10 BEAUTIFUL VACATION SPOTS WHERE NATURE SHINES BEST

Vacations are especially beautiful times to get in touch with nature. Check out the 10 vacation destinations we’ve curated that are packed with nature’s finest. Get out there and start exploring!

1. NAMAQUALAND, SOUTH AFRICA

For a truly beautiful, flower-filled delight, head to Namaqualand, a region that extends for 170,000 square miles along the border of Namibia and much of South Africa. This land is usually arid and dry, but in springtime, daisies and other magnificent flowers beautifully bloom, covering the land.

2. SOGNEFJORD, NORWAY

Sognefjord, in Norway, runs for 127 miles, making it the largest fjord in Norway, and the 3rd largest in the world. You’ll experience the earth’s extreme highs and lows here, since the water is 1 mile deep, and the craggy mountains are 1.5 miles high.

3. TUNNEL OF LOVE, UKRAINE

The Tunnel of Love is an amusement railway near Klevan, Ukraine, created by arches formed by entangled trees. The history behind this 1.9 mile tunnel is unknown, but what we do know is that this is the perfect location for a romantic stroll through nature.

4. SIMPSON DESERT, AUSTRALIA

The rich, red sands of Simpson Desert, in Australia, make up the largest sand dune desert in the world. Stand atop Nappanerica, also known as Big Red, the largest dune in this desert, standing tall at 160 feet high. Stare up at the seemingly endless expanse of sky. And bask in the vastness of nature’s beauty.

5. PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK, CROATIA

Plitvice Lakes National Park, in Croatia, is the largest national park in the country and the oldest in Southeast Europe. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its mountainous terrain and 16 lakes, each connected by beautiful, tumbling waterfalls.

6. RED BEACH, PANJIN, CHINA

Soon, it will be the perfect time to visit the beautiful Red Beach, located 19 miles outside of Panjin City, China. The huge masses of seaweed in the water turn red, as summer ends and autumn begins, transforming the still water into a vivid shade of scarlet.

7. PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, MICHIGAN

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, on the shore of Lake Superior, Michigan, is lined with 42 miles of stratified sandstone cliffs. Paddle through sea caves and rock arches, or hike atop the rock formations, for spectacular views and inspiring scenery.

8. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA

Glacier National Park, in Montana, lies atop the U.S.-Canada border, and is jam packed with nature’s finest attractions, such as more than 700 miles of glorious trails, over 130 lakes, and parts of 2 different scenic mountain ranges (both of which are sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains.) The park encompasses over 1 million acres (4,000 km2). Its highlight is the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem", a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 square miles (41,000 km2).

9. THE APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, WISCONSIN

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, features 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland on the northern tip of Wisconsin, on the shore of Lake Superior. Check out the spectacular sandstone sea caves, historic old-growth remnant forests, and unspoiled animal habitats. A collection of historic lighthouses is another beautiful attraction.

10. THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM, VERMONT

The Northeast Kingdom, in Vermont, spans 2,027 square miles -- about 21% of the state. Bordered by the Connecticut River to the east and the Green Mountains to the west, about 80% of the Northeast Kingdom was covered by forest. The highest point is Jay Peak, a summit on the main ridge of the Green Mountains, at 3,858 feet (1,176 m).

Read more about Beautiful Vacations, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including Your Vacations are Beautiful Now! Part 1.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Chris Preen. Namaqualand. Namaqualand, South Africa.
2. Image: by Malcolm Manners. Namaqualand flowers. Namaqualand, South Africa.
3. Image: by Red Junasun. Sognefjord. Sognefjord, Norway.
4. Image: by Myroslava Rakovets. The Tunnel of Love. Klevan, Rivnenskyi region. Ukraine.
5. Image: by John Benwell. Camping in the Simpson. Camp #1 in the Western Simpson Desert, SA. Australia.
6. Image: by Clark & Kim Kays. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.
7. Image: by  吴张帆. Red Beach. Panjin, China.
8. Image: by David Marvin. Pictured Rocks - Lovers' Leap / Petit Portal. Lake Superior, Michigan.
9. Image:  by Wes. Ptarmigan Lake seen from Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. Glacier National Park, Montana.
10. Image: by Tim Wilson. Sea kayaking along Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Lake Superior, Wisconsin.
11. Image: by Marty Desilets. Shelter from the storm. Groton, Vermont.
12. Image: by Nathanael Coyne. Sognefjord. Sognefjord, Norway.
13. Image: by 刘红石. Red Beach in Panjin 红海滩. Panjin City, China.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by U235EU. Sea Arch on Sand Island. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin.