Traveling is fun, but it's even better when your breath is stolen by the magic of aesthetics. Lots of photographers and travelers understand beauty, producing hashtags such as #followmeto and #wanderlust on social media. Below are ten places to visit if you want to feel the magic of beauty when you travel, five from the U.S and five are out of country. Time to add some things on your bucket list!
1. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, Synchronous Fireflies
The Great Smoky Mountains, located on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, is a beautiful place. As a sub-range of the Appalachian Mountains, you can do things like day hikes, overnight hikes, camp, watch the sun both set and rise, etc. While all of these views are incredible, and probably beautiful enough to instill feelings of wonder and fantasy, there’s one event that may just top all the other events that can happen at this location. For two weeks out of the year, fireflies congregate in one area to mate, producing a natural light show in the forests and mountains of this area. The thousands of yellow lights blinking between trees, bushes, and blades of grass make it look other worldly, as if tiny fairies have come out of hiding. Hundreds of tourists come to see this, and you should be among them.
2. Redwood Forest, California
What better screams FANTASY WORLD like trees as big as giants and as wide as mountains? You can’t help but feel small in comparison to these godly giants. The forest is like a whole different world, even more so when these trees seem to touch the sky. Located in California, the Redwood Forest is a popular tourist destination. Walk and drive by these trees, and if you’re feeling a little bit like a daredevil, walk across the Redwood Treewalk that’s 553 meters long and 12 meters (almost 40 feet) above ground, no harness or any protective gear needed. Sadly, the biggest attraction of the Redwood Forest, the car tunnel through one of their trees, actually was destroyed in a storm this year, but there are still some amazing things to do with the forest.
3. Midway Ice Castles, Utah
Built by hand, these ice fixtures conjure up their own frozen magic as you walk through them. Different color lights are projected on the ice, creating a breathtaking view as the hues of blues, purples, and greens illuminate the crystals that fall from the walls. You do have to buy tickets, and they do have a season, so make sure you plan in advance to visit this masterpiece. Dress warm and go visit these castles if you want to feel like you’ve been transported to a purely iced world.
4. Glacier Bay, Alaska
With the snow dusted mountain tops in the background and the still blue bay, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a painting. If you want to feel as if you’re the only person in the world, head to Glacier Bay early in the morning when the first rays of morning light touch the crystal blue waters. The scenery will remind you of fantasy novels and movies, the wildlife reminding you of where we came from. Cruises and hikes are offered through this park, so go take advantage of the magic that comes from the beauty of this place.
5. The Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina
Come on, with a name like this, you can’t help but feel as if you’re in another world on a journey to find something. With trees sticking out of the black waters, you’ll feel as if you’re being watched from the hidden nooks within the trunks or below the surface. The name definitely does not disappoint when you kayak through these waters, the fog from that day’s weather creating an enchanting sight. Historically, humans used to inhabit this area, runaway slaves using it for safety. So maybe, just maybe, you are being watched up from below that surface.
6. Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
With gnarled trees bending towards the packed down path, you’ll feel as if their limbs are trying to grab on to you. Ivy cover their trunks, and if you’re lucky enough to be on the path by yourself, you can’t help but feel the beautiful scariness of the location. And, yes, this was a location used within Game of Thrones. They knew how the sight could spring up feelings of magic and wonder, so if you don't believe me, believe the directors of Game of Thrones.
7. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Come on, glowing worms, does that sound like something that should belong to something as boring as Earth? These caves are full of the little critters, creating what looks like stars on the walls. Travel through them by a small boat and imagine you’re floating through the sky. Waitomo Cave is just one of many in New Zealand, so you have many options to choose from.
9. Vaadhoo Island, Maldives
On the subject of glowing and bio-luminescence, travel over to the Maldives and witness the tiny blue lights on the shores of this beach. Watch as your feet leave glowing footprints along the sands as the single-celled organisms are dragged across the shore by waves. No better way to feel like a mermaid than to visit this glowing beach.
9. Bali, Indonesia
Even better, go to Bali at night and feel like a mermaid as you run your hands through the water, producing more bio-luminescent lights. Instead of single celled organisms, these are plankton that glow. When agitated, they light up, but only for a second. Go for a short boat ride and watch as you leave behind a trail of blue lights.
10. Isle of Skye, Kilt Rock, Scotland
Go and stand at the end of the Earth at Kilt Rock. Stare off the edge (or as close to the edge as the fence will let you) and look into the ocean. This is where the world ends, the jagged rock dropping off fast into ocean waters. Enjoy the breeze and the salt air it brings all while contemplating life at your spot to seeing the drop off of the world.
