BY K.C. DERMODY

Bhutan (Hotel Prices & Photos)

Getting to Bhutan isn’t exactly a walk in the park or budget-friendly, but worth it if you can make the trek. Tourism arrived less than 40 years ago, with the hermit kingdom preserving its rich cultural identity throughout its decades of isolation. On the streets, traditional dress is still the preferred attire, while native Dzongka-style architectural features continue to grace every building and Buddhism colors just about every aspect of life. Taktsang Palphug, aka the Tiger’s Nest, is the highlight for many. Perched on the edge of a cliff, more than a half-mile above the rice fields of Paro, the 320-year-old monastery is considered one of the kingdom’s most sacred religious sites.