Blog: 5 unusual holiday destinations

If you are getting a bit fed up of going to the usual holiday hotspots like Spain, Greece and Italy, why not have a look through some of our suggestions for unusual holiday destinations that you may not have considered? There’s so much to see when you move off the beaten path a little and try something new.

Here are some of R Travel’s favourite unusual destinations to try for your next holiday, you won’t be disappointed!

Svalbard, Norway

One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, Svalbard is known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The Northern Lights are visible during winter, and summer brings the “midnight sun”—sunlight 24 hours a day. Once you move outside the borders of the Longyearbyen city, it’s crucial to be accompanied by a professional guide in order to stay safe. This is because Svalbard is the the polar bear’s kingdom and everyone needs to respect their reign over this territory.

Svalbard can feel other-worldly with its remoteness and stark beauty, it’s a totally different experience to most places you can visit!

Local sights & attractions: Experience the unique Arctic wilderness, go on wildlife safaris to spot polar bears and Arctic foxes, visit the abandoned mining town of Pyramiden, explore glaciers and fjords.

Food: Enjoy hearty Norwegian cuisine, including dishes like fårikål (lamb and cabbage stew), lutefisk (dried cod soaked in lye), and rømmegrøt (sour cream porridge).

Travel time from UK: Flight times to Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s main settlement, involve a stopover and typically take around 6 to 7 hours.

Local customs: Svalbard has a unique cultural mix with influences from Norway and Russia. Visitors should respect the local environment and wildlife regulations.

Celebrations: Experience the polar night season from November to January, when Svalbard experiences 24-hour darkness. Special events and celebrations may occur during this time, including cultural performances and outdoor activities.

Transylvania, Romania

There’s so much more to Transylvania than vampires! It is home to some of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns and outstanding rural landscapes. Brasov – home to the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe, Sibiu – with its cobblestone streets and Transylvanian Baroque architecture, and Sighisoara hilltop citadel with secret passageways and a 14th century clock tower are some of Transylvania most popular destinations. Tiny shops that offer antiques and handicrafts made by local artisans line the narrow streets flanked by pastel-coloured houses of the historic sections of many other towns in Transylvania. Visitors to Transylvania will also encounter stunning castles such as Bran and Corvin.

With friendly locals and so much to see, it’s a fantastic place to visit.

Local sights & attractions: Explore the medieval towns of Brasov and Sighisoara, visit Bran Castle (often associated with Dracula), hike in the Carpathian Mountains, discover traditional Romanian villages.

Food: Sample Romanian cuisine, including sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), mămăligă (polenta), and mici (grilled minced meat rolls).

Travel time from UK: Flight times to Bucharest, Romania’s capital, are approximately 3 hours.

Local customs: Romanian culture places importance on hospitality and respect for guests. It’s customary to greet people with a handshake and maintain good eye contact during conversations.

Celebrations: Experience Easter celebrations in Transylvania, with traditional customs such as egg painting, religious processions, and feasting on Easter Sunday. The region also celebrates various folk festivals throughout the year.

Azores, Portugal

The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, are a group of islands in the mid-Atlantic. The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas. São Miguel, the largest, has lake-filled calderas and the Gorreana Tea Plantation. They are beautiful islands to explore and a great destination to visit if you like to cycle.

Local sights & attractions: Explore volcanic landscapes and hot springs, go whale watching and dolphin spotting, visit the UNESCO-listed town of Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island, hike in lush greenery.

Food: Enjoy Azorean cuisine, including dishes like cozido das Furnas (a stew cooked underground by volcanic heat), octopus salad, and local cheeses.

Travel time from UK: Flight times to Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island, typically take around 4 to 5 hours.

Local customs: Azorean culture is influenced by Portuguese traditions with unique island customs. Visitors should respect local etiquette, such as greeting people with “bom dia” (good morning) and “boa tarde” (good afternoon).

Celebrations: Experience the Holy Ghost Festivals (Festas do Espírito Santo), celebrated across the Azores with parades, traditional music, and feasting from Pentecost Sunday to Trinity Sunday.

Madagascar

Madagascar lies off the east coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean and is the 4th largest island in the world. This remarkable island nation is scattered with precious fragments of tropical forest where frogs chirp, chameleons wobble and helmet vangas flash through the trees. But it’s the lemurs, of course, that shine out: with their foxy faces, bright eyes and fluffy fur, they’re the creatures that everyone wants to see. Happily, Madagascar’s best nature guides have an excellent knack for finding them.

Local sights & attractions: Explore unique biodiversity in national parks like Andasibe-Mantadia and Isalo, encounter lemurs in their natural habitat, relax on pristine beaches, visit vibrant markets.

Food: Enjoy Malagasy cuisine, including dishes like ravitoto (pork cooked with cassava leaves), romazava (meat and greens stew), and coconut milk-infused seafood dishes.

Travel time from UK: Flight times to Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, typically involve layovers and take around 12 to 14 hours.

Local customs: Malagasy culture is influenced by African, Asian, and European traditions. Visitors should greet others with a handshake and show respect for elders and local customs.

Celebrations: Experience the famadihana (turning of the bones) ceremony, a unique Malagasy tradition where ancestors’ remains are exhumed, wrapped in new shrouds, and celebrated in a festive gathering. Other cultural events and festivals may vary by region and ethnic group.

Slovenia

Slovenia is a stunning country of snow-capped peaks, turquoise-green rivers and Venetian-style coastline, Slovenia enriches its natural treasures with harmonious architecture, charming rustic culture and sophisticated cuisine. There is no need to worry about going as according to numerous researches and statistical data, your visit of Slovenia should be as safe as it gets. This little country is one of the safeties places in the world. There is plenty to do, with lots of beautiful towns, cultural events, water sports skiing and a whole range of spas and retreats, there is something for everyone.

Local sights & attractions: Explore Lake Bled and its picturesque island with a church, visit the underground world of the Škocjan Caves, hike in Triglav National Park.

Food: Try traditional Slovenian dishes like potica (nut roll), štruklji (rolled dough filled with various fillings), and Bled cream cake.

Travel time from UK: Flight times to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, are around 2 to 3 hours.

Local customs: Slovenians are known for their hospitality; it’s customary to greet people with a handshake. When visiting someone’s home, it’s polite to bring a small gift.

Celebrations: Experience the Kurentovanje carnival in Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town, typically held in February. It’s a colorful celebration with parades, masks, and traditional folklore.

Obviously the reason for your trip, your budget and the time you have available will all influence where you decide to go. Going somewhere a little different and experiencing a new country and culture is a fantastic way to spend a holiday. Being able to explore, unwind and relax as well as get to understand another country’s way of life expands your horizons. This is your time away from the daily stresses modern life can bring and your holiday should get off to a friction-free start. You can do that by organising your airport transfer in plenty of time before you go. That way you can relax knowing that you’ll get to the airport in comfort, style and plenty of time. All we ask is a minimum of 24 hours before your departure time, but why not book further in advance and then spend your time planning your to-do list. Visit our booking page today.