Where would you be the safest if World War 3 broke out tomorrow? Perhaps it’s a grim subject, but safety and distance from world conflict can be a motivating factor in your choice to expatriate. At the very least, conflict around the world can weigh heavy on the soul, and it’s nice to know there are some places still left in the world where you might be left in peace. Thus, we’ve assembled a list of the 10 best places to live if you want to escape world conflict.

10. 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.

9. 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.

8. 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.

7. 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.

6. 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.

5. 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.

4. Tuvalu

Isolated in the middle of Micronesia, Tuvalu is among the safest and most remote places in the world. It is the third least populated country on Earth, and the forth smallest. There are only a few places more distant from the world’s strife than Tuvalu.

3. Iceland

Iceland, of course, has no borders, has remote locations, is stable as a country and has virtually no world enemies. Its people are happy and the nation always ranks highly on the Global Peace Index. If world conflict erupts, Iceland is one of the few stable nations in the world unlikely to get caught up in the middle.

2. Bhutan

Landlocked among the Himalaya mountains, Bhutan is one of the most isolated nations in the world. It also showcases one of the most stable balances in the world between moderization and retention of ancient culture. Its religious population believes in peaceful resolution to all conflict, and although it sits in a troubled region, it remains protected by its geography.

1. New Zealand

New Zealand might be the most isolated and expansive fully developed nation in the world. It shares no borders, sits relatively distant from any other nation, has no real national enemies, has a safe democracy and a diverse landscape with many remote places to hide away within. Furthermore, it ranked #1 on the Global Peace Index in 2009.

There are many traditional hiking and trekking routes of varying difficulty through Europe and further afield, but what about those places which are just a little bit different? Here are a few suggestions for places to visit on a guided trekking holiday that will not only satisfy your love of trekking, but your taste for adventure too.

Morocco – Jebel Sahro

Take a guided trekking holiday in the remote Lower Atlas mountain range and experience some great views over the Sahara Desert. A fourteen-day camping tour in this area is classed as easy to moderate at altitudes of up to 2600 meters with porters and mules, a minimum of three hours and a maximum of nine hours trekking per day.

The trek is a great way to experience wild Morocco, and nights under the stars are an unforgettable experience. On arrival at camp each night expect a nice cup of refreshing mint tea, and later local cuisine that is tasty and nourishing.

trek the Tizi-n-Tichka pass which has some breathtaking scenery, the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, then onto landscapes of deep canyons and hidden oasis’. This is a remote area with very few people; it’s the perfect place to enjoy a guided trekking holiday in Morocco.

Iceland – The Markarfljot Wilderness

 This is where guided trekking holidays really are a benefit. This trek into the remote Torfajokull region is best discovered with a knowledgeable local guide.

The volcanic landscape of Iceland is incredible and you may go for days without seeing a single person, other than the other group members of course. This trek takes 9 days to complete and uses basic cabins, the distance each day will be between 14 and 20 Kilometres depending on the huts location and is classed as challenging.

During May and June, because of the variable weather, it’s advised that only very experienced trekers even attempt the route, plus you will be carrying your own backpack, so pack accordingly! The route will take you through mountains and across plains, but one of the best experiences are the hot springs and geysers that seem to appear from nowhere. I

If you are looking for a challenging guided trekking holiday this is definitely one to consider.

Japan – The Ancient Shogun Trail

This guided trekking holiday takes you from Kyoto to Tokyo using the most ancient trekking routes in the country.

This route is the one which was followed by pilgrims, warriors, and royalty in the eighth century through the cultural landscape of Kii Katsuura; it also takes in Mount Mt. Yarigatake and Mount Fuji, the Japanese equivalent of the Alps.

There are lots of wonderful experiences to be had here, and it would be a shame if you didn’t spend some time before and after your trip exploring Kyoto and Tokyo. The highlights for any treker are to trek part of Kumano Kodo, the World Heritage Trail, the hike to the top of Mount Yarigatake, a spear shaped mountain, and to watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Fuji.

Guided trekking holidays are a wonderful way of exploring unknown territories and making friends with like-minded people, who knows you, may even want to return and try a solo expedition.

Now putting up a collection of the top 10 waterfalls is by no means an easy task, as the take on as which waterfall is the best completely depends on each individual’s personal experience. Just by looking at photos or reading about it in print, one cannot decide whether a waterfall deserves a place in the top 10 or not. However, based on a general opinion among thousands of people who have actually visited the waterfalls, here is a list of the top 10 waterfalls of the world, in reverse order:

10. Sutherland Falls, Fiordland, New Zealand.

Located in the wild and exotic Fiordland National Park, which is also a World Heritage Area, Sutherland Falls is a beautiful 580 metre-high waterfall that is sure to take your breath away. It is one of the many natural attractions of the Milford Track in New Zealand as well.

9. Dettifoss, Jökulsárgljúfur, Iceland.

It is undoubtedly the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe, the reason being it sends glacial melt waters at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per second, over its 44-metre precipice. It is situated at the top of the magnificent Jökulsárgljúfur, which, simply put, is the Grand Canyon in its Icelandic form. Dettifos has got three more waterfalls along the same river, but this is the most magnificent one, and makes it to the 9th place.

8. Gullfoss, Haukadalur, Iceland.

The second waterfall from Iceland to make it to the top 10, this amazing beauty is also one of the most unique waterfalls in the world, owing to the fact that it tumbles on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90 degree angles to each other. Gullfoss forms a part of Iceland’s Golden Circle, a string of attractions that form a circle in the south west part of the country. Also, you can see rainbows over the waterfalls when the weather and timing are right!!

7. Kaieteur Falls, Potaro River, Guyana

Located in the pristine Guyana Shield, this 741-foot tall and 370-foot wide monster is supposedly one of the tallest single drop waterfalls in the world. The amazing surroundings of the waterfall that comprise beautiful, untouched wild forests make for a spectacular setting.

6. Yosemite Falls, California, USA

Another huge waterfall, the Yosemite Falls form part of the Yosemite Valley and can be seen from many trails and viewpoints. Accessible very easily, this waterfall does not flow all year though.

5. Angel Falls, Canaima, Venezuela

Nestled deep in the amazing Venezuelan rainforest, the Angel Falls plummets without interruption for 807 meters, and easily qualifies for being one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. Mystery shrouds its origin as nothing but forests surround the part where it begins.

4. Plitvice Waterfalls, Northern Dalmatia, Croatia
 

While the rest of the falls featured here in the top 10 are single waterfalls, the Plitvice Waterfalls are different in the way that they are a multitude of uncountable waterfalls. The scenery looks like these waterfalls have a world of their own!

3. Niagara Falls, Canada/New York, USA

Undoubtedly one of the most famous falls in the world, from appearances in countless movies and on TV and on postcards, the Niagara Falls are indeed spectacular. Located right on the border, the falls generate an average of about 750,000 gallons of water per second, thus making it the biggest waterfall in the world in terms of volume!

2. Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zimbabwe

A tough contender for the number one spot, Victoria is the largest singular waterfall in the world, spanning across 1.7 km. Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, these falls generate an average of 1 million liters of water per second!! Adding to the grace is the declaration by UNESCO as the falls being a World Heritage Site.

1. Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazú, Brazil
 

The Iguazu Falls are an incredible sight, and one just has to see it live to really admire what it is to the fullest. Spanning a large 2 km, these falls have an average flow of 1.3 million liters of water per second! Consisting of around 275 individual and smaller falls and cascades, these falls are the best that there could be.