Six Affordable, Offbeat Travel and Leisure Destinations

Travel need not be that expensive since there are many travel and leisure destinations that you can visit for a relatively affordable price. These destinations may not have the cachet of popular tourist sites such as Paris or New York City, but for the adventurous traveler, they offer a variety of rewards, ranging from the thrill of discovering a new vacation site to the joy of being in a place that is not teeming with tourists. Here are some suggestions for offbeat travel and leisure destinations.

1. Travel and leisure destination ? Azores Islands, Portugal. This archipelago of volcanic islands boasts of an assortment of natural attractions, including the Lagoa das Sete Cidades lagoon that consists of twin freshwater volcanic lakes to the Ponte de Picto volcano, where a unique style of viticulture is practiced. And island-hopping has become more affordable in recent years because the government has increased the number of inter-island flights by state-owned airline SATA.
2. Travel and leisure destination ? Tajikistan. If you?re feeling adventurous, you can book affordable packages to visit this Central Asian nation that was once part of the USSR. Must-see sites in Tajikisan range from natural attractions such as the Kuhi-Malik Fiery Caves which are formed by natural fire and the Chartym Landslide, which consists of 200 m of rapids along the Gunt River, to historical landmarks such as the Shakti Cave Paintings which depict mysterious bird-man figures and the Ajina-Teppe Buddhist Monastary, which dates back to the 7^th century BC.
3. Travel and leisure destination ? Belize. This Latin American country is a great bargain for travelers because it has traditionally been overshadowed by its neighbors such as Mexico and Guatemala. Some of Belize?s most popular attractions include the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Lamanai, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves, a sacred Mayan site which still contains many artifacts such as stoneware and pottery.
4. Travel and leisure destination ? Lesotho. This African country is a great destination for nature lovers and travelers who don?t mind roughing it. Lesotho offers some spectacular natural attractions such as the Maletsunyane Falls and the Road to Oxbow. Tourists can also visit Butha-Buthe to shop for indigenously-made souvenirs or go to Leribe to buy local crafts.
5. Travel and leisure destination ? Iquitos, Peru. Nature lovers will surely find much to love in Iquitos, the world?s largest city not directly reachable by land roads. Tourists can go dolphin-spotting in the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve or take river trips along piranha fishing spots.
6. Travel and leisure destination ? Merida, Mexico. This colonial Mexican city is a soothing alternative to the bustle of the Cancun resorts and boasts of many cultural and historical sites of interest. For example, tourists can visit the Cathedral of Merida, which was completed in 1568 and is the oldest cathedral on the continent. Or they can stroll along the Paseo de Montejo, Merida?s main plaza which echoes the Champs Elysee in Paris since it was made using the original plans and features many mansions designed in the Neo-classic style where Merida?s elite still live.

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