Socotra

The island's signature is the dragon's blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), an umbrella-shaped relic that bleeds red resin. The best stands are on the Diksam Plateau, reached by 4WD across a landscape that shifts from limestone karst to surreal desert.

Elsewhere: the Hoq Cave with its ancient stalactites and inscriptions, the Detwah Lagoon (a protected marine lagoon and the island's most photogenic beach), and the Arher dunes - mountains of white sand stacked against the cliffs.

Socotra sees fewer than a few thousand visitors a year. The mainland Yemen conflict, a near-total absence of tourist infrastructure, and the need for permits keep numbers vanishingly low. This is off-the-beaten-path in its truest sense: you may not see another traveller for days.

There is no resort, no hotel chain and minimal Wi-Fi. Visitors camp or stay with local families. The experience is raw and unforgettable, but it demands flexibility and a tolerance for discomfort.

Access is the single biggest hurdle. There are periodic flights from Cairo and Abu Dhabi to Socotra (SCT), operated by a handful of carriers: schedules change with the political winds, so check current routes before committing.

Almost all visitors go with a registered local operator who arranges the entry permit, transport, a 4WD with driver and camping gear. Independent travel is logistically near-impossible. Budget $1,500-3,000 per person for a one-week trip, all-in.

The ideal window is September to May, when the monsoon winds drop and the island is accessible. The summer monsoon (June-August) brings punishing winds that make travel miserable.

Safety: the island itself has been largely untouched by Yemen's mainland conflict, but most governments advise against travel to the country as a whole. Check your foreign office's guidance, use a reputable operator, and accept that you travel here at your own risk. For the truly intrepid, it's among the most rewarding journeys on Earth.