Dolomites, Italy

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Beautiful Places to Visit

The Dolomites are a section of the Alps mountain range in Italy. Besides the spectacular views, visitors to the Dolomites can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice skating and sledding in the winter months, and hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, base jumping, paragliding and hang-gliding in the summer. The Dolomites were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August, 2009. Marmolada, the Dolomites’ largest peak, stands 3,344 meters (10,972 feet) tall. The Dolomites span three Northeastern Italian provinces: Belluno, Bolzano-Bozen and Trento. Accommodation can be found in any of the many cities and villages in the area.

Credit: Roberto Ferrari

Marmolada Westgrat, Dolomites, Italy - Panorama

Credit: Marco Klüber

Credit: wbirt1

Credit: 5348 Franco

Credit: Rotraud Weiss

Credit: Jack Brauer

Credit: 5348 Franco

Havasu Falls, Arizona, USA

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Havasu Falls, Havasupai Reservation, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

On the Havasupai Indian Reservation within Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona you will find the gorgeous Havasu Falls. The picture perfect falls features a blue-green pool below which is excellent for swimming. Havasu Falls is fairly difficult to reach by foot, requiring a drive to Hualapai Hilltop and then a 16 km (10 mile) hike to the Falls via the tiny village of Supai which is 3 km (2 miles) from the falls. For those not up to the long hike, a helicopter ride to Supai can be had, followed up by a horseback ride to the falls. Visitors can camp near the falls, and the village of Supai has one lodge and one cafe. Otherwise the best options for accommodation can be found 177 km (110 miles) away in the town of Seligman. The area also features four other waterfalls: Navajo Falls, Supai Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls.

Credit: Southwest Climbers

Credit: slashvee

Credit: Andy

Havasu Falls, Havasupai Reservation, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States

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Sossusvlei, Namib Desert, Namibia

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Credit: Greg Willis

The towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert are one of the most spectacular sights to be seen in Namibia. Sossusvlei itself is a clay pan fed by the Tsauchab River. In addition to the sea of red sand dunes, Sossusvlei is also home to the Dead Vlei, meaning “dead marsh”, an eerie white clay pan filled with dead Camelthorn trees. This area is contained within the Namib-Naukluft Park which is in turn a part of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. The best time to visit Sossusvlei is at sunrise or sunset when the colors are the most vivid and the sun is not too hot. Accommodation near the area ranges from luxury resorts, to mid-range lodges, to numerous campgrounds.

Credit: asco

Credit: Greg Willis

Credit: asco

Credit: Greg Willis

Credit: Luca Galuzzi

Credit: Hans Hillewaert

Credit: asco

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Beautiful Places to Visit

Skiers, snowboarders, hikers, and wildlife lovers should not miss this incredible Canadian destination: Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. This glacial lake is located near the Trans-Canada Highway and the tiny town of Lake Louise. The Eastern shore of the lake is home to the large luxury resort hotel Chateau Lake Louise. Accommodation for the budget-minded traveler can be found in Lake Louise town only 3km (2 miles) away. Other activities to be enjoyed at the lake and surrounding area include mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and more.