National Geographic magazine recently released the top list of the best travel spots in the world. The list was based on aesthetic appeal, cultural integrity, environmental conditions, the condition of historic structures, and tourism management. Here is the list they chose, along with some general information about each and why you might want to consider the area for your next travel vacation.
1) Norwegian Fjords: One of the world’s great wonders, the tall peaks of Norway plunge down into watery canals, one of Norway’s trademarks. There is no other scenery like it on earth and combined with the Old World rustic appeal of the country; there is no better vacation destination. For instance, you can see this church:
An 800-year-old church in Borgund, Norway, is made entirely from wood without a single nail.
Borgund Stave Church was built sometime between 1180 and 1250 AD, with later additions and restorations. Vertical wooden boards form its walls, or staves, hence the name “stave church.”
The church is part of the Borgund parish in the Indre Sogn deanery in the Diocese of Bjørgvin. No longer regularly used for church functions, it is now a museum run by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments.
2) Cape Breton Island, Canada: Cape Breton Island is in Eastern Canada and off the coast of Nova Scotia. The island offers a unique blend of Gaelic, French, and English cultures. The area is famous for its folk music, fresh seafood, turn-of-the-century style, and beautiful scenery. Explore the Island yourself or go through an established travel agency!
3) South Island, New Zealand: The South Island of New Zealand offers highly diversified opportunities for traditional and eco-tourists alike. The Island encompasses many ecosystems, from ocean to mountains and everything in between. The landscape offers incredible diversity in vacation opportunities, including kayaking, surfing, caving, and other recreational activities.
The spectacular Southern Alps separate the island from the rest of New Zealand. The isolation has allowed the culture to evolve in relative isolation, bringing a unique blend into the modern day with the right touch of polite hospitality.
4) Torres del Paine, Chile: Another unique blend of mountain and coast, the Torres Del Paine offers a huge amount of diversity to the traveler. The area includes several National Parks, and tourists can have once-in-a-lifetime experiences in watching the yearly migration of the humpback whale in the oceans bordering the area.
5) Tasmania, Australia: Another island vacation, the remote province of Tasmania, offers an incredible and unique vacation experience, which is really saying something when you consider it is a part of one of the most uniquely biodiverse countries in the world. Tasmania offers every type of tourist attraction possible, and its ecological niche is even more specialized than the Australian mainland. If you are on an extended travel vacation, the province is only a short ferry ride away from the rest of the country.
No Comments