5 awesome offbeat holiday destinations!

Aashish Gupta of Yellowleg.com suggests 5 alternative spots you might want to consider for your next vacation.

It seems to me that everyone is going to the same places -- some of the usual suspects right now being Singapore, Ko Samui, Bali, cities in Western Europe, or Ladakh. Much as I love all of these, I can't help but wonder why everyone's flocking to the same places when there's a whole wide world out there.

So here are some equally awesome places you could be going to instead (with the same time/cost constraints). Most of these aren't exactly off-the-radar, but you will have more interesting post-vacation conversations if you pick these.

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Contributed by Aashish Gupta, founder of Yellowleg.com -- The Discerning Traveller's Bookstore.

Shanghai, instead of Singapore

Long known as "Paris of the East", Shanghai is emerging as an urban landscape from the future in science fiction, while trying hard to retain it's colonial-era charm.

Add in the cultural landscape, great shopping and cuisine, and you have the perfect East-meets-West metropolis.

Sounds like Singapore on steroids? You bet.

Ko "Anything", instead of Ko Samui

Ko Samui, despite its good looks and appealing beachside accommodations, isn't where those in the know are headed.

For a real Thai Island getaway, try any of Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Tao (both part of the Samui archipelago), Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Mak, Ko Kood, Ko...

Cambodia, instead of Bali

With everything from ancient jungle temples to sophisticated restaurants, isolated national parks to pristine tropical coastline and islands, Cambodia is quintessential Southeast Asia in all its glory.

Tallinn, instead of cities in Western Europe

A dynamic, chic and exciting city, Tallinn has elegantly restored medieval architecture in its Old Town and stunning modern architecture that reflect the newfound confidence of its people.

Nominated the 2011 European Capital of Culture, it will host a multitude of festivals and cultural events until the end of 2011. So hurry.

Spiti, instead of Ladakh

With big-name corporate package tour operators taking hordes of plastic-littering tourists into Ladakh (though plenty of isolation can still be found once you veer off the tourist trail), Spiti -- the trans-Himlayan land with Tibet to its east, Ladakh to its north, Kullu to its west and Kinnaur bordering the south- - offers a alternative to those seeking somewhat uncharted territory.

Spiti: Adventures In The Trans-Himalaya by Harish Kapadia is a great guidebook and reference for planning a trip.

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