A lot of times when you travel to a tourist hotspot, you are crammed onto a tour bus with a few dozen other people and driven out to see a local site. When you get there, there are countless other buses with just as many people on them. Once you file out of the bus you are wading through a sea of people, waiting to snap a few pictures and then get back on the bus.

Tibet is a wonderful place with a lot of fascinating sights to see but we wanted to put together some tips for exploring the unexplored Tibet so that you can get a real sense of the history and the culture without rubbing up against 100 other tourists at every stop.

Lhasa is a great place to visit and it will provide you with a different experience than the scenario mentioned above. It’s not likely that you will see many tour buses but you’ll probably see a number of 4 x 4′s that bring people here.

A lot of people will take the trip from Lhasa to Kathmandu but if you want to get off the beaten path you can travel a bit further. You may wish to visit the highland desert of West Tibet where you can explore the highland desert, get incredible views of the mountains, and pass by the occasional village.

Sakya is a small town that is off the beaten path and there are some forums online where people have talked about visiting this town without seeing any other tourists. To get to this town you need to travel down a dirt road but the road is fairly well maintained. This town is located in a farming valley and the main site to see in Sakya is the monastery. The monastery compound has a very high wall around it that some people call the Great Wall of Tibet.

Another option for getting away from the masses is to take a train tour through Tibet. Traveling by train is a great way to see the majestic landscapes of this beautiful area and you will be able to take in views of the vast Gobi Desert, green grasslands, and snow-covered peaks. Train tours also stop at a number of interesting and significant sights along the way.

Finding places on your own that are off the beaten path can be a bit of a challenge. Booking a tour with a large group is the situation you are likely trying to avoid. A way to get the best of both worlds is to book a private tour. Private tours can take you to places where there are a lot fewer tourists but you can still have a guide and transportation provided for you.

Many private tours are very expensive but there are some companies that specialize in providing affordable private tours. If you are single or a couple, there are some tour companies that will pair you with a few other people, putting you into a small group of no more than six people and then they will take this small group to see the sights.

One trip that we found online during our research was a seven-day tour that takes you from Lhasa, to Gyantse, then to Shigatse, and back to Lhasa. During this seven-day tour you will see the Rongpu Monastery, the Drepung Monastery, Yamdrok Yumtso Lake, Mt. Everest, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the Sera Monastery, Yangpachen, the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street.

That tour is just one example. There are other private tours available that are 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days and even 10 day tours. Obviously, the longer the trip is the more expensive it will be but you’ll also be able to see more of the sites. Some of the sites you will see on the private tours will be the same sites that public tours go to and there will be other tourists when you get there but you will not be packed into a bus with 50 other people so your transportation is generally a lot more comfortable.

On a private tour you get a personal guide and a much more intimate experience than that of most other travelers.

Author Bio – This is a guest post by Dillon Michaelson working for Apartments apart Their travel site mainly focuses on providing cheap accommodation across the globe such as Miami apartments for rent and the New York rentals. They even specialize in providing hotel bookings, car rentals etc.

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Why Germany?
Germany is a country with stunning natural landscapes, buzzing cities and a range of cultural treasures. From learning a new sport to taking part in a journey of historical discovery, Germany can offer something to whet any eager appetite.

Wherever your interests lie there is something to appeal in Germany, with all its charm, enthusiasm and efficiency. As well as some extremely trendy cities such as Berlin and Nuremburg, the country is home to beautiful and atmospheric old cities such as Dresden and the holy city of Trier.

Then there are the tiny villages with welcoming locals, examples of cutting-edge architecture and beautiful scenery offering tranquillity and panoramic views.

Where to Go and What to Do
Cities such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are renowned for their thriving arts scene and cultural activities. With plenty of music venues, clubs, galleries and museums dotted around, there is no shortage of things to do.

Of course, there are many places of historical importance to see as well and these include the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, which stands proud as a permanent symbol of the reunification of Germany following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Dating back to 1791, the gate is beautifully ornate and is a poignant reminder of the country’s long history.

In terms of incredible scenery, the Black Forest combines lush hills and valleys with delicate traditional villages, dramatic forests and peaceful monasteries. With so much to recommend it, this unique area should be explored by any visitor to the country.

When it comes to magical, fairy-tale castles, Germany boasts more than most, with the jewel in the crown being Neuschwanstein, which is nestled deep in the heart of the Alps. This stunning castle is theatrical, decadent and quirky and is deserves its place as one of the most popular attractions in Germany.

Ways to Travel
Youth travel is particularly popular in Germany and many young people choose to visit the country and take in multiple destinations. There is a good infrastructure and transport system so it is easily accessible.

For the ultimate road trip, travel along the appealingly named Romantic Road, which takes you on a glorious journey through some of the best scenery in Germany, including glimpses of medieval walled towns, castles, old taverns and a whole host of beautiful locations en route.

For those hoping to experience volunteering abroad, Germany is a good option with plenty of projects to suit all skills and interests. By becoming a volunteer abroad, participants have the opportunity of learning the language and getting involved with the local community, getting a unique insight into the way of life.

There is every type of accommodation option available, from dynamic boutique hotels through to cheerful hostels and great campsites. With so many affordable options it’s easy to see why so many people choose to holiday in Germany.

There is so much to see and do across this exceptionally beautiful country. Germany is a unique and thrilling destination and one which seems to appeal to everyone for different reasons. Whether you hope for a romantic getaway, a learning experience or an action-packed adventure, it’s all here in abundance.

AUTHOR BIO

Ellen Lewis writes regularly on the subject of volunteering abroad for a range of leading travel websites and blogs. Her experiences as a volunteer abroad mean she can provide comprehensive guidance.

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The city is really amazing and except all the hiking options you are going to have, you will have the chance to do some remarkable sightseeing as well. Of course if you are convinced that you want to visit the city of Prague the next step you have to do is to find yourself a decent accommodation. By the way hiking near Prague is also an option you should give a thought. But anyway, talking about the accommodation I should mention some important tips that will save you lots of troubles. If you want to find a good accommodation, make sure your start doing a research on internet at least a month earlier than your arrival. If you want to know, Apartments Prague can be quite expensive even compared to apartments in Poznan or a nice Apartment Milan. This is why if your budget is limited it is better to spend less money for accommodation and more money for sightseeing and hiking.

Anyway, talking about hiking you should be aware of your condition. Place that you should visit if you have hiking intentions is Karlstejn Castle. Really amazing place – you will have the chance to see this amazing place and hike as well. Of course it also depends on the type of hiking you want to do…but anyway you can give a try to the riverside trails in the region. The good thing here is that you don’t really need any type of special equipment…of course if you are doing this during November or December don’t forget to take some warm clothes with you because the temperatures may be freezing.

Other option I can think of and therefore recommend you is to visit the outdoor supply stores. There you will be able to find lots of maps and books about hiking in Prague or the areas near the city. This is a really easy method because all you have to do is to pick up a region, take a map and go.

If you need more ideas for hiking regions you can take a look at this website – http://www.czechfunfan.com/en/index.html . I’ve used it a couple of times and every time I was able to find the information I was looking for. But anyway my personal recommendation is to start with the castle I’ve mentioned above – it is a great place – you will see forests, fields and the castle itself and if you are an expert hiker you can even reach a few small villages. And last but not least I can recommend you one more website you should use when it comes to planning a hiking trip – www.mapy.cz . The information there is really useful!

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