When it comes to travel, we’re spoiled in New Zealand. There is no shortage of stunningly beautiful destinations in our backyard. And when venturing further, we’re almost universally welcomed – we can travel freely to most countries, no visa required prior to arrival.
That’s not to say other nations aren’t worth the trouble of visiting. While it may take a little more organisation, these visa destinations have lots to offer.
India
India is like nowhere else on earth. If you can go with the flow, you’ll come through the challenges of navigating this unique country with incredibly rewarding memories. It’s chaotic cities throb with life, confronting us with our own humanity; its sun-kissed beaches, glorious mountains and lush jungles just made for meditative exploration. Spirituality is strong throughout the land, with sacred sites and temples (along with a full calendar of festivals and celebrations!) a testament to its religious history. And of course, the fiery food will leave your taste buds tingling.
Russia
Not sure where to begin with this sprawling country? Start with Moscow and St Petersburg, surrounded by idyllic rural villages and towns for an easy escape to the countryside. They’re rich with cultural, political and historic significance, not to mention the fabulous architecture – spired cathedrals, citadels, palaces and other national treasures. Dazzling theatres in particular can be found all through Russia and if that’s your thing, a live performance is not to be missed.
Cold outside? Try a steam bath, or just head for a vodka-powered night out. Then there’s the classic Trans-Siberian train route – the longest single railway in the world, a ramble through mountains, forests, rivers and rugged countryside.
Vietnam
Take the time to discover all that Vietnam has to offer and you won’t be disappointed. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are humming cities with great museums and cultural history (you’ll quickly get used to crossing the overwhelmingly motorbike-choked streets, promise!). Heady Halong Bay is a tranquil oasis, with countless islands rising from the sea against spectacular sunsets. Take a bike tour through the mountains, villages and beaches that make up the middle regions. Plus, feast on the subtle flavours that define Vietnamese cuisine – dishes of dizzying variety up and down the country, but all with incredible depth topped by pipingly fresh herbs – and of course, their famously intense take on coffee.
Maldives
For a romantic or five-star getaway, you can’t go wrong with this tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. In the Maldives, exclusive resorts compete to one-up each other in the luxury stakes. Each resort is on its own island; you’re never more than a few steps from the water’s edge.
There’s also a growing number of private guesthouses available on various islands for travellers looking for a more independent or frugal trip, allowing you to design your own itinerary and travel around via ferry. Apart from relaxing on the untouched beaches, there’s world-class diving and snorkelling spots among the coral atolls (and the turquoise waters are delightfully warm).
Ghana
With friendly locals eager to welcome, Ghana is great for indie travellers. The arts are a constant here – pottery, weavings and carvings are everywhere, as are the rhythms and sounds of drum beats. Accra is the capital and largest city, but Ghana’s crowning glory is its leafy, beachy coastline. Don’t miss the remains of the European coastal forts, which date back to the days of Atlantic slave trading. At Cape Coast you’ll find Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, where you can explore dungeons, chambers and cannons.
And when it comes to nature and wildlife, Ghana holds its own – there’s waterfalls, mountains and jungle in spades, not to mention crocodiles, monkeys, and tropical butterflies. Walk over swing bridges in Kakum National Park, hike Mt Afadjato, or visit the gorgeous lakes of Volta or Bosumtwe.
Cuba
Cuba is full of dichotomies, not least the dual currencies in use here. Wandering through its colonial cities is like stepping into a time machine. The grandeur of Havana and Trinidad’s historic buildings – some well-preserved, some dilapidated, some in sweet pastels and others in electric hues – harks back to statelier times. And yet the streets reverberate with cars and smoke, music and conversation, vibrant and larger than life. Spanish, African and Caribbean influences make up the sound of Cuba, and reflect the diversity of its people.
Venture further afield and come across endless forests, lagoons, mountains and swamps. Cuba’s hundreds of white sandy beaches are especially inviting, with the Atlantic to the north coast and the Caribbean to the south. The clear waters of Varadero and Playa Ancon are among its most famous – the perfect spots to lie back, soak up the sun or head out snorkelling. And most of all, food in Cuba is delicious.
Egypt
Egypt’s now requiring visitors to organise visas in advance, for entrance to this country rich in ancient treasures. Cairo is a metropolis of minarets and museums – the medieval architecture is a sight to behold – and of course there’s the unmissable pyramids of Giza. Cruise the Nile, stopping off at the riverside temples. In Luxor, the Valley of the Kings is home to many royal tombs including Tutankhamun’s.
It’s desert that comprises the vast majority of Egypt, and you’ll see plenty of it if you’re making the pilgrimage out to Mt Sinai (where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments from God). But when it’s time to cool off, head for the coast, where coral reefs off shimmering beaches await keen divers and snorkellers.
USA
New Zealand is part of the Visa Waiver programme with the USA but we Kiwis do need to apply online for authorisation ahead of time. Once over there, though? The great American experience can be whatever you want it to be. Hop from city to city, be it jazzy New Orleans, soulful Memphis, glamorous Los Angeles, eclectic Portland, historic Boston, antebellum Savannah, sunny Miami, or pulsing New York. Road trip through scorched deserts, lush countryside and epic mountain ranges. And when it comes to dining, the choices are endless – Creole, BBQ, Tex-Mex, from diners to delis to food trucks and Michelin-starred restaurants.
