Vietnam is a wonderful place to visit if you’re in the mood to really dig into a country. From its warm and welcoming population to its unspoiled natural beauty, you can hike the mountains of Sa Pa or sand-surf in the resort town of Mui Ne. Just three hours outside of Hanoi, Mai Chau is a mountainous region dotted with traditional stilt houses. Two tribes, the White Thai and Black Thai make up the majority of the population.The best way to immerse yourself in the region is through a homestay with locals. Spend two days cycling across mountain trails and through rice fields, visit local villages and watch a cultural performance by White Thai villagers.

 

Typical Italian vacations include a lot of pasta, wine, Roman architecture and all the Renaissance paintings you can handle. From the cosmopolitan streets of Milan to the vineyards of Tuscany, it’s easy to get caught up in the flashier sides of Italian life. Why not slow it down, hit the water and embrace Italy’s seafaring tradition (where do you think Columbus learned to sail, anyway?) In Italy’s Adriatic Coast (near the heel of Italy’s boot), you can hop aboard a traditional fishing boat and head to sea for a fishing excursion with a local Apulian fisherman. Try your casting skills and learn about Adriatic marine life, while soaking up the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

 

For those in-the-know, Budapest is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Sitting along the Danube River, the city is home to an imposing 13th century castle, breathtaking medieval churches and boulevards lined with Neo-Renaissance mansions. The Romans colonized the area in the 1st century for the express use of Budapest’s thermal spas. Since then bathing houses have remained ever popular, hitting their heyday in the 1920s and 30s. Pay a visit to the Art-Nouveau Gellert Spa, where you can relax for 12 hours in its glass roofed thermal pools overlooking the Danube.