Get inspired with 6 off-the-beaten-path getaways

Looking for a few more inspirational destinations to add to your list of "must see" travel spots? You won't find the Taj, the Pyramids or the Great Wall of China on this list. Samantha Brown, host of the Travel Channel's “Passport Series,”  shares 5 off-the-beaten-path inspirational locations that you probably haven't thought of — or possibly even heard of:

Chengdu
Why Chengdu? Chengdu is located in Sichuan Province. Sichuan Province is the home of Schezwan food, known for its hot and spicy flavors. People of Chengdu are known throughout China as being laid-back and enjoying life; they enjoy tea and fine Sichuan cuisine (they're the Italy of China). China is a 5,000-year-old civilization and people want to see the big ancient attractions, but it's just as important to relax and be a part of their now. And you can do that in Chengdu.

Things to do
Pandas: The Panda Research Base and Breeding Center is home to about 40 of the most beloved endangered species in the world. You can even hold a panda (it costs $140) for a two-minute bear hug you'll never forget.

Volunteer for the day as a panda keeper and help bring the panda's special bamboo. By feeding them, you could be helping their sex life. Believe it or not, by feeding them in such a way you are helping them get off the endangered list. A little-known secret is that their numbers are so low — not just because of loss of habitation — but because of the male panda's low sex drive. Pandas have weak back legs (prevents them from mounting) and so when you feed them, you put the bamboo high so they have to stand and thus strengthen their legs. Sneaking in Barry White CDs has not helped.

Teahouses: Spend the better part of the afternoon drinking tea at a teahouse on a lake. The Chinese catch up with friends, play cards, read the paper.

There are more teahouses in Chengdu than in Shanghai, with half the population. The best ones are set around a river or lake in a park.

Ever have your ears cleaned? In public? Men roam these teahouses with long thin metal instruments they use to delicately scrape your earwax out.

Sichuan opera: Puccini it ain't, but the atmosphere really can't be beat. It's less opera and more crazy variety show with a ball-game atmosphere: Eat peanuts, soup noodles, drink beer; you can even have a back massage.

• Airfares are expensive, but once there you'll have reverse sticker shock
• Getting around: Take cabs — never more than $6
• Best time to go: Spring and summer
• Flights: San Fran to Chengdu is only $1,034, but in June prices go up to $1,714
• You can get hotels starting at $25 now and this summer

Copper Canyon, Mexico
Why go? For incredible hiking and to be surrounded by an exceptionally beautiful natural environment. Its six canyons all together make up an area bigger than the Grand Canyon.

It's North America's largest canyon system, perched on the rim of a promontory looking down on a gorge formed by the mile-deep river. It's only six miles from the train station, but the roads along the steep mountains are so winding that it takes an hour.

The city of Creel is where a lot of visitors stay but for a unique trip, stay at the Uno Lodge, which is owned by the Tarahumara Indians — it provides them an alternative income other than logging and stripping the land.

Best way to get there is a five-hour train ride on the Chihuahua al Pacifico — one of the most incredible train rides in the world, making an 8,000-foot ascent across bridges that are high over rivers, through tunnels and traversing the canyon.

• Best times to go: The most agreeable temperatures are between October and March
• Flights: Los Angeles to Los Mochis is $350 round-trip; Phoenix or Tucson to Los Mochis is $550 round-trip
• Summer package: $899 per person for a double occupancy. A four-night stay includes the train, hotels, airport transfers, meals and even booze

Choquequirao, Peru
If you think Machu Picchu looks great, then you'll love Choquequirao. It's similar to Machu Picchu in that it's an Inca outpost perched on a high mountain overlooking the rivers. From the pictures, Machu Picchu looks highly inaccessible, but the fact is 3,000 people visit daily in the high season. Choque gets maybe 8,000 a year.

After flying to Cusco, you should stay there for a few days to acclimate to the elevation. Cusco is one of the highest cities in the world —  11,000 feet — with plenty of accommodations ranging from hostels to 5-star luxury hotels. It also was the capitol of the Inca Empire, so lots to absorb while you acclimate.

To help fend of altitude sickness, drink lots of coca-leaf tea, which happens to be the base ingredient for cocaine. If a drug test is in your near future, stick to chicken soup.

How to get there: The most direct route is the road to Choque, which is a four-hour drive from Cusco and from there it's a demanding two-day hike. On the first day you hike down, then on the second day it's up — but you are surrounded by a near mystical Peruvian countryside. You arrive to the majestic sight of palaces, terraces and canals. It's not as uncovered as Machu Picchu, but you have this incredible place to yourself, without tour groups.

• Recommended time: April through December. You definitely want to avoid the rainy season that makes these trails perilous
• Flights: From L.A. now it's $800; in July prices go up to almost $1,000; From Miami, now it's $475, then in July goes up to $580

Lake Myvatn in Iceland
Myvatn is a remote lake located in the north of Iceland — it is the country's fourth-largest natural lake. During the summer, the lake is a haven for bird-watchers, and in winter the locals transform the lake into a winter garden.

Enjoy bowling, racing go karts, playing soccer, golf, badminton or cricket, and skating. This area is well positioned to view the Northern Lights on a clear night. While sightings are not guaranteed, it is the best place to view them because there are no city lights.

Sightseeing tours are another great way to take advantage of your trip. Icelandic farms, museums, and even a search for the Northern Lights are great ways to spend your time.

Myvatn also contains Dettioff, Europe's most powerful waterfall.

How to get there: Take a 40-minute flight from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Akureyri, Iceland. Then, hop on a bus for a one-hour ride to Lake Myvatn.

• Recommended time: February through April
• Flights: From NYC or Boston to Reykjavik, Iceland, is around $400

Honduras — San Pedro Sula
You’re not just going to one destination — you are having an exciting Central American adventure in one small country.

Head to the Western highlands to see one of the best-preserved cities of the ancient Mayan civilization. Be sure to stay in the tiny colonial village of Copan Ruinas. Cobblestone streets and adobe homes have an "Indiana Jones" atmosphere because there are archeologist buffs from around the world.

Traveler tip: On weekends, archeologists and locals get noisy, so ask for a room not facing the street.

How to get there: Drive three hours to Copan — arrange for a tour package from a tour operator or take the first-class bus service called Hedman Alas. Nonstop air-conditioned round-trip is 33 dollars

• Flights: Miami to San Pedro Sula (SAP) is just under $300

La Ceiba
The North Coast is all about ecotravel — it’s tropical rain forests meet the Caribbean coast. Hiking, whitewater rafting the river, kayaking the mangroves.

Stay at Pico Bonito Lodge; it's a very nice eco lodge located on a 200-acre buffer zone to the Pico Bonito National Park. Here you can do day and night hikes; there are bird-watching towers. A 15-minute walk leads you a a swimming hole where you can jump off the large boulders into deep aquamarine pools formed by cascading waterfalls. And you'll have the place to yourself.

Want a highly unique experience? Visit a Garifuna community. The Garifuna are descendants from two African slave ships who have settled all along the Northern coast. Honduras has an extra-special culture of African heritage that you shouldn't pass up.

When to go: The dry season in Copan is from December through April, with March and April being the hottest and driest months. The rainy season is from May through November and the wettest months are August and September.

• Lodging: Cabins start at $150/night — that doesn't include food, but meal plans are available.
• Flights: San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba is $85

For further information or for more great travel tips, please visit the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown site.

More from TODAY Makeover! New look gets her a proposal Ho-ho-ho! White House Christmas tree arives Sad development: The last Kodachrome film lab Clickable video: Hottest tech gifts of 2009 Star quality? Get your guy on the TODAY show

MORE FROM TRAVEL

Travel Section Front

Recalibrating the calculus of holiday travel Top 10 Thanksgiving destinations Gallery: Your snapshots of winter's arrival Tokyo crowned gourmet capital of the world On-the-go gadgets to make travel easier Stay sane while traveling with kids Top budget resorts in the U.S. A holiday travel survival guide Dad to baby: Happy 1st birthday, world traveler Family travel isn't always kid stuff Travel Section Front   Add Travel headlines to your news reader: