10 Places Where No One Has Heard of Justin Bieber

Mongolia

Reports The New York Times, "There are few countries in the world where it is as easy to get lost, to be completely drawn away from civilization, as Mongolia." Naturally, the sizable country has plenty of busy cities and other cosmopolitan locales. But Mongolia, which is one of the least densely populated nations on earth, also houses a wealth of desolate, pristine places, from the arid Gobi Desert to the quiet pine forests of Northern Mongolia.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro claims a list of superlatives: It's Africa's tallest peak at three-and-a-half miles high, it's one of the world's largest volcanoes, and it's the world's highest free-standing mountain. Despite its incredible height, Kilimanjaro is surprisingly accessible for travelers with little or no mountain-climbing experience. It's not easy to reach the peak. But over the course of roughly a week, one can get to the top of the mountain by foot—no need for ropes or harnesses. At the top? You'll encounter astonishing views of vast surrounding savannah.

Antarctica

Antarctica is home to unchartered waters, immense icebergs, and an unspoiled, snowy wilderness. The tourism industry there is growing: The number of people traveling to the far-flung continent has quadrupled in the past 10 years. Nevertheless, it's a place that remains largely untouched by man. There's no native human population on Antarctica, and the only people who live there are scientists at research stations.

Yap, Micronesia

Yap is known for having some of the largest currency in the world. On this remote island in Micronesia, villagers once traded with giant wheels of stone money, sometimes bigger than a car (you can still see the megacoins in local villages). The money is no longer in use, but other local traditions still persist. According to Lonely Planet, Yap is "a place where the caste system survives and village chiefs still hold as much political clout as elected public officials."

Amazon Basin

The massive, lush Amazon Basin, which spans eight nations in South America, contains 54 percent of the remaining rainforest on earth. It's largely uninhabited, but indigenous tribes still reside in its dense jungles. No need to bring a machete—stay in an eco-lodge and take guided excursions on the river to see pink dolphins and catch piranhas (they make a good meal) or go on a naturalist-led wildlife- and bird-watching jungle walk.

North Korea

An isolated rogue state like North Korea will harbor little signs of foreign pop culture. All local media, from TV to music, is censored by the government. It's risky, to put it mildly, to travel to a country with a disastrous human-rights record and no American embassy, but that shouldn't keep all Western travelers at bay. In "10 Taboo Tourist Destinations (And How to Visit Them)," Nick Bonner of Koryo Group says, "By visiting North Korea and interacting as much as you can, you have a positive impact on engagement. You are bringing civilians into contact with Westerners and providing job opportunities."

Cape York Peninsula, Australia

Cape York Peninsula is a region some deem one of the last true wilderness areas on the planet. You may not come across anyone at all here, with the exception of some very large crocodiles or dangerous snakes. According to PlanetGreen.com, the vast peninsula—which is roughly the size of Victoria, Canada—is home to less than 20,000 people, the majority of which are part of aboriginal tribes. Cape York Peninsula is part of the world's biggest intact tropical savannah, and the local government has taken steps to have the area nominated as a World Heritage site.

Ballarat, California

Are the two residents of Ballarat fans of Bieber? We can't say. But we can say that you probably won't find much evidence of teen superstars in this dusty California ghost town, which is located near Death Valley National Park. Reportedly, there were only two people living in town as of 2009. Today, visitors travel to the abandoned hamlet to tour lonely dirt roads, weather-worn grave markers, and barren miners' cabins.

Borneo

According to The New York Times, "Known for venomous snakes, prodigious leeches and insects of legendary proportions, Borneo possesses the stuff of nightmares." But there's a beautiful upside here—Borneo, one of the world's biggest islands, is also a wildlife lover's dream. Its remote jungles and mountains are home to roughly half of all recorded plant and animal species on earth. On the island, travelers can spot rare orangutans and proboscis monkeys, sun on unspoiled beaches, or peer at strange, giant carnivorous plants.

Space

The yon of space is the ultimate haven for those seeking to escape celebrities and other earthly diversions. (Fair warning: You might bump into Ashton Kutcher, who has already booked a seat on one of the first Virgin Galactic flights.) To get there, follow Richard Branson. The British mogul's Virgin Galactic program offers recreational flights to space starting at $20,000. Charter a spaceship for you and up to five friends for a cool $1 million. Space flights aren’t available just yet, though. All current reservations are merely placeholders until Virgin Galactic is officially up and running.

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