Photo by Simon Matzinger
Originally Posted On: https://www.pointsandtravel.com/most-magical-place-on-earth/
There are a lot of different reasons that people like to travel. For some people, it’s all about relaxation and they’re never happier than when they’re lying on a beach, soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails. Other people relish the chance to immerse themselves in a completely new culture and explore all of their customs or sample their cuisine. But one of the most rewarding things about travel has to be experiencing the natural beauty that this planet has to offer. When you’re living in the middle of a city, it’s easy to forget that there are places around the world where you’ll find incredible feats of nature that really put things into perspective.
It’s good for us to go out and see some of these places and take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, so we can really connect with nature again. A lot of people find that they have very humbling experiences when faced with the incredible natural wonders and they return home feeling a lot more positive. If you haven’t really taken the time to explore the natural wonders of the world, you should make it a priority when you’re planning your next trip. These are some of the best natural beauty spots that everybody should visit at some point in their lives.
6 Natural Beauty Spots:
Niagara Falls, Canada
Niagara Falls is one that a lot of people have already seen because it’s a popular tourist attraction but if you haven’t seen it, it’s definitely worth the trip. 3,160 tonnes of water flow over the falls every single second and most people aren’t prepared for the sheer scale of it until they actually come face to face with it. It really is a feat of nature and it will make you feel incredibly small. If you travel to the falls, you can see it from a viewing platform but the best way to experience it is definitely from a boat.
It’s not just about the actual waterfall either, there are some other great things to do while you’re in the area. If you want to stick with the theme of nature, you should definitely pay a visit to the Niagara Parks Botanical gardens where you’ll find thousands of species of plants arranged in carefully curated gardens that are looked after by students of the local botanical school. You can also visit the Butterfly Conservatory, packed full with thousands of colorful butterflies. If you visit during the summer, you can take a horse and carriage ride around the gardens.
Emerald Pool Falls, Dominica
This is a lesser-known, and far smaller waterfall than Niagara Falls, but you’ll have an amazing experience here. The Caribbean is filled with so many amazing waterfalls and lagoons but this is one of the best. Emerald Pool Falls in Dominica is a 50-foot long waterfall that ends in a beautiful natural swimming pool. It gets its name from the incredible shimmering green waters and swimming around in there whilst surrounded by the trees of the forest is a truly magical experience.
It is located in the Morne Trois National Park so there is plenty more to explore nearby. The only issue is that it can get quite crowded and if it’s particularly busy, you don’t always get the serene swimming experience that you’re looking for. However, if you go during the week rather than at the weekend, you can usually avoid the big crowds.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska USA
Glaciers are amongst the most incredible things that nature produces, and there are some amazing ones around the globe that you can see, but Hubbard Glacier in Alaska is perhaps the most impressive. A lot of glaciers are beginning to melt as a result of climate change so you should plan a trip sooner rather than later if you want to see them in all their glory. You can take some great Alaska tours by a cruise ship that gives you the chance to see the 300-foot high face of Hubbard Glacier, north of Skagway.
The Hubbard Glacier might be the highlight of your Alaska tour but there are so many other amazing sights along the way. While you cruise along the waters, you’ll get the chance to do some whale watching and some fishing. If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, you can even go kayaking as well. En route, you’ll also pass through some beautiful forest areas where you can catch a glimpse of all sorts of interesting wildlife.
Lake Hillier, Australia
There are a lot of places around the world where you can see crystal clear blue waters or vibrant green lakes like the Emerald Pool Falls, but there are not many places where you can see a pink lake, apart from in Australia. Spencer Lake was the most famous pink lake in the world but it has now lost its pink color. Luckily, it wasn’t the only one and there are more to be found around Australia.
The most popular one is Lake Hillier on the middle island of the Recherche Archipelago. It’s a huge pink lake that gets its color from a chemical called carotene which is produced by algae in the water. It’s right next to the ocean and the contrast of the bubblegum pink and the beautiful blue waters, with a lush green forest separating them, is a sight to behold. You can view the lake by boat but the best way to get the full effect is to take a plane trip overhead and view it from the air.
Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
Salar De Uyuni in southwestern Bolivia is the largest salt flat in the world. It might not sound that exciting but when there is a thin layer of water on the top of the flats, it takes on a mirror-like appearance which is incredible to behold. The mirrored surface extends all the way to the horizon and driving on it is truly a surreal and unique experience. Even if you don’t get to witness this, the salt flats are still an amazing place to visit.
Mount Bromo, Indonesia
A volcano is surely one of the most awe-inspiring feats of nature there is. It’s a demonstration of the sheer power of the natural world, and it’s an incredible thing to see up close. There are a lot of places around the world where you can see volcanoes but the best place to go is Indonesia because there are so many of them around. There are a lot of dormant volcanoes that you can hike around but you can also find 127 active volcanoes as well. The most popular one is Mount Bromo because there are some great hiking routes around the volcano, which is famous for its incredible views of the sunset. It stands at 2329 meters high, so it’s not the highest volcano in the country but it is the best known and most popular one to visit.
You can take a tour around the surrounding Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park which houses the volcano, and then take a hike right up to the open crater. You can get a jeep to drop you off close to the viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan, which is the best place to see the sunset, but you do need to be prepared for crowds. It’s the most popular tourist attraction in Indonesia and climbing to the summit has become a rite of passage, so it’s going to be busy. However, it is still definitely worth braving the crowds because the view is breathtaking.
If you want to see some of the incredible things that nature can create, you need to visit these places at some point in your life.