Réunion

Catapulted to the headlines when part of the wreckage of flight MH370 washed up on its shore this year, the Indian Ocean island of Réunion is a sleepy French overseas department, home to dramatic topography, a picturesque coastline, and world class sailing grounds that keep adrenaline junkies and sun worshippers alike coming back for more. From the coastal lowlands and the buzzing capital Saint-Denis to the jagged volcanoes and cascading waterfalls of the interior, the entire island has the feel of an undiscovered prehistoric paradise. In many ways it’s the Seychelles before it hit the big time.

Nicaragua

After years of colonial oppression, political turmoil and the occasional CIA-sponsored coup, Nicaragua is at the dawn of a new era. From the picturesque Corn Islands of the Caribbean to the spectacular Emerald Coast, where a handful of luxury resorts look out over the epic surf breaks of the rolling Pacific, tourism is booming in this Central American nation. Make time to visit the colonial cities of Granada and León, both overlooked by towering volcanoes; and the charming highlands, home of coffee and cigars.

Mozambique

How Mozambique has remained under the travel radar for so long is a mystery, but the East African paradise is making up for lost time. Archipelagos of postcard-perfect islands fringed with white-sand beaches, national parks teeming with wildlife and a coastline that boasts some of the best diving and snorkelling in the world are finally getting the attention they deserve, attracting the jet-set and luxury-hotel companies. Now it’s been officially declared mine-free, there’s nothing stopping you.

Oman

While its Gulf neighbours outdo one another with the tallest this and most expensive that, the Sultanate of Oman is focusing on sustainable tourism that’s sensitive to local culture. The whitewashed walls of old Muscat present a dramatically different scene from other Gulf capitals, and 2,000 kilometres of coastline hold endless opportunities for water sports and diving. It’s also home to ancient villages, miles of mountain scenery and the world’s largest cave, which just begs to be explored.

Greenland

Greenland is covered in ice, while neighbouring Iceland is covered in greenery: get over it. The Danish territory is an untapped adventure-travel haven, home to spectacular fjords, rugged mountains and the ethereal spectacle that is the Northern Lights. Plan to visit during the summer months and spend your days embarking on dog-sled rides across frozen lakes, boat tours and whale-spotting on the fjords, and long, languid midsummer evenings when the sun never sets. Visit now before it melts.