I have recently been nominated by Linda Fairbairn of Journey Jottings to participate in the “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets” project. I’m happy to finally get to take my turn, and if you like what I have to say, why not subscribe to my feed?
1.) Overnight in a Yurt on Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Get an authentic feel for the nomadic lifestyle by spending a night or two in a yurt on Lake Issyk-Kul. These yurts come with bedding, and for a small price, a feast (no less) for dinner and breakfast! If you don’t know what plov is, you will get your fill here.
Laze the day away on the beach, and relax under the clearest night sky watching falling star after falling star pass by.
2.) Phallic Statue Garden in Vilnius, Lithuania
Yes, near this lovely, artistically painted house in Vilnius lies a secret garden… full of phallic statues. And, it is not so much secret as it is just off the road a bit. Either way, it is still an interesting place to chill out next to, perhaps with a snack, in view of a small flowing creek and these lovely odes to manhood.
With landmarks such as these, it is no wonder why Vilnius was voted the 2009 European Capital of Culture. Yet, even without these phallic statues I would recommend it as a European stopover to anyone.
3.) The 7 Lighthouses of Menorca, Spain
Menorca is a small, Spanish island that is near and dear to my heart. No, I said Menorca, not Majorca. Menorca is the smaller and less-visited neighbor, but I happened to spend an entire month there while taking part in an archaeological field school.
There are 7 lighthouses spread around the outskirts of the island that make for great sightseeing points. Simply rent a car for a day and off you go!
I am now nominating 5 new bloggers to share their own travel secrets:
American girl left to travel the world in 2007. Studied languages, slept in a yurt, taught English, met Aussie guy and fell in love. Moved to Australia. Calls Sydney home. Wants a puppy. Still loves to travel. Read more 
@beersandbeans @foxymorontweet @mobilelawyer @hw_travel Just tagged you all in my 3 best kept secrets post http://bit.ly/a9KRU5
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Thanks for the nomination Brooke! I love your 3 places as well. Esp. #2 that is a crack up. The yurt also seems awesome!
Damn, that gives a whole new meaning to “secret garden.”
Hahaha, yes, yes it does
haha something else for me to see when I visit Vilnius
You should check out http://www.atlasobscura.com for a few more weird places to travel. Its like a wiki, so you can add your own as well!
Great secrets, thanks for sharing!
Please send me your email.
Thanks!
@mobilelawyer This might be it? http://bit.ly/a9KRU5
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
@brookeschoenman @mobilelawyer This might be it? http://bit.ly/a9KRU5 I likee Brooke, likee!
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Posting an early Feature on my “3 Best Kept Travel Secrets!” Thanks @brookeschoenman for the rec. Read her’s http://tinyurl.com/ydb2qnp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
3 Best Kept Travel Secrets
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Great places! I have to admit these are AWESOME recommendations.
oooohhhh a yurt! I’ve been wanting to sleep in one of those for years. They’re few and far between, but I will stumble upon one soon enough.
I’ve never been in something something like the yurts, it looks like fun! It’s in my wish list now.
I just posted my 3 best kept travel secret (also for tripbase blog tag project) less than a week ago, check it out if you want!
Great article, especially 7 Lighthouses in Menorca looks amazing! Another thing is that I’m so jealous that you have been in Kyrgyzstan! From the ‘stans’ I have only visit Kazakhstan and wish to travel through all of them at some point!