I've always had intense wanderlust -- a desire to travel the globe and see as much as I possibly can. Unfortunately, I don't currently have the funds or the time to do much traveling, but that doesn't mean I can't dream about the places I'll visit one day. One of my favorite things to do is look at images of these places, and daydream about the moment I'll arrive there. This being said, here's a list of my personal favorite places.
P.S. Please excuse the multiple "Game of Thrones" references. It's just hard not to compare because these places are so fantastical.
1. Chittorgarh Fort, India
This one goes out to all the Game of Thrones fans. Does this place not put Kings Landing to shame? However, this world heritage site has seen similar bloodshed, as it was once the battleground for warring Indian tribes. Don't forget that as an added bonus, Chittorgarh Fort is Joffrey-free.
2. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
This incredible castle is enough to make anyone wish they had lived in Renaissance times. From the scenic views to the perfectly pearl towers, this is the stuff of your dreams. Once home to a Bavarian king, this castle boasts hundreds or ornate rooms. I mean, it had to be fit for a king, right?
3. Montana Magica Lodge, Chile
This lodge shames any previous hotel you might have stayed at. Nestled in the Patagonian wilderness, this fantastical lodge looks like something right out of "Lord of the Rings." The lodge shaped like a volcano, but every day spews water, not lava, all over its foliage-crusted walls. This hotel is aimed at the adventurous, as the only entrance is via a suspended rope bridge,
4. Split Pinnacle, China
Split Pinnacle is located in the Hunan Province of China, on the banks of the Yangtze River. Made of solid rock, these structures tower over the ground beneath with overwhelming magnitude. These needle-like structures are enough to give anyone a fear of heights, am I right?
5. Mù Cang Chải
These are perhaps some of the most beautiful rice paddies in the world. These paddies are located in the relatively poor Mù Cang Chải district of Vietnam. Fortunately, the stunning natural beauty of the area has increased both domestic and international tourism, bringing a small revenue stream to the area. I don't know about you, but I'd learn rice farming if it meant a trip to this place.
6. Cinque Terre, Italy
First of all, I would definitely go anywhere in Italy. I mean, it's Italy... There's pizza and gelato. However, this verdant village hugging the Italian Riviera is first on my list. Its lack of commercial development has allowed this town to keep it's historical charm. It's so charming, in fact, that UNESCO gave it (and four surrounding villages) World Heritage Site status in 1999.
7. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
This incredible grove of trees, planted by a an Irish family in the eighteenth century, is essentially a tunnel to another world. The intertwining of the thick, twisted branches makes this natural wonder a sight to behold. This place is so magical, in fact, that the production team on "Game of Thrones" used this very site for several scenes in the show.
8. The Rock Restaurant, Zanzibar
You don't even have to like beaches to adore the Rock Restaurant; you just have to appreciate fresh food and stunning natural beauty. Sitting on a large rock on Zanzibar Island, this restaurant offers fresh, just-out-of-the-water meals, gorgeous views, and a potential post-lunch swim. My only remaining question is... has The Rock (Johnson) visited the Rock?
9. Okavango Delta, Botswana
This delta is so magnificent that it has been declared one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. This comes as no surprise, considering that it is one of the three largest and most fertile deltas in the world. While there have been a couple minor threats to this delta's health and permanence over the years, it has remained largely unblemished by humans.
10. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Japan
When you think of the word "forest," this bamboo wonder is most likely not what comes to mind. The seemingly infinite number of bamboo stalks will tower over you, encase you, and certainly make you feel as though you're in another world entirely. There's only one upward sloping path through this grove, so I would suggest taking your time and bringing a water bottle.
These are some of my favorite places, so thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed my list and have now booked all of the required plane tickets to each of these locations. Hopefully, I'll see you there.
