Star Trek: 10 Worlds You MUST Visit
We're all goin' on a horga'hn holiday. No more warpin' for a week or two.
This no money, socialist utopia thing humanity and the rest of the Federation have got going seems to be lasting. We may tell ourselves we work for the betterment of the species (plural), but we're really on a permanent holiday, free from the financial burdens you've read about in the history books. Unless you prefer to start raking in the latinum, the different economics of the present mean that you can check out the waterfalls on Casperia Prime, heal holistically on Haven, or become disorderly intoxicated on Trill whenever you want without picking up the tab.
Even the Galaxy Truth Network's normally indefatigable Thomas C. Drexler and Shaun Blass need a break — Drexler prefers the mud baths of Parallax, and what Blass does on his vacations is too personal to publish. Those of you in Starfleet are, no doubt, in desperate need of shore leave away from those body-bending anomalies and alien attacks.
GTN's travel correspondent Marc Okuda has been given the tough assignment of sampling a smorgasbord of wondrous worlds and pleasure planets within warp distance. Whether you like to soak in an alien culture or just need to avoid problematic patients on the beach, GTN Travel has the perfect spot for you! So, step out of that holodeck recreation, tell yourself you WILL make it to Chaltok IV, and join us on the galactic trip of a lifetime!
10. Betazed
One of the galaxy's most challenging planets for any wedding planner — go naked or go home! — Betazed is a key Federation world that boasts all the musical flora you can eat, as well as a top-notch valet service. Marc Okuda had a delightful picnic in a somehow very familiar park and tried an 'oskoid'. The warm sap was just delicious! During the Dominion War, Betazed — left unprotected by the Tenth Fleet and obsolete defence systems — was easily invaded, but that was over a quarter of a century ago now.
A visit to Betazed's Janaran Falls should be top of your list — they will make for a stunning (and time-consuming) subject for engraving if you're ever stuck with a phaser, a bit of metal, and nothing to do. As Federation universities go, Betazed has a pretty decent one. Why not plan a longer stay to study psychology and meet your imzadi?
What the planet lacks in transporter security, it makes up for in trade conferences, lakes, and the Opal Sea. Don't forget that Betazoids (zeds?) are telepaths and empaths. Everyone might look like they've attended the Marcel Marceau School of Mime, but they are actually talking to each other brain to brain.