Finland

Finland has a long history of desiring to stay out of international conflicts, is recognized as neutral and always ranks in the top 10 of the Global Peace Index. It’s northerly location also typically means the remote areas of this country are a perfect place to disappear.

Seychelles

Aside from being safely isolated from the rest of the world in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this beautiful island nation is a great place to forget about your worries. Isolation is the key here. And conflict is as transparent as the water.

Canada

Canada is the second largest nation in the world, yet it only shares a land border with one other country– the U.S.A.– and it is a peaceful border. That means there is a great expanse to escape to, if need be. Furthermore, Canada has few world enemies, ranks consistently high on the Global Peace Index, and is relatively homogeneous.

Papua New Guinea

There are regions of Papua New Guinea that are still being discovered for the first time. The canopy covered, mountainous nation contains some of the most isolated places in the world. Tuck yourself away in a nook here and it may be one of the few places left where you can completely insulate yourself from the outside world.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a stable democracy, a disbanded military and a national policy of neutrality. It also ranks highly on the Global Peace Index, Happy Planet Index, and Life Satisfaction Index. Although it sits in the middle of a tumultuous region, there are far worse places to sit in peace as the world goes down in flames all around.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s long history of neutrality and its tucked away location among the valleys of the Alps still make it a safe bet, even despite having a high number of bordering nations. It helps that neighboring Austria is also considered a neutral nation.

Dillon, Colorado

If crowds aren't your thing, discover this small town on the shores of the Lake Dillon Reservoir. Hike through White River National Forest and catch a glimpse of the wildflowers, or strap on a life vest and go white water rafting in the mountains. Be sure to pack your camera to make your own photographic memories; the best part of Dillon is the view.

Yellow Stone National Park, Wyoming

This is the grandmother of nature-loving vacation destinations. As such, expect to have to book months in advance to camp in the park and to share the great outdoors with lots of other enthusiasts, especially during the summer months. Still, planning and company are a small price to pay for the wonder of Old Faithful.

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Santa Rosa County, Florida

What makes Santa Rosa such a treat for nature lovers is the variety of scenery available. You can spend a day lounging on the white beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, or head inland for canoeing and kayaking down the Blackwater River, one of the purest sand bottom rivers in the world.

Lake Mead, Nevada

The Lake Mead National Recreational Area is just a few miles outside of Boulder City, Nevada and backs up to the famous Hoover Dam. Bring your RV or a tent and enjoy fishing, boating, and hiking around the lake man made when they dammed the raging waters of the Colorado River. While you're in the neighborhood, take some time to explore Black Canyon on the other side of the dam.

Germany dos and don’ts

Do
Shake hands when you’re introduced to someone – it’s impolite not to.
Say Prost! (cheers!) before you sip your beer – and look your drinking buddy in the eye when you say it.
Feel free to have serious discussions in social settings – Germans like talking politics and philosophy. They don’t relish idle chit-chat or small talk.
Say your name at the beginning of a phone call, even if it’s followed by ‘do you speak English?’
Address people with the formal ‘you’ (Sie). If the familiar ‘you’ (Du) is cool, they’ll let you know.
Hit the ATM – cash rules in Germany and many restaurants don’t take credit cards.


Don’t
Be late – everyone else will be on time.
Send a German friend lilies – they’re for funerals. Carnations symbolise mourning, too.
Dig into that Sauerkraut before your host says ‘Guten Appetit’ (good appetite).
Stroll in the bike lane. You’ll get bruised or yelled at (or both). It’s marked red for a reason.
Jaywalk. Nobody else does, and you might get fined.
Drink yourself into a stumbling fool. We know the beer goes down easy, but public drunkenness is frowned upon.