out into the forest, plus a pavilion with hammocks near the river and a fire pit.
Recommended by: Carley Rojas Avila at Home to Havana
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
Gili Trawangan is a small island in Indonesia with incredible beaches. There is no motorized traffic on the island which means the easiest way to get around is by horse cart or bike. You can ride around the entire island in just under an hour, but despite its size, there is plenty to see and do. What makes Gili Trawangan special is the fact that you can swim with green sea turtleS right from the beach.
No need to book a tour or hire a guide, you can simply take your snorkeling equipment and look for turtles along the main beach. They can be found in waters as shallow as 1 meter and are majestic creatures to see in the wild. Click here to find out more about swimming with turtles in Gili Trawangan. After a long day of snorkeling, you can head to the island’s night market with delicious BBQ foods. Trawangan is known for its nightlife so don’t miss out on one of the many parties on the beach.
While more and more tourists are discovering Gili Trawangan it is still an incredible remote island to see in Indonesia.
Recommended by: Victoria Heinz at Guide Your Travel
Golden Bay, New Zealand
New Zealand is a very popular tourist destination, attracting millions of people from all over the world every year. But despite this growing number of tourist arrivals, it is still possible to venture off the beaten path and to experience the “land of the long white cloud” without the big crowds. One of these somewhat hidden gems is Golden Bay in the Southwestern tip of the South Island.
The best way to explore Golden Bay is by car or camper van, and the winding drive across Takaka Hill, which separates Golden Bay from the rest of New Zealand, alone is worth a trip to Golden Bay. Golden Bay has a very unique charm and vibe, it is almost impossible not to feel relaxed here. Nature is undoubtedly one of the best reasons for a trip to Golden Bay. It’s where you’ll find some of New Zealand’s most remote and wild landscapes, like windswept beaches, huge sand dunes, and large estuaries and wetlands. Wharariki Beach is a must-see in Golden Bay and one of my favorite beaches in New Zealand. This gem of a beach is located at the Northern tip of the bay.
A short walking track leads through farmland and coastal forest to the wild and windswept coast. Above all, Wharariki Beach is known for the two Archway Islands just off the coast, which is often featured in images.
Recommended by: Sara Bernhard at Sara Far Away
Tbilisi, Georgia
If you are looking for a less-known place to escape in 2020, then you should consider Tbilisi! Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, is located at the crossroad between Europe and Asia. In fact, it used to be on the Great Silk Road that connected China with the Mediterranean world. Therefore, this city has a great diverse cultural heritage! Nevertheless, it’s not too touristy yet so now is a good time to visit! The Moxy Hotel by Marriott is a great place to stay in Tbilisi. This 3-Star Hotel is comfortable, the design is modern, and the staff is welcoming. The central location is perfect for sightseeing! Here are some of the best things to do in Tbilisi. First, you can wander in the Old Town to admire the beautiful 19th-century pastel houses with wooden carved balconies.
If you love architecture, you must also see the stunning façade of Orbeliani Bath in the district of Abanotubani: its Persian style blue tiles are amazing!
Then you can visit the impressive Sameba Cathedral. It’s actually the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world! But Tbilisi also offers many futuristic buildings, like the Bridge of Peace. You can walk on it and admire the views of the city from there! Once you are in Tbilisi you should try local food: Georgian cuisine is amazing! Last but not least, Georgia is one of the oldest wine regions in the world, so you can enjoy the local wines as well.
Recommended by: Ophelie at Limitless Secrets
Dubai, UAE
Dubai really has a little bit of everything! Whether it’s a busy city break, relaxing beach vacation, or a more adventurous affair. Dubai has it all! On top of this, Dubai has remained open as a tourist destination since July! So if you’re wanting somewhere where Covid regulations are unlikely to change. Dubai is one of the safest options to book a holiday right now. Almost all attractions are open as normal with the exception of wearing a mask. Dubai is a hugely popular winter destination due to the weather. Mostly staying in the low 30s (Celcius) during the winter months. If you’re wanting to escape the cold, it’s the ideal city! So what about things to do? Dubai is well known for its five-star hotels, tall buildings, and numerous beaches.
Perfect for relaxing on the beach! A wide selection of hotels includes private beaches. There’s also plenty of hotels in a range of budgets which you can choose close to the free public beaches as well. Though Dubai isn’t only for your sun loungers or beach lovers!
If you’re wanting to experience the other side of Dubai, Hatta is the perfect adventurous destination. Where you can canoe across Hatta Dam or trek up the mountains. You can also experience much of the history of Dubai with Hatta Heritage Village. Situated a little bit further out from the main city of Dubai. There are a few hotels to choose from in this area and it’s worth hiring a car from the airport in order to get to drive around once you’re there.
Recommended by: Danni at Danni in the Desert
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
2 Comments
Andrea Cannon
December 30, 2020 at 2:07 pmThese look like some amazing places to visit!
Emily and Sam
December 31, 2020 at 10:34 amThey all are so unique and worth exploring!