Are you a full-time social media marketer (or part-time, but feel like it is full-time)? Do you need a break? Do you ever wonder if that exotic place exists, that will port you away from the chaos in your present life, as if taking you to a far off fairyland that is only in your dreams?
All the Places You Hadn’t Considered for your Break
It’s vacation season. Where will you be spending your break this year? The usual candidates probably leap to mind: Paris, Rio, Honolulu, and Puerto Vallarta. Great places to visit, no doubt. But why not give a thought to some of the other amazing vacation spots around the world? Here are six of them to get you started.
Hora Sfakion: the Hidden Wonder
If you were to wander toward the southern coast of the beautiful mainland Greece, you would see another famous island off the coast there. The large island of Crete often attracts sunbathers to its brilliantly sandy north-coast beaches. As a result, the southern coast gets less tourist traffic. However, it also has less chaos, as a result. It has some truly unforgettable vacation spots. Check out the village of Hora Sfakion, tucked in between the rocky shore of the Libyan Sea and Crete’s White Mountains. Sample local seafood, caught fresh (same day), or rent a boat and catch your own fish/dinner. Go dolphin and whale watching. Hike the extraordinary mountain trails, where you may see the reclusive kri-kri (wild goat). Don’t miss the gloriously wild Samaria Gorge, one of the most beautiful of Greece’s National Parks.
Dubai: An Exotic Study in Contrasts
Dubai is beautiful example of an exotic study in contrasts, from the shopping to the theme parks, gardens, and tours, there are many things to do in Dubai. If you are an active, sporting type, you may want to sky dive, deep sea dive, or bungee jump. There are also the exploratory type adventures that include a desert safari, Quad biking, and Parasailing. Of course, the list wouldn’t be complete without sand boarding and wakeboarding. For the more leisurely-minded, there are many opportunities to take a nice stroll in the many gardens, or even sit while a bus guides you on a city tour, in the comforts of the amenities of the transportation. Don’t forget about the many cultural aspects of Dubai, like the belly dancing shows and what about meeting a camel or two? There is no such thing as “boredom,” if considering Dubai on your list.
Tarragona: History, Nature, and Spectacular Beaches
Tourists flock to the Costa Brava, the portion of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, north of Barcelona. Less popular for holidaymakers is the coastal area just south of Barcelona, and in particular, the city of Tarragona. The city was already an ancient seaport when the Romans arrived there over 2000 years ago. Those who are enthralled by history and all of the stories hidden in the past annals of our human existence will be delighted with the many archaeological sites and Tarragona’s stunning medieval cathedral. Take a cycling tour through the mountainous terrain that encircles the city, visiting local villages and enjoying the olive fields and vineyards. Explore on horseback or by kayak, the delta of the Ebro River with its flocks of flamingos and other river birds.
Reykjavik: The Vikings and the Icelandic Horse
This post wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include Iceland, the case study that we used (with its music festivals) when providing examples of how the travel industry could teach social media marketing a few tricks (here on SocialNomics).
Iceland is a land colonized by Vikings. The language has changed very little in the past thousand years or so. The night sky throbs with the Aurora Borealis, while active volcanoes and glaciers coexist across the rugged landscape. You’re at the country’s hub in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, where you can enjoy such cultural treasures as the Safnahusid (“Culture House”) during the day and the city’s vibrant nightlife in the evening. You can visit three of Iceland’s geologic wonders in the “Golden Circle” tour. This day trip will take you from Reykjavik to the Gullfoss Waterfall, the mud pools and geysers at Haukadalur, and the Thingvellir National Park, the point where two of the earth’s tectonic plates collide. Of course, if you are already there, you will want to meet up with an Icelandic horse, or two. They are related to the horses with which we are familiar, and yet they are a breed all their own.
Samarkand: The Road to a Holiday That Creates Memories
Located on Central Asia’s ancient Silk Road, the city of Samarkand is the stuff of legend. It’s been around for centuries: Alexander the Great was one of its first conquerors, followed centuries later by Genghis Kahn, and Tamerlane the Great. Now a major city in Uzbekistan, Samarkand is the ultimate exotic vacation destination. It’s filled with historical landmarks and amazing architectural monuments, including the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel and the Gur-Emir Mausoleum. Come to Samarkand prepared to shop, as it’s a major center for carpets, lacquerware, ceramics, and silk textiles. The city is bursting with bazaars. And don’t miss the true treasure of this city, its extraordinary flatbread, endowed with an unforgettable flavor and able to stay fresh for a very long time.
Old Havana: Experiencing the Newness of the History
Havana’s Old Town is a tourist’s delight. Founded by the Spanish in the sixteenth century, its narrow streets are lined with baroque and neoclassical buildings that encapsulate Havana’s colonial past. Yet, it’s filled with vibrant modernity, filled with folk music, modern art exhibits, and plenty of street culture. When booking your room, ask to have a room that has a view of the Caribbean in a bed-and-breakfast near the Cathedral de San Cristobal. Then, prepare to party.
Final Thoughts: When You Return from Your Holiday
Whether you are a blogger or a social media enthusiast (or a regular person who likes to share on social media), this is your opportunity to “live it up,” even after returning from your vacation. If you space out your postings (blog posts or social updates), you may have a month’s worth of content to keep your audience interested! Of course, this is how the social media director thinks, ensuring that there is an ever-flowing amount of content to entice the audience. Otherwise, share and share (all those photos, videos, and pictures of food), while you are vacationing and let those folks back and home take part in the fun along with you, miles and miles away from the chosen exotic vacation spot.
