Pink beaches? Trails through flowing lava? What else is out there? The world is a big place, but often we get so stuck in our lives that we fail to see it. If you wake up seeing the same table, chairs, window, and cup of coffee one foot from your face, you are missing out on some beautiful possibilities. Here are eleven places that I think everyone deserves to know about! Let’s broaden our perspectives together and take in all of the beauty that the Earth has to offer. Warning: Once you look at these photos you might feel compelled to check out plane ticket prices!
- Pink Beach, Komodo, Indonesia
The pink sand on this beach in contrast with the turquoise water takes my breath away every time. Can’t you just imagine relaxing on pink sand while staring out at endless ocean in front of you?
- Kalu Yala, Panama
This sustainable community is nestled in the heart of the Panamanian rainforest, a short drive away from Panama City. In Kalu Yala, the villagers come from across the globe and combine their unique experiences and passions to create a single, completely sustainable village. In this remote neck of the woods, visitors can live life to the fullest by participating in jungle hikes, gourmet cuisine, and all the beauty the rainforest has to offer. For these villagers in Kalu Yala bad days are a thing of the past. Sustainability may not sound glamorous, but the truth about Kalu Yala will leave you wanting more.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest of Costa Rica
You may already know about rain forests, but did you also know that there are cloud forests? These areas, high up in the sky, are places of mist and wonder. Monkey, wild orchids (420 different kinds) and rich green flora abound. Don’t you want to feel the mist on your face?
- “Icehotel” near Kiruna, Sweden
It’s time to really think outside of the box. Maybe you’ve lived in a home made with bricks, wood, or stone your whole life. What else is out there? What else is possible? Open up to the possibilities by gazing at the Icehotel, a famous destination near Kiruna, Sweden. This other-worldly structure is a work of art, and a stay there is a life-changing experience.
- Hot Lava Beach, Kilauea, Hawaii
Hot lava pours out from between rocks, and steam rises from the earth to the sky. This beach displays the awe-inspiring power of nature, at her best. If you have ever felt bored or in a run in life, visiting a beach like this is sure to put a spark back under you. Orange, red, and gold lava contrasts well with the dark rocks along the beach. When steam vents from the Kilauea volcano open up, thick columns of steam rise up into the air, and soar into the sky.
- ViaquesBio-luminescent Bay, Puerto Rico
Did you know that algae is a little living organism? In bio-luminescent bays you can swim, dive, or kayak among these little glowing organisms, and feel the pulse of life all around you. The Viaques bio-luminescent bay is the brightest in the world. Each night, algae turn into miniature lights that shine a vibrant blue light out through the water. This is gorgeous under a deep, inky black sky, because you don’t often see water that glows naturally. This is a spot that really opens the heart up to the wonders of the natural world.
- Paris at Night
Nature is breathtaking, but what about cities? Humans are, after all, natural as well. What have we created in the world? The architecture and artwork of Paris showcases the beauty that humans are capable of creating with their own hands. A picture of Paris at night can make you imagine the noise of people talking happily, music playing, and bustling traffic in the streets. A metropolis is like a garden, with many varieties of objects to look at. Each one holds their own beauty — from a small shop selling fruit to massive stone cathedral created by a genius archictect.
- Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy
The Sistine Chapel took Michelangelo four years to create. The enormity of the painting, as well as all the intricacy of the artwork around it, makes me want to visit Italy. I am fascinated by the fact that Michelangelo studied human anatomy, and created hidden imagery of human body parts within the painting. This theory came to light in 2010, and still intrigues me to this day. What about you?
Towering Redwood trees are visually attractive, but beyond that is the emotion that they evoke. They make me appreciate the strength of nature, and respect it. When I see a picture of a person next to a Redwood tree, I feel humbled. That is an honor to fee. Do you feel a sense of respect for nature when looking at these steady giants?
- Big Sur Coastline
Waves crash into sloping, rocky mountainsides along the Big Sur coastline, where a land tectonic plate is slowly crashing into an oceanic plate. The oceanic plate is much denser, so it sinks down, while the continental plate rises up and “wrinkles” (massive wrinkles, mind you!) into craggy coast line. There are many varieties of animals and birds along the Big Sur coastline, and an abundance of camping options. One of the most exciting aspects of this source of natural beauty is the way the waves crash against the rocks with plumes of bright white spray.
- Half Moon Cove, Galapagos Islands
This beach is right near a Turtle Reserve, so you have plenty of chances to spot the famous Galapagos Turtles. The Galapagos Islands are known for having very few predator species which makes the animals very friendly> At Half Moon Cove, you might also spot playful sea lions. The Galapagos islands are surrounded with turquoise and deep blue ocean, which is prime for scuba diving. Whenever I see pictures of these species-rich islands I feel like I’ve been bitten by the travel-bug!