Are you tired of visiting the same locations as millions of
other tourists each year? Have you visited places like the Grand Canyon in the
USA, Machu Picchu in Peru, and the Coliseum in Italy, but now feel yourself
longing for something less ‘typical’? Our Earth is filled with an excess of
far-fetched places, some we have all heard of, and some we haven’t. While locations like the Grand Canyon, Machu
Picchu, and the Coliseum are all spectacular sites to visit, they are overrun
by tourists each year, littering the beauty of their location. Maybe it’s time
to start discovering destinations that are not on most people’s radar, but
equally as stunning- if not more. Traveling somewhere beautiful and
undiscovered makes for a special trip. There’s just something charming about going
to a place that isn’t as well known. Here are 14 Breathtaking Places You
Probably Didn’t Know Existed to add to your travel bucket list.
10. Quiraing
To visit the Isle of Skye in Scotland without experiencing
the Quiraing seems entirely unthinkable. Part of the Trotternish Ridge, which
was formed by a great series of landslips, the massive landslip in the Quiraing
has created tall cliffs, hidden plateaus and peaks of rock. The Quiraing is the only part of the slip
that is still moving and requires repairs each year. Parts of the distinctive
landscape have earned particular names, such as the Needle, which is a jagged
120-foot high landmark pinnacle, a remnant of land slipping. Northwest of it is
the Table, a flat grassy area from the summit plateau, with views of the
marvelous Torridon Hills and the mountains of Wester Ross. Southwest is the
Prison, a pyramidal rocky peak that can look like a medieval keep when viewed
from a proper angle.
If you are fit enough, walk the narrow path and journey up
and down the vertical slopes. Classed as medium in length, and hard in
difficulty, it covers a distance of 4.2 miles, with the average time to
complete the walk being roughly 2 hours with no stops. You are guaranteed
wonder and amazement with some of the most incredible landscapes and beautiful
sunsets found in Scotland so don’t forget to bring your camera!
9. Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur is a rock that rises 50 feet from the sea, found
on the eastern shore of the Vatnsnes Peninsula, in the northwest of
Iceland. Hvítserkur, which means “white
shirt” in Icelandic, comes from the color of the sea-bird excrement deposited
on the rock from the several species of birds that reside on it. This unusual
rock formation was once the plug of a volcano, but over the years the craters
surrounding the rock plug gave way to the pounding Atlantic Ocean, leaving only
the bizarre outcropping of Hvítserkur behind. To protect the rock’s
foundations, the base of the rock has been reinforced with concrete, helping it
stay in its place. At low tides it is possible to walk out beyond the protruded
rock.
In 1990, the geological oddity was even commemorated on an
Icelandic stamp. Since the rock has two holes at its base, some say it looks like
a thirsty dragon drinking from the Atlantic Ocean. Icelandic legend says that
the rock used to be a troll that forgot to retreat itself from the light and as
a consequence was turned to stone during sunrise.
8. Hamilton’s Pool Preserve
Located about 23 miles west of Austin, Texas, this unique
natural pool has been a popular summer destination for Austin visitors and its
residents since the 1960’s. Hamilton’s Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was
created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to thousands of
years of massive water erosion. Cultural remains date this site back over 8,000
years.
The Preserve consists of 232 acres of protected natural
habitat containing a beautiful jade green pool into which a 50-foot waterfall
drops into the canyon adding to a pool of water that never entirely dries up.
The pool is surrounded by large chunks of limestone that rest by the water’s
edge and large stalactites that grow from the ceiling above. Hamilton’s Pool
Preserve contains lush plant communities and a plethora of wildlife species.
Flora ranges from semi-arid species in the uplands to riparian species in the
canyon. In the uplands of the preserve you can find juniper and oak savannah
with a variety of native grasses and wildflowers. In the canyon, you can see
several rare plant species including canyon mock-orange, red bay, and chatter
box orchid. Fauna include a variety of birds such as the endangered
golden-cheeked warbler and cliff swallows.
7. Dean’s Blue Hole
While most other known blue holes only reach maximum depths
of 360 feet, Dean’s Blue Hole, found in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long
Island in the Bahamas, plunges a whopping 663 feet down below, making it the
deepest known salt water blue hole. It is still unknown exactly how Dean’s Blue
Hole was formed since it’s much deeper than most blue holes, but one hypothesis
is that a much deeper cave slowed and moved upward as its ceiling eroded away.
The coral caves and sand banks on the side of the entrance
are home to all kinds of tropical reef life, like shrimps, snappers, and
groupers. Friendly sea turtles can sometimes be found in the hole taking a
break from the ocean currents, and schools of tarpon fish hang in the hole’s
shadows. In April 2010, professional and courageous diver William Trubridge
broke a free-diving world record in the blue hole by reaching a depth of 302
feet without the use of fins. He decided to take it a step further in December
of 2010, when he swam to a depth of 331 feet on a single breath while using
only his hands and feet for propulsion!
6. The Flatirons
The Flatirons are rock formations near Boulder, Colorado,
and is the perfect place for hikers and climbers. Although the Flatirons are
made up of several small formations, there are five large, numbered Flatirons,
from north to south, along the east slope of the Green Mountain, that are the
most popular. Climbing options in the Flatirons can vary between obscure
boulders and chunks scattered through the woods to technical summits and
chillingly exposed towers. Climbing history dates back over a hundred years,
and generations of the world’s best climbers have developed their skills on
these Flatirons.
Accessible via trailheads in Chautauqua Park, there are
dozens of named formations and established routes numbered in the hundreds to
the thousands. A significant number of the routes finish on high summits and
should not be missed if you enjoy climbing long and reasonable routes with
worthwhile finishes. Certain climbs, the First and Third Flatirons for example,
can be very crowded on weekends, but it’s easy to find solitude in the
multitude of other less visited cliffs. Noteworthy summits in the Flatirons, aside
from the numbered Flatirons themselves, include: the Devil’s Thumb, the Maiden,
the Matron, Seal Rock and the Amphitheater towers.
5. Benagil
The bluer-than-blue waters of this small Portuguese town are
home to a mind-blowing sea grotto. This grotto, or algar in Portuguese, is
found on the Algarve coast of Portugal –the country’s most southern coast. The
grotto is located 500 feet to the east of the small beach and little fishing
village of Benagil. The sea cave has two magnificent entrances, a huge
collapsed roof, a secluded beach of sand and a circular inner grotto.
Access to this beautiful place is only by water. The first,
easiest and most comfortable, is by commercial boat. Tours leave from several
beaches nearby and some include this and other caves around the area as well.
If you do take the tour however, you are not allowed off the boat. Another
great option is renting a kayak. Many of the same companies that provide the
boat tours also rent the kayak equipment. This option is recommended for those
that want to go more inside the grotto and take some breathtaking pictures.
4. Whitehaven Beach
A postcard perfect beach, Whitehaven Beach is a 4.3 mile
stretch along Whitsunday Island, Australia and is the largest of the 74 islands
in the Whitsundays. The turquoise, blue and green water, and the fact that the
sand is 98% pure white silica give this place a brilliant, near luminescent color.
The crystal clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand make it the most
photographed beach in Australia. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is
Hill Inlet, a stunning cove where the tide shifts the sand and water to create
a beautiful fusion of colors. As the
tide shifts, the white silica sand and shades of turquoise blend flawlessly to
create a breathtaking view of swirling Whitsunday colors. It definitely defines nature at its best and
provides the greatest sense of relaxation and escape for tourists from all over
the world.
Whitehaven Beach is just a thirty-minute trip on a
high-speed catamaran, and Hamilton Island offers several Whitehaven Beach day
trips and Whitehaven Beach tours. Visitors can also choose to take a scenic
helicopter tour and seaplane flights over Hill Inlet to give visitors an
amazing aerial view of the magical water and sand dance below them.
3. Vatnajokull Ice Caves
Quiet a mesmerizing wonder of nature; the Vatnajokull ice
caves are located inside an Icelandic glacier. Located on the south-east of the
island, Vatnajokull itself is the largest and most voluminous Icelandic ice cap,
and without a doubt one of the largest in area in Europe, so it’s no wonder
visitors want to enter this massive glacier and explore its ice caves with
their blue color and intriguing light. Created by the forces of the Vatnajvkull
ice cap, the ice caves emerged as a result of its glacier meeting the Icelandic
coastline. The cave’s ice dates back centuries, and its weight has pressed out
all remnant air, so the resultant formation’s texture and colors are both
brilliant and out of this world. The jewel-like interior of the ice caves makes
adventure seekers feel as though they are in some sort of fairy tale world.
During the winter months is the best time to visit this
attractive phenomenon, in terms of accessibility and also in terms of safety.
However, it is always a risk to enter an ice cave and that risk increases late
in the winter. Extreme caution is advised when visiting these caves and
visitors should be accompanied by a tour guide and proper safety equipment.
Conditions can also be different between caves and further safety equipment
might be required.
2. Lake Natron
Dry, desolate and hauntingly beautiful; wild and remote Lake
Natron lies in the northeast of Tanzania in between the Ngorongoro Highlands
and Serengeti plains. Situated at the base of Africa’s only active volcano
Oldonyo Lengai, meaning Mountain of God, Lake Natron is one of the most alkaline
lakes in the world. The alkaline water in Lake Natron can reach a pH as high as
10.5 and is so alkaline in fact, it can burn the skin and eyes of animals that
aren’t adapted to it. The water’s alkalinity comes from the sodium carbonate
and other minerals that flow into the lake from the surrounding hills, hot
springs, and small rivers. Since it is a shallow lake in a hot climate, its
water temperature can reach as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many rumors surround Tanzania’s Lake Natron, claiming the
lake turns animals to stone. While the temperature and pH do indeed make it a
dangerous place for a lot of creatures, the myths are only partly true. In
fact, the lake is home to millions of tiny crustaceans, and during breeding
season, the lake attracts more than 2 million lesser flamingos that use the
shallow lake as their primary breeding ground in Africa, making it one of the
most important flamingo breeding grounds on Earth.
1. Kelimutu
Mount Kelimutu, located on the island of Flores, is an
Indonesian volcano and home to three summit crater lakes. Kelimutu itself means
Boiling Lake and often visitors can see wreathes of steam rise from the surface
of the lakes. The summit can be accessed via trek by those adventurous enough
to hike to the crest of Kelimutu. Although they are all located on the same
volcanic peak, each lake is distinctly a different color and fluctuates between
shades as well. Although no extensive scientific evidence has been done, it’s
assumed that the color variations are due to underwater fumaroles. These are
openings in the planet’s surface which let out gas and steam that creates an
upwelling and constantly change its appearance. As a result, the visitor is
never quite sure what color the lakes will be when they reach the top.
The three crater lakes all have different names and for
centuries the locals have believed that the lakes are the spiritual resting
place of their ancestors. It is said the lakes change color according to the
mood of the spirits. The Lake of Old People is where it is said the spirits of
the old who have led honorable lives go to rest. The Lake of Old People is
typically blue. The Lake of Young Men and Maidens is characteristically green.
The third, the Enchanted Lake can often be seen as blood red or even olive
green. Supposedly, this is the lake where the evil people go, regardless of age
or sex.
