Instead of heading to another Caribbean destination this summer, try a new route. Several cruises travel through the North Pole and Antarctica, fitting all budget ranges. You can depart from Alaska and tour the Arctic Circle, or even venture on a long voyage to Greenland. Other popular routes include cruises on the Baltic and Norwegian Seas, departing from Helsinki and Oslo respectively. You can also cruise around Antarctica, departing from Ushuaia, at the very southern tip of Argentina. All routes feature standard cruise-ship amenities, including restaurants, entertainment and casinos, in addition to the beauty of the natural and untouched landscapes you will encounter en route. These routes also offer the chance for a variety of animal sightings, from sperm wales and penguins to walruses and polar bears.
If you are a fan of all-inclusive resorts catering to the whole family, with a full range of activities and warm weather year-round, then head to Morocco. Their famed Riads -- all-inclusive hotels in a architecturally traditional setting -- are more than a Moroccan institution in hostelry: they represent the spirit of Moroccan hospitality. Riads are available at every price range, and most include sumptuous Arabesque architecture and decorations, and delicious local cuisine. Depending on the location of the Riad you choose, you might have access to private Mediterranean beaches or be within walking distance of a busy Moroccan Medina, full of shopping, sightseeing and entertainment.
For train travel lovers, the longest train ride in the world might prove an unusual and worthwhile adventure. The Trans-Siberian Railway starts in Moscow, heads to Ulan-Ude (located at the shores of the oldest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal) and then splits off three different ways: straight until Vladivostok, into China or through Mongolia and ending in China. Along each route, the train makes stops to allow travelers the chance to enjoy the sights throughout Russia, spend a few days in a Mongolian yurt feasting on yak products or travel the Chinese countryside.
The Silk Road is an adventurous backpacking route, albeit challenging in the matters of visas and standards of international travel. En route, you will likely encounter few English-speakers, hotels will not measure up to typical western standards and ATMs will be hard to find. At 3,500 miles in length, this is truly an adventure into the lesser known Central Asia. This trip requires considerable planning, from deciding which countries you want to cover between Greece, Turkey and China, your preferred methods of transportation and foreseeing if you need to skip any destinations due to current events.
