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Most western travelers think of Eastern destination as among the most unique, most adventurous, and sometimes, most expensive. One thing is certain; eastern destinations hold experiences that you just won’t find anywhere else.
Cultural exploration is among the top reasons travelers visit places like China, India and the Middle East. Some travelers are looking for religious connections and set their sights on sites of great religious significance, like Istanbul, Jerusalem, Cairo, Beijing, Angor Wat, or Lhasa. Lifestyle experiences may motivate travelers to visit Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Tibet or Japan. Adventure awaits those who trek to the Great Wall, climb in the Himalayas, scuba dive off Borneo, or hike the Outback.
Predictions are that China will become the number one tourist destination in the world by 2010. Yangtze River cruises are among the fastest growing segment of the cruise industry. An entire generation of over-achievers looks to the east for the stress relief found on the exotic coasts of southeast Asia. Singapore boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world. New Zealand features some of the most extreme changes in climate and topography to be found in such a small land mass - from sandy beaches to steaming rain forests to snow-topped mountains. Dubai is smack in the center of one of the wealthiest countries in the world, on a sparkling coast within easy reach of hundreds of historical and archaeological destinations.
There are few sites in the world that can match the Taj Mahal, or the Terra Cotta Army, or the Great Pyramid at Giza for sheer impressiveness. For natural wonders, there’s Ayer’s Rock in Australia, the Himalayan Mountain range separating India from the rest of the Asian continent, the expansive and intimidating Gobi Desert, or the snow-covered cap of Mt. Fuji.
New flight lanes between the US and China make Asian travel more readily accessible. Cruise lines are going back to Asian ports or adding additional stops in places that few westerners think of visiting, like Korea, Cambodia, or Vietnam. These cultures have much to offer, from their philosophy to their cuisine. If you’re ready for a vacation that’s just a little out of the ordinary, head east...
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