Tag Archives: adventure

The 7 Most Beautiful Forests in the World

Forests are wind-blocking, sound-muffling, toxin-pulling powerhouses: they gobble up carbon dioxide, turning it into twisted trunks, knobby knees, and braided branches.  Three trillion trees strong, forests cover almost a third of the Earth’s surface. They also tie 1.6 billion people and 4.3 million species together—and we often don’t appreciate them until they’re teetering on the brink of extinction. Ready to rewild and reconnect with the natural world? Try immersing yourself among ethereal green bamboo, umbrella-shaped Dragon blood trees, or J-shaped pines. From Colombia to Namibia, these are seven of the world’s most beautiful forests.

 

Cocora Valley

Quindío, Colombia

In the rolling green foothills of the cloud-capped Andes, there’s a valley where 200-foot wax palms tower like the Truffula Trees in Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax.  Slender, shag-topped, sturdy, and wax-covered: Cocora Valley’s wax palms—Colombia’s national tree and the world’s tallest palms—scratch the wispy underbellies of rain clouds. During the Monsoon Season, they bend, almost to the point of being horizontal to the ground, but never break, spinning like floral pinwheels above muddy fields of grazing cows and horses.

Dragon’s Blood Forest

Socotra, Yemen

With their umbrella-shaped crowns, straight trunks, and deep-red resin, Socotra’s prehistoric Dragon blood trees look like something straight out of John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids. After breaking through beds of limestone and granite, the 32-foot-tall trees channel sea mist, drizzle, and fog into their tightly-gnarled limbs and wax-covered leaves. Then they sprout small, fragrant, white flowers which, over five months, produce berries that turn from pale green to pitch black to neon orange, oozing “blood” as they ripen.

Crooked Forest

Gryfino, Poland

In West Pomerania, Poland, there’s a forest of pine trees that’s become famous because of one little “twist”: all 400 of the trees that were planted there, sometime around 1930, buckle out 90 degrees, creating bark-covered potbellies that drag just above the earth, oddly, all pointing in the same direction—north. No one is certain exactly how or why the trees were bent, but the Crooked Forest is generally thought to be the result of human intervention. The most common theory suggests that farmers manipulated the trees when they were 7-to-10-years-old to create naturally bent timber for furniture or ships. Others blame strong snowstorms, gravitational pull, or Nazi tanks.

No one knows why these trees all bend in the same manner. . While we were strolling around we ran into a man who said he had been working in this park for 15 years and he thinks furniture makers trained the trees so they could be later harvested into benches and sleds. . One thing is for certain he told us – over the years the number of crooked trees has diminished and one day this will just look like any other forest. . So go out and explore now because you never know if it will still be there tomorrow… . . . #crookedforest #poland #polska #polandsights #polandways #polandphotos #igerspoland #europe #ig_europe #nikon #travelphotography #sheisnotlost #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #nationalpark #travelstoke #optoutside #artofvisuals #aov #natgeotravel #bucketlist #dametraveler #traveltheglobe #instatravel #travelgram #passionpassort #darlingescapes #sorel #wanderingwheatleys

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Rockefeller Forest

Weott, California

The Rockefeller forest—located in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which is almost twice the size of San Francisco—has the largest remaining contiguous old-growth coastal redwoods in the world.  While the average redwood in Rockefeller forest is roughly 600 to 800 years old, it’s widely known for having trees of all ages. There are “dog hairs”, young, thin redwood trees that cover the ground in patches, and 2,000-year-old redwoods that are covered with spider webs that almost look like beards and have so-called “goose pens”, which are burnt-out caverns in the base of the trees that are as big as playhouses. Oldest of all are the decaying stumps, who shallow-roots were ripped from the fertile earth by high-winds. Rockefeller’s most-famous fallen redwood is the Dyerville Giant.  Weighing in at 1 million pounds and standing 362 feet high—that’s two feet taller than Niagara Falls and comparable to a 30-story building—it was considered the tallest tree in the forest before its fall in 1991.

Have you ever wondered what the roots of a massive redwood tree look like? A few huge specimens from the Saddler Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park were blown over in a violent windstorm many years ago and they now lay horizontal, exposing their huge undersides. . Check out the new category “Giant Tree” on my website for pictures of enormous trees from California and Washington State! http://www.lucascometto.com/#/giant-tree/ . . #tree #hugetree #giant #forest #redwood #SaddlerGrove #HumboldtRedwoods #HumboldtRedwoodsStatePark #RedwoodNationalPark #coastredwood #California #championtree #natgeo #nationalgeographic #awesome_earthpix #picoftheday #wanderlust #earthoffical #wow_planet #ourplanetdaily #earthfocus #awesomeearth #nakedplanet #fantastic_earth #igworldclub #discoverglobe #earthfever

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The Amazon

Named after the female warriors of Greek mythology,  the Amazon is itself a place of nearly mythical status.  The largest tropical rainforest in the world, covering a size approximately equal to the lower 48 United States, it spans across eight rapidly-developing countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela, and Suriname.

Considered “the lungs of the world”, the Amazon supplies 20 percent of the world’s oxygen, stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It’s also home to 10 percent of the world’s known species. However, if you’re expecting to see scarlet macaws perching at the top of every tree and pink river dolphins peeking over your canoe, you’re going to be disappointed. In fact, the Amazon’s true beauty lies in the little things: listening to the otherworldly cry of Howler monkeys, swinging in hammocks, and canoeing on the world’s largest river.

 

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Kyoto, Japan

One of Kyoto’s top attractions and one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks, the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove has seemingly-endless emerald stalks. They’re so thick that the city’s noise completely disappears. All that remains is the creaking sound of the wind blowing through bamboo—a sound designated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

Let’s play bamboozle! 🎋#guessthetvshow

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The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove’s main path, located between Tenryuji Temple and Okouchi Sanso Garden, is only 1,640 feet, but it accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists, and rickshaw rides. Admittedly, on weekends, national holidays, and Kyoto Hanatouro, camera-clutching foreigners and the city’s best artisans, who handcraft bamboo baskets, coasters, and chopstick sets, pack in like sardines. Though, the slight-suffocating crowds are well worth it, because on sunny, breezy days, you can experience komorebi: a Japanese word used to describe soft, dappled light as it filters through leaves and branches.

 

Deadvlei

Sossusvlei, Namibia

Cradled between the tallest sand dunes on Earth—some 1,312 feet high, which is almost as lofty as the Empire State Building—there’s a forest where nothing has bloomed since the First Crusade. Deadvlei, which means “the place where everything ends”, was once a fertile desert claypan.  However, some 1,000 years ago, it began drying up after encroaching sand dunes cut it off from the Tsauchab River. The camel thorn trees that lived within the marsh eventually died, and even though a millennium has passed, they’ve yet to decompose. Set against a striking blue sky, fiery-red hills, and bleached white clay, these carbon-black, mummified trees are hauntingly beautiful.

The 9 Best Fried Chicken Destinations

There’s nothing quite like a plate of heaping fried chicken. It’s the ultimate comfort food indulgence. In the South, fried chicken is religion and everyone has their favorite place or their favorite Aunt that they swear makes the best you’ve ever had. But fried chicken isn’t actually southern.  It’s Scottish.

The Scots have been frying chicken for centuries and Scottish immigrants first brought the dish to the United States, where it’s continued to evolve. Whether you want fried chicken and waffles, hot chicken, or traditional, you’ll find a plate or two to fall in love with in one of these nine states.

Nashville, Tennessee

If you can’t stand the heat, fried chicken in Music City might not be for you. Nashville is known for its iconic hot chicken, basically your traditional buttermilk-fried chicken doused in hot sauce. According to legend, Nashville hot chicken started in the 1930s, when the girlfriend of a man named Thornton Prince III got so frustrated with his philandering ways she taught him a lesson by adding cayenne pepper to his fried chicken. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack was born where you can still get hot chicken today.

Must-trys: Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

San Francisco, California

Best known for sourdough bread, San Francisco has been having a bit of a love affair with classic Southern food in the past few years. A number of chefs have been opening up eateries featuring good ole’ fashioned comfort food, especially fried chicken. Here you’ll find everything from swanky supper clubs serving up chicken served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and -wait for it- a house-made chive biscuit, to laid back family joints serving chicken and waffles and more.

Must-trys: Frisco Fried, 1300 on Fillmore

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta takes its soul food seriously and there’s no shortage of restaurants in the city serving up fried chicken. Some have been around for nearly a century; others only a few weeks. But it’s almost impossible to have a bad dish of fried chicken in the city. Granted, as there’s only so much fried chicken you can eat during a stay you’ll want to head to the cafe that’s been dishing it up for more than 70 years, or, if you’re in town on a Wednesday night, the restaurant that only serves fried chicken on that night and often sells out. Get there early.

Must-trys: Busy Bee Cafe, Watershed on Peachtree

fried chicken sandwich

Louisville, Kentucky

Banish the words KFC from your mind. Yes, Kentucky may have introduced much of the world to fried chicken by way of KFC, but that’s not where Louisville locals go when they’re craving some comfort food. For fried chicken the way your grandmother made it (if she was the fried chicken-making type) you want Shirley Mae’s Cafe, whereas locavores will favor Harvest, where all the ingredients are sourced from within 100 miles. Both go well with a weekend of bourbon tasting or a trip to the Churchill Downs.

Must-trys: Harvest, Shirley Mae’s Cafe

New Orleans, Louisiana 

The Crescent City may be best known for chargrilled oysters, beignets, and gumbo but its chefs know how to whip up mean fried chicken too. The city even has an annual fried chicken festival in September. But no matter when you visit New Orleans you’ll find places serving up crispy, spicy battered, Cajun fried chicken and more. Perfect for a day after dancing, drinking and listening to music in the French Quarter.

Must-trys: Willie Mae’s Scotch House, Dooky Chase Restaurant, Willa Jean

New York, New York

The Big Apple may be a world away from the south but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to do fried chicken right. This is in large part thanks to both southern and international chefs who now call the city home and are leaving their own mark on soul food while creating new twists on the classic. Take, for instance, Virginia native Keedick Coulter who brines his free range birds overnight at the Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Club. One bite of the crispy, flaky, fried chicken and you’ll forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city.

Must-trys: Sylvia’s Lunch Counter, Bobwhite Lunch & Supper Counter

Portland, Oregon

From beer to coffee and everything in between, foodies know that Portland, Oregon is its own type of eater paradise. That reputation extends to fried chicken as well, even if the city is thousands of miles away from the South. Here you’ll find indulgent fried chicken being served up with waffles and on sandwiches piled high with other fried goodies like green tomatoes and more. Fuel up before you spend an afternoon wandering around the city taking in the street art.

Must-trys: Pine State Biscuits, Simpatica

Multiple Cities, Virginia

Rumor has it the first printed U.S. recipe of fried chicken came from Virginia. Today, you’ll find delicious fried chicken options in every part of the state. You’ve heard of chicken and waffles but what about doughnuts and chicken? That’s what you’ll find in the metro Washington, D.C., area, whereas over in Charlottesville you’ll find a traditional fried chicken from a recipe dating back generations. And in Newport News, it’ll be melt off the bones, Korean fried chicken.

Must-trys: Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken, Chic N Fish, Wayside Chicken.
 korean fried chicken dish

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The city on Lake Michigan may seem like an odd place to find fried chicken but, trust us, this up and coming travel destination deserves a spot on every foodie travel list. Surrounded by farms, Milwaukee is a locavore’s dream. Chefs have been moving to the city in droves in the past few years, re-shaping the Milwaukee’s food scene and adding some great options for fried chicken. Here you’ll find traditional fried chicken, wings galore, and even Korean BBQ style.

Must-trys: TomKen’s Bar & Grill, Lazy Susan

Into the Badlands in South Dakota

Southwestern South Dakota is home to 244,000 acres of towering tawny pinnacles and buttes overlooking one of America’s largest protected prairielands. Established as a national monument nearly 80 years ago, the wind-ravaged, eroded formations were named “Mako Sica,” or “land bad,” by the Lakota Sioux Native Americans who reside primarily in the Dakotas. Badlands National Park is considered one of the world’s richest deposits of mammal fossil beds, where the remains of ancient carnivores, reptiles, and marine life rest indefinitely in the otherworldly veins of Chadron and Brule rock. Living mammals are in equal abundance – the park is a fountainhead of bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn, endangered black-footed ferret, and more than 200 kinds of bird. Maybe your first experience with the park was on social media, where it inspired the Alt National Park Service, a vocal and rogue defender of environmental protections and conservation under the Trump administration.

Politics aside, the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park transcends discourse and facilitates respect for a history beyond our years. If you’re looking for a summer of unstinted travel, explore these suggested hikes and sights for an emotionally refreshing sojourn.

 

The Door Trail

This facile, one-mile hike takes you into the heart of the Badlands, where dramatic views of ravines and gullies follow you to the edge of the park’s famous “Wall,” and lets you walk through it. A short boardwalk winds along the perimeter to a viewing deck of broken, prepossessing landscape. Continuing past the Door Trail, you’re rewarded with more challenging terrain deep into the canyons and up into the spires of the Badlands. This trail is marked with daffodil-colored posts to keep you on track.

Sunset along the Door Trail, Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Sunset along the Door Trail, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

 

Castle Trail – Medicine Loop

One of the park’s most strenuous hikes, this multi-junctioned looped trail winds through extensive prairie, rolling hills, carved buttes, sod tables, and washes pressed against the north edge of the Badland Wall. It bends southeast to the Medicine Root Trail – Saddle Pass Trail junction, allowing hikers the option of hiking up to eight miles through various landscapes. These trails are best for wildlife viewing, especially at dusk and dawn. These trials offer the most comprehensive views of the park’s topographic features.

Sunrise over Castle Trail, Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Sunrise over Castle Trail, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

 

Fossil Exhibit Trail

For an intimate encounter with the park’s expansive fossil beds and geological anomalies, this brief, well-trafficked boardwalk trail is unparalleled. Although a popular tourist attraction, the trail offers prehistoric remains, wildflower fields, and birding opportunities.

badlands national park
Badlands Exhibition

 

Pinnacle Overlook

A photographer’s paradise, the short walk up to Pinnacles Overlook yields staggering views of the rocky pinnacles, overhangs, and chimneys that compose Badlands National Park. Once you arrive at the overlook, find the observation area below the parking lot along the Badlands Loop Road for views of the park’s most unlikely collection of Rocky Mountain juniper trees. Compression caused by fallen rocks allows the trees to thrive in the dry region. Views of the nearby Black Hills are also visible from Pinnacles on a clear day.

pinnacle overlook badlands south dakota
Pinnacle Overlook, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

 

Mount Rushmore National Monument

If you missed that class field trip to Mount Rushmore, your excursion to the Badlands region is a good excuse to make up for lost time. Located roughly 80 miles from the park, this national monument in South Dakota’s Black Hills is a manmade marvel. Massive carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln rest in the mountain’s granite stone.

mount rushmore black hills south dakota
Mount Rushmore, Black Hills, South Dakota

Get Lost in the Magical Beauty of the Faroe Islands

Halfway between Norway and Iceland lie the magical Faroe Islands, where cliffs rise up from the sea, fog gives way to rolling green landscapes, and tiny villages seem to appear out of nowhere. This is a place you need to witness to truly realize its beauty.

With its location in the North Atlantic, the 18 volcanic islands that make up the Faroe Islands archipelago can feel incredibly remote and yet they’re a short flight from the United Kingdom. Less than 50,000 people call the islands home, the majority of whom live on the island of Streymoy. And while you’ll encounter more sheep than people in many spots, the bridges and tunnels that connect most of the islands make them easy to explore. Plan to spend a few days at the end of a European vacation wandering about the islands or make them your whole destination and spend a week hiking, dining, and sightseeing.

færøerne: koltur
The island of Koltur | Photo: Jacob Eskildsen via Visit Faroe Islands
Village on the Faroe Islands | Photo: Daniele Casanova via Visit Faroe Islands
Village on the Faroe Islands | Photo: Daniele Casanova via Visit Faroe Islands

Adventure

Adrenaline seekers can spend their days on the Faroe Islands biking, diving, and fishing. There are opportunities to fly fish as well as go deep-sea fishing, where you can try your hand at catching cod, halibut, and even shark. Diving tours offer the chance to immerse yourself in the seabed fauna; just plan a trip for the winter when visibility is better if diving is the main focus of your vacation. Biking is becoming one of the best ways to explore the islands and cyclists will appreciate the accessibility of the roads and bike trails.

faroe islands
Photo: Gabriel Nivera via Visit Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands
Photo: Sergio Villalba via Visit Faroe Islands

Hiking & Birdwatching

For those that want to take a break from the sports while still being outside, the Faroe Islands are full of hiking spots. You’ll feel as though you’re walking through middle earth as you hike up to the waterfall of Múlafossu or climb to Slættaratindur, the highest peak on the islands. While you stand in awe of the landscape, make sure to spend a few minutes paying attention to the various species of birds. Birdwatching is one of the most popular pastimes on the Faroe Islands and no trip is complete without a visit to the island of Mykines where you can get up close and personal with puffins.

Faroe Islands
Photo: Gabriel Nivera via Visit Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands
Group of puffins | Photo: Absalon Hansen via Visit Faroe Islands

Dining & Shopping

Foodies know Faroe Islands cuisine even if they don’t think they do. In the past few years, Leif Sorensen has made Nordic food mainstream in the United States and you’ll see similarities on the Faroe Islands. Expect many dishes to center around seafood as at any given time you’re only three miles from the ocean. Other traditional Faroe Islands cuisine you should try includes fermented lamb, blood sausage, and stewed vegetables. Ask one of the locals, who all tend to be very friendly, for their recommended spots.  After getting your fill of local food there’s plenty of shopping to be done, especially near the capital, where you’ll find art galleries where local artisans have captured the beauty of the islands. Save room in your suitcase.

Faroe Islands
Photo: Høgni Heinesen via Visit Faroe Islands

Sightseeing

Around every bend is something to see on the Faroe Islands. Walk up to the Kallur Lighthouse or explore the ruined Fort Skansin to take in the medieval center of the Faroe Islands home to stone houses and St Olav’s Church built in 1111. Keep your itinerary lose and you’ll discover something new at every turn and return from your vacation with memories of a place unlike any other.

Leitisvatn
Leitisvatn | Photo: Hans Juul Hansen on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Faroe Islands
Photo: Christoffer Collin via Visit Faroe Islands

Featured image: TJØRNUVÍK via Visit Faroe Islands

Dive the World’s Most Stunning Caves

Pitch black. Trapped. Tethered by a thread. Cave diving is a physically demanding sport with considerable risks. For this reason, people believe that cave divers have to register the cold scorch of fear every now and then in order to feel truly alive.

For most underwater explorers, however, cave diving has little to do with an adrenaline rush. There are many reasons why people would want to journey through the deepest and darkest paths of the underworld. While few animals can actually survive inside underwater caves, the ones that can tend to look more like animals plucked from the pages of science fiction novels. The caves are also otherworldly scattered with water-worn rocks that look like they’ve been placed in front of carnival mirrors.

cave diving

Underwater caves are living history – places that few get to experience. Extremely technical, requiring a level of underwater proficiency and control much greater than most other forms of diving, when you emerge from the darkness, from the unknown, you feel fulfilled and are ready to “just keep swimming”—no matter what life throws your way. There are hundreds of thousands of underwater caves in the world, and we’ve rounded up five of our favorite. Get ready to swim, scuba dive, and spelunk—if you dare.

 

Bubble Cave – Maui, Hawaii

One of the Hawaiian Islands’ most unique diving destinations, Turtle Town—a sanctuary for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, considered guardian spirits by some ancient Kanaka Maoli—is sometimes referred to as five caves, sometimes as five graves. Its Bubble Cave is located on a small, semi-protected rock cove off Makena Road. “You’ll walk by a small graveyard (with seven graves that we counted and probably more in the faint lava rock outlines),” says Andrew Doughty, the author of Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook.

Once you reach the shoreline you’ll see the entry point: two rocky fingers. Missed by most divers on their first attempt, the Bubble Cave’s opening is low and wide at a depth of about 15-20 feet right along the shoreline. An ancient lava tube, it extends 50 feet back and ends in a large cave that holds roughly five divers.  “[The Bubble Cave’s] air pocket…is sealed, and the ocean’s surge constantly changes the pressure, causing your ears to flux and cloud of pressure-induced haze to form and dissolve instantly with every surge. Real cool.” A non-technical dive—where you don’t have to worry about decompression issues or narcosis—its in relatively shallow water, less than 40 feet deep. So, you’ll be able to encounter spotted moray eels, frogfish, white tip sharks, puffers, and octopus.

 

Piccaninnie Blue Lake – Wye, Australia

Piccaninnie Blue Lake, affectionately called “Pics”, is a freshwater marvel unlike any other in Australia. Created by erosion, it’s fresh, crystal clear, and cool—almost always 58°F.  Designated as a Ramsar site on December 21, 2012, it supports a number of nationally threatened species, from the orange-bellied parrot to the Australasian bittern. Every year more than 20,000 people visit this nature reserve to snorkel at the Chasm: a 115 foot-deep walled underwater canyon that continues on into a very narrow restriction at the bottom called the ‘Cork Screw’.

Underwater explorers prefer the Cathedral, a monolithic underwater chamber with pure white, scalloped limestone walls. A mecca for divers, you can literally look 90 feet down and see the clouds in the blue sky above. Though, you’ll want to dive before monsoon season, which generally lasts from December to March, because rain causes sediment runoff that affects visibility. After a series of non-qualified diver deaths, you’ll also need a permit to book your one-hour time slot.

 

Emergence Du Ressel – Marcilhac-sur-Célé, France

One of the primer cave diving locations in the world, France has over 20,000 underwater caves. Starting in the bed of the River Céle,  the Emergence Du Ressel  (Emergence of Ressel) is its most famous cave and a reference in the world of cave diving. Nearly 500 feet in length, the cave splits into two tunnels with a cross-section that’s at least the size of a double-door garage.  The first tunnel stays shallow at 32 feet while the second tunnel drops repeatedly to a depth of around 60 feet. Roughly 1,000 feet from the entrance, the two passages rejoin—making an almost 5-mile round trip—and then impressively plummet 150 feet. While water flow decreases and visibility increases, the dive becomes increasing technical and the water hovers at only 54°F. The whole trip is a serious expedition that’s only been made by a few people. Even if you can’t complete the five to six-hour dive, on your return trip you’ll be welcomed by a beautiful green light at the cave’s entrance.

 

Cenotes Dos Ojos – Quintana Roo, Mexico

One of the most extravagant diving sites in the Yucatan peninsula, the Cenotes Dos Ojos (meaning “two eyes”) is made up of two 230-feet sinkholes connected by a 1,300-foot passageway—the world’s deepest underwater cave passage.  Discovered in 1986, the Cenotes Dos Ojos is part of the world’s largest underwater cave system and is the Riviera Maya’s most filmed and photographed cave. A cavern full of crystal clear water and glittering stalactites where the light plays hide-and-seek and the temperature is a toasty 77°F, the Cenotes Dos Ojos has achieved cult status. One of its most interesting features is its pools of air that resemble puddles of mercury. Though, it does have a dark-side: a 10,000-year-old, pitch black bat cave that was once used by Mayans for ritual human sacrifices.

 

Merritt’s Mill Pond – Marianna, Florida

Wedged between rocky slopes, beds of eelgrass, and moss-draped cypress trees, Merritt’s Mill Pond has turquoise waters, making it a waterway unlike any other in Florida. It may have produced state and world-record breaking redear sunfish, but the four-mile, man-made lake is also a cave diver’s paradise that’s popular with underwater explorers because it’s open 24/7, year round. Located just east of Marianna, it’s fed by the Jackson Blue: a limestone cave close to 5,000 feet in length that many divers consider the most beautiful cave they’ve ever seen.  Low-flow, it still pumps out roughly seven-million gallons of water per day.

Roughly 500 yards from it are the Twin Caves that have a 60-foot opening called the “Subway Tunnel.” Accessible only by boat, its first jump is claustrophobic and only recommended for divers with good buoyancy while the second can easily be silted out.

Three hundred yards from the Twin Caves is the “Hole in the Wall”.  After dropping 80 feet from a large chimney, you’ll find two caves—one upstream, one downstream. In the winter, it’s usually submerged underwater. The Hole in the Wall is also home to Georgia blind salamanders and Dougherty Plain cave crayfish. Merritt’s Mill Pond has four other caves: Shangri-la (Sidemount), Indian Wash Tub, Gator Hole, and Hidey Hole.

Take a Roadtrip Through Magical Scotland

All the ingredients for a dreamy getaway are in Scotland. For its size, roughly that of South Carolina, it packs a wallop. There’s history at every turn, bustling modern metropolises, breathtaking open spaces, and so many more treasures.

Don’t try to cramp too many sights into one visit. You could spend a month traveling throughout the country and still feel like there’s more to see. Instead, spend some time savoring Scotland’s biggest city before hitting the open road to explore one of the country’s famous national parks and one of its mystical islands. Fly into Glasgow in the spring or fall for the best weather and get ready for fairytale vacation. Here’s our guide to a Scotland road tip that you could do in a long-weekend or stretch out over the course of a week.

Days 1-3: Start Your Scotland Getaway in Glasgow

Handsome old Victorian buildings, stylish bars, amazing whiskey. It’s no wonder Glasgow made The New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2018” list. Fly into Scotland’s largest city and, depending on the length of your stay, plan to spend two to three days exploring.

glasgow scotland
Glasgow, Scotland

Wander up and down Byres Road, popping in and out of the various boutiques. If museums are your thing, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the West End is not only free but full of more than 8,000 works housed in gorgeous buildings. The stunning architecture will almost make you forget to look at the art. And then there’s the whiskey. It would be hard to visit Scotland without having at least one glass. Take a whiskey walking tour of Glasgow or create one of your own at one of the city’s pubs, almost all of which will have whiskeys from across the country.

Days 3-4: Get Familiar With One of Scotland’s Many Lochs

After a couple of days in the city it’ll be time to get in touch with Scotland’s stunning nature. Roughly an hour from Glasgow lies Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in all of Scotland and together with the Trossachs National Park covers more than 700 square miles.

loch lomand scotland
Two Highland calves chilling out in Loch Archay in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.

Depending on how in touch with nature you want to get you could spend anywhere from an hour, on one of the shorter trails, to a full day, that even includes a night of camping in the park. If you prefer a nice cozy bed to a tent, stay at the Queen of the Loch Hotel in the Loch Lomond Shores area which is home to many shops and restaurants. For Instagram-worthy snaps of the Loch Lomond area, visit the pier on the loch near the Village of Luss. After marveling at the loch, walk around the village full of adorable stone cottages. If you only do one thing in the area, though, make a tour of the loch on the water; there are kayak rentals and also boat cruises that will take you by the islands within the loch.

Days 4-6: Indulge in Delicious Seafood While Exploring the Isles

After a day or two of Scotland outdoor adventures get back on the road for a 90-minute drive north to Oban. Climb McCaig’s Tower to take in views of the bays and Scottish isles before touring Oban Distillery, which dates back to 1794. They offer several types of tours, including a basic which includes a tour of a distillery, tasting, and an overview of the whiskey making process.

After your tours, indulge in seafood. Oban has a long history as a fishing village and is known as Scotland’s seafood capital. Almost every restaurant will have delicious seafood dishes. Walk up and down the small village (it’s all accessible on foot) and pick the one you want.

McCaig's Tower in Oban, Scotland
McCaig’s Tower in Oban, Scotland

Oban is a great base for exploring the surrounding area and taking in the views of the castles that seem to spring up out of nowhere. After a night in Oban, take a ferry to the Isle of Mull. The Scottish isle is full of history. It’s been inhabited since the Ice Age, there’s plenty of wildlife to see, including whale watching tours, and there are even golf courses and basket willow weaving courses. You’ll leave Scotland already planning you’re next trip back.

 

 

Isle of Mull, Scotland
Isle of Mull, Scotland

*Featured image at top: Carsaig Arches rocks formation captured from inside cave, Isle of Mull, Scotland

7 U.S. Places to See the Aurora Borealis

Flashes of green, purple, and yellow light up the night sky as you stare in awe, immune to the cold. Experiencing the majesty of the Northern Lights first hand is one of those things that should be on everyone’s bucket list, but don’t think that seeing the Aurora Borealis in person requires a flight to Europe. While the views in Norway, Sweden, and Iceland are no doubt unbelievable there are incredible spots to watch the Northern Lights in the U.S. From Alaska to Maine here are seven of the top U.S. locations to take in the Aurora Borealis.

 

Fairbanks, Alaska

Alaska is without a doubt the U.S. locale with the most options for Northern Lights viewing. And in Fairbanks, you have a shot at seeing the Aurora Borealis almost any time of year thanks to Fairbanks’ location within the Auroral Oval, the huge ring around the Earth’s Geomagnetic North Pole, above which the Northern Lights display. Whether you want to camp out under the lights or rest your head in a boutique hotel you’ll find plenty of options in Fairbanks as well as enough other activities from outdoor sports to shopping to eating to make a visit a weeklong vacation.

Photo: Aaron Hockly on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: Aaron Hockley on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Acadia National Park, Maine

New England might not be top of mind when you think of places to see the Northern Lights but there are actually a few spots in Maine where views of the Aurora Borealis are truly breathtaking, if your timing is right. Heading to Acadia National Park is the easiest; there’s little light pollution and the town of Bar Harbor is only a few miles away meaning there are plenty of places to rest your head at night that don’t involve camping in freezing weather. All you need a clear night, moonless night, and it helps if there is a solar flare occurring.

acadia national park
Photo: Mike Lewinski on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

 

Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Idaho

You’ll need to bundle up for one of the most extraordinary views of the Northern Lights in the U.S. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests contain three forests stretching out 3,220,000 acres across three states. In Idaho the forests border with Canada and it’s there you want to head to Priest Lake where two campsites on Bartoo and Kalispell Islands (accessible only by boat) are two of the most remote places to see the Northern Lights in the U.S. The campsites accommodate only 10 to 30 people so make your reservations well in advance.

 

 

Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania

If you’re thinking Pennsylvania is way too far south to see the Northern Lights, you’d be correct most of the time. However, roughly every 11 years, it’s possible to see the Northern Lights much further south as the magnetic poles of the sun switch places. Cherry Springs State Park is on the low end of visibility right now with the height around 2012 but give it a few years and the views will be spectacular.

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has something for every type of Northern Light seeker. City dwellers should head to Marquette where nestled along Lake Superior the area’s largest city offers plenty to do during the day while at night lower night pollution and miles of public coastline make it an ideal place to see the lights. Slightly more remote, the Keweenaw Peninsula, also along Lake Superior, has plenty of activities including dog sledding, hiking, and camping for adrenaline seekers looking to combine a vacation with a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Photo: NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: NOAA Photo Library on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

 

Cook County, Minnesota

On the other side of Lake Superior, Minnesota’s Cook County offers the chance to see the Northern Lights anytime of year thanks to the area’s northern location and dark skies. For the best viewing, though, plan a trip in the fall or winter, rent one of the many cabins along the lake, spend your days exploring the artsy, harbor town of Grand Marais or enjoy outdoor activities like snowshoeing and at night watch the skies and be patient.

Photo: Jason Carpenter on Flickr (
Photo: Jason Carpenter on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado

Roughly two hours outside of Denver, Pawnee National Grassland’s vast wide open spaces and little light pollution make it a good place to see the Northern Lights, if you’re there at the right time. Similar to Cherry Hill State Park, Northern Light viewing peaks roughly every 11 years at Colorado’s Pawnee National Grassland. The last big years were 2013 and 2014 so you’ll want a wait a bit to plan a trip.

Photo: Bryce Bradford on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Photo: Bryce Bradford on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Tohoku: Off the Beaten Path in Northern Japan

Tucked in northern Japan, Tohoku is the emerging travel destination that needs to be on your must-visit list. Take the 90-minute ride on a bullet train from Tokyo and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. You’ll fall in love with the breathtaking forests surrounded by snowy peaks, never want to leave the hot springs you soak in each afternoon, and eat and drink your fill while visiting fish markets, partaking in noodle eating contests, and touring the area’s vineyards. It’s time to start planning your next adventure, so we’ve rounded up some of Tohoku’s highlights to get you started.

shibata miyagi tohoku japan train
JR Tohoku line train and cherry trees along Shiroishi river banks

Samurai Warriors

Visit the samurai village of Kakunodate for a glimpse of samurai architecture. Then learn all about how Japanese swords are made from Swordsmith Kunihiro (given name Mitsugu Nakahata) who owns a workshop in Inakadate.

Hot Springs

Caution: it’ll be hard to tear yourself away from the hot springs (onsen in Japanese). There are more than 10 different types of mineral hot springs in the Tohoku region. The different minerals are supposed to have various healing qualities. Soak in the sulphur-infused outdoor hot springs at the Zao Onsen resort or take in the views of the mountains overlooking Tazawa Lake while relaxing in the Nyuto Onsen, or, if you’re feeling daring, visit the 1,000-person hot spring at Sukayo Onsen.

onsen in nyuto akita japan
Japanese onsen in Nyuto, Akita Prefecture, Northern Japan

Eat

Tohoku is a foodie paradise. You’ll find some of the best sushi you’ve ever had in Miyagi, where there are more sushi restaurants than you could ever possibly visit. Throughout the Tohoku region you’ll find many fish markets, make sure you try the donburi, a rice bowl of fish, vegetables and meat at the local fish market. In Morioka you’ll want to try “The Great Noodles,” Wanko Soba (a noodle challenge where you’ll try to eat as many bowls of noodles as you can), Reimen and Jajamen. Go hungry, and don’t forget to consider staying at one of Tohoku’s farms during your trip.

japanese meal
Photo courtesy of #gotohoku

Drink

From whisky to wine, Tohoku artisans are brewing and fermenting delicious drinks. In Iwate you can learn about making sake and even make and label your own at the Sekinoichi Sake Brewery, while in Sendai you can visit the Akiu Winery where the owners are making wine from local grapes.

Highway on Mount Iwate in Tohoku, Japan
Highway on Mount Iwate in Tohoku, Japan

Find Your Zen

Learn to meditate like a monk at the Chokai-san International Zendo. Located in Akita, the center provides meditation for visitors with explanations in English. 

Lake Towada

This large crater lake is simply stunning. Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking around the lake where various mountain overlooks offer breathtaking views. After tiring yourself out opt to take a boat ride around the lake before indulging in ramen and salted fish in the nearby village.

Matsushima Bay

If you only go to one part of Tohoku make it Matsushima Bay. While fairly small, you could spend several days here. Wander around Fukuura Island, walk across the iconic red bridge, visit the Godaido Temple and tour the Shiogama Fish Market. If you’re game you can even shuck your own oysters for lunch.

godaido matsushima temple japan
Tourist at temple in Matushima, Northern Japan

 

*Featured image: Illuminated lanterns in wooden tunnel inside snow dome at Aomori Winter Festival, a famous snow festival in the Tohoku region of Japan

Discover Wine in Georgia

Think the birthplace of wine and it’s the rolling hills of France and the sloping Alps of Italy that likely come first to mind, but at the intersection of Europe and Asia lies a country where people have made wine for more than 8,000 years. It’s Georgia, full of dreamy landscapes, delicious food, and a rich wine history that should be on every oenophile seeking an off-the-beaten-path vacation’s must-visit list.

Start Your Georgian Wine Adventure in Tbilisi

Up-and-coming locales often take a bit of work to get to, and Georgia is no exception. The vast majority of flights arrive in the country’s capital city of Tbilisi. Check yourself into the trendy Hotel IOTA in Old Tbilisi for a couple days of city exploration and some time to get over jet lag.

georgia vineyard

Within a 15-minute walk from the hotel you’ll find something you want to visit: Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress for history buffs, the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Art Museum of Georgia for art lovers, and Puskin Park for those who just want some fresh air.

georgia wine table

And then there’s wine. By starting your Georgian wine adventure in Tbilisi you can get an introduction (or a refresher) on the country’s wine at the charming wine bar Vino Underground. Depending on the time of year you’re in country you’ll also want to plan on making your way to Vinotel, just a short 5-minute walk from the hotel. The restaurant has a lovely outdoor garden area for tasting wine and experiencing Georgian food.

Kakheti Wine Region

After a day or so in Tbilisi it’s time to venture outside of the city to Kakheti, Georgia’s eastern wine-making region. During the drive you’ll fall in love with the way the sunlight hits the rolling vineyards and while Kakheti is considered a day-trip from Tbilisi you’ll want to book a hotel or two in this area so you can make the most of your time. Here’s what not to miss while sipping and swirling. 

Schuchmann Wines Château

Beautiful vineyard views, a cozy wine bar, and a luxurious hotel—you’ll find it hard to leave Schuchmann Wines Château. Producing roughly 2 million bottles of wine a year, Schuchmann has a variety of Georgian wines to try including two sparkling, oak-aged, as well as wine made in the traditional qvevri method.

qvevri winemaking georgia

Qvevri Wine Museum

By this point of your trip you’ve at least heard the word qvevri, even if you haven’t seen one. The clay vessels, buried underground, are what Georgians have used to ferment wine for centuries. Qvevri is a winemaking method recognized by the UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the village of Napareuli you can visit the Qvevri Wine Museum, learn about the fermentation process, how the qvevris are made, and more about Georgia’s grapes and wine regions.

Tour the Alaverdi Monastery

Georgian Eastern Orthodox monks have made wine at the Alaverdi Monastery since the 11th Century. Book a wine tour in advance and see the marani (wine cellar), marvel at the monastery architecture, and purchase bottles of wine, labeled with “Since 1011.” Papari Wine Region Georgia

Papari Valley

Papari Valley vineyard is straight out of a fairytale. Located up a sloping mountain, it’s not easy to get to, but if you can arrange a visit to this small winery in advance it will be one of the highlights of your trip. You’ll be stunned by the views from the rooftop, charmed by the husband, wife, and son who own and run Papari Valley, and the natural wines, using no artificial yeast, will forever change the way you think about wine.

Extending Your Georgian Wine Vacation

Georgia is one of those places that would take a lifetime to truly explore. Depending on the amount of time you have in the country a few other places to see are the David Gareja Monastery, the city of SighnaghiChateau Mukhrani Winery, and Georgia’s western region, where you’ll find a less-developed wine region full of wine makers specializing in small production, all-natural wine.

Coziest Mountain-Town Airbnbs

From the rolling Appalachians to the dense, remote Sierra Nevadas, there are dozens of mountain ranges in America to immerse yourself in the serenity of small mountain-towns. While hundreds flock to tourist destinations like Aspen or Vail during ski season, many of the underrated locales on the far east and west are overlooked. Airbnb is a website and mobile application allowing private citizens to rent out anything from spare rooms to entire houses, offering travelers and tourists a more personal, authentic stay in lieu of traditional hotel rooms. Using Airbnb is one of the fastest growing economies, on par with rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The company even launched its own apartment brand last year. If you do your research, using the marketplace can not only save you money in expensive locations like the Rocky Mountains, but afford you a quirky, unconventional space to meet locals and collect unmatched stories. Whether you’re planning a late-winter snowboarding sabbatical, or just a romantic getaway for two, these charming, five-star Airbnbs will help you kick off the new year right.

 

Peaceful Tower Retreat – Carmel Valley, California

Nightly Rate: $175

tower retreat carmel valley california
Image via Airbnb

This tower-style cabin, embedded in the lush woodlands of California’s Carmel Valley, is just a short drive from world-renowned recreation centers such as Big Sur and Pacific Grove, boasting panoramic views of Garland Park and thousands of acres of biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Bird watching, wine tasting, and a host of other California pastimes are just a few of the activities available to you if you stay in the Carmel Valley. The hosts, Jeanne and “Tiger” Steele, are longtime locals who’re happy to give directions and recommendations. The space is similar to a studio apartment, perfect for a romantic two-person escapade overlooking the California valley.

 

Modern Studio – Rocky Mountain National Park

Nightly Rate: $110

rocky mountain cabin studio
Image via Airbnb

A studio apartment in the homeowner’s walkout basement, the elevation of the space features private, unparalleled views of Rocky Mountain National Park on the slopes of Prospect Mountain. Just four miles from downtown Estes Park, it offers the sought-after solitude of the mountains, in a convenient location to experience the hustle and bustle of nearby mountain-towns. The room comes equipped with a Serta queen-sized mattress with a 3-inch memory foam mattress topper and futon sofa that can be converted to a full size bed, comfortably accommodating three to four people. Even better, the property features a hot tub for stargazing or post-hike relaxation.

 

Bittersweet Cottage – Asheville, North Carolina

Nightly Rate: $250

cottage asheville north carolina
Image via Airbnb

The Blue Ridge Mountains are scenic and mystifying. Known for having a bluish color when seen from a distance, the region’s bouquet of oaks and maples release a compound called isoprene into the atmosphere, giving the mountains its characteristic haze and moody color. On the cusp of the Appalachian Valley, the one-bedroom, two-acre Bittersweet Cottage is nestled between downtown Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. In business for 14 years, the property owners provide a fully stocked complimentary breakfast, a private hot tub, and interactive Koi pond. Ideal for special occasions, the space may also serve as a casual bed and breakfast for friends.

‘Silo Studio’ Cottage – the Berkshires

Nightly Rate: $225

silo studio cottage air bnb
Image via Airbnb

Located in western Massachusetts, this two-story Berkshire round cabin features 35-foot high ceilings and quaint east coast architecture, including multi-paned mill windows overlooking the brook and lily garden below. This Tyringham Silo cottage looks like something out of a fairy tale, with cobblestone bridges, ponds, and a stone bench seating area with “chiminea” and available firewood. The property is open year-round, each season offering its own experience. The cottage is close to the Appalachian Trail for hiking and a number of ponds for swimming or kayaking.

 

Glacier Park Log Cabin – Glacier National Park

Nightly Rate: $260

glacier park log cabin
Image via Airbnb

This space is perfect for larger groups planning a wilderness vacation. A secluded log cabin on the cusp of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area of Montana’s Glacier National Park, the property features nearly 2,000-square-feet of living space, a garden with strawberry patches, apple trees, three vegetable gardens, and an herb greenhouse. Enjoy mountain views with access to rafting, hiking, fishing, and climbing. And at night, whip up some s’mores under a clear sky using the complimentary fire pit.