The desire to travel--wanderlust if you will--has caused more than one restless spirit to throw caution to the wind, stuff a backpack full of clothes, and hop on the next plane to...anywhere. For those lucky few travel is a way of life, but for the majority of us, it is a dream to be fulfilled.
So I thought I’d pull together a list of some out-of-the-way destinations that may have escaped your notice, but that should definitely be on your bucket list.
Rio Celeste, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
This is one of the places on my list that I have actually had the privilege of visiting. “Rio Celeste” means “Heavenly River” and you can see why the moment you set eyes on it. The water is an almost indescribable color of blue, and you can see sparkling glimpses of the water as you hike up the side of the Tenorio Volcano through the rainforest.
Expert Vagabond describes it as “Hidden within the cloud forests of Tenorio National Park, the magnificent bright blue Rio Celeste Waterfall will take your breath away.” I totally agree.
Rio Celeste Waterfall from ExpertVagabond on Vimeo.
Travel Tip: Get there early and hire an English speaking guide. The guides are trained naturalists and will teach you about the rainforest and its unique inhabitants. You can also rent boots that are suitable for the muddy hike. Be sure you have good hiking shoes that work well in mud; water-repellent outerwear, and plenty of water.
Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach), Marieta Islands, Mexico
Alta Obscura describes Playa del Amor as “A gaping hole in the surface of the lush green island opens onto a secret beach, with ample shade, sun, and crystal-clear water.” I agree, but it seems to be much more than just a hole. The pictures alone make me think of hidden pirate coves and secret treasures.
Image courtesy of Alta Obscura
Popeye Village, Malta
Did you know there is an entire village dedicated to Popeye? Neither did I, which is why this one made the list ;)
According to the Popeye Village home page “Popeye Village Malta has grown from its days as a Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production 'Popeye' into one of the major tourist attractions on the Maltese Islands filled with a number of colorful fun activities for all young and young at heart”
What grabbed my attention, besides the fact that it is the original Popeye set are the stunning pics of the bay. Just look at that gorgeous, crystal clear water. I mean, who wouldn’t want to jump into the bay from one of those trampolines?
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
“Son Doong cave (Vietnamese: Hang Son Doong) is world's largest cave, located in Quang Binh province, Vietnam. It is found by a local man named Ho Khanh in 1991 and was recently discovered in 2009 by British cavers, led by Howard Limbert. The name "Son Doong" cave means "mountain river cave", It was created 2-5 million years ago by river water eroding away the limestone underneath the mountain Where the limestone was weak, the ceiling collapsed creating huge skylights…”
IMO, Son Doong Cave should be listed as one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a fairly recent discovery and it’s remote location has prevented it from becoming a high traffic tourist destination.
Andorra Principality, Pyrenees Mountains
Andorra is a tiny principality nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. The location alone is reason enough to put this one on my list.
If you’re a nature lover then this is a must visit destination! Enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, horseback riding; There is almost no limit to the variety of outdoor activities available. Oh, and let’s not forget about the duty-free shopping!
Don’t forget to turn those travel pics into stunning wall art! We can help with that ??