Visit the odd yet beautiful at least once in your lifetime. This is an advice shared not just by travel & tour operators but travelers themselves who have experienced the best of both worlds – the simple jarring city streets alongside the most fabulous remnants of history and fascinating works of architecture and enjoyable nature trips. The destination: far-flung places where authenticity is the credo and where the wanderlust will not likely say “been there, done that.” Think Botswana, Pattaya, and Ho Chi Minh City, or all the way to Catalonia, Spain — all interesting exotic travel options which have drawn the interest of a growing number of travelers & adventure-seekers from all over the world.

If your heart has been won over by Thailand, you are in for a wonderful exotic travel destination that you can enjoy to the hilt with your spouse or friend. There are elephant rides, floating markets, and water sports and unique Thai massage & cultural shows that can add to an unforgettable trip. For accommodations, Pattaya has hotels that offer first class accommodations at a rate that won’t break the bank.

Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, another great exotic travel option, is a place that remains rooted in ancient culture while also displaying a reasonably modern metropolis. Every avenue in downtown Ho Chi Minh has restaurants and shops. Art shops carry remarkable reconstructions of the world’s most famous paintings. Must-see attractions are the tunnels that show visitors how Vietnam endured one of the most horrid wars in Asia. A controversial museum also depicts Vietnam’s violent past and showcases airplanes, helicopters, tanks, and artillery form a bygone era. After taking in the sights of Saigon, relax in one of the hotels brimming with character and charm, situated in the heart of Saigon. Ho Chi Minh has several hotel options that can cater to the requirements of international travelers at reasonable cost. Some are also a stone’s throw from the city’s business, entertainment and shopping districts.

Another exotic destination which has impressed many travelers with its famous landmarks, great climate, beautiful beaches and tasty delicacies is Barcelona, capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia. Before hoeing off to the modernist city which counts among its most famous landmarks Antoni Gaudi’s Basilica of the Holy Family, you can book yourself in one of the hip boutique-style hotels in the city center. Some rooms overlook Gaudi’s Casa Mila, the residential apartment building-turned-museum dedicated to the famous artist. Other alternative hotels include those which are part of a worldwide hotel chain and provide convenient access to the city’s architectural wonders, museums and eateries. Some hotels have spacious upper floor suites offering lovely views of the city. Off-season rates may be obtained. Also worth checking out is a stunning 124-room hotel housed in a 19th century palace structure whose rooms are adorned with original Egyptian, Roman and Hindu art. A trip to exotic Spain will not be complete without savoring the local produce, so enjoy dinner in the hotel cloister or dining room of the hotel where you’re staying which offers a whiff of the past.