There is widespread propaganda in the world that portrays the world as risky and dangerous. As travelers are all aware, this is far from the reality of cultures and places waiting to be explored out there. The world is open and hospitable. There is an acceptance of travelers in a way that those who do not travel can hardly imagine. People on other sides of the globe are not as foreign as many may believe.
Escape the doldrums of daily reality. Whirl away and get ready to jet-set and take off to the most inspiring travel destinations in the world. Let go of stifling beliefs. The world is filled with exhilarating destinations that should not be missed in this lifetime.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
1. Zanzibar
The island of Zanzibar is located off the Indian Ocean coastline of Tanzania and north of Dar-Es-Salaam. It is historically romantic with stunning tropical islands. There are combinations with trekking and Safari options available on the mainland as well as reaching the Kilimanjaro summit, the highest peak in Africa.
2. Baja Peninsula, Mexico
The second longest peninsula offers 1,200 km of the mystic, ethereal, and untamed escapade. There is a stunning vision at every turn, like the mountainside village with blue skies. Sip drinks and watch sunsets, linger and disappear on the Pacific. Get an adrenaline rush while surfing the perfect wave or walking through the canyons while staring up at the diamond stars above. Any which way you choose to enjoy your time, you are sure to discover the ongoing joys of Baja.
3. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Japan
Arashiyama has many attractions, like the Togetsukye Bridge, small restaurants, and small shops, as well as bamboo groves and pleasure boats. It is most attractive in the beginning of April and in the middle of November with fall colors and cherry blossoms. December boasts lantern illumination with street lights.
4. Sossusvlei, Namibia
Situated in a conservation area on the continent of Africa is Sossusvlei, a spectacular and well-known attraction. It is characterized by surrounding red sand dunes and large white salt clay pans. It can be visited during any time of the year. Some dunes are the highest in the world and reach almost 400 meters in height. It provides photography enthusiasts with wonderful images in the morning and evening light.
5. The Rocky Mountains, North America
Located on the west of North America, The Rocky Mountains are a mountain chain approximately 4,800 km long and 563 km wide running from north to south. The range runs through New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska, and Montana, as well as British Columbia and Alberta in the Canadian province in the Northwest territories and Yukon. It has been poetically described as the spine of the continent.
6. Myanmar, Bagan
Visiting the ancient city of Bagan is about the sunrises and sunsets. There are 2,000 temples and pagodas and a marvel of colors over the amazing landscape. Bagan was once the capital of the kingdom between the ninth and thirteenth centuries where there were more than 10,000 temples, monasteries, and pagodas.
7. Serengeti, Tanzania, East Africa
The vast ecosystem of the Serengeti is in East Africa. It spans at about 30,000 square kilometers and the name Serengeti from the Massai Language means endless plains. This region is in northern Tanzania in Africa, extending to southwest Kenya. The Serengeti Park hosts the large mammal migrations and is popular for its African Safaris.
8. Giant’s Causeway, Ireland
A UNESCO world heritage site in Northern Ireland, the Giants Causeway is renowned for layered basalt polygonal columns that resulted from a volcanic eruption, which took place 60 million years ago. It has attracted visitors for centuries and harbors a wealth of natural history. Seabirds are seen around the coast of the Causeway with razorbill, fulmar, petral species, and rare plant species over the natural rock formations and cliffs.
9. Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada
Dinosaurs lived millions of years before the existence of the first man on the planet. Dinosaur fossils remain buried in the surface of the earth. If you want to see fossils of extinct dinosaurs, the Dinosaur Provincial Park is the place for you. The Dinosaur Provincial Park is regarded as the best place to see and experience dinosaur fossils. It is located 48 km away from Calgary, on the border between USA and Canada. Dinosaur Provincial Park has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1979.
10. Laikipia District, Kenya, East Africa
Laikipia in the Maasai language translates to “treeless plain”. The Laikipia District is a vast plain with numerous wildlife species. including the Big Five (rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, lion, and leopard) that roam freely in Laikipia.
11. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier is an important tourist attraction in Argentine Patagonia. The 250 square-kilometers ice formation that is 30 km (19 mi) in length is an ice field that is the third largest fresh water reserve in the world.
12. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
Badlands National Park is a fantastic landscape of eroded ridges and ragged peaks. There are no real landmarks along the 30-mile long Badlands Loop Road, but there are so many incredible sights to bear witness to at the park.
13. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Located on the southern coast of the Pacific of Costa Rica, The Osa Peninsula is the ecotourism destination. It has breathtaking scenery, like empty beaches and an abundance of wildlife. The Corcovado National Park is a lowland tropical rain forest that can also be found there.
14. Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan covers 720 square kilometers of wilderness. Huge sandstone mountains and granite emerge from the wide sandy valleys, reaching heights of 1,700 meters. Narrow fissures and canyons cut deep into mountains and conceal the ancient rock drawings that are etched over millennia. Bedouin tribes live among Rum Mountains and goat-hair tents are special features of this landscape. Staying in a Bedouin tent, you will get to gaze at a panoply of stars. There are also camel, jeep, and hiking tours that travelers can embark on.
15. Great Basin National Park, Nevada, USA
The lone national park in Nevada offers more than you can imagine. The real beauty is the Lehman cave, which is located below the ground. There are stalagmites and stalactites that you can also see and a cave formation that is rare called “shield”. There are hiking and driving options to the mountaintop that can be taken for panoramic basin views of the mountain.
16. Yosemite National Park, California, USA
Yosemite National Park is a welcoming experience of the majestic Yosemite in all the seasons. Explore the awe-inspiring vistas, amazing waterfalls, granite icons, and the fascinating history of Yosemite. It is one of the most popular American national parks, boasting the best views, vacation opportunities, and hiking trails in the country.
17. Niagara Falls, Canada
Niagara Falls has an abundance of attractions from the famous waterfalls. The city is linked to the USA by the Rainbow Bridge. On the western shore of the Niagara river, it overlooks Horseshoe Falls. Elevators take tourists to the lower and wetter vantage point. The riverbank has an observation deck and there is a promenade on the Skylon Tower that stands at 520 feet.
18. Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang, at the junction of Nam Khan and Mekong River, makes taking a boat cruise most rewarding as a way to discover the life along these rivers. Cruising along the Mekong River, you get to observe fishermen’s daily activities as they throw their nets elegantly, relying on water for their livelihood. Two hours upstream are the renowned Pak Ou Caves. The limestone cave is impressive with gold-lacquered Buddha laden statues in various sizes, from as small as your palm to the height of your average person. The reverent scene is scented with incense and overlooks the Mekong landscape.
19. Óbidos, Portugal
This charming Portuguese town is a day trip from Lisbon with plenty of activities and sights to embark on. While visiting the small town of Obidos, indulge in the beautiful sights and the pulse of the city around you that can be explored in a few hours.
20. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
An island that was once a volcano subsided to form a barrier reef with an ecosystem allowing pristine blue waters and a protected sanctuary of reefs that limit waves. Bora Bora is a celebrated island in the South Pacific. The beauty of the island is unrivaled and its fame is unwavering. Bora Bora is a place on earth that everyone aspires to experience and witness in their lifetime.
Featured photo credit: Hans-Jürgen Weinhardt via unsplash.com
