Destinations That Are Sure to Enrich Your Life
One planet, seven continents, almost 200 countries, and an endless list of places to visit in the course of a lifetime. The sheer number of natural phenomena, ancient marvels and modern wonders in the world can be overwhelming when trying to decide where to spend your money, vacation days and the years of your life.
While getting off the beaten track can be valuable, sometimes the more popular destinations are so for a reason. But which to visit? To make the decision process a little less daunting, here are 15 amazing places you need to add to your travel bucket list.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The sweeping scale and finesse of the details in this Khmer masterpiece is what makes this temple so incredible. Cambodia’s historical heart is unrivaled in its intricacy.
There are 3,000 celestial nymphs carved into the walls, each one entirely unique, and around the main temple stretches a series of carvings half a mile long. Getting lost in Angkor Wat’s beauty is an unmissable experience.
Petra, Jordan
Petra, meaning simply “rock” in Greek, is a city carved from cliffs. As rich in mystery as it is in rock-carving, the archways, boulevards and delicate facades make for a mesmerizing place to wander around.
The tombs and temples are carved from pink sandstone, giving this former capital of a bygone kingdom the nickname “The Rose City.” An apt name for somewhere shrouded in romance and beauty.
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Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Another of nature’s masterpieces, Plitvice Lakes is the kind of place that makes you want to believe in fairy tales. The strings of deep green pools connected by misty waterfalls will leave you mesmerized.
Winding around and across the lakes are a multitude of hiking trails and walkways, inviting you to spend a whole day getting lost in this water wonderland. It’s one of the many glorious places you should visit on your Croatia vacation.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is the kind of place postcards are made of. Moon-like landscapes of arid valleys and bizarre rock formations are home to all sorts of curiosities.
Inside the “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rocks, are the hollowed out remains of Bronze Age homes, which were carved directly from the rocks. There are entire underground cities, churches in rocks and distinctly phallic shaped formations rising out of the ground (the Love Valley is called that for a reason).
Whether by foot, horse or hot-air balloon, this is a region begging to be explored and marveled at making it a no-brainer when it comes to places to visit before you die.
Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
Taking wild, raw beauty to a whole other level, the Torres del Paine National Park is a beautiful collision of the ragged granite massifs, deep valleys, turquoise lakes and slowly crawling glaciers. This can only be described as a dreamscape.
With so much nature, and so few people, this is the ideal destination for outdoor lovers and escapists, the perfect place to leave reality behind.
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Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Simply one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls exists right on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The sheer volume of the Zambezi River plunging down a series of basalt gorges is enough to take your breath away.
The iridescent mist thrown up by the falls, and the rainbows it creates, are visible from miles away.
Bagan, Myanmar
An ancient city famous for its Buddhist monuments rising up from green plains, Bagan pulls together all the things most loved by travelers: history, beauty, mystery and an element of the surreal. The many temples, pagodas and ruins comprise one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites, with a sacredness that is palpable to visitors.
Add this to the list of places that will leave you open-mouthed in awe.
The Taj Mahal, India
A monumental monument to love, the Taj Mahal is the world’s most famous mausoleum. Built by an emperor to immortalize his love for his princess wife, the Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring feat of architecture.
The peerless elegance, beauty and romance of this structure will capture your heart and imagination.
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Santorini, Greece
Even if you haven’t heard the name (unlikely), you have definitely seen photos of Santorini. The quintessentially Greek island is characterized by white buildings, rounded blue roofs and brilliant purple sunsets.
The flawless beauty of this place has enthralled visitors for years, and will continue to do so for years to come. A true Greek classic.
Galapagos Islands
Found off the coast of Ecuador, The Galapagos archipelago and surrounding waters are a carefully preserved national park. An infinitely precious and wholly unique environment is contained within the islands.
Insulated from the rest of the world, astounding species of animals have thrived here, including the likes of the giant tortoise, the blue-footed booby and the marine iguana. Traveling to the Galapagos Islands is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Giza Pyramids, Egypt
The most famous archaeological site in the world, simply laying eyes on the Giza Pyramids and the great Sphinx will make you feel a little bit like Indiana Jones. As well as feeling like an intrepid explorer, you will probably be more than a little awe-struck in the presence of the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World.
Built thousands of years before we started counting years, beholding the pyramids is every bit a bucket list-worthy experience.
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The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Under the sea lies one of the most spectacular sights of all. An underwater world with as much color, life and wonder as any above ground, the largest coral reef system on the planet is home to literally countless species of marine life.
Whether through a scuba or snorkel mask, this is a part of the world that must be seen at least once in your lifetime.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni is a natural phenomenon; a desert of salt that stretches as far as the eye can see. The savage beauty of this vast expanse of white will leave you dazzled.
The most unforgettable moments on the salt flats are at sunrise and sunset, when the colors of the sky are splashed all over the salt, creating a wildly colorful visual feast.
Serengeti National Park
If you are an animal lover, Serengeti National Park is your mecca. With the highest concentration of large mammals on the entire planet, a safari through Serengeti will bring you up close to the likes of lions, rhinoceroses and elephants.
Time it right, and you might be able to bear witness to the epic annual migration of hundreds of thousands of zebra, wildebeest and gazelles across the plains in search of water.
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Fjords of Norway
Norway knows how to do natural beauty. Epic fjords gouge lines from a rugged coastline to an emerald interior, cliffs plunging straight into water, and waterfalls cascading down the cliffs.
Whales, seals and eagles call the fjords their home, and in occasional hospitable pockets of green, villages and farming communities flourish. The spectacular beauty and drama of Norway’s fjords need to be seen to be believed.