Five Soon-to-Be White Hot Tourist Destinations

Under the Radar -- for Now. These 5 locales are the jet set's Next Big Thing

ByABC News
February 10, 2009, 8:41 AM

Jan. 8, 2008 -- Venturing off the beaten path is adventure enough for some, but beating down the path itself is for a special breed. For these alpha tourists, the joy of travel is in getting there before the people who wear Mickey Mouse sweatshirts do.

These destinations are poised to become vacation hot spots in the next few years but for now are still ripe for path-beaters to explore. You might have trouble getting around -- or even to -- your destination without a bit of the language or a local friend to help you out, but good stories are what alpha tourists bring home -- not T-shirts.

What's more, it's been described at the happiest place on earth: Since 1974, it has actually measured the country's success with the GNH -- Gross National Happiness -- a holistic measuring system invented by the king that incorporates not only economic growth but also culture preservation, sustainable use of the environment and good governance.

Plastic bags and tobacco are banned, but you won't find a single beggar or homeless person on the streets. Education and medical care are free for all citizens.

Known in its native language as Druk Yul, or Land of the (Peaceful) Dragon, Bhutan's absolute monarchy is adopting a constitution in 2008, making it a particularly exciting time for Westerners to explore it and its happy people.

Just make sure to book a trek (hiking, biking, bird-watching and culture itineraries all available) in advance, as the terrain, while beautiful, requires guidance from an expert.

More Information:
www.bootan.com

Nicaragua

Those looking for a Central American resort with yoga, golf and minimal Spanish required, head to Costa Rica.

Nicaragua, however, is still cheap with vast areas of land not owned by expats. It's the second-poorest nation in Central America (after Haiti), so there are places to avoid (Managua, the capital) and lots of petty theft, but you'll also find a few gems unlike anywhere on earth.

More Information:
www.nicatour.net

Kazakhstan

Borat's country? Yes.

Sacha Baron Cohen's character may have lifted Kazakhstan from its general obscurity as another former Soviet republic, but in recent years the nation has seen as huge rise in oil money. Which means a huge rise in luxury hotels, five-star restaurants and exotic nightlife in Almaty, its largest city.

A constant Dubai comparison floats above it like a cloud in the sky, and rightfully so: It's a great place to smoke a water pipe and plan your excursions to mountain glaciers, national parks and medieval ruins along the Silk Road -- the old trade route from China to Europe.

On these treks, you might have to swap the fancy cocktails and high-thread count sheets in Almaty for a hut and some fermented camel milk.

Also, take the train. You're likely to get pulled into an impromptu vodka party and a round of 20 (or more) questions from locals wanting to get to know you.

More Information:
www.kazakinfo.com

Laos

Adventure-seekers have already trailed Vietnam and Cambodia.

And while Laos has seen a couple of upscale hotels pop up -- like the Residence Phou Vao and its infinity pool -- there's still plenty of territory with little Western influence.

Though 10 percent of the country lives in the capital city, Vietaine, its lack of modern architecture has preserved an Asian village feel -- despite some French colonial architecture offsetting the city's gilded temples.

More Information:
www.visit-laos.com

Moscow

Just five years ago, you might be asked by an intrepid local how much you'd like for the name-brand jeans you're wearing. Now, you can't afford to buy jeans in Moscow.

Like the rest of Eartern Europe, Moscow seems an obvious choice, but the rise of capitalism makes now an exciting time to visit what's just become the world's most expensive city.

Twentysomethings who can remember standing in line for a loaf of bread are discovering once obscure traditions like Halloween for the first time. That surge of energetic newness combined with the grittiness of the recent past has created a nightlife scene that attracts the world's best DJs, yet still maintains an underground feel -- not unlike the urban rave culture in '90s Detroit.

More Information:
www.moscowcity.com