
This article takes a look at five of the best outdoor vacation destinations around the world. Read along to learn more about them and the activities you can do there.
Oftentimes we find ourselves in need of stepping away from civilization and going back to nature. If this is you, here are five destinations to consider.
Alaska: The Last Great Frontier
When people think about top outdoor destinations, Alaska is perhaps not the first place that comes to mind. After all, the American state of fewer than one million people is located on the northwest extremity of the country’s west coast, pretty much right next to the North Pole. Still, it is because of its remoteness and seemingly low accessibility that it is worth visiting.
Along with its vast, pristine expanses of nature, Alaska is home to some of the world’s most diverse and unique wildlife, not to mention centuries-old cultures like the Haida, Tsimshian, and Northern Athabaskan people. In addition, there is a wide variety of options when it comes to flora and fauna, including fishing trip packages in calm, protected waters that will make your experience one you will remember for the rest of your life.
Queensland: Frozen in Time
Have you ever wondered why Australia has so many strange animals? From kangaroos and koalas to wombats, Tasmanian devils, frilled-neck lizards, and platypuses, this giant nation-continent is filled with creatures often only found in children’s books and made-for-TV movies. And while answers may vary depending on whom you ask, many say the last great ice age did not hit this area of the planet, thus ensuring the survival of thousand-year-old species that roamed the land before the first human communities even existed.
This can be seen at its full splendor in the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Whether you are into scuba diving or snorkeling or simply looking for a wonderful place to relax while experiencing all the beauty nature has to offer, this is the place to go.
Machu Picchu: A Hint of Life
Legend says the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was built somewhere around the 15th century as an estate for Inca emperor Pachakuti. When the Spanish colonial armies reached South America less than a hundred years after, it was soon abandoned, only to be discovered once again by the American explorer, politician, and academic Hiram Bingham III in 1911. Since 1983, it has been a valuable UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Almost a quarter into the 21st century, the men and women of today live in modern societies consumed by technological development and all things the internet. As such, why not see how others lived centuries ago, how they raised their children, grew their crops, and managed their societies? It is certainly something you won’t want to miss.
Tierra del Fuego: A Sub-antarctic Paradise
If you ask 100 people to describe paradise in one or two words, chances are the vast majority of them will not say sub-antarctic. Consider yourself lucky if you find only one. Nevertheless, this is exactly what the Tierra del Fuego National Park in the most southern part of Argentina is.
If you plan on visiting Tierra del Fuego, the adventure often starts before you even get there. From the Macarena station, you can take the Tren del Fin del Mundo or the Train of the End of the World all the way down to lush forests, crystal clear waterfalls, and some of the most breathtaking glaciers human beings ever set eyes on.
And it doesn’t stop there. Whether you plan to visit in Summer or Winter, there are other adventures to embark on and things to see.
Nairobi: The Gift of Life
There are many things you can do in Kenya. Along with others, you can explore the sites and sounds of the capital city of Nairobi, watch the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, sail the Lamu Archipelago, or scuba dive the Indian Ocean. But if you want something that is truly meaningful and will make a difference not only in your life but also in the lives of other beings, then adopting an orphaned animal is something you should definitely consider.
Sadly, elephant poaching will never stop. As long as there is money to be made, these gentle giants will continue to be hunted for their precious tusks. Yet, that doesn’t mean you cannot do anything about it. It doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy a wonderful vacation while giving one of these animals the gift of a happy life.
If you want a great outdoor adventure, consider going to Alaska, Machu Picchu, or Tierra del Fuego in the Americas. And if you have a bit more time, take a chance on the Australian outback or Africa. They are all fantastic experiences you will not soon forget.