10 MOST BEAUTIFUL WONDERLANDS TO VISIT NOW
1. NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE -- SCHWANGAU, GERMANY
Neuschwanstein Castle, in Schwangau, Germany, is the epitome of a wonderland castle. It was built as a retreat for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, aka the “fairy-tale king,” and was inspired by his love for composer Richard Wagner’s music.
2. MULTNOMAH FALLS -- CORBETT, OREGON
Fed by an underground spring, snowmelt, and rainfall, Multnomah Falls, in Corbett, Oregon, is the 4th tallest waterfall in the US. According to Native American legend, the falls were created to win over a young princess, tempting her with a secret place to bathe.
3. WISTMAN’S WOOD -- DEVON, ENGLAND
A mossy wonderland awaits in Wistman’s Wood, in Devon, England. With its ancient forest, filled gnarled trees and misty atmosphere, it’s easy to see how magical place inspired fables, fairy tales, and supernatural imaginings throughout history.
4. SHIRATANI UNSUIKYO RAVINE -- YAKUSHIMA, JAPAN
Moss makes forests look and feel more magical. The moss-covered trees of Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine is a prime example. This wonderland is a perfect place for forest bathing or meditation, as the moss muffles sound, save for the gentle trickle of sweet streams as they dance across ancient rocks.
5. FAUX DE VERZY NATIONAL FOREST -- CHAMPAGNE REGION, FRANCE
The fact that Faux de Verzy National Forest is situated within the Champagne region of France only serves to add to its wonderland qualities. More than 1,000 gorgeous contorted dwarf beech trees 1,000, some of which are so extraordinary they are individually named, make this a unique landscape. The Maiden’s Fau, for example, is the tree where Joan of Arc once napped.
6. SAUT DE BROT -- BOUDRY, SWITZERLAND
Saut de Brot is a little stone bridge that spans the bottom of the lush Areuse Gorge, in Boudry, Switzerland. With both storybook charm and offering spectacular views, it makes this forest a thrilling wonderland to explore.
7. SANTA MARIA DELL’ISOLA MONASTERY -- TROPEA, ITALY
Santa Maria dell’Isola, in Tropea, Italy, is a heavenly wonderland. This medieval church, built in 4th century is perched on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea offering a spectacular view of the “Coast of the Gods.” The nearby town is said to have been founded by Hercules!
8. TOURLITIS LIGHTHOUSE -- ANDROS, GREECE
Like a wonderland siren, the Tourlitis Lighthouse, off the coast of Andros, Greece, evokes tales of sea dragons and Leviathan adventures. Plenty of photo ops here.
9. CROOKED FOREST -- GRYFINO, POLAND
Krzywy Las, aka The Crooked Forest, in Gryfino, Poland, looks like it’s a wonderland under a witch’s spell. More than 400 trees in this forest are shaped with an unusual bend in their trunks. The real reason for their crookedness remains a mystery.
10. HALL OF MOSSES, HOH RAINFOREST -- FORKS, WASHINGTON
The Hall of Mosses, in Olympic National Park, located in the Hoh Rainforest, in Washington state, is a dreamy wonderland hiking trail. Giant old-growth trees are cloaked with thick green “velvet,” giving them a fantastic majestic quality.
See more amazing wonderlands in our story: 10 Most Beautiful Places to Dream About & Visit.
Read more about Beautiful Wonderland in Experience A Beautiful Otherworldly Wonderland Right Here on Earth, Gorgeous Alice in Topiary Wonderland IRL and Beautiful Renewal of Spirit in Wonderland.
And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.
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IMAGE CREDITS:
- Image: by Keith. “Schloss Neuschwanstein.” Hohenschwangau. Bavaria, Germany.
- Image: by Jim Bauer. “Multnomah Falls.” Multnomah, OR.
- Image: by Franz Venhaus. “2017 Trip to England.” Wistman’s Wood. Devon, England.
- Image: by JoshBerglund19. “Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine.” Yakushima, Japan.
- Image: by Vincent Brassinne. “A thwarted life in les ‘Faux de Verzy’ at the heart of Champagne region in France.”
- Image: by Хрюша. “Footbridge over the Areuse in the Gorges de l'Areuse near Brot-Dessous.” Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
- Image: by mcmamauri. "When Tomorrow Comes." Tropea. Calabria, Italy.
- Image: by anjči. “Südwestseite des Leuchtturms.” Tourlitis Lighthouse. Andros, Greece.
- Image: by Lisa. “Crooked Forest.” Gryfino, Poland.
- Image: Courtesy of The Cephalopod Arm Wrestling Club. “Pink Rainforest Pixie.” Forks, Washington.
- Image: by daveynin. “Hall of Mosses.” Jefferson, Washington.
- Image: by Βethan. “Wistman's Wood.” Two Bridges, England. U.K.
- Image: by BN App - Download now!
- Image: by JoshBerglund19. “Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine.” Yakushima, Japan.