Some destinations are so breathtaking they feel almost unreal. These “pinch-me” places turn ordinary travel into unforgettable moments you’ll treasure long after returning home.
Here are five such places I visited that will remain indelible in my memory. While there are far more than five incredible places on this earth, I’m starting with these. If you ever get the chance to visit any of them, please go! (Some photos are from many years ago, so excuse the quality).
Snorkeling Iceland’s Silfra Fissure
Floating between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates is one of the world’s most unusual underwater adventures.You’re surrounded by incredibly clear, glacier-filtered water with temperatures hovering around 35F making it mandatory to wear a thick dry suit. You gradually enter the near-freezing waters and begin floating with your guide. A gentle current takes you along the marked route with the aid of flippers.
Visibility reaches depths of over 200 feet, with views of remarkable rock formations and vibrant blue hues. It feels like another world. All you can hear is your own breathing while taking in a sunken geological landscape. Depending on your speed, it takes between 30-40 minutes.
China’s Terracotta Warriors
Standing inside the excavation pits housing an estimated 8,000 masterpieces takes your breath away. Discovered in 1974 by farmer’s digging a well, this extraordinary archaeological site contains life-size clay soldiers created more than 2,000 years ago to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. Each warrior has unique facial features, hairstyles, clothing and expressions making them lifelike. It’s said they are fashioned after people who lived in the day. Alongside the figures are horses, weapons and chariots. Walking beside them staring at the intricacy of the craftsmanship offers a glimpse into ancient China. Archaeologists continue working in the pits. They realize with recent new findings, they have only just begun to unearth the entire tomb.
Petting and Kissing Gray Whales in Baja, Mexico
I was told by a fellow adventurer before I embarked on this trip it would rate as one of my top five travel experiences. He was correct. Few wildlife encounters compare with meeting gray whales in Mexico’s San Ignacio lagoon. Each winter these magnificent creatures migrate from northern Arctic waters to the warm, sheltered lagoons of Baja California Sur to give birth to their calves. Up to eight guests board a small, wooden panga (boat) manned by a captain who knows the lagoon well. The whales are remarkably comfortable and approach visitors gliding around the waters. These gentle creatures willingly choose to come alongside the boats for passengers to pet and even kiss them. Some Mama’s even nudge their babies close to the boat to show their precious offspring.
Mushing a Dog Sled Team in Alaska
The Alaskan wilderness is exhilarating on it’s own. But mush a team of dogs across the frozen tundra and it’s an absolute blast! Standing on the sled runners as a team of energetic pups pull you across the white landscape you quickly understand why dog mushing is such an important part of Alaska’s history and culture. Before embarking on your journey, an instructor gives you the basic commands. The dogs work together, responding to your instructions while their paws crunch through the snow. Surrounded by mountains, forests and wide-open spaces it feels wonderfully remote. Between the crisp air, enthusiastic pooches, and spectacular scenery, mushing offers an unforgettable glimpse into the Last Frontier.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacán, Mexico
Every winter millions of monarch butterflies make the journey from Canada and northern US to Mexico’s mountainous Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They use their sun compass and internal biological clock to navigate south. It’s believed the Earth’s magnetic field helps them orient themselves along the journey.
One of the most amazing parts is it’s never the same generation returning each year! The butterflies returning aren’t the ones who left Mexico the previous spring. They choose this sanctuary because the misty forests of oyamel fir trees protect them from harsh northern weather, and there is milkweed on which they feed.
On my visit, our group hiked 11,000 feet up steep trails to where the monarchs gather. Upon arriving our jaws dropped at the number of orange and black beauties. Branches sagged at the weight of them. Trunks were blanketed. The ground was covered. Millions of wings flapping at once sounded like a waterfall. We sat among them for hours in awe of Mother Nature.
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