Barcelona, Spain An Perfect Vacation

If you want to experience an incomparable vacation, Barcelona is certainly for you. With numerous airfare promos and many affordable Barcelona apartments for rent, you can spend the best time of your life in this place without spending a fortune. What are you waiting for? Know more about this excellent destination; and start preparing for your most memorable break. One of the best tourist destinations in Spain is definitely Barcelona. This city is a destination which offer all kind of tourist attractions.

Bermuda is a Amazing Island

Located in Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is an overseas territory of Britain, situated off North American coast. The self governing territory of Bermuda has nine parishes with the notable ones being St. George’s Parish, Hamilton Parish and Smith’s Parish. Some of the finest beaches in Bermuda are found in Sandys Parish and Southampton Parish. The city has notable tourist attractions like the Gilbert Nature Reserve, bird watching sceneries, great cliffs, and numerous resorts and also offers horseback riding and golfing opportunities. Bermuda is incorporated into two municipalities comprising of one town and one city while unincorporated villages are still present.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Serving as Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh has a population of about 500, 000 people in the city. The city has made significant achievements in its efforts of combining both the modern and ancient to form a unique Scottish atmosphere. Edinburgh is watched over by an imposing castle which has for long served as the city’s symbol. The whole city is a combination of Georgian grandeur, medieval relics and a huge layer of contemporary modern life. Here, medieval palaces are tucked in the city’s modern architecture and there are Gothic churches that have amazing galleries and museums. Edinburgh also enjoys a reputation as being Scotland’s centre of nightlife.

Bali Island A Paradise On Earth

Bali Island - welcome to paradise on Earth. Bali is an Indonesian island, one of the 33 provinces of the country. Its neighboring islands are Java and Lombok, east and west from Bali respectively. Tourism is the main source of financial income, so you can just imagine what this place has to offer. Bali is pointed out as one of the best tourist destinations by multiple travel magazines. It attracts millions of tourists every year.

Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

Atlantis was once a gorgeous island that used to exist during the prehistoric times. Currently, Atlantis remains submerged in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is part of Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This Atlantis Island exists as an underwater attraction known as the Dig in the Atlantis Resort of Paradise Island. Tours are usually held into the island, so every member of the tour should be ready with the necessary underwater protective's to be able to visit the island. The Atlantis Resort was opened just two years before this 21st century by a South African based hotel. It is a place of the average to the luxurious lifestyle, where everything is in plenty in support of the tourists visiting the resort.

Bahamas A Tourist Attractions

The Bahamas has gained an international reputation as a top tourist destination thanks to its calm waters that offers a great sailing spot in Atlantic Ocean. Consisting of 2000 plus islands, Bahamas should be your next stop for a holiday vacation as it offers a perfect site for exploration. So, what does Bahamas have in store for travelers? Well the Abacos is a great sailing spot, diving enthusiasts can go to the blue holes in Andro’s and Exumas is perfect for Kayaking. The Eleuthera’s beaches are popularly known for lounging while Nassau is for the pondering pirates. As you can see, every island in Bahams has something to offer as far as sand and water related activities are concerned.

Atlantic City is a Port City

Atlantic City is a port city in the New Jersey State of the U.S. The city is an old city that was established in the mid 19th century. Atlantic City is popular for its lively white sandy beach, massive entertainment centers, and casino gambling activity that is legalized in the city by the 1976 referendum. Atlantic City has been a centre for tourism. It was initially established as a resort centre in 1854, then it expanded to being the large city it is today with numerous casinos, hotels, and restaurants amongst many other modern facilities. Atlantic City has its own international airport, the Atlantic City International Airport, which has been the major gateway into the city for people coming from other states throughout the world.

Attractions in Antarctica ( The South Pole )

The Antarctica continent is the south most continent of the earth (within the South Pole). Its location renders it an uncomfortably cold climate, and its natural environment is mostly covered in ice except for the water passage used by the vessels for transport. In fact, Antarctica is the only continent on earth with the least human population. The last survey on population in the continent found that there are no cities except only two groups of towns each with a population of at most 10,000 people living in them. The towns are established solely for scientific purposes only thus, they are research centers. Since Antarctica lacks a government, each research station operating in the continent is governed by the respective nation that established it in the continent.

Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)

The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living species of tortoise and 13th-heaviest living reptile, reaching weights of over 400 kg (880 lb) and lengths of over 1.8 meters (5.9 ft). With life spans in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates. A captive individual lived at least 170 years. The tortoise is native to seven of the Galápagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago about 1,000 km (620 mi) west of the Ecuadorian mainland. Spanish explorers, who discovered the islands in the 16th century, named them after the Spanish galápago, meaning tortoise.

The Wave, Coyote Buttes, Arizona, USA

In Arizona, near the border with Utah, in the United States, you can find a stunning sandstone rock formation called The Wave. The Wave is on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes, which are in turn located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, on the Colorado Plateau. This formation is actually sand dunes calcified in vertical and horizontal layers, and the fascinating color bands are iron oxides, hematite, and goethite. The Jurassic-age Navajo sandstone making up The Wave is estimated to be 190 million years old. Getting to The Wave requires a moderately difficult 3 mile hike from the Wire Pass Trailhead. Due to the delicate nature of this formation, visitors must arrange a day permit in advance and pay a $7 fee per person. Only 20 of the highly sought-after permits are issued for each day. More info on permits can be found on the Bureau of Land Management website. Camping is not allowed in the permit area, and the closest accommodation can be found in the small towns of Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona.

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland

The beautiful and somewhat eerie ruins of Kilchurn Castle lie on the northeastern shore of Loch Awe in Scotland. Its construction dating back to the 15th century, Kilchurn Castle was originally built on a tiny island. The loch’s water levels were changed in 1817 causing the island to connect to the mainland. While the oldest part of Kilchurn Castle was built in 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, subsequent residents continued to add on to the castle until 1681. The Kilchurn Castle ruins are open to the public only during the summer months, via the A85 road.

Angel Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls is the world’s highest waterfall at 979 meters (3,212 feet). Because the water falls so far it becomes a fine mist which can be felt a mile away before it reaches the ground below. The falls spill from a cliff near the summit of Mount Auyantepui into the Kerep River (also called the Rio Gauya). Named after the American aviator Jimmie Angel, Angel Falls is located in the state of Bolívar in Venezuela and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls is becoming a popular tourist destination, but it is still difficult to visit. To get to the base of the falls one must fly to Canaima camp and embark on a river trip from there. River trips can be taken only from June to December, as the river to too low in the dryer months. Alternatively, one can book an aerial flyby of the falls, but a view of the falls is not guaranteed as they are usually surrounded by clouds.

Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, due to the city’s being one of the world’s greatest and most beautiful cities of art. The city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day (2007 estimate). In 2006, it was the world’s 28th most internationally visited city, with 2.927 million international arrivals that year. Tourism has been a major sector of Venetian industry since the 18th century, when it was a major center for the Grand Tour, due to its beautiful cityscape, uniqueness, and rich musical and artistic cultural heritage. In the 19th century, it became a fashionable centre for the rich and famous, often staying or dining at luxury establishments such as the Danieli Hotel and the Caffè Florian. It continued being a fashionable city in vogue right into the early 20th century.

Cappadocia, Turkey

The incredible moonscape hills and the impossibly beautiful cities of Turkey’s Cappadocia region are a sight to behold. Located in the center of Turkey, the Cappadocia region includes the towns of Avanos, Göreme, Nevsehir, Ortahisar, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp. Popular activities in the region include visits to the underground cities, viewing the ancient Christian cave art, exploring numerous hiking trails and volcanos, seeing the “fairy chimney” rock formations, and taking sunrise hot air balloon rides for a view of the breathtaking landscape from above.

Mount Hua, China

China’s Hua Shan is one of the Five Sacred Daoist Mountains located in the country. Hua Shan has five main peaks, with the 2160m (7086ft) tall South Peak being the highest. Hua Shan, literally Splendid Mountain, has been home to Daoist temples as far back as the second century BCE. Today, it is popular with monks and tourists alike, though tourists have only been visiting the mountain for a few decades.  Traditionally, a journey up Hua Shan’s dangerous steep and narrow pathways was reserved only for the most determined monks. But in the 1990s cable cars, pictured above, and handrails were installed to allow easier access for tourists. Hua Shan is located roughly 100km East of the city of Xi’an in China’s Shaanxi Province.

Gullfoss (Golden Falls), Iceland

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland, the Gullfoss is a 2-tiered waterfall with a total height of 32m (105ft). Also known as the Golden Falls, the Gullfoss is part of the Hvítá river. Nearby attractions include the Haukadalur geysers and Þingvellir national park. Together, these 3 sites are called the Golden Circle. Because of the popularity of the falls there is hotel accommodation nearby, but most visitors opt to stay in Reykjavík and visit the falls on the Golden Circle day trip.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna is the capital city of the Republic of Austria in Europe. Major tourist attractions include the imperial palaces of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn (also home to the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn) and the Riesenrad in the Prater. Cultural highlights include the Burgtheater, the Wiener Staatsoper, the Lipizzaner horses at the spanische Hofreitschule and the Vienna Boys’ Choir, as well as excursions to Vienna’s Heurigen district Döbling.There are also more than 100 art museums, which together attract over eight million visitors per year. The most popular ones are Albertina, Belvedere, Leopold Museum in the Museumsquartier, KunstHausWien, BA-CA Kunstforum, the twin Kunsthistorisches Museum and Naturhistorisches Museum, and the Technisches Museum Wien, each of which receives over a quarter of a million visitors per year.

Taklamakan Desert, China

The Taklamakan Desert (or Takla Makan Desert) is the 15th largest sandy desert in the world, covering 320,000 square kilometers (123,550 square miles). It is located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The desert is seen mainly by those crossing it on the road between the towns of Hotan and Luntai. The famous Silk Road edges around the Taklamakan Desert so travelers of the past could avoid crossing its dangerously dry center. Mummies dating over 4,000 years old have been found in the region, along with other interesting artifacts. The Taklamakan Desert isn’t on the tourist map at all, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

Giza Pyramids, Egypt

On the edges of Cairo, Egypt lie the three ancient Pyramids of Giza. The largest of the three, the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, or Pyramid of Cheops) is the only surviving monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For over 3,800 years the Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest structure in the world. It was built over a period of 20 years starting in 2551 BCE from over 2.3 million limestone blocks, and its original purpose was to be the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Khufu. The two smaller pyramids are the Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren), and the Pyramid of Menkaure. The alignment of the three pyramids is very similar to that of the constellation Orion. The Great Sphinx is also nearby. Visitors to the pyramids can choose from a variety of accommodations in Cairo.

Paris, France

Paris, France receives around 28 million tourists per year (42 in the whole Paris Region), of which 17 million are foreign visitors. Its museums and monuments are among its highest-esteemed attractions; tourism has motivated both the city and national governments to create new ones. The city’s most prized museum, the Louvre, welcomes over 8 million visitors a year, being by far the world’s most-visited art museum. The city’s cathedrals are another main attraction: Notre Dame de Paris and the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur receive 12 million and eight million visitors, respectively. The Eiffel Tower, by far Paris’ most famous monument, averages over six million visitors per year and more than 200 million since its construction. Disneyland Paris is a major tourist attraction for visitors to not only Paris but also the rest of Europe.

Istanbul, Turkey

The megacity of Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and the third largest in Europe. A booming center of finance, economics, and culture, Istanbul’s metro area is home to over 13 million people. The city is considered by some to be the epitome of East meets West culture. Istanbul has been known by many other names, most notably Constantinople and Byzantium. With a rich cultural heritage, it’s no wonder that the city is home to a variety of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also notable is the Byzantine and Ottoman architecture present in the city, and picturesque mosques such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Visitors to this fine city can enjoy all the pleasures and excitements any big city affords, and there is something fun to do for any budget.

Beautiful house in the middle forest

Forest House is the perfect setting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life; to experience the peaceful serenity of the forest; to nurture the soul. There are no clocks… no schedule… no agenda. The day is yours to relax… to explore… to do as whatever you want. Re-vitalize yourself in a place where time stands still. When we think about forest houses we have a picture of old, wooden and abandoned cabins. However, in today’s post you will have chance to see most beautiful forest properties starting from classical American wooden cabins, to traditional British houses with tached roofs, to modern design luxury residences that will take your breath away. Enjoy.....your beautiful day

Mono Lake, California

In Mono County, California, just Northeast of Yosemite National Park, lies a fascinating 760,000 year old saline lake. Mono Lake has no outlet to the ocean, and has become very salty and alkaline. The most notable feature of Mono Lake is it strange tufa formations, giving the lake an other worldly or moon-like quality. The tufa at Mono Lake are limestone formations that were once underwater but have slowly been exposed as the lake’s water evaporated. Tufa deposits are also found at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.

Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)

Basking sharks are one of the largest sharks of the world's temperate oceans. Only the mighty whale shark is bigger. Despite a superficial similarity to the fearsome great white shark and a massive jaw one metre wide, basking sharks are actually harmless filter feeders. They use more than 5,000 gill rakers to strain plankton from around 1.5 million litres of water per hour. Basking sharks are born travellers, covering large distances in search of food, at the very leisurely pace of only three miles per hour. There is only one species of basking shark.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled is a glacial lake that lies in the municipality of Bled, located in northwestern Slovenia. The picture perfect lake features a small island in the middle which is home to the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church. You can often hear the bell of the church ringing, as it is believed that visiting the church to ring its bell brings good luck. The romantic church is a popular place to have a weeding, as is the nearby Bled Castle. Visitors to Lake Bled can enjoy a walk around the lake, try their hand at fishing, or take a swim in its lovely emerald waters in the summer months. There are also ample opportunities for hiking in the nearby Triglav National Park. The closest airport to Bled is the Airport Joze Pucnik Ljubljana, just outside the city of Kranj.

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world, is a destination like no other. The falls are part of the Zambezi river, which forms a border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. At the falls the Zambezi river cascades an amazing 108 meters (360 feet) over a width of 1,708 meters (5,604 feet). The falls were named after Queen Victoria by the European explorer David Livingstone who is thought to be the first European to view the falls. The native name of the falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya which means ‘Smoke that Thunders’.

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Landmannalaugar is a region in southern Iceland that is home to strange and beautiful geological formations. The multicolored rhyolite mountains in particular are breathtaking to behold. Visitors to this area enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and hot springs. Popular hikes include a trip up the peak of Bláhnúkur, a walk through the ice caves of Hrafntinnusker, or an extended multi-day hike along the Laugavegurinn trail. Tourists can visit Landmannalaugar between June and late September. Accommodations are sparse, consisting of only an austere mountain lodge that has room for 78 people total. Landmannalaugar can be accessed by car or by daily bus service from Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.

Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

The shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) is believed to be the fastest-swimming of all sharks, thought to be capable of attaining bursts of speed of up to 35 kilometres per hour, and famed for making spectacular leaps of up to six metres out of the water. The shortfin makos’ high tail produces maximum thrust to propel the shark rapidly forward, both in extreme bursts of speed, and for sustained, long-distance travel. The shortfin mako also has a heat exchange circulatory system that enables the body to be warmer than surrounding water, and thus maintain a high level of activity. This large, stream-lined shark has a distinctively crescent-shaped caudal fin, a long, conical snout, large black eyes and razor-sharp, blade-like teeth. The upper body is a brilliant metallic blue, while the underside is snow-white, with older, larger specimens tending to be darker with reduced white areas. Juveniles are therefore generally paler than adults, and also differ by possessing a clear black mark on the tip of their snout. The shortfin mako can be distinguished from the only other mako shark, the longfin mako (Isurus paucus), not only by having shorter pectoral fins, but also by the white colouration on the underside of the snout and around the mouth, which is darkly pigmented in the longfin mako.

Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River, Arizona, USA

Horseshoe Bend is a picturesque horseshoe-shaped turn in the Colorado River, just South of the town of Page, Arizona. Visitors can reach Horseshoe Bend by taking a short 1/2 mile (0.8 kilometers) hike off US Route 89 to an overlook 1,000 feet (405 meters) above the river. Horseshoe Bend is part of Glen Canyon, which was carved by the Colorado River over a period of 5 million years. Glen Canyon is also home to the beautiful Lake Powell. Horseshoe Bend is popular with photographers and tourists who seek the beautiful canyon scenery.

Eden National Park – Great Sculpt of England

Eden National Park

Eden National Park is a mountain resort which exists at 3000 feet above the sea level. Most of the area in the National Park is man – made! It is a great sculpt that point towards the fact that man can re – create the nature and rebuilt the environment. This was exposed in the days of 1971. The resort was a logged area that was covered by the thick blanket of the wild grass. The main aim of building this resort was to restore the nature and its beauty. As soon as the roof of this resort was constructed out of the mountain slope thousands of seedlings of the pine tree was planted. As the pine grew it created high canopies which permitted other trees and plants in their growth. This led to the formation of a secondary forest. At present there are around 100000 pine trees that are prevalent in around 80 hectares of the park. The pine – trees offer a refreshing backdrop to the attraction spots of this National Park.

Nosy Iranja, Madagascar, Africa

Nosy Iranja is a small tropical island located off the Northwestern coast of Madagascar, 45km (28 miles) South of Nosy Be, a slightly larger and more popular island. Nosy Iranja consists of two islands that are connected by a bank of white sand only visible at low tide, but can still be traversed at high tide. Nosy Iranja is emerging as a popular tourist destination in Madagascar due to the idyllic white sand beaches and the excellent diving and snorkeling that can be had there. Visitors also come for the interesting wildlife, including green and hawksbill sea turtles, large coconut crabs, and many varieties of bird life.

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Once a backpacker’s secret, Thailand’s Phi Phi islands exploded onto the tourist map after the release of The Beach, a movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio that was filmed on one of the islands. Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Lee are located between the island of Phuket and mainland Thailand off the West coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Ko Phi Phi Don is the larger of the two islands and is home to permanent residents and a myriad of accommodations for tourists. Ko Phi Phi Lee has spectacular white sand beaches and can be visited by boat only, with trips leaving from the larger island throughout the day. Visitors can enjoy diving, snorkeling and kayaking in the waters off both islands.

Ibiza, Spain

Nestled in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain, Ibiza is a stunningly beautiful island paradise. Known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and lively nightclubs. The three largest cities on the island are Ibiza Town (also called Vila), Santa Eulària des Riu, and Sant Antoni de Portmany. Ibiza isn’t all partying though, it is also home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Benirràs Bay’s “God’s Finger”. After checking out the tourist stops, most visitors opt to sunbathe on the beautiful beaches before hitting the towns for all night clubbing.

Solomon Islands

The breathtaking paradise of the nearly 1000 islands that make up the sovereign state of the Solomon Islands is a haven for divers, snorkelers, and beach loungers alike. The Solomon Islands are located in the Oceania region of the Pacific Ocean, East of Papua New Guinea, and are home to just over half a million people. The ancient peoples of the Solomon Islands first arrived an estimated 32,000 years ago, and were known for headhunting and cannibalism before the arrival of Europeans in the late 1500s. Today, the Solomon Islands area has been rising in popularity as a destination for scuba divers, though the growth of tourism has been slowed due to lack of infrastructure and transportation difficulties. But for those who can get there, the Solomon Islands are an unmatched slice of heaven on Earth.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Officially a collectivity of France, the island of Bora Bora lies in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. With its amazing reef, fantastic white sand beaches, and laid-back local population it is easy to see why Bora Bora is considered by many to be paradise on Earth. The island itself features an extinct volcano in the center and is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. Bora Bora is a tourist hot-spot and many resorts and over-the-water bungalows have been built on the island. The population of locals is just under 9,000 with Tahitian, French, and some English spoken. Visitors can enjoy world-class diving and snorkeling, as well as sunset catamaran cruises, fishing trips, and jet ski rentals.

Noordhoek Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

If an expansive white sand beach is what you’re looking for, Noordhoek Beach near Cape Town, South Africa can’t be beat. Only 35km (22 miles) from the center of Cape Town, Noordhoek beach is ideal for walkers and those seeking a horseback ride on the beach. There are also two excellent surf spots off the beach called the Hoek and Dunes. On the southern end of the beach you can find a century old wrecked steamship named the “Kakapo.” The beach is fairly isolated and lacks development so swimmers and surfers should use caution in the water. There are a couple restaurants near the beach, but for accommodation your best bet will be in Cape Town proper. A gorgeous view of the beach can be had from the top of nearby Chapman’s Peak.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Australia

Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island off the Eastern coast of Australia is said to be the whitest beach in the world. The sand is made almost entirely of silica which provides the incredibly white color. The sand is so pure, NASA has used it to make special telescope lenses. Whitehaven beach stretches for over 7 km (4 miles) along the largest of the Whitsunday Islands. Trips leaving from mainland Australia to visit the beach leave multiple times a day, and there is a variety of accommodation on Whitsunday Island. Visitors shouldn’t miss a trip to the nearby outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

The sunny South shore of the island of Kauai (known as the “Garden Isle”) in the tropical state of Hawaii in the United States is home to Poipu Beach. Poipu Beach is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 10 beaches due to its pristine white sands, swaying palm trees, and sparkling blue waters. The activities to be enjoyed in the area are seemingly endless and include kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, surfing, mountain biking, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding and ATV tours. There are also two 18-hole golf courses. The classic beach is popular for weddings and honeymoons. There is a large variety of accommodation in the area, including the exceptional Villas at Poipu Kai. The Villas at Poipu Kai is a new boutique condominium resort with 3-4 bedroom poolside villas, 2-4 bedroom garden villas, and a stunning private home on the villas property.

Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia

On the east coast of the island state of Tasmania, south of Australia, you will find the lovely Freycinet National Park, home to the stunning Wineglass Bay. Some notable feature of Wineglass Bay, besides its distinctive “wineglass” shape, are some interesting pink granite peaks standing in a line on the beach. These are called “The Hazards”, and the beach they stand on is often referred to as Hazards Beach. Australians have long known about this haven for fishing, boating, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and fun in the sun, but so far this lovely slice of heaven isn’t on the rest of the world’s radar. That’s partially due to this area of Tasmania being somewhat hard to travel to. The nearest airport is in Launceston, a 2 hour drive from Freycinet National Park.

Crane Beach, Barbados

Crane Beach, on the Atlantic coast of the Caribbean island of Barbados, is a fantastic wide white sand beach that is popular with honeymooners. The beach used to be a harbor, and the name “Crane” Beach came about because of the large ship loading crane that was at the top of the cliff overlooking the beach. Today, Crane Beach is called one of the 10 best beaches in the world. With it powder soft pink sands and incredibly blue ocean, it’s easy to see why. On the cliff above the beach stands The Crane Resort & Residences, a good option for those seeking high-end accommodation. Cheaper accommodation can also be had nearby.

Bottom Bay, Barbados

On the southeast coast of Barbados is the lovely and relaxing Bottom Bay. This gorgeous white sand beach is a fantastic spot for a day trip or a picnic. The sound of waves crashing along the shore makes the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing afternoon. The swaying coconut palms create just the right amount of shade over the soft sand. Visitors can try their hand at surfing, though swimming is discouraged at some times of the year due to the strength of the waves. This beach is best for a day trip, as the nearest accommodation and restaurants are a couple miles away. Also close by to the south is the beautiful Crane Beach, another fantastic destination.

Giant’s Causeway Ireland

The Giant’s Causeway is a magnificent basalt rock formation located on Ireland’s northeast coast. The tops of the incredible hexagonal basalt columns form stepping stones to the ocean. The Giant’s Causeway is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Nature Reserve in Ireland. Visitors to the area can also enjoy a ride on the historic Giant’s Causeway Tramway, a railway originally built in 1883. The nearest town to the Giant’s Causeway is the tiny community of Bushmills, only 3km (2 miles) north. The slightly larger towns of Ballycastle and Coleraine are also nearby. Belfast, the largest city and capital of Northern Ireland, is 95km (59 miles) to the south.

Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico

Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan site located on the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico. These famous pre-Columbian ruins signify the rich history of the ancient Mayan civilization. Chichen Itza was likely built around 600 BCE, making the ruins roughly 2600 years old today. The large ruin complex contains many stone buildings, including temples, pyramids, and platforms, as well as various statues and caves. Chichen Itza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the second most visited archeological site in Mexico. A visit to the site is a popular day drip from nearby Cancún.

12 Apostles, Victoria, Australia

Tourists come from all over the world to view the magnificent 12 Apostles rock formation. Surrounded by white sand beach and framed with a beautiful ocean backdrop, the 12 Apostles is a picturesque scene. Formed by erosion, these towering limestone stacks are located off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, Australia. Though the stacks are called the 12 Apostles, there are only eight of them, and there were never more than nine. Visitors can enjoy the site from viewing areas off the road, or from the air in one of the helicopter tours given by the visitor center. Port Campbell National Park is located 3 hours and 250 km (155 miles) from Melbourne via the Princes Highway, or 5 hours via the scenic Great Ocean Road.

Yehliu, Taiwan

Yehliu is the name of a rocky cape on the northeast coast of Taiwan. The cape is known for the interesting rock formations that were formed when ocean waves eroded part of the rocky shore. The formations, called hoodoos, can be seen in the Yeliu Geopark. Some of the rock formations have names based on objects that resemble their shapes. The most famous hoodoo is called “the Queen’s Head.” Yehliu is within the town of Wanli which is between the cities of Taipei and Keelung.

Monument Valley, Arizona and Utah, USA

Monument Valley is a an area know for its impressively formed sandstone buttes. The region is part of the Colorado Plateau, located in the Navajo Nation on the border between the states of Arizona and Utah in the American Southwest. Encompassing much of the area surrounding Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Monument Valley is an important part of Native American heritage. For a $5 fee, visitors to Monument Valley can take a 2-3 hour scenic drive over a 17 mile (27 km) dirt road, which is open from 6:00am-8:30pm from May to September, and 8:00am-4:30pm from October to April. Other visitors may chose to enjoy a multi-hour or overnight horseback ride to some of the more spectacular views and sites. If you’re interested in a unique view of Monument Valley you can even take a hot air balloon ride over the area. Visitors who are arriving via car can only access the park via Highway 163. There are two hotels near Monument Valley, and the nearest town of Kayenta, Arizona, is about 20 miles (32 km) away. Monument Valley is part of a greater network of attractions called the Grand Circle which also includes Grand Canyon National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Zion Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Arches National Park.

Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona, United States

The breathtaking Red Rocks of Sedona are a group of several limestone rock formations located near the city of Sedona in Arizona, United States. The rocks are known for the incredibly vibrant red and orange glow they exhibit when illuminated at sunrise and sunset. A few of the better known formations include Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge natural arch, and the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole. Visitors to Sedona can enjoy endless hiking and mountain biking trails in and around the rocks. A Red Rock Pass must be acquired from the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center to use the trails.

Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA

In the southwestern part of Utah in the United States lies a wondrous work of erosion – Bryce Canyon. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is an eroded natural amphitheater rather than a canyon. The most notable features of Bryce Canyon are its “hoodoos”, or geological structures formed by harsh weather erosion caused by wind, ice and water. One of the hoodoos is called Thor’s Hammer because its shape resembles that of a hammer. Visitors to Bryce Canyon can enjoy a scenic drive to 13 viewpoints overlooking the canyon. Tourists can also enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Bryce Canyon is close to both Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon, as well as the town of Kanab, Utah, where many visitors to the area choose to find accommodation. Lodging can also be found in Bryce Canyon National Park’s two campgrounds or its lodge.

Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Utah is known for its impossible canyons and rock formations. Arches National Park in Eastern Utah is one of the most impressive. Here, natural sandstone arches, formed over millions of years when salt beds covered the area, create an amazing orange brown landscape. The area has a rich history as well as fascinating geology, it was home to the Ute and Paiute tribes. Ute petroglyphs from around 250 years ago can still be seen today. Bryce Canyon, also in Utah, should not be overlooked as a destination if beautiful rock formations captivate you.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA

Great Sand Dunes National Park, located in the state of Colorado in the United States, encompasses an area of 340 square kilometers (130 square miles, or 85,000 acres) of magnificent sand dunes. The 12,000 year old sand dunes include the tallest dunes in North America, rising 230 meters (750 feet) above the valley floor. The park contains other landscape features found in the high desert, such as alpine lakes, tundra, forests, grasslands, and wetlands, all of which provide habitats for many kinds of wildlife. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking over the dunes, though it is wise to either keep the visitor center in sight, or bring a compass, as there are no marked trails on the ever-changing dunes. The closest town with accommodation is Alamosa, 30 miles southwest of the park. There is also tent camping available within the park. The nearest international airport is located in Denver, the capital of Colorado, which is a 4 1/2 hour drive from the park.