Bruce Dias 
Travel is a priority for many Australians, to the point that some believe the love for travelling is actually a culturally ingrained thing in the country. Australians consistently rank among the most dedicated travellers in the world, a noteworthy achievement given the typically elevated costs. Travel is viewed as essential for one’s health and well-being. But apart from the popular domestic spots such as Hobart, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and the Queensland islands, as well as well-known destinations from abroad like Fiji, New Zealand, or Bali, there are also many other interesting spots and places that you should try visiting this year. Here are a few of the ones you should add to your bucket list.
Japan
Japan is a beloved tourist destination, and it’s not hard to see why. It offers a unique blend of ancient and modern traditions, blending centuries-old castles and temples with futuristic modernity. Japanese cuisine has also become increasingly popular over the last few years, with almost 400 restaurants in the country holding a Michelin-star rating. Apart from the well-known spots such as Mount Fuji or the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto, you should also consider diving underwater to the Yonaguni Monument, staying at a traditional ryokan on a shukubo (a temple lodging that allows you to remain in a Buddhist temple overnight), visiting the monkey park at Jigokudani, and the samurai houses and historical churches on the Gotō Islands.
If you’re a fan of hiking, you must explore the remote Iya Valley, a mountainous region featuring forested valleys and traditional vine bridges. Make sure to get a Holafly travel eSIM before you leave home, though, since these are all views that you’ll definitely want to share with the people back home.
Singapore
Singapore is also incredibly charming and attractive for tourists as a result of its blend of unique, multicultural traditions with futuristic architecture. Visit the vibrant cultural districts of Little India and Chinatown while you’re here and try the incredible street food. Char kway teow is a classic, a stir-fried rice noodle dish that includes ingredients such as Chinese chives, blood cockles, prawns, sausage, bean sprouts, fishcakes, and shrimp paste. White carrot cake, made of shredded daikon radish and rice flour, is typically served with an oyster dipping sauce.
Holafly’s eSIM for Singapore will allow you to keep in touch with everyone back home as well as show them all the beautiful places you see. Singapore has a reputation as an urban jungle, and it’s true that the city is dense and high-tech, but there are many lush, tropical places integrated into its structure as well. The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is one of them and one of the best places in the world where you could be if you enjoy birdwatching. The Eurasian whimbrel, common redshank, Mongolian plover, the marsh and curlew sandpipers, the cinnamon and yellow bitterns, and the Pacific golden plover all call this place home.
If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot otters, milky storks, and Indian whistling ducks as well. The reserve also hosts many different types of snakes. Mount Faber, a hill that’s around 94 metres tall, is another major tourist attraction because it offers a stunning panoramic view of the dense Central Region of Singapore.
Laos
If you’re looking for an incredible place that is not crowded and highly affordable at the same time, you should definitely come to Laos. It is one of the best places in the world for a unique, serene, off-the-beaten-path experience. There are so many pristine natural areas that are incredible for tourists who want to take things slow and unwind. The Luang Si Falls, which have a drop of around 60 metres, cascade over white limestone into turquoise pools. Everything is surrounded by tropical trees. If you’re a fan of caves, add Tham Kong Lo to your itinerary.
The cave is around 10 kilometres deep, with passages that are up to 100 metres high in some areas. Some of the locals hold a pool that glows bright emerald as sacred, saying that it reflects the skin of the god Indra. Remember to be respectful when you visit this place and avoid causing any trouble or leaving a mess behind you. If you love history, make time to visit the Plain of Jars, a megalithic archaeological landscape dating back to anywhere between 1240 and 660 BC. The Elephant Conservation Center must be on your list if you care about wildlife conservation, as the number of animals in the wild is dwindling every year.
You don’t just get to visit this place, as you can also walk with the elephants and their mahouts (their caregivers and handlers) through the jungle, visit the onsite elephant hospital, watch the elephants interact with each other, and learn about the challenges of keeping and preserving them as well as the ongoing efforts to reintroduce them into the wild.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is another premier eco-friendly destination offering incredible beaches, amazing biodiversity, and thrilling adventures at every corner. Almost 30% of the country’s land is protected under a national system of conservation areas, so there are many wildlife refuges, national parks, and forest reserves. The purpose of this is to combat deforestation and its effects, as well as safeguard biodiversity and ensure its continuity. Costa Rica is home to about 5% of the world’s entire biodiversity, so if you’re interested in eco-conscious tours and lodges, this is definitely where you should be.
Costa Rica is perfect for beach lovers as well, with its Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. The water is great for surfing, and you can just relax on the white or black sand beaches afterwards. Adventure activities are popular here too, including ziplining, white-water rafting, and hiking. The Arenal volcano, an active stratovolcano in the northwest of Costa Rica but which has been dormant since 2010, is a popular trekking site. The Maleku people, who are indigenous to the region, see the volcano as sacred.
If you want to explore new places this year, there’s no shortage of interesting spots out there. All you need to do is determine what you’d like to do during your trip, and then decide based on that.
