Guest Blogger: Annie Beurman
We all know about attractions like Mount Everest, the Great Wall of China or Mount Rushmore. These
are attractions and landmarks that anyone would recognize. Then there are those that are less
recognizable but still just as amazing to look at. Some attractions aren’t easy to spot, and in order to find
them, you need to take a closer look at your surroundings. If you’re looking to do some navigating to
discover what you might be missing, this article will detail some hidden wonders.
Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
The uninhabited island of Staffa holds a marvel that will blow your mind. Fingal’s Cave is over 200 feet
and is composed of symmetrical basalt structures shaped like hexagons. The land forms a perfect water
side walkway into the cave so you can explore as deep as you want. Even the land above the cave is
filled with sites to see. From Staffa’s magnificent view of the ocean, to the seabirds who land there, to
the wildlife beneath the waves, a tour of this island is the one tour you definitely don’t want to miss.
Meteora, Greece
Plan on constantly going up and down in this Greek location because the monasteries, ruins, museums
and more of Meteora are located on top of large rock formations or in the valleys below. With some
locations over 2000 years old, Meteora not only offers breathtaking views both above and below, but
also a look into ancient Christian Orthodox history. Many tours are offered of the gorgeous cites,
whether they be at sunset, half a day, a whole day or even longer. There’s more than enough hiking and
exploring to do while here and plenty of Greek food and wine to go around when you’re done
Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
Located not far from Juneau, Alaska, these ice caves are slowly melting, so that combined with glacier
recession means that their structure changes more often than one would think. They may be a bit
difficult to access, but they will not disappoint once you arrive. The structures were created completely
by natural causes and without any help from humans. Boat and canoe tours are often given around the
caves but not always inside since they are not considered a stable structure and are sometimes unsafe
to explore. For those who love adventure though, it is possible to go by yourself as long as you have
knowledge of these icy structures. Visit these glaciers if you ever get the chance because once they melt,
they’re gone for good.
Playa del Amor, Mexico
Mexico’s Marieta Islands aren’t only known for their lush greenery. Unlike Meteora where you need to
look up, in order to find this beach, you’d need to look down. Known also as the Hidden Beach, this
beauty was believed to have been created around the time of WWII by bombs. Here you can enjoy all of
the regular beach activities like sunbathing, swimming and making sand castles. Once you have taken a
boat ride to the Marieta Islands, simply take a short swim or a kayak ride to this hidden beach from
Yonaguni Monument, Japan
How could this 90 foot tall monument possibly be hard to find? Well, in order do so, you’re going to
need your scuba gear. That’s right, this Japanese monument is located not on or by, but under the sea
off the coast of Yonaguni. First discovered in 1987 near a popular diving area, no one is completely sure
where this monument came from or whether or not it was manmade. When you’re done swimming
with the hammerhead sharks nearby, you can explore this attraction’s architecture similar to that of a
castle. The columns, platforms, pillars and more will make you feel as though you’ve discovered Atlantis…
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