Top Ten "Might-Sees"

Top-Ten, "must-see" articles abound so we ventured off the beaten path for ten "might-sees".  For something just a little bit different, something a little further from the crowds and tourist attractions, we've compiled a list of ten places, some harder than others to get, that just might deserve your visit.  Relatively inexpensive but fascinating for the adventuresome, each one charms in its own way.

 

Ancient skyscrapers in the desert in Shibam, Yemen. Shibam, also called “Manhattan of the desert”, has the oldest "skyscrapers" in the world, most dating from the 16th century and standing between 5 and 16 stories high. The town has been settled since the 2nd century AD and houses were built like this to defend against Bedouin attacks. For more information click here.

 

True East Africa in Lamu, Kenya.  Lamu Island sits off the coast of Kenya and is know for being one of the oldest Swahili settlements in Africa. The island boasts stunning beaches covered in white sand and amazing buildings to lure any traveler. The island is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more information click here.

 

The ancient housing of Taos, New Mexico.  The Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest constantly inhabited places in the world and consists of many small adobe houses, one on top of the other, to form a single huge "nest" building. The Pueblo is the home of the Taos Pueblo people and can be reached on the Greyhound Bus from Grand Junction or Albuquerque. For more information visit their website.

 

Mists and haystacks in the Maramures, Romania.  The North of Romania holds the stunningly beautiful Maramures, a region of stacked haystacks, rolling mists and wooden churches. It also features the Merry Cemetery in Săpânţa, where fun effigies mark the graves of the locals who have passed away. The area not to easy to get to, but the easiest way is to take the bus or train from Cluj in Transylvania. For more information click here.

 

Night Clubbing on a boat in Belgrade, Serbia.  Why not try clubbing on a boat in Belgrade, the center of the nightlife in the city during the summer months?  The boats are open from May until October and party all the way though the night. Music ranges from the usual Hip Hop and Electronic to the Serbian specialty, Turbo folk. For information on one of the clubs click here.

 

The beautiful pools of Suzhou, China.  This Chinese city is known for its beautiful water gardens and pagodas as well as stunning stone bridges. Suzhou can be found on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the province of Jiangsu. The city has been a major trade route always important to the economy of South East China. Suzhou has some of the highest wages in China and thus is growing at an enormous rate, causing new problems for the old town. For more information click here.

 

The perfect tropical paradise of Koh Rong, Cambodia.  Home of some of the most perfect beaches in South East Asia and completely off the tourist trail, this stunning island truly ranks as an amazing destination. To reach the islands take a boat from the town of Sihanoukville. Recently a number of individuals have begun eco-tourism on the island but they have had problems with local government. You can visit their website here.

 

The town in the mountains at Iruya, Argentina.  A picturesque town here sits on a promontory of the Iruya River in Northern Argentina and draws people to its narrow streets, adobe houses and thriving local traditions. The town is 300 km from the provincial capital of Salta and about 50km of the route is unpaved. For more information and how to get there click here.

 

Concarneau, France.  A walled city in the harbor of the city of Concarneau in Southern Brittany accessible only by a drawbridge to the mainland. Narrow streets and fortifications make this a popular destination. The medieval city annually holds the Fête des Filets Bleus (Festival of the blue nets). For more information on Concarneau click here.

 

Mousehole, Cornwall, England.  This tiny village in the southwest of England got its name from the tiny harbour mouth that protected the fishing fleets from storms in this remote part of Britain. The modern village plays host to beautiful stone houses and tight winding streets and its always popular in the summer.  Dive off the tall harbour walls into the clear water of the Atlantic or just sightsee. For more information click here.

 

Have you visited any of these places?  Do you have suggestions of your own?  Leave your remarks in the comments; we'd love to share ideas for our next feature..