Capital: Bissau | Language: Portuguese, indigenous | Currency: West African CFA (franc) | Religion: Islam, Christian, Animism | Population: 1.8 million

Guinea-Bissau is a challenging destination to tackle by road – a tiny country, distances aren’t that great, but bad roads and transport make for time-consuming trips. Speaking of time consuming trips – try taking the local boat out to the Bijagos Archipelago. Find yourself a spot on long, wild, empty Praia Bruce – and enjoy this most deserted of desert island beaches.