Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacán, Mexico
Today, the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro still stands halfway buried in solidified lava rock. It is all that remains of the village. The church that survived the catastrophe is now the destination of an annual pilgrimage by worshippers who believe God saved the church from the volcano.
Admire the Neoclassical in Symi, Greece
The harbour town of Symi is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque in the Greek Islands. Rightly so: its serried rows of hundreds of “traditional houses” each of them decorated with a Neoclassical façade and painted in bright pastel tones, is certainly among the most memorable scenes we encounter on any of our tours. Some of the best events in Greece happen before and after summer. And areas of Greece that you might think you know already during summer are a completely different experience at other times of year. During spring, flowers and greenery are abundant and parts of Greece are as lush as the Tropics, while Greek Easter can be an amazing spectacle.
China’s Magical Rainbow Mountains
Candy-color mountains—with rippling stripes of cerulean blue, vibrant magenta, canary-yellow, and blood-orange—sound like the setting of a whimsical Dr. Seuss story. In China, they’re a reality. Part of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park in the Gansu province, these Technicolor peaks are a local tourist attraction known as the Rainbow Mountains. Though the forms seem as if they could be man-made creations—like rainbow layer cookies or painted canvases—their coloration is a completely natural phenomenon. Candy-color mountains—with rippling stripes of cerulean blue, vibrant magenta, canary-yellow, and blood-orange—sound like the setting of a whimsical Dr. Seuss story. In China, they’re a reality. Part of the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park in the Gansu province, these Technicolor peaks are a local tourist attraction known as the Rainbow Mountains. Though the forms seem as if they could be man-made creations—like rainbow layer cookies or painted canvases—their coloration is a completely natural phenomenon.
Marble Caves in Chile
Chilean Patagonia is home to the most beautiful caves found in the world, without exaggeration! The 6,000-year-old stunning cave network known as the Marble Caves or Cuevas de Mármol is located on the peninsula consisting entirely of marble and washed with the deep blue waters of the glacial Lake General Carrera on the border between Chile and Argentina.
The area is particularly beautiful in early spring during the ice melt, when water colour is enchantingly turquoise, and also in summer which boasts amazing deep blue hues. The site is accessible only by boat, but the spectacle is worth your efforts.
Antelope Canyon – Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a popular location for sightseers, and a source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation. It has been accessible by tour since 1983 by Pearl Begay Family and 1997, when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park. Besides the Upper and Lower areas, there are other slots in the canyon that can be visited, such as the Rattle Snake Canyon, Owl Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon which is also part of the same drainage as Antelope Canyon. All visits are through licensed tour operators. It is not possible to visit the Canyon independently. The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is between the end of March and the beginning of October. In terms of the best time of day to visit the canyon, going between 11 am and 1:30 pm will give you the highest chance of seeing Antelope Canyon light beams in the Upper section of Antelope Canyon.
The Tunnel of Love Ukraine
The Tunnel of Love Ukraine is possibly the most romantic place on earth and definitely a hidden gem waiting to be discovered in the Ukraine. The Tunnel of Love is a semi-abandoned railway line in Klaven, North Western Ukraine noted as being the most romantic place on earth.While it is relatively unknown from an international standpoint, Ukrainian couples and romantics come to the tunnel of love to marvel in the perfect manicured greenery that has built a tunnel over an abandoned railway.Wedding goers sometimes choose to come to the tunnel of love to get married. But beware while this place is a picturesque paradise, human sized blood eating mosquitoes also lurk in this corner of the world, waiting to pounce on an unknowing subject!
Lost City – Colombia
Hidden deep in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in Colombia sits Ciudad Perdida, the “Lost City.” Built by the Tairona people more than 1,000 years ago, the archaeological site only became an attraction after it was uncovered in the 1970s.Named Teyuna by the Tairona but dubbed Ciudad Perdida upon rediscovery, the ancient wonder is often compared to Machu Picchu as both are archaeological sites perched on hillsides and tucked into South American rainforests.However, Teyuna is more than 600 years older and, unlike its Peruvian counterpart, there are no trains or buses allowing for easy travels to reach its ruins. The only way to witness its beauty firsthand is on foot: a grueling multiday hike.
Puglia Italy
Puglia, the heel of Italy’s stylish boot, has a wonderfully distinct allure stemming from its rural landscape and patchwork past of Norman, Spanish, Greek, and Byzantine influences. The region is quickly rivaling Tuscany’s gourmet title, offering a glimpse into true Italian traditions and values.With miles of bountiful coastline, replete with verdant landscapes of olive groves and vineyards, this pristine region produces some of the country’s best, oft undiscovered wines and olive oils. Treat yourself to sensory overload and savor Puglia’s famed cucina povera, a stripped-back, authentic style of Italian cooking focusing on simple, fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods–it’s the slow-food movement at its best.
Ladakh
The Himalayan Kingdom of Ladakh is one of the few places on Earth that remains virtually untouched and unexplored. Situated at an average altitude of 11,500 feet, Ladakh is crisscrossed by four mountain ranges, The Great Himalaya, The Ladakh, The Zanskar and The Karakoram. Boasting mesmerizing views at every turn, it’s one of India’s best kept secrets. Enjoy the calm serenity of the fresh mountain air, incredible views, and rich Buddhist heritage throughout the region.
Wadi Rum – Jordan
The dramatic and desolate desert landscapes of Jordan have enticed explorers to trek through its unforgiving landscapes for millennia. But what most travelers don’t know is that it’s more accessible than you might think; unlock the area’s hidden gems and Bedouin culture via Wadi Rum, a must on every intrepid traveler’s bucket list.
Discussion about this post