If you’re in Pokhara, I highly recommend visiting the Annapurna Eco Village. Truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. You can also stay at the Eco Village, if you prefer to have a more secluded and peaceful stay in Pokhara.
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Asia
Pokhara, Nepal
Pokhara is located in central Nepal, close to the Annapurna Himalayas, on a lake with colorful fishing boats. If you’re in Pokhara, I recommend visiting Annapurna Eco Village, which has some of the most stunning views of the Himalayas.
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Asia
Patan, Nepal
If you have extra time in Kathmandu, I recommend taking a short taxi ride south to Patan. Get dropped off at Durbar Square. There’s a building across the street from the entrance with an open staircase on the side — climb the stairs and you’ll end up on the roof, where you’ll have a nice
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Asia
Himalayas, Everest Region, Nepal
I didn’t have enough time to go all the way to Everest Base Camp during my first visit to Nepal, but was happy to learn you can do a short trek from Kathmandu > Lukla > Phakding > Namche Bazaar > Syangboche (3780 meters / 12,401 feet). On a clear day, you can see the
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Asia
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is one of my favorite cities in the world. My first visit to Nepal wasn’t long after the 2015 earthquake leveled parts of the city. I highly recommend staying at the Kasthamandap Boutique Hotel, a lovely hotel conveniently located in Thamel. If you have time, you can also visit Patan and Bhaktapur.
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Asia
Foshan, China
Foshan is less than an hour outside Guangzhou, easily accessible by bus or train, and a great place to spend a long layover in Guangzhou. I visited the Ancestral Temple, Nanfeng Kiln, and the qaint neighborhood surrounding the Kiln. Note — I have a ten-year multi-entry visa for China; I recommend checking temporary visa requirements.
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California
Noah Purifoy Desert Art, California
Noah Purifoy is a desert art museum in Joshua Tree, housing large-scale sculptures constructed entirely of junked materials. It’s open daily and free to visit (directions here).
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California
Joshua Tree, California
Joshua Tree National Park, named after the iconic tree of the same name, is a national park located in the desert two hours east of Los Angeles. I recommend renting a desert house on the outskirts of the park (we stayed in this adorable AirBnB, photos below). I also recommend visiting Noah Purifoy desert art
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California
Slab City, California
Slab City, built on an abandoned military base, is a decommissioned area in the State of California, with no electricity, running water, sewers, toilets, or trash pickup. Known as “The Last Free Place in America,” squatters live there off the grid, free of things like property taxes and utility bills. I recommend combining this with
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California
Salvation Mountain, California
Salvation Mountain, a colorfully painted mountain located in the California desert, is Leonard Knight’s tribute to God. I’d also recommend visiting adjacent Slab City and East Jesus. I combined these with a trip to Joshua Tree, about two hours away. If you’re interested in desert art, you can see more at Noah Purifoy, an outdoor
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Asia
Guangzhou, China
Guangzhou is a major business and industrial hub located in southern China, north of Hong Kong and Macao. It’s also the hub for China Southern, which I fly often. During my first seven-hour layover, I visited Shangxiajiu Street, a shopping area easily accessible by train from the airport. Foshan is another good option for a
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Asia
Ninh Binh, Vietnam
I hadn’t planned on visiting Ninh Binh, but it ended up being my favorite place in Vietnam, and an easy bus ride from SaPa. I love fishing boats, and there are tons of them there. Plus, there are green rice fields everywhere, goats, ducks, and wild horses. Very special place. I recommend staying at Mua
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