Everyone knows that April is one of the best times of year to visit Japan. Instead of beating the same path as everybody else, however, head to such destinations as Karuizawa, where the hot springs of the contemporary ryokan Hoshinoya lie in the shadow of Mount Asama, an active volcano; Kanazawa, sometimes called “little Kyoto” because of its historic preservation and springtime cherry blossoms; or Takayama, where, in an age-old ritual each spring, residents of rustic villages come together to re-thatch the steeply pitched roofs of homes that have been collectively dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The enchanting Buddhist nation of Bhutan was largely undiscovered by foreigners until the past decade, but this gem tucked in the Himalayas is a secret no more. With the Bhutanese government making big strides in infrastructure, including a new airport scheduled to open this spring in far-flung Bumthang, now is the perfect time to go, before the trickle of tourists becomes a torrent. Remote Lands’ unique experiences include a private dinner with a confidant of King Wangchuk, private lama blessings at dzongs, archery lessons, and a stay at Amankora Bumthang, the country’s newest Amanresort. 

Coming off a year of global attention as the 2010 World Design Capital, Seoul and its homegrown contemporary art and design scene have a newfound, palpable buzz. Remote Lands offers its clients, many of whom are art aficionados and collectors, unique experiences with the movers and shakers behind this burgeoning world, from museum curators and gallerists to fine arts professors and artists themselves. To contrast your time in modern Seoul, sojourn in historic Gyeongju, an ancient capital that draws comparisons to Kyoto for its wealth of UNESCO temples, historic quarters and small-scale charm. 

The word “Nepal” rightly evokes images of mountaineering sherpas and pilgrimage paths in Kathmandu Valley. Less well known, though, are the world-class safari opportunities in the UNESCO-protected jungles of Chitwan National Park (think one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers), making Nepal’s offerings among the most diverse in Asia. Remote Lands’ special experiences include trekking with the son of the legendary sherpa who summitted Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary and who himself has summited multiple times. Traveling in May, meanwhile, offers the unparalleled thrill of skydiving from 29,000 feet alongside Mount Everest. 

Head to far-flung Yunnan, China’s southwestern-most province, for truly off-the-beaten-path experiences among dramatic landscapes and remote minority peoples. The stunning mountains and terraced rice farms outside of Kunming have metallic minerals in the soil that lend the terrain an extraordinary red color in a phenomenon that is totally unique in the world. Spend time with the residents of Xuehua, a Yi minority village outside of Lijiang, and visit a charming and well-preserved Naxi town that flourished as part of China’s “tea route” in 7^th to 10^th centuries.