Have you ever been somewhere so breathtakingly beautiful that you just had to remove your sunglasses and rub your eyes a but just to make sure you’re not seeing things? The world we live in will never cease to amaze us; there would always be surprises around the corner. It doesn’t matter if you think you’ve seen it all, because you’re wrong. You just have to go search for these extraordinary things. And while some view travelling with distaste, others think of it as necessary for a fulfilled life.
Just in case you’re itching to get out and see all the beauty the world has to offer, start with these places:
Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
Known for its colorful rock formation, Zhangye Danxia is the product of deposits of sandstone and other minerals that occurred millions of years ago. Weather and time shaped these layered rocks to become smooth, sharp, and several meters tall.
Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan
This 190-hectare park features blooming flowers that include a million daffodils, 170 types of tulips and other flora. However, Hitachi Seaside Park is best known for its annual Nemophila Harmony, where tourists get to see 4.5 million baby blue-eyes flowers with translucent petals bloom every spring.
Tulip Fields, Netherlands
The Netherlands are renowned for their tulips. In fact, the economic phenomenon that became known as the Tulip mania started there. Today, a large area of their farms and fields are devoted to cultivating these flowers. They even have the largest tulip garden in Europe (globally, the Keukenhof is second only to the Dubai Miracle Garden).
Vatnajokull Glacier Cave, Iceland
This ice cave exhibits an eerily beautiful and jewel-like interior that would leave you breathless. In November 1996, a volcanic eruption occurred in this glacier, melting billions of gallons of ice and triggering a two-day flood. The end result is just stunning.
Antelope Canyon, USA
This slot canyon in the American Southwest is a by-product that resulted from the erosion of the Navajo Sandstone. Rainwater and other elements contributed to its beauty, widening its passageways and smoothing its hard and rough edges to create smooth, flowing shapes among the rocks.
The Gardens at Marqueyssac, France
The gardens of the 17th century Château de Marqueyssac is situated on a hill overlooking the Dordogne River. Thousands of boxwood trees planted in the 1860, as well as wild cyclamen and cypress make it distinct from all other gardens in France. The plants have a sculpted look about them, with organic shapes that runs in harmony with the landscape.
Coron, Palawan, Philippines
This wedge-shaped limestone island features mangrove forests in its coastal areas, seven lakes including the renowned Kayangan Lake, and a group of smaller isles with white-sand beaches as well as clear blue waters ideal for deep sea activities.
Machu Picchu, Peru
This ancient estate is one of the most well-preserved Inca site in the world. Known as the “Lost City of the Incas,” its existence was virtually unknown to the outside world until the American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale means “cotton castle” in Turkish. And that’s limestone, not snow. This natural site in the Denizli Province features travertine and hot springs, as well as terraces made of carbonated minerals from the flowing water.
Venice, Italy
Venice is simply one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its celebrated art and architecture. You can visit numerous attractions there, including St. Mark’s Basilica, the Piazza San Marco, and the Grand Canal. It’s also a good romantic destination; with its dainty boats and other fine things.
Albarracin, Aragon, Spain
This picturesque town is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful villages. Surrounded by stony hills and elegant villas, visiting it would give you a feeling that you’re in medieval times.
Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Located at the foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle, these dream-like pools attract visitors from all over the world. The more adventurous tourists can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear blue pools while those afraid to get wet can simply take magnificent photos of the site.
And these are just for starters! There are hundreds of other places to put in your travelling list! Have a fun and safe adventure, and while you’re at it bring your favourite eyewear to better drink in the scenery.