Are you into geography? Or, Then, you probably know such states as the Seychelles and Andorra. But there are countries whose names will make you raise your eyebrows in surprise because, perhaps, you have never heard of some of them - for example, Tuvalu or Niue.

For those who are tired of Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, and Sochi (to escape from the hustle and bustle)

If you like exotic hiking, diving, and snorkeling, then the list we at Bemorepanda have prepared for travel lovers is just right for you. After all, isn't it great to change the tourist direction and get new experiences from previously unexplored places? You will want to add at least one of them to your list of future trips.

25. Tuvalu

Population: 11,925 people

Languages: Tuvaluan and English

Have you ever heard of the country of Tuvalu, made up of 9 small islands in the South Pacific, halfway between Australia and Hawaii? Tuvalu is one of the many places on this list that offers top-notch snorkeling and diving.

You can swim with turtles and tropical fish and explore the Funafuti Wildlife Sanctuary, an ideal spot for divers. Most Tuvaluans live in small villages of less than a thousand people. Gardening, fishing, and handmade canoes are very common in this region.

24. Bhutan

Population: 779,900 people

Language: Dzongkha

Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom located on the eastern tip of the Himalayas. . The Phobjik Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys.

Bhutan is also known for its vibrant and colorful festivals, especially those in Paro and Thimphu—The key to enlightening society.

23. Kiribati

Population: 121,388

Languages: Kiribati and English

. It is famous for snorkeling, diving, beaches, and fishing. This is a great place to view World War II relics.

22. Palau

Population: 18,174

Languages: English, Palau

Shipwrecks and hidden caves make Palau one of the best diving and snorkeling destinations. There are also plenty of slopes and exotic wildlife habitats that can attract hikers and explorers to this small country.

21. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Population: 53,546

English language

Saint Kitts and Nevis, as the name suggests, consists of two islands. It was the first country colonized by the British in 1623. They did not gain independence until 1983. Former sugar plantations have been turned into popular hotels and tourist resorts.

St. Kitts has a park fortress, Brimstone Hill, where you can sometimes see the neighboring Caribbean islands. There is also a scenic railway and an extinct mountain. And there is the volcano Liamuiga. On top of all this, St. Kitts and Nevis is a country of vervet monkeys and hiking trails that run through the rainforest.

20. Vanuatu

Population: 314,464

Languages: French, Bislama, English

The 83 islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific are another excellent diving destination, especially with their underwater caves and shipwrecks. One of them is the World War II warship, President Coolidge. The Vanuatu National Museum will also help you learn about the Melanesian culture.

19. Seychelles

Population: 99,202

Languages: French, Seychelles Creole, English

Seychelles is an island nation off the coast of Africa. There are two UNESCO sites here: Aldabra and Valle de Mai. Some scholars consider the Vallee de Mai to be the ancient site of the Garden of Eden.

It is also home to the Morne Seychelles National Park and the breathtaking beaches of Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka. . Thanks to tourism and fishing, Seychelles has the highest nominal economic income in Africa.

18. Comoros

Population: 888,456 people

Languages: Comorian, French, Arabic

Often referred to as "the fragrant islands" due to the abundance of fragrant plants, Comoros is known for its spectacular beaches against volcanic peaks. This country, full of natural beauty, is located on the east coast of Africa.

The capital language reflects 400 years of Portuguese colonization and 24 years of Indonesian occupation. The Cristo Rey de Dios statue, 27 meters high, is another iconic symbol of the country. This statue stands as if it wants to draw attention to the city's beauty, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding bay.

16. Lesotho

Population: 2,159,000 people

Language: Southern Sotho, English

This landlocked enclave in South Africa is home to the cultural village of Thaba Bosiu. The town is on top of a hill, and the ruins found there date back to the reign of King Moshoeshoe I in the 19th century. There is a myth among the locals that their magical powers manifest themselves at night.

15. Suriname

Population: 591,798

Language: Dutch

We are looking for a place that combines rainforest and sandy savannah. Suriname is an excellent choice for this. The Dutch colonial architecture makes for pleasant walks around the city.

Suriname also has a wooden Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, consecrated in 1885. The Basilica of Peter and Paul is also located here. Suriname is located in the northeast of South America.

14. Brunei

Population: 441,532

Language: Malay

Brunei is located on the island of Borneo, near Malaysia, in the South China Sea. This Islamic country has a magnificent Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque with 29 domes. Brunei is known for its beaches and rainforests.

13. Andorra

Population: 77,354

Language: Catalan

Andorra is a country of the Pyrenees, located between Spain and France. Andorra is famous for its ski resorts and duty-free shops. The capital of Andorra, La Vella, is excellent for shopping in boutiques and jewelry stores.

12. Djibouti

Population: 1,000,000 people

Languages: French, Arabic

Have you ever wanted to swim with whale sharks? Remember to add Djibouti to your travel list if you still want to. In Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa, Lake Assal is ten times saltier than the sea.

Also worth a visit is Abbe Lake, a plateau dotted with limestone chimneys, some of which blast steam as high as 160 feet (48.7 m). And one more thing: if you happen to be in Djibouti, remember that photographing public airports, military installations, or public buildings is prohibited by law!

11. Eswatini

Population: 1,172,000 people

Languages: Swahili and English

Eswatini is a landlocked country in South Africa. It is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world and the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

It hosts the world-famous Mountain Bushfire Fest, which celebrates arts, music, and creativity in the economy. Eswatini also offers Big Five safaris, where you might be lucky to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos.

10. Solomon Islands

Population: 703,995 people

English language

If you're interested in World War II, then one of the places you will want to take advantage of is the Solomon Islands. Has a lively market selling island goods and handicrafts.

There are 992 islands in this archipelago, including Skull Island, named after warriors who decapitate defeated enemies, and Savo Island, which has a hot spring and an active volcano. If you are into diving, you will also be able to see the coral reefs covered with shells in the waters of this island.

9. Togo

Population: 106,759 people

Languages: Tongan and English

Most of the 170 islands of Togo are deserted. The central island of Tongatapu is a great place to enjoy the beautiful lagoons and admire the impressive limestone cliffs. Togo is also famous for its kava drinking ceremony.

Kava, made from pepper root, induces relaxation and improves well-being. Togo is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations where you can admire the beaches, coral reefs, and rainforests.

8. New Caledonia

Population: 272,620 people

Language: French

Another excellent place for divers is New Caledonia in the South Pacific, surrounded by the great barrier reef of Grande Terre.

New Caledonia also has a 9,000-mile (14,484 km) lagoon declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The landscape is also very varied.

7. Mauritius

Population: 1,270,000 people

English language

Mauritius is an island nation located off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean. There are many different hiking trails, waterfalls, rainforests, and corners of natural wildlife. Other attractions include a hippodrome and a botanical garden.

Another country attraction is the illusion of an underwater waterfall, which is nice to look at from above during a helicopter tour! Also, in 2017, a lost continent was discovered under this island.

6. Grenada

Population: 113,015 people

English language

The Caribbean island of Grenada, known as the "island of spices" because of its nutmeg plantations, lies 800 miles (1,287 km) above the equator.

It is one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. It is known for its hiking opportunities, breathtaking waterfalls like Seven Sisters Falls, and beautiful beaches. Especially for chocolate lovers in Grenada, there are three types of cocoa beans.

5. Benin

Population: 12,450,000 people

Language: French

On the territory of Benin, located in West Africa, is the Penjari National Park. This park is among the best places to see the West African lion.

Benin is also the birthplace of the voodoo religion. There is a royal palace museum with a throne mounted on human skulls.

If you are due to kidnappings and terrorism (Tier 3 travel), think carefully before going there.

4. Burkina Faso

Population: 21,500,000 people

Language: French

The West African nation of Burkina Faso is known for its rich music scene and vibrant festivals, including the Waga Hip Festival, which takes place every October.

However, as warnings have been issued for violent crime and terrorist attacks, you may want to postpone your visit to Burkina Faso.

3. Niue

Population: 1620 people

Languages: Niuean and English

The South Pacific country of Niue is one of the largest coral islands in the world. Here you can go fishing, diving, and snorkeling.

You may even be lucky to see migratory whales between July and October! Alongside this, it is worth visiting the Huwalú Forest Reserve, which passes through rock pools or "awake caves" and petrified coral forests leading to the cliffs of Togo and Waikon.

2. Sao Tome and Principe

Population: 223,364

Language: Portuguese

Sao Tome and Principe are African islands located near the equator. This place is ideal for climbers who can quickly climb large extinct volcanoes covered with moss and home to snakes.

Although the island does not yet have a developed infrastructure, white sand beaches, and crystal clear waters make these islands attractive for tourists.

If you are into ecotourism, visit Sao Tome and Principe, with its wild forests, 700 species of plants, and waterfalls. It is also often advised to see at least one of the coffee plantations on the islands. Traveling here is safe if you have a yellow fever vaccination and follow malaria precautions.

1. Dominica

Population: 72,172

English language

You are correct; this is not the Dominican Republic - Dominica. The official name is the Commonwealth of Dominica. The Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a volcanically heated boiling lake, and Trafalgar Falls is 65 meters high.

The mountainous country has its fair share of great beaches. The sand here is black, brown, and silver. This is a great place to get new experiences.

Who lives at the bottom of the ocean? Children will answer this simple-minded question very unequivocally and loudly, and biologists will list the animals until evening. However, there is a bottom dweller, who is recognized by both those, and those - a starfish. But today we will talk about the most titled type of these animals - the sunflower star, or pycnopodia.

Why the most titled? Well, firstly, because sunflower stars are the largest among their relatives. The creeping "flower" can fatten up to a meter in diameter. With such a size, five branches, as in standard stars, are clearly not enough. At least, the starfish itself decided so, increasing their number by 3-4 times!

But that's it, turn the starfish upside down and see hundreds of thousands of micro-legs! Such a number of walking and grasping accessories gives the animal a second title - the title of the fastest starfish. Pycnopodia "rush" at a speed of one meter per minute! Not impressive? And if I say that her relatives have an average acceleration of about 5 times less?

Do you still doubt the speed abilities of our heroine? Well, okay. The main thing is that the pycnopodia itself does not need high speeds for happiness - the predator's prey can barely crawl, if at all, so that it does not have problems in catching up.

You can find "sunflower fields" on the picturesque reliefs of the northern Pacific Ocean. There are underwater forests of algae rich in various living creatures. In the hunt for its inhabitants, the beast has honed its skills to the level of a serial killer.

She easily catches up with sea urchins, hermit crabs and weakened fish. By the way, in reality, the friendship of SpongeBob and Patrick would last exactly as long as the pycnopodia would crawl to a sea sponge. Their stars gnaw with the same pleasure as everyone else.

Neither scales, nor chitinous shells, nor even needles will save from the invasion of a starfish! The star swallows its prey whole, leaving bare skeletons after its meal. And if the food turns out to be too large, then the pycnopodia will release its stomach and begin to digest lunch just like that!

And if the pycnopodia loves to gut the bottom dwellers, then it does not excite it very much to love its relatives. Looking for a partner? Raising children? To hell with all this, the hunt does not wait! Stars of different sexes simply throw eggs and sperm into the water, hoping that they will somehow intersect themselves. If a miracle occurs, a small and not at all star-shaped larva is formed, which will turn into the likeness of parents only under the influence of the pheromones of an adult star.

With this level of carelessness in reproducing their own kind, extinction was only a matter of time. But now there is every chance that pycnopodia will finally disappear. And the sapiens are not even to blame. Sea stars were sharply knocked down by an incomprehensible infection 6 years ago, and they massively gave up - only some small populations remained. Without a bottom super-predator, unbelted sea urchins have bred to such an extent that they have eaten algae forests almost completely clean.

Scientists are trying to breed pycnodia in captivity and release them to their old habitats, but so far the population of giant Patrick is still hanging by a thread, alas.



Ocean City is a great place to driving directions take the kids because of its ten mile stretch of public beach, historic wooden boardwalk, and assortment of amusements and dining options by the water. At Trimper Rides, you can have some good, old-fashioned fun on the Ferris wheel, carousel, and bumper cars.

Assateague Island National Seashore is close by, and it has routes for hikers, campsites, canoeing, and even the chance to see wild horses. St. Michaels, located about 85 miles to the northwest, is a charming port town filled with mansions built in the mid-1600s. Travelers interested in getting to know the neighborhood may do so through self-guided walking tours or picturesque cruises. Enjoy sailing, golf, tennis, a spa, and fresh seafood from the Chesapeake Bay all while staying at the 26-acre waterfront boutique Inn at Perry Cabin.

Bend, situated in central Oregon between the Cascade Mountains and the high desert, is a popular vacation spot in the summer because of its proximity to a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, boating, rock climbing, and floating down the Deschutes River. On display at the Bend Summer Festival from July 7 to 9 are works of art, performances, food, drinks, shopping, a children's area, and more. The Bend Ale Trail has 30 breweries, in addition to cider, wine, spirits, kombucha, and dining options.

In the summer, visitors may rock climb, mountain bike, and go whitewater rafting on Mt. Bachelor, which is popular with skiers in the winter. Campgrounds, RV parks, motels, and resorts are all options for visitors to the Bend region. Vacationers at Juniper Preserve have the option of staying at the Lodge or a private home with as many as four bedrooms. Juniper has a spa, wellness activities, two golf courses, and a variety of restaurants.

More than 1,100 miles of shoreline and more than 1,200 individual islands make up Croatia's Adriatic coast. Hvar's vineyards, lavender fields, cultural attractions, and historical sites all contribute to the island's popularity as a vacation spot. On July 14 and 15, you may enjoy traditional music, dance, and treats flavored with lavender at the annual Lavender Festival. Several new hotels, notably Villa Porta Maestra, constructed on the remains of a Roman villa, will join the five-star Palace Elisabeth and the recently restored Beach Bay Hvar in 2023.

Cavtat is a picturesque town with more than five miles of beaches, outdoor cafés, and a palm-lined waterfront promenade around 120 miles south of Dubrovnik along the coast. The elegant Hotel Supetar Cavtat can be found in the heart of the town, and it has a restaurant that serves regional specialties from the Mediterranean. Located in the northwest of the Istrian Peninsula, the 40-room Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery is a Relais & Châteaux hotel featuring a spa, pool, and restaurant offering traditional Istrian cuisine.