Before summer is over, take the time to plan or simply fantasize about your next vacation… What is the most popular destination for vacation in 2015?
Will you join this traveling dog?
As can be expected of a translation services company, the team at Language Connections is highly international and well-traveled. Although some of us think that it is not the place but the company and the experience that make traveling great, we were able to pick out a few places that were more memorable than others. As a result, here we have a completely subjective list of destination ideas for vacation in 2015 (or simply fodder for daydreaming at your desk).
Vacation In 2015 | Pamukkale/Hierapolis, Turkey
The travertine formations and hot springs at Pamukkale
Pamukkale and Hierapolis can be considered the perfect travel destination – it’s sunny, it has stunning mineral formations that look like a glacier, it has hot springs in said formations, and after 5 minutes of walking past these you encounter a gold mine of history: a massive ancient theater, ancient Roman healing baths, and the St. Philip Martyrium among others. Furthermore, there are relatively few tourists and the experience feels more “authentic” because there are few security guards or officials milling about. And if you happen to stop by Istanbul on your way there, don’t forget to visit one of the many street vendors and try midye dolma – mussels stuffed with saffron-infused rice.
Vacation In 2015 | Guilin, Guangxi, China
The karst mountains in Guilin, a UNESCO heritage site
This is not your stereotypical Chinese tourism experience. The most memorable part about Guilin is the beautiful karst mountains, which “shoot straight up”, especially in contrast to the otherwise very flat landscape. There, you can spend hours on rustic narrow wooden rafts and float alongside the mountains, pushed along the streams by a local while being inches away from the incredibly large and extremely strangely-shaped formations. After that, you can tour the beautiful limestone caves which are naturally illuminated with multi-colored lighting, and take a look at the Elephant Trunk Hill, which is a hill that resembles an elephant drinking water and symbolizes the city of Guilin.
Vacation In 2015 | Mount Desert Island, Maine, USA
While not as exotic as some of the other destinations, the beautiful views, the lakes, and the hiking and biking trails put Mount Desert Island in Maine on this list. As the second largest island off the Eastern seaboard, this destination offers lots of options for both active and passive recreation, as well as beautiful ocean views both from Bar Harbor and from atop Cadillac Mountain. For a compromise between nature and civilization, visit the Thuya Gardens, an English-style garden with the distinct character of Maine where beautifully designed landscaping coexists with the naturally abundant flowers. For the athletically inclined, there are a number of scenic hiking trails in the island’s Acadia National Park. You can also camp out by the many lakes, and go kayaking and rock-climbing.
Oaxaca, Mexico
A roasted cricket vendor in Oaxaca
The state of Oaxaca is filled with indigenous communities who are happy to share their rich cultures with you. But more than anything, the state is THE place for home-made mole, and if you dare, you can try other “strange” foods such as roasted crickets which are called chapulines. As for places to go, if your interest is in architecture, make sure to visit the many beautiful cathedrals in Oaxaca; if your interest lies in history, you can visit the hometown of Mexico’s first indigenous president, Benito Juarez, called San Pablo Guelato. And if older landmarks are more your speed, make sure to include into your visit the breathtaking Mayan pyramids at the pre-Hispanic city of Monte Alban.
Chania, Greece
Chania at night
Chania is a tiny little town on the island of Crete. It’s colorful, warm, and people are constantly going in and out of the perpetually open doors, into the narrow alleyways. That is to say, it’s exactly as charming and welcoming as one would expect of a Mediterranean town on the water. Although the food is typical Greek fare, it is especially plentiful in Chania – don’t miss out on the grape leaves, meat dishes, loukoumades (doughy balls with honey), and of course, ouzo to wash it all down. And finally, you can see the Chania lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, while dancing at the various bars and clubs until sunrise (which is not to be missed).
Dead Sea, Israel
You also can strike cheesy poses while floating effortlessly
One of our team-members had a particularly memorable experience here – he found himself face to face with Verne Troyer, otherwise known as “Mini-Me” from the Austin Powers movies, after which he was invited to dine with the star. Aside from this experience, the Dead Sea is a must-see (pun intended) partly because of the perfect weather. Also, who doesn’t want to experience effortless buoyancy, or slather mud on themselves without getting the side-eye from strangers?
Crimea, Ukraine
Apparently, back in the day, Crimea used to be somewhat of a hot tourist destination. Located by the Black Sea, it is home to some of the warmest waters in Russia, as well as plenty of Ancient Greek colonies and nomadic settlements for the archaeologically or anthropologically inclined. Something to consider for when the tensions subside…
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