![\"Aland](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Aland-Islands-Finland.jpg\")
\t\t\tCredit: Tim Bird<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
\u00c5land Islands, Finland<\/h3>\n
Norway\u2019s Lofoten Islands and Iceland are now full of photographers, but there is plenty more of Scandinavia to enjoy, such as the \u00c5land Islands. \u2018This Baltic archipelago sprawls between southwest Finland and eastern Sweden,\u2019 says award-winning travel pro, Tim Bird<\/a>. \u2018The islands are connected by bridges and ferries, making it easy to explore the rolling landscapes and shoot rugged shorelines, rustic meadows, medieval castles and stone churches and red-barn farms. As well as the coastal landscapes, wildlife photographers can see eagles, whooping swans and migrating birds in spring, white-tail deer, elk and seals.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018You don\u2019t have to travel to the ends of the Earth to get somewhere truly remote,\u2019 says regular AP contributor, Steve Davey<\/a>. \u2018The Camargue in Southern France is a vast wetland, where cowboys or \u2018gardians\u2019 on white horses raise black bulls, and flamingos fly up from Africa. Head to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer for a sunset drink as flamingos fly overhead; head on a 4WD safari into the wetlands for the best wildlife opportunities and time your visit for May, where gypsies from all over Europe congregate for a pilgrimage.\u2019 Steve is giving travel photography workshops at the Destinations Travel Show<\/a>.<\/p>\n Credit: Tim Bird<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n In Finland, remote doesn\u2019t always mean \u2018inaccessible\u2019. \u2018A good road reaches the village of Kilpisj\u00e4rvi in the far north-west, way above the Arctic Circle in Lapland and near borders with Norway and Sweden,\u2019 Tim Bird<\/a> adds. \u2018Finland doesn\u2019t have many \u201cproper\u201d mountains, but the fells in this area rise to above 1,000 metres \u2013 great backgrounds for aurora scenes. My favourite time is autumn, when the Arctic vegetation is a palette of blazing reds and oranges.\u2019<\/p>\n One of several Estonian Baltic islands restricted to the military in the Soviet era, Hiiumaa is now open to all, although it retains many relics of that era, together with a well-preserved natural environment. The island is a rich store of camera fodder, blessed with meadows carpeted in spring flowers and pine forests harbouring surprises such as rusting Soviet tanks, a crumbling Russian church, a forlorn military cemetery and derelict bunkers and lighthouses.<\/p>\n Credit: Tim Bird<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n \u2018I was astonished when I discovered the dunes and beaches lining much of Denmark\u2019s coastline,\u2019 says Tim. \u2018Much of it is remote and desolate. Other parts, such as the North Sea stretch from Bl\u00e5vand to Henne, are more accessible. I found myself hooked on the dramatic seascapes and spent hours shooting the Mule Bunkers \u2013 Second World War shoreline gun emplacements converted into anti-war artworks \u2013 at Bl\u00e5vand in morning and evening light.\u2019<\/p>\n Another interesting area of Estonia, which is a refreshing alternative to more heavily visited Eastern European photography destinations. \u2018This quirky part of the country is heavily populated with university students, underground breweries and \u201cinteresting\u201d buildings,\u2019 says AP reader Matthew Wackett (who also recommends the capital city of Riga).<\/p>\n Credit: stevedavey.com<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n \u2018The most charming of the former Eastern European states, much of Bulgaria is completely unspoilt,\u2019 advises Steve Davey<\/a>. \u2018Sofia is one of the most pleasant European capital cities, with trams and cobbled streets. Head to the nearby Rila Monastery to photograph the ornate murals, and explore the countryside around Bankso to photograph traditional rural life.\u2019<\/p>\n Forget all the negative headlines from the war with the Serbs, Kosovo is not only Europe\u2019s newest country, but also hugely photogenic. As well as delightful mountain towns, the hilly landscape is replete with photogenic sights, and there are lots of fascinating ancient buildings. The locals are eager to welcome visitors too, and you\u2019re unlikely to be constantly bumping up against photography tours. \u2018The Su tradition there is also fascinating to document,\u2019 says travel photographer Darragh Mason Field.<\/p>\n Credit: Larry Louie<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n \u2018Most tourists would venture to the islands once they enter Greece. But this mountainous area of Greece was amazing,\u2019 says Larry Louie<\/a>, a top Canadian travel photographer who\u2019s won Travel Photographer of the Year and recently brought out a fascinating new book. \u2018Just to see the architectural feat of building these beautiful monasteries at the base or on top of the outcroppings was unforgettable.\u2019<\/p>\n Despite its charms, Marrakech is often heaving with tourists and can get too much, so a good alternative is the ancient city of Fez. While still popular with visitors in the summer, the old part of the city, with its souks and labyrinthine alleys snaking in between towering stone houses, is relatively peaceful and atmospheric before the traders start business. Half-a-day\u2019s drive away is the blue hilltop town of Chefchaouen, which is uniquely photogenic and manageably busy.<\/p>\n Credit: stevedavey.com<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n With a number of species of lemurs and chameleons, Madagascar is accepted as a unique wildlife experience. The country also boasts stunning landscapes and a vibrant culture that blends Asian and African traditions. To avoid crowds, Steve Davey<\/a> recommends heading to the town of Morondava for a sunset view of the Avenue de Baobabs, then on to the haunting rock formations of the Tsingy de Bemaraha.<\/p>\n \u2018For my documentary photographic work, this country has lots to offer,\u2019 says Larry Louie<\/a>. \u2018Its people are some of the kindest and friendliest people around. And that is what travel is about, sharing ideas with people around the world.\u2019 The capital, Dhaka, is a polluted mega city, but out in the regions you can see ancient mangrove forests, hill tribes and tea plantations \u2013 and according to the World Bank, Bangladesh is the least touristy country in the world.<\/p>\n Credit: Larry Louie<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Looking for an alternative to the ever-popular Kathmandu? Larry Louie<\/a> is a huge fan of this ancient city of Buddhism in the Mustang region. \u2018It is situated at the border of northern Nepal and Tibet and the road trip took us through primal landscapes dotted with Buddhist stupas and prayer flags… it was such a magical trip.\u2019<\/p>\n Ninh Binh is a small city in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. The town is functional, but the nearby national park is wonderfully picturesque, with dazzling green rice paddies, charming old temples and unique rock formations. You can easily get tours into more remote surrounding areas, or hire a scooter.<\/p>\n Credit: stevedavey.com<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n An alternative to the more well-known East African safaris, Namibia offers stunning desert scenery and fantastic wildlife opportunities. Steve Davey<\/a> recommends spending the night at Okaukuejo waterhole in the Etosha National Park for the best chance to photograph black rhino in Africa; get up early to photograph sunrise at Deadvlei and head to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, which is being swallowed up by the desert sands.<\/p>\n Tourism is becoming a massive industry in Vietnam, but beyond predictable photography destinations like Hoi An and Hanoi, there is still much to discover. The Mekong Delta, south of Ho Chi Minh City, is a fascinating area and the historic town of Sa Dec houses a large, authentic market, where you can get some great shots. It\u2019s also where French novelist Marguerite Duras set her autobiographical novel The Lover<\/em> and there\u2019s an atmospheric museum in the actual house from the book.<\/p>\n Credit: Tim Bird<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n If you want a change from the usual photographic honey pots in India, such as Varanasi and Agra. Tim Bird<\/a> strongly recommends this town in the northwest of the Himalayan foothills, which rise dramatically from the Kangra valley. \u2018The moody mountain landscapes are fabulous, especially if you trek above the Dalai Lama\u2019s exile town of McLeod Ganj on the Triund trail. You can also see local tribal folk and interesting Buddhist temples.\u2019<\/p>\n [collection name=”small”]<\/p>\n Named after a Cree expression meaning awe and wonder, Yoho lies on the western slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains but is quieter than nearby Banff. Yet it still offers stunning waterfalls and dizzying peaks to appeal to the most demanding landscape photographers, along with plenty of hiking opportunities.<\/p>\n
\nCamargue, Southern France<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Kilpisjarvi,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Kilpisjarvi-Finland.jpg\")
\t\t\tKilpisj\u00e4rvi, Finland<\/h3>\n
\nHiiumaa, Estonia<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Blavand](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Blavand-Beach-Denmark.jpg\")
\t\t\tBl\u00e5vand Beach, Denmark<\/h3>\n
\nTartu, Estonia<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Sofia,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sofia-Bulgaria.jpg\")
\t\t\tSofia, Bulgaria<\/h3>\n
\nKosovo<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Meteora,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meteora-Greece.jpg\")
\t\t\tMeteora, central Greece<\/h3>\n
\nFez, Morocco<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Madagascar](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Madagascar.jpg\")
\t\t\tMadagascar<\/h3>\n
\nBangladesh<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Lo](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Lo-Mantang-Nepal.jpg\")
\t\t\tLo Manthang, Nepal<\/h3>\n
\nNinh Binh, Vietnam<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Namibia](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Namibia.jpg\")
\t\t\tNamibia<\/h3>\n
\nSa Dec, Vietnam<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t![\"Dharamsala,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Dharamsala-Himachal-Pradesh-India.jpg\")
\t\t\tDharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India<\/h3>\n
\nYoho National Park, Canada<\/h3>\n
\n\t\t
![\"Luang](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Luang-Prabang-Laos.jpg\")
\t\t\t