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’. Victoria falls is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by roughly a million tourists per year. One particularly popular feature of the falls is Devil’s Pool, a pool at the edge of the falls where people can swim and look over the falls without being pulled over by the current due to a natural rock wall that creates the pool. This can only be done from September to December when the river flow is at a safe level. Devil’s Pool is located on the Zambian side of the falls and is accessed from Livingstone Island, while most of the viewing areas of the falls are located on the Zimbabwean side. Visitors can view the falls from both countries, but there are considerable visa charges involved in doing so, on top of the day pass charges each country assesses to visit the falls. Visitors can find accommodations in Livingstone, Zambia, and the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. See more pictures of Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
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. See more pictures of Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico
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. See more pictures of 12 Apostles, Victoria, Australia
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. See more pictures of Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA
New York City: bustling metropolis of culture, commerce, fashion, and art, home to over 8 million people (18 million in the metro area), and absolutely brimming with must see attractions. This megalopolis in the state of New York is the most populous city in the United States. The city’s five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island) feature a vast array of events to attend, restaurants to try, and sights to see. Some of the city’s more famous attractions include Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Cultural attractions in New York City (aka New York or NYC) include the Broadway Theater district, the Apollo Theater, Carnagie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Radio City Music Hall, just to name a few. Besides the endless attractions, NYC has accommodations and culinary options for every budget. See more pictures of New York, New York, USA
The breathtaking Reed Flute Cave, located 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the city of Guilin in Guangxi, China, is named for the reeds that grow outside the entrance which can be made into flutes. The natural limestone cave is lit with multicolored lights, creating an otherworldly landscape of beauty. The cave itself is over 180 million years old, and has seen visitors for over 1200 years, which is known due to the existence of over 70 ink inscriptions inside the cave, dating back to 792 AD in the Tang Dynasty. Visitors can take an hour long walk through the cave on a U-shaped path to observe the impressive stalagmites, stalactites, and limestone columns that have formed. Also, there is a lovely park outside the cave, with gardens, pagodas, ponds, and peaceful pathways. See more pictures of Reed Flute Cave, Guilin, Guangxi, China
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. See more pictures of Bottom Bay, Barbados
The picturesque Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada is known for its breathtaking mountain scenery with calm clear lakes framed by jagged snow covered peaks. The national park is the largest of its kind in the Canadian Rockies, covering a total area of over 10,878 square kilometers (4,200 square miles). Within Jasper National Park lies an amazing collection of lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, and massive mountains. Visitors to the park can enjoy a vast array of activities, including hiking and mountain biking on extensive trails, skiing at Marmot Basin, fishing, swimming, kayaking, whitewater rafting and boating on many of the lakes and rivers, plus camping in numerous areas. For those looking for some quiet relaxation, Miette Hot Springs is the perfect place to go. Tourists can visit the park via car or motorcycle, or by train. The closest international airport is in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta. Also nearby is Lake Louise in Banff National Park. See more pictures of Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
