Almaty

This is neither Switzerland, Scandinavia, nor Canada, but a hidden gem in Central Asia at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Voted by Lonely Planet as the "Best Travel Destination for 2025" and listed by The New York Times among the "52 Places to Go in the World," this city is embraced by snow-capped mountains on three sides. Soviet-era trams clang past Turkish-style cafés, while Eurasian cultures blend amid the spice stalls of the Green Bazaar. The most incredible part? Just 3-5 hours from downtown, you can venture into the vast hinterland of Almaty Region and unlock— Icelandic-style canyons, Swiss-like alpine lakes, Martian landscapes, pink salt lakes, and underwater forests! Some of the scenery here also strikingly resembles China's Xinjiang, yet without the crowds—plus, attraction tickets and accommodation are more affordable.