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Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

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Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#21

Post by brudgers »

randycupertino wrote: post #2

Big Bend National Park in Texas is on my wish-list. I had a work trip to Austin and thought I could add it on staying over through the weekend, but turns out Texas is REALLY BIG and Big Bend is about a 7 hour drive from Austin. Also after researching it a bit more the park sounds enormous and to really do it right you need a couple days at least to explore. So, I will be going back when I have more time! Bisbee, Ariz…

If you go to Big Bend, I recommend a side trip driving Texas FM170 along the Rio Grande between Terlingua and Presidio. It's stunning and takes you through Big Bend Ranch State Park. At Presidio US 67 runs north to Marfa. From Terlingua Texas 118 goes north to Alpine.

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#23

Post by one2know »

randycupertino wrote: post #15
one2know wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Big Bend to me is kind of dangerous. Just don't bring an expensive car or lots of valuables or go alone.

It does feel like it has creepy vibes. Would you say the dangers are more environmental (scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, etc), or climate/hiking remotely, or criminal? I'm in my 20s female traveler and would probably be traveling alone, most likely sleeping in the back of my SUV- which I've done all over the country and generally in sketchy areas I'll get a hotel room or rent a real campsite.

There is a border crossing in the park. It is basically a dirt road. If you drive your $100k car down there it could disappear over the border very quickly. You may encounter Mexicans selling geodes most likely. They might be watching for potential marks as well. There may also be Mexicans on foot that want a ride up the road. They may be pushy and mob your car, sometimes in large groups.

If you stick to camping, motel, or car camping in Chisos basin then you're probably good. There are wild havalinas which are mini-pigs that will root around at night, not dangerous.

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#24

Post by pskinner »

Rebelgecko wrote: post #19

The thing about lesser known but cool places is that part of what makes them cool is the lack of overtourism. Then by visiting you are potentially becoming part of the problem. Anyways, I'd like to visit Svalbard at some point. Sounds like a slightly surreal but beautiful place to visit

Svalbard is a fantastic place to visit, especially if you want to get away from everything - it's like having a weight lifted from you as soon as you leave the area of paved road in Longyearbyen.

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#25

Post by Fragoel2 »

Definitely the Sammezzano castle is on top of my list. Situated in Tuscany (near Florence) its owner had a crush for oriental culture. Thus, he decided to build this very peculiar castle in which each room follows a different arabic or middle-eastern architectural style. Pictures and more history here: https://www.homeinitaly.com/magazine/post.php?post_id=176.

Unfortunately it is privately owned and its kinda hard to register for a visit.

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#26

Post by knopkop_ »

davidwf wrote: post #3

I have an odd dream to visit Georgia (the country). I know extremely little about it, but the combination of language-geek attraction (Georgian is a totally out there language with its own script) and the absolutely stunning images of everything I see really makes me want to go.

Me too, mostly after reading this article, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niko_Bagration

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#27

Post by lfxyz »

PoachedSausage wrote: post #9
Maultasche wrote: post #6

The Azores. They're virtually unknown here in the US, but they look like a nice place to take a vacation.

You could island hop across the Atlantic. Bermuda -> Azores -> Canaries. Work your way up the Irish sea from the Scilly Isles -> Lundy -> Skomer -> Bardsey -> Angelsey. On up to Faroes (Bonus points for a stop off on Rockall) -> Iceland -> Svalbard. That would make an nice amateur radio Islands On the Air (IOTA) expedition.

If you head in the opposite direction you get the benefit of the weather improving as your trip goes on!

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#29

Post by Wonnk13 »

Maultasche wrote: post #6

The Azores. They're virtually unknown here in the US, but they look like a nice place to take a vacation.

Azores is brilliant and only a four hour flight from Boston / east coast. Highly recommended, especially if you like backpacking, or day hikes.

Re: Ask HN: Any less known but cool places you want to visit one day?

#30

Post by brudgers »

one2know wrote: post #23
randycupertino wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does feel like it has creepy vibes. Would you say the dangers are more environmental (scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, etc), or climate/hiking remotely, or criminal? I'm in my 20s female traveler and would probably be traveling alone, most likely sleeping in the back of my SUV- which I've done all over the country and generally in sketchy areas I'll get a hotel room or rent a real campsite.

There is a border crossing in the park. It is basically a dirt road. If you drive your $100k car down there it could disappear over the border very quickly. You may encounter Mexicans selling geodes most likely. They might be watching for potential marks as well. There may also be Mexicans on foot that want a ride up the road. They may be pushy and mob your car, sometimes in large groups. If you stick to camping, mot…

You cannot drive across the border at Boquillos. The Rio Grande is in the way and there is no bridge. Big Bend is in the middle of four hundred miles without a road across the border between Del Rio and Presidio.
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