Written by Tom Hooker
Life is but a bucket, and it’s on us to make the most of it, have fun, and be adventurous before kicking it. This is the exact emotion that inspired our latest collection — The Bucket List Series. We’ve broken down The Bucket List Series into five distinct stops. First, we’ll share five breathtaking sights to beef up your list, then we’ll go over awe-inspiring natural attractions to feast your eyes on. After this, we’ll take you on a journey with wildlife and its natural habitat, and share destinations to help you live the human experience at its finest. Lastly, we’ll take to tomorrow by visiting the most technological cities on the planet. Let’s get started!
The best engineers and architects attend world-class universities, yet the most impressive masterpieces have been carved by Mother Nature over thousands of years and throughout endless landscapes. While the untouched wonders on our humble planet are harder to come by, there are many countries and regions that allow you to immerse yourself in jaw-dropping scenes with impressive colors, patterns, and sights. But don’t worry, we’ve done a lot of the research for you and put together a short list of five destinations that boast awe-inspiring nature.
#1. Victoria Falls in Zambia
Free-falling from more than 550 feet comes Victoria Falls, which is home to several species of plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. Located in Southern Africa on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls are actually a part of the powerful Zambezi River. And, despite the fact that it’s not the tallest nor widest (it’s still more than 5500 feet in width), its combination of both makes it the biggest water curtain in the world. Whether you decide to visit it through Zambia or Zimbabwe, you also have the chance of seeing exotic species like Fork-tailed drongos, Goliath herons, and African paradise flycatchers. Depending where you visit through, you may be able to go kayaking, swim in the natural pools, and partake in other exhilarating activities!
#2. Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) in New Zealand
From the slopes to the beachside! New Zealand is one of the few regions in the world where you can go beaching in the summer and skiing in winter—but this isn’t nearly the most special thing about the Kiwi nation. Piopiotahi, the indigenous name given to Milford Sound, is probably the most impressive stop in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Once described by British poet Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world, the ancient glacial valley features a winding water inlet, towering fjord cliffs, mountain peaks, and waterfalls that hinge from more than 3000 feet. Besides endless hiking trails, Piopiotahi has a section known as Fiordland where you can snorkel and see living black coral first-hand.
#3. The Northern Lights in Iceland
The aurora borealis. Those words are probably enough to jog up memories of a shimmering curtain often seen in documentaries and sci-fi shows. Now, seeing the real thing up close? There’s nothing like it. There are many places where you can see the aurora borealis as long as they are close to either of the planet’s poles, but Iceland has a burgeoning travel scene that makes it one of the top places to check out this stunning event. In addition to the Northern Lights, planning a trip to Iceland also gives you the chance to soak in natural geothermal baths, explore seemingly endless ice caverns, and check out spectacular scenes like the Golden Circle.
#4. Halong Bay in Vietnam
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Halong Bay looks like something plucked out of an ancient movie. The bay’s water inlets slither and snake around limestone island and islets that soar hundreds of feet out of the pristine blue surface. Locals have also embraced travelers while keeping their traditions and customs alive—this becomes obvious once you see the wooden, sail-laden traditional vessels that the Vietnamese people colloquially refer to as junks. These boats sail pleasantly from island to islet, bringing groups of travelers to explore each outpost’s unique biodiversity. Two pro tips for Halong Bay: don’t hesitate to rent a scooter to drive yourself around, and make sure that your boat tour captain makes a stop in Monkey Island!
#5. The Amazon Rainforest in Peru
No traveler’s list of natural wonders is complete without the Amazon River. The world’s largest river by water volume needs no introduction, but it’s worth noting that the Amazon is regarded as the most biodiverse place on Earth with more than 5.5 million plant and animal species living in perfect harmony. What we’ll focus on here is the how rather than the where. The Amazon can be visited from many different countries, but the main ones are Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Our suggestion is to start your trip in Tarapoto, Peru, since visiting the Inca country also gives you the chance to check out mind-boggling attractions like Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines.
So, Which of These Are You Visiting Next?
It doesn’t matter if you have your sights set on Africa, Oceania, Europe, Asia, or South America, all of these destinations are bound to take your breath away. Choosing how to visit all of these destinations? Now, that’s another matter. Getting the most out of your trip should be your top priority, and having a local guide to create an itinerary and walk you through each destination’s best attractions is simply priceless. Connect with local guides, get a custom tour wherever you go, and take your trip to the next level with ALLMYNE.
Featured image: Photo by Nicolas J Leclercq on Unsplash
