Meroe Pyramids
If you are looking for a single reason to visit to Sudan, it should be the Pyramids of Meroe. This is the site that has it all: historic mystery unseen by tourists, desert atmosphere of the past. True return to some other times with shrieks of Egyptian sacred vultures flying over one's head. This specific pyramids are a site to behold! And there are local kids selling some of the local souvenirs Worth spending a dollar or two to help them out.

Kokino Observatory
Macedonia has a many off the beaten path spots but Kokino should be number one on your list. Even listed with UNESCO as a World Heritage site, this 3800 years old observatory, was only discovered and partly understood in 2001. Kokino, had a dual function as a scientific and ritual site, and is of great interest to archaeoastronomy researchers for its complexity and value. But, for all of us others, it is still an impressive site.

Straw Hats of Yemen
One of the most curious and unusual details you will see in the mainland are the strange, tall hats worn by local women in the fields. Despite the scorching heat, Yemeni women are dressed in black burqas while working in the fields and the only relief, apparently, is coming through these tall hats. The hats are made of dried and braided strips of date palm leaves and are characteristic to Hadramaut province of Yemen. These strange hats are called madhalla and please ask for permission before taking a photo.

Leptis Magna in the Rain
Most visitors picture the Libyan desert as dry, sunbaked, and unchanging—but every so often, the skies open up. When rain falls over Leptis Magna, it feels like walking through a dream. Water runs along 2,000-year-old Roman drains, puddles form in the market square, and marble columns shimmer in soft light. The ancient stones seem to breathe again. Few people are lucky enough to witness this moment—but if you do, you’ll never forget it.

Aral Sea
Once a third largest, sweet water mass on the planet, the Aral Sea is just a sad reminder of our destructive nature today. Long drive from Muynak - where one can see last local ships, anchored in sands 150 kilometers from the nearest water - the Aral Sea is an eerie site today. Dead, lifeless and completely abandoned, this area is a true treat for dystopia seekers. The drive there is 4 hours long, through the steppe and some stunning geology.

The Lotus Farm
The Lotus Farm is basically a large lake producing thousands of lotus flowers which are harvested to create a unique, silk-like textile. Lotus is, of course, used in Khmer cuisine as well. Pretty much all parts of the plant are edible but we prefer the dried seeds. They have a nut-like flavor and are often sold dried in western countries. Lotus farm makes for a nice, non-touristy detour from the main route and you can get a good picture of how people live in Cambodia.

Giant Tortoises of Aldabra
Seychelles is home to the world's largest population of Aldabra giant tortoises, native to the Aldabra Atoll. These ancient creatures can live for over a century and are a true symbol of the Seychelles' unique biodiversity. Visit the Aldabra Atoll or other sanctuaries to get up close and personal with these gentle giants and learn more about their fascinating life and conservation efforts.