Exploring places with stunning views is a priority for most travelers. Who wouldn’t like to contemplate the beauty of an enchanted waterfall or admire the lush green landscapes of some distant land? With that in mind, here are 10 places that should be on your bucket list when you’re looking for authentic natural wonders.
1. Lago Bled, Eslovenia
If you were to ask locals what the most picturesque place in Slovenia is, Lake Bled would win hands down. When you look across a pool of crystal clear water towards the charming little island with an old neo-Gothic church in the middle and then at the Julian Alps, you’ll understand why.
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You can rent a traditional wooden boat called “pletna” to reach the island or simply relax sitting on the shore of the lake and enjoy its stunning scenery and fairytale atmosphere. The tranquil beauty of Lake Bled will mesmerize you no matter how you choose to explore it.
2. Parque Nacional Zhangye Danxia, China
The Zhangye Danxia Formation in China is a natural wonder with hills and cliffs composed of vibrantly colored sandstone. Over millions of years, erosion and weathering of mineral deposits helped create this multicolored landscape that almost seems otherworldly. The surreal colors and distinctive shapes of this incredible geological wonder will envelop you as you enter Zhangye Danxia, making you feel like you are inside a painting.
3. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its picturesque and spectacular series of 16 tufa lakes and caves, connected by waterfalls and surrounded by lush forest.
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Walking through the park along a wooden path that winds through the forest offers you a beautiful view of nature in its purest form.
4. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The largest salt desert in the world, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, offers a strangely beautiful landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Its salt flats, stretching over more than 4,000 square miles (12,000 square kilometers), create an optical illusion in which the sky and the ground appear to merge.
When a thin layer of water covers the salt flats, the Salar de Uyuni transforms into a large mirror that reflects the sky, creating an even more impressive and dreamlike atmosphere that will leave you speechless!
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5. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher rise more than 700 feet (200 meters) above the Atlantic. As your eyes scan along the coast, you’ll notice the medieval O’Brien Tower, which marks the highest point of these impressive sea cliffs and offers the best vantage point for what many insist are the most stunning views in all of them. Ireland.
6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States
Although the Grand Canyon spans four states, including Utah, Nevada and Colorado, the most popular and accessible state to enjoy this natural wonder is Arizona, home of Grand Canyon National Park. The canyon, the result of millions of years of erosion, rain, wind, and the mighty Colorado River, stretches an impressive 227 miles (365 km) long and has an average width of more than 10 miles (16 km).
Descending on foot into the canyon and spending the night beneath the rim is, without a doubt, the best way to truly appreciate its natural splendor.
7. Cascada Seljalandsfoss, Iceland
Although there are many impressive waterfalls to visit in Iceland, most will agree that Seljalandsfoss tops them all. This powerful waterfall has a waterfall that falls 196 feet (60 meters) onto a charming meadow. But the most interesting part is the path that goes behind the water wall, allowing you to walk behind it. From there, you can see the falls from a very unique point of view. A word of caution, however: unless you’re willing to get soaked, be sure to bring a waterproof coat and boots.
8. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan
The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is a calm and serene place for those who want to escape the noise and chaos of the big city. This natural forest features tall bamboo stalks that sway slowly in the wind, creating a soft rustle.
As you immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere, time seems to stop and you begin to feel like you are in heaven.
9. Antelope Canyon, Arizona, United States
The otherworldly shapes and vivid colors make Antelope Canyon the destination on every traveler’s bucket list. Millions of years of flash floods, wind and erosion have shaped the Navajo sandstone into a slot canyon with gently flowing curves. The result is a picturesque wonder that changes every time the sun moves across the sky.
To explore Antelope Canyon, which has only been open to the public since 1997, you will need to book the tour and hire a Navajo guide to experience this hidden gem.
10. The Fascinating Aurora Borealis, in Various Places
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is among the most hypnotic and awe-inspiring phenomena in nature. When electrically charged particles from the sun hit Earth’s atmosphere, they encounter each other, creating the bright dancing lights of the aurora.
The Northern Lights can be seen in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Canada, among other places. Witnessing this amazing spectacle is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will leave you dazzled!
These 10 stunning landscapes highlight the incredible diversity and beauty that the Earth has. So, if you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget, buy your ticket, pack your bags, and get ready to witness these natural wonders firsthand!
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