Located in the Kansai region just south of Kyoto and east of Osaka, Nara is a true hidden gem. It's home to many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines and over 1,200 wild and hungry deer that roam freely.

The quiet town of Tissamaharama is known for Buddhist monasteries, beautiful beaches and wildlife reserves like Yala National Park, where visitors can join a wildlife safari. It's steeped in history and was once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century BC.