CNN's Off the Beaten Path Destinations for 2014

Japan's Ashikaga Garden.

Whether you're a frequent traveler or someone who doesn't get the chance to visit exotic locations much, chances are you probably have at least a vague bucket list of places to check out if you ever get the opportunity.  For the average person, these are probably places like Rome, the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Great Wall of China.  But where do people who spend their days living and breathing travel aspire to go?

CNN's Travel staff recently released their own list of hot spots they would like to see in 2014.  As you might expect, the picks are almost exclusively outside the box.

Kenya's Giraffe Manor is definitely not your run of the mill hotel.  The ten room inn is located on over a hundred acres of forest and gets its name from the long-necked residents that call it home.  If you're not comfortable having your brunch interrupted by giraffes peeping through the window, you might want to find other lodging.

Ashikaga Flower Garden has drawn comparisons from CNN's staff to Pandora, the faraway planet from James Cameron's "Avatar."  The centerpiece is a 143 year old wisteria tree which rains purple flowers on to visitors like natural confetti.

If you're lucky and skilled enough to have grown tired of an average surfing experience, West Papua's Luxury Surfing Expedition might be just the thing.  The trip includes a chartered luxury vessel to help you explore the waves in some of the more remote locations in Southeast Asia.  If you're less than an expert wave catcher and this still sounds appealing, have no fear.  The expdition can be tailored depending on your skill level.

These are just a few of the incredible locations they suggest checking out next year.  For more of the most intriguing locations to visit in 2014, check out the full CNN article.

William Mungall at the Beach

William Mungall on vacation at the beach.

A photo of William Mungall from a vacation to Europe.