Patagonia, South America

Patagonia Paolo Macorig 2004 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The region of Patagonia is nothing but enchanting and was once described as “boundless” by Charles Darwin. To name a few natural wonders: the Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentine Lake District and Punta Tumbo. Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the region’s most magnificent glaciers and it sits at the southern tip of the Glacier National Park. There are viewpoints and trails provided for tourists to mini-trek and marvel at

Argentina – Perito Moreno glacier, El Calafata sandeepachetan.com travel photography 2015 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

this crystal mass that, unlike most of the glaciers around the world, grows every year. Argentine Lake District sits between the Andes mountains. This area is covered in picturesque crystal-blue lakes and breathtaking vistas. To add on to its natural wonders, there is a city nearby that express European architecture infused with local accents and delicious cuisine. Punta Tumbo is a region that is home to a variety of fauna including the Magellanic Penguins. A variety of trails a scattered across this region for tourists to trek and catch a glimpse of the region’s fauna in their natural habitat.

 

Various fauna call the enchanting natural habitats of Patagonia home and these animals can be seen wherever you venture. Some species include: Right Whales, Patagonian Horses, and Magellanic. Right Whales are the main attraction of whale watching of the Valdes Peninsula region. The perfect time to catch a whale watching tour is from early

Whale watching! Puerto Piramides, Patagonia Argentina. Amazing! eltpics 2012 CC BY-NC 2.0

June to the beginning of November, which is when hundreds of these whales swim near the shore to mate and breed. The plains of Chilean Patagonia are home to Patagonian Horses which were introduced by Spanish settlers and then bred by gauchos. Now, horseback riding services are all over Argentine Patagonia as it is a romanticized and popular form of transportation. The colonies of Magellanic Penguins call the island of Magdalena home which has been turned into a national nature reserve to protect these penguins. Tourists can also see this endangered species at Peninsula Valdes which has also been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.

 

Patagonia’s natural wonders and wildlife provide quite an adventure for everyone. Some sights available to tourists are the Cueva de las Manos, Mount Fitz Roy, and Southern Patagonia. Cueva de las Manos, which translates to the Cave of Hands is shrouded in

Cave of the Hands Carron Brown 2006 CC BY-NC 2.0

mystery as it is covered in hand prints that date back to 10,000 BCE. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most significant in South America for its carvings are believed to belong to predecessors of the Tehuelche tribe. Mount Fitz Roy is a jagged granite-wall mountain that towers over Glacier National Park into a haze of clouds. It’s harsh conditions provide a challenging hike for those dangerous adventure seekers. Southern Patagonia is the place to be for nature and culture enthusiasts. It boasts most of the enchanting natural wonders in the Patagonia region and a backcountry.

 

Overall, Patagonia, South America is one of the most enchanting and truly boundless natural regions. It is the perfect vacation for nature enthusiasts and we hop you pay a visit to this land and its majestic landscapes soon!

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities that was founded in 1062. When it was founded, walls made of red stone were built around the city. Marrakech is home to many beautiful gardens and palaces. They also have a market place with entertainers and merchants called, Jemaa el Fna. The gardens and palaces were built during the 12th century when Marrakech was the capital of the Almohad caliphate.

MarrakecH MoroccO SnakE CharmeR IN ThE JemaA EL FnA Antonio Bovino 2010© CC BY 2.0

Jemaa el Fna lies in the center of Marrakech, Morocco, as a market for the residents. Within Jemaa el Fna, local merchants and lamp-sellers bring their products, food vendors bring their goods, and garden merchants bring their plants to sell. In addition, there are musicians who come to play their traditional music, snake charmers to entertain tourists, and woman with who can paint henna tattoos. Jemaa el Fna is not just a place for the residents, but is a place for the tourists as well.

Jardins Majorelle Rui Ornelas 2014© CC BY 2.0

The gardens in Marrakech, Morocco, are also great tourist points. Jardin Majorelle is a garden created by a French painter named Jacques Majorelle. It took him 40 years to build the beautiful garden that consists of streams and pools, and exotic plants and trees.   Near Jamaa el Fna, Jardin Menara is another garden that is visited by tourists. It is an olive grove that has a hydraulic system over 700 years old. Jardin Majorelle and Jardin Menara are only two out of other beautiful gardens that resides in Marrakech, Morocco.

Marrakesh, Bahia Palace Anna & Michal 2011© CC BY-SA 2.0

The Bahia Palace, meaning palace of the beautiful, was built in the 19th century for Ahmed Ibn Moussa. The palace took about 15 years to complete and it has 160 rooms and garden. It is open to tourists to explore, but will close when the royal family comes into town. Marrakech is also home to the Badi Palace, a ruined palace. Before it was ruined, the palace was made up of 360 rooms, a courtyard, and a pool. The Bad Palace took 25 years to build and one of the building materials consisted of gold. Although it is ruined, many tourists visit the site today.

Marrakech, Morocco, is a city worth visiting because many beautiful sites you can see and explore. Be sure to visit this gorgeous city!

Aruba

 

Booby over Aruba Len Radin 2013 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Aruba is a beautiful Caribbean island that is a popular vacation destination. Tourists are attracted to Aruba because of its glorious white sand beaches and beautiful natural

“Tropical Paradise”, Aruba, Eagle Beach, Divi Divi Trees Chris Ford 2013 CC BY-NC 2.0

wonders.Eagle Beach is one of the most popular and best beaches to spend your day in. It is frequently visited by sports enthusiasts because of its perfect swimming conditions and tourist just looking to relax. At the right time of year, tourists may even have the chance to see the local fauna. Arikok is a National Park filled with local fauna including numerous iguanas, goats, donkeys and migratory birds. Tourists can hike and explore caves, sand dunes and limestone cliffs that populate the area, or examining the Amerindian art and abandoned gold mines. Ayo Casibari Rock Formations is a cluster of cacti, boulders and hiking trails located in eastern Aruba. Tourists can see so many beautiful natural wonders and if tourists hike to the top, they can see a beautiful mirage of the island.

Many tourists visit Aruba each year for its beauty, diverse display of culture, and

oranhestad, aruba in pastel Dino Abatzidis 2001 CC BY-NC-SA

friendly locals. Oranjestad is the island’s capital city. It offers museums, a butterfly farm, art galleries, golf, historical sites and a marina. It was first colonized by the Netherlands which is displayed through Dutch colonial the unique architecture, while the buildings’ bright colors are distinctly Caribbean. Carnival and Mardi Gras are just a few local holidays that display the array of culture in Aruba. Carnival is celebrated right before the Catholic season of Lent with public celebrations and parades with circus, masks, and costume elements. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and occurs the day before Ash Wednesday. Similar to Carnival, people wear masks and costumes to celebrate in street parties and parades.

Aruba is a beautiful Caribbean Island also known for its diverse attractions. Pedernales Wreck is the remains of the SS Pedernales, a World War II lake tanker that was sunk by a torpedo fired from a German U-boat off the shore of Palm Beach. It is frequently visited and popular to divers because of its historic background and the diverse wildlife surrounding the site such as several types of fish, eels and even octopi. The Donkey

Donkey Sanctuary, Aruba Darice 2016 NC BY-NC 2.0

Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to saving the donkeys of the island. Tourists have the chance to learn about them and feed these cute and kind animals. At Aruba’s  Ostrich Farm tourists can learn about ostriches and interact with them up close.

Overall, Aruba is a beautiful Caribbean island with gorgeous white sand beaches, a beautiful display of culture and several diverse attractions. If you would like more information, be sure to view their official website. We hope you pay a visit to this amazing island soon!

Bangkok, Thailand

Have you been thinking of a place to take relax and have a great time? If you have, then you should hop on a plane and get to Bangkok, Thailand. There are a few reasons to go visit Bangkok, Thailand. First off, if you love traveling, Bangkok could be another place you can check off your “go-to” list. Second, they serve the best fresh food in the streets. Last, you get to see their stunning attractions including: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Arun.

Bangkok Street Food Vendors VasenkaPhotography 2010© CC BY 2.0

The Grand Palace in Bangkok Kyle Pearce 2013© CC BY-SA 2.0

The foods that are made in the streets of Bangkok are stir-fries, mango sticky rice, roast pork belly, steamed crab, curry, pad si ew, and so much more. If these don’t make you interested, you’re missing out! 10BEST stated, “Bangkok’s street food is legendary…” Although the foods in Bangkok sound amazing, they are not the only reason why you should visit. The attractions located in Bangkok are as stunning as the street food. The Grand Palace in Bangkok was built in 1782 for the royals, but is now a museum that people can visit. Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is a Buddhist temple that resides in Bangkok. Lux Life went to these two places when visiting Bangkok and stated, “It was breathtaking, and absolutely stunning.” Another Buddhist temple you can visit is Wat Arun. It is known as the Temple of Dawn and lays beside the Chao Phraya River. Jon to the World visited Wat Arun and said, “This is one of the most popular landmarks in Bangkok for its spectacular view…”

Wat Phra Kaew Complex Maxlm B. 2013© CC BY-SA 2.0

Wat Arun Maxlm B. 2013© CC BY-SA 2.0

Like we said before, one of the reasons to visit Bangkok is because of the amazing street food. 10BEST‘s statement tells you that the food is not only amazing but “legendary.” Our second reason said that the attractions are gorgeous in Bangkok. Lux Life and Jon to the World confirmed that the attractions are certainly worth visiting.

Now that you’ve heard the reasons why you should visit Bangkok, Thailand, it should be on your “go-to” list. Bangkok, Thailand, will be worth visiting because of the great food they have and the attractions you will get to see. You will definitely have an amazing experience when you do decide to go, so hop on a plane to get to Bangkok, Thailand. Until our next destination!

 

Orlando, United States

Greetings from Florida, U.S.A., but more specifically the city Orlando. Orlando is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. These places are tourist attractions. Within each of these attractions are more theme parks. More theme parks give the tourist options to visit some of them or even all of them!

Day 4 – Magic Kingdom Derek Hatfield 2010© CC BY 2.0

Epcot Inazakira 2010© CC BY-SA 2.0

Walt Disney World contains four theme parks and two water parks, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Walt Disney World also has many resorts you can stay at. The first theme park to open in Walt Disney World was Magic Kingdom. The second opening was Epcot, then Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and last was Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The six different areas in Magic Kingdom are Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Main Street U.S.A., and Tomorrowland. Rides are designed according to which area they are in. A popular area in Epcot is World Showcase. The World Showcase includes little sections for a popular attraction in a country. For example, the Eiffel Tower in France. Disney’s Animal Kingdom contain live animals you can see and interact with. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a iconic ride called the Tower of Terror.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom 021 Matt Dempsey 2007© CC BY-SA 2.0

Tower of Terror @ Disney’s Hollywood Studios 2017© CC BY 2.0

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Luis Brizzante 2014© CC BY-SA 2.0

Universal Orlando Resort consists of three theme parks and one water park, Universal’s Volcano Bay, opening May 25, 2017. The first theme park is Universal Studios Florida. The rides there are based on TV movies and shows. For example, Revenge of The Mummy, The Simpsons Ride, Despicable me Minion Mayhem, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. The other theme park is called Islands of Adventure. This park is also based on TV. The top two rides in Islands of Adventure are Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, a thrill ride, and Jurassic Park River Adventure, a water ride. Other rides include Dragon Challenge, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, and Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are must go theme parks if you like TV based theme parks.

SeaWorld Entrance Chad Sparkes 2017© CC BY 2.0

SeaWorld Orlando is a marine zoological theme park. It is made of two parks and one resort: SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Discovery Cave. In SeaWorld, you are able to go on thrilling rides, interact with marine life, and watch shows that include the marine animals. Aquatica is a water park that includes water slides, a wave pool, and a beach you can relax at. Discovery Cave is a resort that allows you to swim with dolphins, rays, and tropical fish. At the Discovery Cave, you are also allowed to feed birds.

If any of these parks interest you, then you should go visit Orlando, Florida!

Cape Town, South Africa

 

Cape Town – South Africa – 2001 Ole Holbech 2016 CC BY-NC 2.0

Cape Town, South Africa, also known as the “Mother City” is home to many natural mountains and beaches which makes it one of the most beautiful vacation spots. Lion’s Head is a mountain in Cape Town near the Table Mountains and Signal Hill. It is popular for its gorgeous views over Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean. This area was significant to the historic Malay people as it is home to a number of historic graves and shrines of some Malay leaders. Signal Hill, or Lion’s Rump, is a flat-topped hill next to the Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. Together with Lion’s Head, this hill looks like a lion sphinx, hence their names. Signal Hill is also home to more graves and shrines of the Malay people and are open for tourists to view.

Along the shore from Camps Bay to Clifton Graeme Churchard 2009 CC BY 2.0

Clifton Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cape Town. It is separated into four beaches by big boulders and it is protected from chilly winds by the Table Mountains. Although the waters are cold, the beaches attract many surfers and tourists who come to take a stroll along the beautiful white-sand beaches.

 

 

Cape Town is a bustling city also famous for its nightlife and its array of culture which it displays in many areas.

Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, RSA ser_is_snarkish 2015 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

One of which is Bo-Kaap, formerly known as the Malay quarter, which is popular for its brightly colored homes and cobbled stone streets that display the Malay culture. There is also a museum that dates back to the 1760s and is one of the oldest houses believed to be made by Muslim settlers. Another area of cultural beauty is the Cape Town City Centre. During the day, it is a hub of activity, but once the sun sets, the centre truly becomes alive to reveal the soul of Cape Town. There are many restaurants and bars for tourists to dine at and on the first Thursday of every month, the city centre opens dozens of art galleries and cultural events for tourists to witness the culture of South Africa at its finest. The East City and Woodstock are two areas of the Cape Town City Centre that display vibrant suburbs combining with a village atmosphere. The architecture, museums, and galleries are stunning and give tourists a good taste of the culture.

 

Cape Town also offers many diverse attractions. Table Mountain National Park is the new natural 7 Wonder of the World and is dedicated to protect the natural environment around the Table Mountain chain. This property includes the magnificent Table Mountains which plunge into the beautiful beaches of the Cape peninsula.

Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town shel israel 2010 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Tourists can catch a glimpse of the rare fynbos vegetation which occurs nowhere else in the world and the Boulder Penguin Colonies on the white beaches surrounding the Table Mountains. Another popular attraction is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. This is the most beautiful garden in Africa and one of the greatest botanic gardens in the world. It is dedicated to protect the natural flora of this region especially the rare fynbos vegetation. Tourists can visit different areas of the garden to see the beautiful flora of this region.

 

Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain 1 of 4) Kerri Lee Smith 2015 CC BY-NC 2.0

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is yet another place for tourists to see the rare fynbos, but it is also famous for its wildlife. The reserve offers many recreational activities such as surfing, diving, and even a chance to see shipwrecks.

 

Overall, Cape Town is one of the most popular vacation destinations in all of Africa. It’s beautiful flora and fauna offers a paradise for nature enthusiasts and its diverse attractions make it the perfect place for family vacations. We hope you pay a visit to the Mother City of South Africa soon!

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an Indonesian paradise that is often thought of as a fantasy. Bali is home to some of the most glorious beaches, most of which are in Seminyak, a small coastal town. Tourists can soak up the sun on these white-sand beaches and catch the legendary sunsets.

Majesic Cliff with path along the edge lit by the Sunset Master Octa 2014 CC BY-NC-ND

Uluwatu is a popular place where a clifftop plateau looms over white-sand beaches that are ranked one of the best for surfing. Along with beaches, tourists can visit the Jatiluwih Greenlands, a countryside lined with small villages where they can view beautiful jungles, foothills, and the paddy or rice fields.

 

Bali is known for its beauty and unique culture that expresses its various arts and traditions. The village cluster of Ubud, also known as “the artistic capital” is a perfect place to experience Indonesian culture at its finest. This place offers tourists the chance to see cultural dance performances and museums and galleries. Bali is also known for its 10,000 temples. The most visited one is Tanah Lot. The

BALI TANAH LOT Fabio Gismondi 2010 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Tanah Lot Temple is located offshore on a small rock-island. Along with being a big part of Hinduism mythology, this temple is in the middle of a beautiful sunset mirage. Another popular, yet very unique temple, is Goa Gajah, which translates to “Elephant Cave”. This small temple is of great historical importance because it was believed to be a place of meditation and even includes shrines and angelic statues.

 

Bali is a popular tourist destination that offers many diverse attractions. Also in Ubud, is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary where tourists can venture through forests and catch a glimpse of  the Balinese long-tailed monkey, also called the Macaque, in its natural habitat. Another attraction is Waterbom Bali, the second best water park in the world. It offers countless rides and water slides for kids and even a spa for the adults. It is the perfect getaway for a family.

Gitgit Waterfalls, Bali Juan Antonio F. Segal 2015 CC BY 2.0

In nature, hidden deep in the mountain forests of central Bali are various waterfalls. Some are lined with nature treks and others have hidden cascades for those who are adventurous. Others provide relaxing pools and breath-taking sceneries for the nature enthusiasts.

 

Overall, Bali, Indonesia is one of the best island-vacation spots because of its beautiful mountain and coastal areas, diverse attractions, and the friendliness of the local people. We hope you pay a visit to this island soon and experience all of the wonderful things this majestic place has to offer!

Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavik Bryan Pocius 2010© CC BY 2.0

Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and is the largest city in Iceland. On its shortest day,Reykjavík gets only 4 hours of sunlight because it is two degrees south of the Arctic Circle. During the summer, the city is light for almost 24 hours. Reykjavík, “smoky bay”, is named after its geothermal springs and boiling natural geysers. Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, can be seen during the winter. Reykjavík has many beautiful attractions this includes Blue Lagoon, the most popular tourist attraction. Other attractions are Harpa, Golden Circle, and Hallgrímskirkja. The numbers of tourist are increasing in Reykjavíik, so you should definitely one of those tourists and visit the beautiful city in Iceland.

The Blue Lagoon allen watkin 2009© CC BY-SA 2.0

The Blue Lagoon was formed in 1976 at a nearby geothermal power plant. It’s known to have great effects on the skin. People with psoriasis, a skin condition, say that the waters of the Blue Lagoon improved their skin. Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church that lays in the city and is the largest church in Iceland. The church took 41 years to build, from 1945 to 1986. The design of Hallgrímskirkja was based on Icelandic nature.

Harpa Christophe PINARD 2014© CC BY-SA 2.0

Two other places you can visit are Harpa and the Golden Circle. These two places are as enjoyable as the Blue Lagoon and Hallgrímskirkja. Harpa is a concert hall as well a conference centre. The opening concert was held on May 4, 2011. The design of the glass was also inspired by the Icelandic nature like Hallgrímskirkja. The Golden Circle is a popular tourist attraction in southern Iceland. The tour you can take will show you geyers, Thingvellir National Park, and Gullfoss waterfall. These attractions are beautiful and if you are interested, then you should go visit Reykjavík, Iceland to see these attractions as well as the other attractions they offer.

 

New Orleans, United States

Located in Louisiana, New Orleans is one of the most famous cities people like to visit. This city is known to be the place where Voodoo was first introduced in the United States. New Orleans is also known to be one of the most haunted cities in America. Jazz was born in the city, as well as rock and roll and blues. The first opera of America was performed in New Orleans.

New Orleans – French Quarter “Cast-Iron Balcony” David Ohmer 2008© CC BY 2.0

The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city. It includes hotels, restaurants, attractions and tours. The French Quarter is also known as the Vieux Carré. It is a French Colonial and Spanish settlement. It is a neighborhood that withstood hurricanes, floods, fires, war, and more. The French Quarter is a popular place tourists like to visit when they are vacationing in New Orleans. There are many attractions you can visit in New Orleans. This includes The National WWII Museum, St. Louis Cathedral, Mardi Gras World, Preservation Hall, Lalaurie Mansion, and much more.

The LaLaurie Mansion Reading Tom 2011© CC BY 2.0

LaLaurie Mansion is a popular haunted attraction located at 1140 Royal Street in New Orleans.  Marie Delphine Macarty who was known as Madame LaLaurie and her third husband built the house in 1832. In this house, Madame LaLaurie tortured and murdered her slaves. She kept them is terrible conditions and starved them, but the public considered Madame LaLaurie to be polite to her slaves. There was an investigation to see if her mistreatments were like the rumours, but the attorney did not find wrongdoing. Two years later after investigators finally figured out what was going on in the mansion Madame LaLaurie and her family escaped right before a mob took over. The LaLaurie Mansion is now a landmark in New Orleans.

The LaLaurie is only one of the many attractions you can visit in New Orleans. If you find it interesting, you should definitely vacation is New Orleans!

 

Yellowstone, Wyoming

West Thumb – Yellowstone national park screaming_monkey 2014 CC BY-SA 2.0

Yellowstone, Wyoming is a famous, beautiful outdoor paradise. Yellowstone National Park is home to the world’s most renowned geyser, Old Faithful. This awe-inspiring geyser has eruptions averaging around 130 ft. high and covers about 180 ft. of clearing. A primary attraction in the Canyon Village of Yellowstone National Park is the Grand Canyon. The canyon, a natural formation from thousands of years worth of erosion from winds and water, is a great place for hiking and for tourists to take in a beautifully natural scenic view.

Grand Prismatic Spring Colors – Yellowstone National Park Clint Losee 2013 CC BY-NC 2.0

The Grand Prismatic Spring sitting in the Midway Geyser Basin is an artistic inspiration for tourists. This is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and offers gorgeous rainbow waters for all to see. Yellowstone is part of a rich history that is still unfolding even before it became the world’s first national park. People have been in Yellowstone more than 11,000 years, such as the Sheep Eaters, the most well-known group of Native Americans to use the park, and many other tribes and bands. The first organized exploration of Yellowstone was executed by Europeans in 1870, who after explored and observed the nature and wildlife, decided to preserve it. This legend is supposedly when Yellowstone National Park was born. There are many historic places that tourists can visit such as the Old

#134 – Old Faithful Inn, northeast aspect Yellowstone National Park 2015

Faithful Inn and the complex near it that was designed by Gilbert Stanley, a famous architect, and displays beautiful rustic architecture. Yellowstone National Park is famous for its permanent residents that tourists can discover and witness. One of the best places to learn about the wildlife in Yellowstone is the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. It offers a detailed history of bears and wolves in the Yellowstone area and even hands-on experiences. Hayden Valley is one of the best places to visit to catch a glimpse of the park’s other wildlife.

Hayden Valley Mike Oswald 2009 CC BY-SA 2.0

Tourists and hikers can observe bison, elk, coyotes and the occasional grizzly bear, and not to mention numerous bird species in this valley. Yellowstone National Park is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Overall, this one of the largest nearly intact temperate zone ecosystems on Earth and includes all sorts of wildlife, vegetation, and natural geological wonders.Overall, Yellowstone National Park is any outdoor enthusiast’s paradise or just a great place for a family vacation. Pay a visit soon to learn about nature at its finest!