Simon Buckby was a London-based BBC and Financial Times journalist, among other things, before running communications consultancies. He has travelled to well over 100 countries, and recently moved from Hong Kong to Dubai.
The Marshall Islands are remote, scattered, and hard to reach, which may explain why they have totally failed to establish themselves as a destination even for island hoping travellers. Yet there are enough exciting boat rides to hidden beaches and exotic dives to keep you interested for a little while and much longer if you have the patience.
Micronesia is widely overlooked. Yet there is a genuine tropical paradise to be found among these 2,000 tiny Pacific islands: world class scuba diving and World War Two battlegrounds, beaches and remote cultures, in one of the most glorious places there is.
Madagascar’s geological and natural histories are crucial for our understanding of the way our planet has developed. Though it is not an easy country to visit, largely because of its vast size and dreadful transport, there is a lot for visitors to enjoy. But it’s current economic plight signals just how far our world still has to go.
Away from any current conflict in Côte d'Ivoire, the main attractions are in the south-eastern corner: the exciting party town of Abidjan, the world's tallest basilica in very odd Yamoussoukro, the former colonial capital of Grand Bassam, and one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth at Assinie. For a small country with a small reputation, Côte d'Ivoire packs a big punch.
Ghana was the centre of the slave trade until 200 years ago, with a coastline of colonial castles that were converted into slave prisons that are now respectful memorials of this blight on humanity. It has a well-developed infrastructure and the kind of picture postcard white sand beaches that people pay thousands of dollars to access in the Caribbean.
There is more to South Korea than the high-tech hub of Seoul. Our main reason for coming was to see the DMZ and the heavily-militarised border with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. But first we started with a relaxing time on the beach at the Republic of Korea’s main summer holiday destination for its own citizens.
Like an onion, the layers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea are too many and too deep for tourists to see what is really going on, especially in the environment of the strictly policed tour that is required to visit the country as a foreigner. But you can pick at the surface, and you will certainly get to know the country as its officials wish to present it to the world, and this is more than sufficiently fascinating to make the accompanying frustrations worth bearing.
First timers to Africa will find Cabo Verde a very easy step to take. Sun, sand, world-class surfing, a little bit of culture, a lot of hiking up volcanoes, but with no need for injections and no threat of violence.
Surprisingly few foreign tourists make it to Punjab, the small state on the north-west of India neighbouring Pakistan. But those who do witness two very different treasures - the Golden Temple of Amritsar and the border ceremony at Wagah - that are among the greatest attractions in the world, never mind the sub-continent.
On this classic itinerary you will see all the famous palaces, citadels and monuments, have your senses assaulted from all sides, and come away with so many talking-point experiences that you will feel you have at least an introductory insight into this vast and complex country.
