Greece
Escape the hustle of life by flying to Athens and take the ferry to the island of Paros. Part of the Cyclades Islands, Paros is essentially one large mountain, with all slopes running down to the Aegean Sea. Though the area around Parikia, the cobblestoned main port and capital, can become quite busy, the remainder of the island is sparsely inhabited and those looking for time alone can easily find it. Steady winds make Paros an ideal place to windsurf. Those who prefer land will find trails snaking their way through the scraggly, rocky terrain. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular during the warmer months, as is lying on the sand and absorbing the sunshine. Summer sees hordes of visitors, but any other time of year, couples will have much of the island to themselves. Paros is famous for its marble, used for centuries by sculptors.
Paros Tourism Info
Shepherds
Aliki 3, Box 44042
Paros 84400
Greece
011 (+30) 22840 92232
parosparadise.com
Vietnam
Times are rapidly changing in Vietnam. Visitors to this area will find a developing country with a rich cultural heritage to explore. Use the northern capital of Hanoi as your base before taking a luxury train ride northwest to Lao Cai, followed by a bus to the small town of Sapa. Perched atop the country's highest peaks, Sapa and the surrounding villages are home to many of Vietnam's 54 ethnic minorities. Nearby villages such as Bac Ha and Po Sa are well known for their colorful weekly markets. There are many hiking and backpacking trails to explore, and braver souls can opt to rent a motorcycle to tour further away. Also nearby and of historic note is the valley of Dien Bien Phu, where French forces were routed during the Vietnamese march towards independence.
Livitrans Express Train
115 Le Duan
Hoan Kiem District
Ha Noi Vietnamese
011 (+84) 04 3942 9919
livitrans.com
Alaska
Visit Homer, Alaska, for something really out of the ordinary. Most people can't say that they sleep in alarmingly close proximity to grizzly bears, human-sized halibut, mountain goats, moose, elk, deer, wolves and an extraordinary natural landscape, but residents and visitors of this small Alaskan town can. Set in Kachemak Bay State Park, the Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge is a cozy place to sleep while exploring the area flora and fauna. A 45-minute flight from Anchorage, the park itself has public-use cabins, campsites and more than 80 miles of trails to backpack or hike. Kachemak Bay itself is worth exploring as well as puffins, gyrfalcons, eagles, sea otters, whales and seals are regularly spotted.
Ridgewood Wilderness Lodge
Box 659
Homer, AK 99603
(907) 296-2217
ridgewoodlodge.com
Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Area
Alaska State Parks, Kenai Area Office
Box 1247
Soldotna, AK 99669
(907) 262-5581
dnr.alaska.gov
