Loading up the family jalopy and hitting the road is one way to do a vacation, but what else is out there? Yes, the Grand Canyon is great, as are all of the National Parks and the Eiffel tower. But you already know about those!
The world is big and wide and surely there are some places yet to be discovered! So, before you pack your bags, take a look at this list and check out the best travel destinations you need to go to for your next vacation!
The Rainbow Mountains in China
These mountains are part of the Zhangye Danxia Geological Park in the north-central region of China. Their breathtaking array of colors was formed over the course of millions of years.
The unique pattern of color was formed by deposits of sandstone and siltstones, along with iron and trace mineral deposits. This accumulation of colorful rocks predates the formation of the Himalayan mountains.
The deposits were once layered flat but crested into the peaks that we see today when the Eurasian Plates collided with the Indian Plate 55 million years ago.
This site sure beats the hustle and bustle of Beijing and we think you’ve gotta see it!
Maho Beach in Sint Maarten
While most beaches in the Caribbean are known for their white sandy beaches, pristine blue waters, and ultimate relaxation vibes, this one gained a reputation for an entirely different reason.
Visitors flock to Maho Beach year-round to observe low flying planes coming in for a landing at the nearby airport!
While this activity is dangerous and potentially deadly, it doesn’t stop tourists from laying out on this runway-esque beach. If you venture to this unique destination let’s just hope the pilots haven’t started drinking pina-coladas mid-flight.
The Door to Hell in Turkmenistan
Abandon hope all ye who enter here! Well, not really, just be careful not to fall into this gaping hole of flaming earth. There are no paths, guardrails, or anyone on duty to call for help if you stumble into this fiery abyss.
Located in the middle of the desert, this 230-foot wide crater was lit ablaze by geologists in 1971 to prevent the spread of methane gas after this cavern collapsed. It has been burning ever since and attracting more and more tourists every year to this hellishly terrifying destination.
Hillier Lake in Australia
This peculiarly colored lake is also known as Pink Lake. It’s located on Middle Island of the western coast of Australia. It is a challenging destination to reach due to its remoteness, but tourists can view it from the sky via helicopter tours.
Maybe Ultimate Helitours is looking to expand the business?
It’s bubblegum pink color delights both tourists and scientists alike, but its pink hue is no mystery. Once an active salt harvesting site, it turned pink and never looked back after salt production ended in 2007. The pink hue comes from microscopic algae that produce beta carotene now that salt levels have fallen.
Scientists believe they can restore the lake to its natural hue, but why?
Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii
No, this is not a ukulele wielding Led Zeppelin cover band, but one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. To access the Haiku Stairs, you must embark on a four-hour trek along the Kamananui Valley Road Trail which leads to the astounding panoramic views from atop the Stairway to Heaven.
This hike is dangerous as there are sections with no railings and steep drops on either side, so only experienced and confident hikers should try this one. But the views are worth the risk which is why this is one of the best travel destinations in the US.
The Crooked Forest in Szczecin, Poland
This peculiar section of forest in western Poland is home to about 400 pine trees with a 90-degree bend at the base of the trunk. The result is a bunch of J shaped pine trees!
What caused this phenomenon is unknown, but there are some theories floating around.
One is that there is a unique gravitation pull in this area since all of the trees are bent to the north. Another speculation is that heavy snow and a slow spring melt caused damage to these trees when they were saplings.
However, it is most likely that these trees were bent at the hands of men, in the 1930s, to produce wood that is ideal for strengthening the hulls of ships. The town was ravaged in the war and reestablished in the ’70s, which explains why none of today’s residents have a clue as to the trees’ origin.
Quiraing in Scotland
This natural wonder situated on the Isle of Skye in Scotland is one not to be missed. The unique land formations consisting of rocky peaks, tall cliffs, grassy slopes, and dispersed plateaus. This whimsical and medieval area was created by a series of landslips, which are still happening to this day.
Bring your camera and your hiking boots when you visit this one-of-a-kind geological wonder.
Hamilton’s Pool Reserve in Texas
Among the best travel destinations in the USA is Hamilton’s Pool Reserve, just outside of Austin, Texas.
This natural pool was created when the ceiling of a cavern collapsed, exposing the underground river. The pool is consistently fed by a waterfall, so there is always water for swimming, and nurturing the lush plants and abundant wildlife.
Takes a break from the city and make the journey to this astoundingly natural swimming hole.
The Best Travel Destinations Are Closer Than You Think
We don’t know about you, but we sure have the itch to travel after taking a look at this list of lesser-known travel spots. It’s a big wide world out there and the best travel destinations may not be the ones that are the most well known. So, get out there and explore!
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