Most Amazing Places around The World!

From Lantern Festivals to stunning salt flats, here are 10 places to see before you die…. 10. Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (New Mexico) The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place in October every year, and sees the skies of New Mexico being decorated with the sight of hundreds of hot air balloons. The Fiesta began in 1972 with the launch of 13 balloons from the parking lot of a shopping mall, but since then it has grown and grown into the biggest event of its kind in the world. The balloons now launch from the 365 acre Balloon Fiesta Park, and the event culminates with the coordinated launch of over 700 of them. It is the largest annual international event that is held in the United States, and a simply stunning sight to see. You’ll see balloons in all shapes and colors, featuring famous characters and artistic designs. As well as the flights, there a numerous competitions that take place including the fiesta challenge where balloonists drop markers onto targets, the Challenge Gas Balloon Race that sees special long distance balloons competing for total distance travelled, and the Flight of Nations Mass Ascension where balloonists from each country launch one at a time to the sound of their national anthems. Out of this entire list, this is the only one that I have been to as my parents live in Albuquerque. I definitely recommend going to see it! 9. Diwali Festival (Karnataka, India) Diwali, or the festival of lights, is the most celebrated Hindu festival and takes place around October every year. The festival commemorates different stories from history depending on where it is being held. North Indians, for example, commemorate Lord Ram’s return after 14 years of exile and killing the demon King Ravan. Different states celebrate different legends during the festivities, but the overall theme is that of light triumphing over darkness. Diwali is celebrated over 5 days through prayer and the release of various lanterns, fireworks, and anything that will light up the night. The festivities that take place in Karnataka in India are especially impressive because of the sheer scale of the lamps that are placed in every courtyard in the area and that are released into the sky. 8. Salar De Uyuni (Bolivia) The Salar De Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. Located in Southwest Bolivia, it covers an area of 4,086 square miles and was formed when several prehistoric lakes dried up. This has resulted in a salt crust that is several feet thick, and that is incredibly flat. The large expanse of glistening white salt provides views that you won’t see anywhere else in the world, and is a truly unique experience. While during the dry season these flats are a wonder to witness, the Salar De Uyuni really comes into its own during the rainy season in February. With a thin cover of water, the flats perfectly reflect the sky above, and it becomes impossible to determine where the sky ends and where the land begins. It’s really a once in a lifetime opportunity to get some incredible images, and is absolutely worth the long trip to get there. 7. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival (Taiwan) Taiwan’s Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival takes place in February of each year. Originally designed to transmit military information, the lanterns began being used at the beginning of the spring planting season in Taiwan as a prayer for the upcoming year. They would write things like “May the harvests be bountiful” and “May a son soon be born” before releasing them into the sky so they could rise up to the ancestors to pray for blessings. Today this tradition is observed across the island, where thousands and thousands of lanterns are released and light up the sky. It’s simply a stunning sight, and visitors travel from all around the world to witness it and take part, with everyone being encouraged to fly a lantern of their own. As well as the floating lanterns, there are also lantern parades, which involve huge lanterns, some more than 30 feet tall and playing their own music, being walked through the streets. They usually depict the different animals of the Chinese Zodiac, as well as images of historical figures, birds, and images of the them of that years celebrations. 6. Angkor Wat (Cambodia) If you plan on seeing the most spectacular sights in the world, then Angkor Wat in Cambodia must be on your list. It’s one of the most important archeological sites in the world and is spread over an area of over 150 square miles. Within the Angkor archeological park are the remains of different capitals of the Khmer empire, which was present in the area between the 9th and 15th century. These include numerous temples adorned with sculptures and, most notably, the huge temple of Angkor Wat itself. This centerpiece is believed to be the largest religious building in the world, and was built as a representation of Mt Meru- the Hindu equivalent of Mount Olympus where all of the ancient gods lived. Carved into the walls of this astonishing structure are over 3000 heavenly nymphs, each of who are unique. Around the perimeter lie a series of carvings that depict historical events and mythological stories. The sheer size of this structure is incredible, and the engineering skills needed to make it stand are ingenious. The moat, for example, is thought to have been built in a way to use the water as a counter-balance to the weight of the stone of the temple to prevent it from crumbling. The temple is a source of national pride for Cambodians, and is undoubtedly one of the remaining wonders of the world that you’ll relish the chance to explore. 5. Pamukkale (Turkey) Pamukkale, or the “cotton castle”, is the most popular tourist attraction in Turkey- and it’s clear why. The city that lies in the inner Aegean Region is full of hot springs and travertines, which are terraces of carbonate minerals that have been left by flowing water. These brilliant white formations hang like a petrified waterfall, and are one of the most unusual sights you will ever see anywhere in the world. What makes Pamukkale truly special, though, is that as well as the natural formations, the area is also the site of the ancient Greek/Roman city of Hierapolis, which remains in surprisingly good condition. The temples and bath houses remain, alongside the necropolis and the huge amphitheater. You can also bathe, just like the romans would have, in a glorious pool of warm, mineral rich waters while swimming amongst submerged ancient columns. 4. Plitvice Lakes (Croatia) The Plitvice national park is located in central Croatia, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovenia, and is one of the oldest parks of its type in Europe. It covers an area of just over 110 square miles and is the most popular tourist destination in the country. With sixteen lakes all connected by a series of waterfalls, the scenery here is simply breathtaking. The local wildlife is just as spectacular, with 20 different species of bat, 157 species of rare birds, 12 species of amphibians, and numerous fish, insects, over 321 species of butterflies and mammals such as boar, deer, wildcats, lynx, bears and otters. There are also a number of carnivorous plant species, and the most beautiful orchids in Europe known as the lady’s slipper. The highest point of the park is 4200 feet above sea level, with the lowest point at 1250 feet, and the waterfalls range in size with the largest, known as Veliki Slap, being 230 feet tall. From seeing pictures of this place it soon becomes clear why over a million people visit each year, with each season bringing a spectacular range of colors; whether it be the lush greens in spring and summer, the autumnal oranges and browns, or the blanket of ice and snow during the winter months. 3. Vatnajokull Glacier Cave (Iceland) Despite Iceland in fact being an island of lush greenery, the geological features there are unlike anything you will see elsewhere. One location, in particular, offers visitors a unique perspective of the wonders of nature by allowing you to explore the Crystal Caves that run beneath a glacier. Vatnajokull in the south east of Iceland is the most spectacular of these, with the glacier itself being the largest one on earth outside of the polar regions. It covers an area of 5000 square miles and is up to 3300 feet thick in some places. The glacier has been formed by thousands of years worth of snowfall that compresses onto itself, and the entire thing is constantly moving towards the ocean. Because of this, the location of the entrances to the caves beneath the structure are in different places each year, and no two trips will ever be quite the same. After crawling through gaps within the ice, you will find yourself in the blue lit caves, surrounded by icy structures and crystal formations. You’re only able to visit the caves during the winter months because they are too unstable to be safe in warmer weather, but if you ever get the chance to visit this magical place then you’ll definitely be glad that you did. 2. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) The Galapagos Islands are the most unique habitat in the entire world and are home to animals that you won’t have the chance to see anywhere else. As a Unesco heritage site, human activity is kept to a minimum to preserve this wondrous place but, surprisingly to most, there are a number of towns to support the islands tourist industry, and it’s completely possible to visit if you get the chance to. In total there are 19 islands that all lie about 620 miles off the western coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. You are only able to visit them alongside licensed guides who offer hiking trips, eco-hotels, multi-sports tours and dive trips. These volcanic islands aren’t your typical tropical wilderness as you may expect. Most of them are, in fact, barren rocks with very little vegetation. However, they host one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world both above and below the water, and for those who are interested in animals there simply is no better place to visit. Whether it’s the pink iguana, blue-footed ***, albatrosses and penguins or hammerhead sharks, turtles, eagle rays and whale sharks; the Galapagos has it all. 1. Milford Sound (New Zealand) Peter Jackson filmed the Lord of the Rings movies in New Zealand for a reason, the scenery there is simply breathtaking. Milford Sound, a fjord to the southwest of the South island, is one of the most remote, well preserved, and stunning places you could ever hope to visit. Rudyard Kipling described the area as the “eighth wonder of the world”. With cliffs rising vertically from the dark waters, towering mountain peaks, and waterfalls as high as 3000 feet cascading to the waters below, it is clear why. Rainforests adorn the sides of the mountains, there are large colonies of fur seals, penguins and dolphins, and the underwater observatory gives visitors the chance to view rare corals and marine life. You can visit Milford Sound in a number of ways: by boat, small plane or even kayak. One things for sure, though: one day isn’t enough, and once you get there you’ll find yourself wanting to stay forever. Have you been to any of these places? 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