“Travelling will never be the Same…

We are going to Appreciate it Even More!”

Article Wrote during 2020 the 2020 World Pandemic, dedicated to all passionate travellers that are keeping the wanderlust alive.

Are you also starring outside a window and asking yourself when will you able to travel again? Are you also dreaming about all the places out there and feel an itchy feeling down your spine? As if the vast and wide world is calling you but you’re chained inside a house?

That’s exactly how I feel right now. The wanderlust within is burning me. A few days ago I switched on the TV (I never did in the past 11 years) and I heard some pompous politician saying that “people won’t feel the urge to travel like before”. I switched it off (probably for the next 11 years), and smiled.

I found this statement funny because we, travellers at heart, are essentially road-addicted routine-allergic junkies. The hunger for discovery once unleashed, it’s insatiable. We won’t stop travelling, as travelling IS life.

The way we travel will change, the world of travelling will change. Everyone is sure of this. And it will. I am sure of it too!

After this pandemic, I am sure we will appreciate travelling even more as we won’t give it for granted anymore.

Our eyes will be even more wide open to see what’s behind our walls and our hearts will beat even faster while witnessing the marvels this world has to offer.

So for now, let’s watch patiently outside of that window together! As this dark period will soon (and it will!), let’s day-dream, plan and get ready for our future adventures!

In this article, you’ll find 10 Stunning Natural Wonders you should put on your post-Covid bucket list and see in your Lifetime, enjoy!

Let’s Go with the 7 Natural Wonders!

1. Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni, Bolivia)

Have you ever wished you could step on clouds?

The largest mirror on Earth and hands-down the most incredible place I’ve ever been to.

The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, larger than 10.000km2! Situated in the South-West part of Bolivia at 3500 meters over sea level, is a view that can only be described as otherworldly! 

In normal conditions, the terrain of this immense expanse is covered with hexagonal salt shapes that already appear as a natural miracle themself. Still, it’s when the rain gently covers the ground that the magic truly happens!

In perfect conditions, the refraction of the light on the thin layer of salty water brings the sky to Earth. The horizon blurs. The result is a 360° immersion into pure beauty. Encircled by colorful lagoons and stunning deserts, populated by pink flamingos and native lamas, the Salar de Uyuni is a place everyone should see at least once in a lifetime.

If from the photos it looks unreal, in reality, it’s even more!

Best Months to Visit Salar de Uyuni: January-March is the rainy season and it’s when you’re most likely to encounter the mirror effect. April, depending on the year, may also be ok. The rest of the year is cold and dry.

Best Way to Get There: From Uyuni, there are organized day-tours (costing ~50Euro) or a 4-days tour (starting from ~130Euro) which include the salt flats, lagoons, and deserts around the lake (I can highly recommend doing the full trip!)

Hotspots Nearby Salar de Uyuni: Trains Cemetery, Salt Hotel Playa Blanca, Dakar Salt Statue & Flags Island, Cactus Island, Desert of Salvador Dalì, Vulcan Ollague, Laguna Cañapa, Laguna Honda, Stone Tree, Vizcachas Canyon, Laguna Colorada, Geothermal Field Sol de la Manana geysers, Green Lagoon, Valley of Rocks, Red Lagoon, Polques Hot Springs

2. Kelingking Beach (Bali, Indonesia)

Pssst…Hey…This T-rex is watching you!

Located on Nusa Penida Island, at 50 minutes of speedboat from the nearby Bali, Kelingking Beach is both a stunning natural marvel and a demanding fitness challenge.

On clear days, the cloudless sky melts into the shockingly blue sea. The contrast between the light-brown of the beach, the emerald green of nature, and the crystal marine blue of the waves create a picture of utmost beauty.

Kelingking beach is a spectacular view that you should definitely not miss if you’re planning to visit Bali and around. Getting ON the beach though is also an extra experience.

In fact, access to the beach is possible only by a steep and crooked 150m tall staircase, which takes 45 minutes to descend and about 90 minutes to come back up. If we add to this strain the Indonesian scorching sun above, it’s no wonder that so few tourists can actually touch the sand. leaving the beach almost private for the few daring ones.

If you want to know more on How to Visit Kelingking Beach and nearby Hotspots, I talk about it in our Bali: Ultimate Travel Guide.

Best Months to Visit Kelingking Beach: Weather-wise any month is fine, outside of June-September is when you’ll find fewer tourists and better deals for accommodation/transportation

Best Way to Get There: if you have time, I suggest to spend 3 nights on Nusa Penida and come to Kelingking Beach with your own scooter. If you don’t have so much time, book a day-trip from Sanur (Bali).

Hotspots Nearby: Diamond Beach, Atuh Beach, Teletubbies Hills, Tembeling Natural Pool, Underground Temple Goa Giri Putri, Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay, Broken Beach, Nusa Lembongan

3. Lapland (Levi, Finland)

Are you in for The Winter Wonderland under Northern Lights?

Located within the arctic circle, Lapland is the northernmost region of Finland and a paradise for winter lovers.

Here winter nights are long and cold. During some “days” you won’t even see the sunlight as the nights last 24 hours. The lowest temperatures can reach freezing -50°C (!!!) degrees. Still, if you’re still reading and you don’t feel scared of cold, then Lapland is probably a place you should put on your bucket list.

Nature in Lapland reigns uncontested. During the winter months, the trees become almost unrecognizable ice-sculptures, the lakes freeze and turn into white expanses while night skies get painted with the eye-melting colors of the aurora borealis.

If you plan to visit Lapland, you’ll discover a new lifestyle and activities to do. I set my base in Levi (Finland) and have to admit that it has everything you could wish for. From endless kilometers of cross-country skiing, ski-lifts, husky slides,  Reinders, hellish hot saunas, and the village of Santa Klaus; there’s something for every taste!

Personally, my favourite experience has been renting a snowmobile and driving freely for 200 kilometers around Lapland’s uncontaminated winter immensity. On the way, is only you and the winter. Only sometimes you see some cartel pointing you the way, for the rest is nature at its finest.

If you want to experience the most winterish winter ever (and you don’t mind dressing up every day like a Michelin Mascotte) Lapland is definitely the place to be!

Don’t forget to get some Minttu & Salmiakki for your staying (Finnish local spirits). They’ll keep your heart warm while visiting that marvelous winter kingdom.

Best Months to Visit Lapland: February-March are the best months to visit Lapland as the landscape will be entirely coated by thick snow and the temperature is not so cold as in December and January (still it’ll be constantly under 0°C). During those months you may also enjoy a few hours of light which are nice if you plan to tour around with skis or snowmobile.

Best Way to Get There: The easiest way to reach Lapland is to fly to Rovaniemi and move from there. Alternatively, you can also get an 8 hours train from the Finnish capital city of Helsinki.

To move around Lapland, a well-connected network of buses is active year-round. I suggest you have a look at the official Lapland website for more information. I can suggest Onnibus as a reliable bus company.

Hotspots Nearby: Santa Klaus Village (Rovaniemi), Reindeers & Huskys Safari, Snow Village, Ivalo, Urho Kekkonen Park

4. Iguazu Falls (Puerto Iguazu, Argentina)

Woah, It’s Not possible it really Exists!

Probably that’s what the first Spanish conquistador thought when he discovered the Iguazu falls in 1541. And what also every other person did ever since!

The Iguazu Falls, located in the heart of Latino America, with the Iguazu river sign the border between Brazil and Argentina. Counting 275 individual cascades, the largest of which being the “Devil’s throat”  measuring 90m wide and 80m deep), Iguazu is the largest and most breathtaking waterfall system on Earth.

Immersed in the tropical lush jungle and populated by curious animal species (between which the cute Coatis), the sheer size and unstoppable power of the Iguazu waterfalls make up the scenery that it’s spectacular and unforgettable.

The falls are accessible both from the Brasilian side (Foz do Iguaçu) and the Argentinian side (Puerto Iguazu). There’s a huge debate ongoing (and there’ll be forever) on which side is the best to visit.

Having tried both, I prefer the Argentinian side as the park is much larger to walk and it makes you feel like an adventurer exploring all the little streets and falls up to the Devil’s throat. Still, if you have time to see both, also the Brazilian side is worth a shot (then I would do first Brazil and then Argentina, to go with a crescendo 😉 ).

Best Months to Visit the Iguazu Falls: Iguazu is a destination for all seasons; the weather is always warm with an average temperature ranging from 21°C -coldest- to 32°C warmest).

You may want to check the lunar calendar if you’re interested in joining a full-moon tour to the waterfalls.

Best Way to Get There: the fastest way to reach the falls is to arrive at one of the nearby International Airports at Foz or Puerto Iguazu. I arrived here twice by bus from Paraguay and Rio de Janeiro and have seen that the falls are well-connected by buses from all nearby countries.

Hotspots Nearby: Parque das Aves, Wanda Mines, Three Borders Landmark

5. Big Daddy Dune (Sossuvlei, Namibia)

It can’t get more Desertic than This!

As one of the most iconic and tallest dunes in the world, the Big Daddy is located in the heart of the Namib-Naukluft National Park in West Namibia.

Hidden far away from mass tourism, this incredible 325meter tall dune is a feat of determination both to reach and to climb. The best way to reach the dune is in fact, renting a 4×4 camping car and self-drive through the desert; while climbing it, it takes good 90 minutes, healthy condition, and liters of water.

The panorama over the boundless Namibian desert and the nearby salt pans of Sossuvlei and Deadvlei seems out of a sci-fi extra-terrestrial movie. If you’re willing to know more about the Big Daddy dune and how to visit it, I left plenty of information in my series of articles Namibia: The Roadtrip Survival Guide.

If you want an extreme, out-of-the-ordinary experience with a sky-high pay-off that you should work hard to deserve, make sure to write the Big Daddy on top of your list of places to see.

Best Months to Visit the Big Daddy Dune: Sossuvlei is a park that can be visited year-round as the weather it’s almost always sunny and dry. Relatively colder months are July-September, while the warmest is April and May.

Better visit in the early hours when the sand is still not unbearably hot.

Best Way to Get There: The easiest way (which is not easy but still doable) to get there, is to self-drive through the desert with a 4×4. More expensive organized tours are also available from the main cities of Windhoek and Swakopmund.

Hotspots Nearby: Dune 7, Dune 45, Sesriem. Further away: Swakopmund, Etosha National Park

6. Chapada Diamantina (Bahia, Brazil)

That’s How you Hide giant mountain Plateaus!

The Chapada Diamantina National Park is a humongous plateau of over 41.000km² of the area situated in the Brazilian state of Bahia composed of lush escarpments and tall rocky cliffs. 

Home to several endangered animal species and away from the crowds, the Chapada Diamantina is a place of silence and peace. To navigate through the park it takes an old-school map (as most roads are mentioned on Maps), an own vehicle (there are tours from Bahia but only to few selected hotspots), and tons of patience: trial and error!

Breath-taking waterfalls, vertical precipices, and magnificent rock formations are just the highlights of a place that until today has been able to hide away from mass tourism and the stressful rhythm of modernity.

If you are a fan of hike-trails, climbing or you’re simply looking for an experience with a “private” and “intimate” feeling to it, I can definitely recommend this unbelievable destination!

Best Months to Visit Chapada Diamantina: Year Round. The climate is tropical and warm during the whole year, seasons are not extreme with the rainy season being November-March and the dry one being from August-October.

Temperatures are normally comfy during the day and, due to the altitude, chillier during the night.

Best Way to Get There: self-driving is the option that allows for greater flexibility and freedom, and allows you to go at your own rhythm. If you cannot or don’t feel comfortable driving, tours to specific hotspots are available from the nearby towns of Salvador or Lencois.

Hotspots Nearby:  Pai Inacio, Cachoera da Fumaca, Pratinha Grotto, Piscinas Naturais do Serranos Salvador, Cachoeira do Buracao, Gruta de Lapa Doce, Recife, Lençóis Maranhenses

7. Halong Bay (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Beware the Descending Dragon!

“Descending Dragon” is the meaning of Halong in English. In fact, according to an ancient Vietnamese legend, a dragon sent by the gods came to help the locals defending the bay from attackers and once won, its emerald teeth of where left in the bay to discourage future aggressions.

After countless centuries, those dragon teeth turned into the over 1600 limestone islands and islets that form the archipelago of Halong Bay as we see it today.

Believing in this poetic history or not, the truth is that the natural harbour of Halong, located in the North of Vietnman, is nothing less than a pristine jewel of nature.

Countless uninhabited little islands, the reflection of the precipitous walls in the bright emerald water and an extremely rich biodiversity make the whole scenery surrealistic and unique in the world. If you plan to pass through Vietnam (and you should as that country as so much to offer!) Halong Bay must definitely be on your list.

Best Months to Visit: October to December! These are the months where normally it’s sunnier and warmer (and thus the most chosen by tourists also!)

Best Way to Get There: Organised Day-Tours start every day from the Vietnamese Capital of Hanoi and take care of every detail (transportation, boat, entrances to attractions etc.). There are also normal buses if you wish to stay more days or Halong Bay Overnight Cruises if you wish to experience the bay during the Night and be already there for watching the sunrise from a priviledge position.

Hotspots Nearby:  Hang Sung Sot Cave, Cat Ba Island, Me Cung Cave, Virgin Cave, Cat Ba National Park, Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Hospital Cave, Cat Ba Town

8.  Table Mountain (Cape Town, South Africa)

Ok, That’s a very large Table for a Pic-Nic!

Table Mountain is the most iconic and recognized landmark of Cape Town and UNESCO

Situated on the Southernmost edge of Africa and 1085m tall, the Table Mountain is a curious rock formation characterized by an over three kilometers long flat-top and impressive precipitous cliffs.

To reach the top the most rewarding experience is to ascend through a medium-difficulty walking-trail which takes between 2-3 hours and a lot of sweat. Alternatively, if walking is not your thing, a convenient and spectacular cable is also available since 1929.

On clear days, the mountain offers incredible views of the metropolis and the sea below, with blazing sceneries at sunset. Last but not least, you can really utilize that flat pinnacle for a huge pic-nic 😉

Overall, the scenery from the top is just so impressive as it is to see the Table mountains from the countless watchpoints scattered all over Cape Town, adjacent mountains, and islands.

Best Months to Visit: October to March if you’re looking for dry hot weather. It’s better to visit early morning (8 am) to avoid the queues if you plan on taking the cable car. Sometimes in the afternoon “Table Cloth” clouds ascend the edge of the mountain hiding the summit, so be sure of the weather before attempting the climb.

Best Way to Get There: Once in Cape Town; Bus, Taxi, Renting a Car or Uber, are all viable options to reach the starting point of the trekking or the cable car base.

I would suggest going more for the latter two (Uber or Private Car) as I feel them safer (while buses and taxis quiet sketchy), but ultimately is up to your instinct what works best for you:)

Hotspots Nearby:  Robben Island, Lion’s Head, Cape of Good Hope, Cape Point, Elgin Valley, Stellenbosch Vineyards, Boulders Beach, The Waterfront, Signal Hill

9. Cliffs of Moher (Galway, Ireland)

Wait… I guess that’s Not the Pub’s Toilet!

Ireland, also named the “emerald island” of Europe, is a country extremely rich in traditions, legends, customs, beer culture, and fierce nature.

Here magic is tangible all around: in the swollen clouds, in the downpours, on the bottom of the over 10 million glasses of Guinness Stout sold every day and, most of all, on the west-coast south of Galway where we find one of the most magical natural sceneries in the world: the Cliffs of Moher.

In fact, these humongous rock monsters are so huge that’s hard to believe they’re real (they reach 214m at the highest point). Like guardians fending the sea’s waves and protecting Ireland from the ocean, the Cliff’s of Moher is a spectacular natural wonder like no other.

My best advice is to enjoy them with a glass of Guinness and some good traditional Irish music for completing the magical experience;)

Best Months to Visit: April to September are the warmest months and therefore more enjoyable. Don’t get scared by rainy days in Ireland (there’ll always be), as after the rain is when the green of Ireland shines the most dazzling… and you never know you might find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow 😉

Best Way to Get There: Self-Drive is a good option in terms of freedom but of course, not the best one if you’d like to stop having a couple of Guinness Pints on the way. Day-Tours from Galway or virtually any Irish Town (Ireland is not too big, in 3 hours you can do it side to side) are available every day for moderate prices.

Hotspots Nearby:  Burren, Connemara, Galway, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Tralee, Aran Islands

10.  The Dolomites (Trentino-Veneto-Friuli, Italy)

Lakes? Yes. Hiking? Yes. Snow? Yes. Keep going…

Who said that Italy is only history, art cities, sea, and good food? These rocky marvels will twist your opinion of Italy upside down!

The Dolomites are a mountain range located within the Italian Eastern Alps, spanning over the regions of Trentino, South-Tyrol, and Belluno for a total whooping area of 15.942 km².

Immersed in the alpine Italian forest, in summer the Dolomites are a paradise for cyclists, climbers, hikers, paragliders, and rafters.

Not only that though, but they’re also an incredible destination for ANY mountain-lover willing to spend time immersed in nature at 360°C, breathe clean air, and enjoy the slow passing of time away from chaotic cities.

With more than 500 (!!!) mountain lakes, 18 peaks over 3000 meters, one National Park, and eight Natural Parks; the Dolomites are a biological ecosystem like no other in Europe and definitely something to see at least once in life (and if you do see them once, hardly it’ll be the last time!).

In winter then, the region of the Dolomites changes its clothes and becomes an ideal place for a white holiday or a short getaway. With over 1200km (!!!) of Ski slides, nature-immersed Spas, and frozen lakes, the winter magic is behind every corner.

Best Months to Visit: May-September (for summer activities), December-February (for winter activities)

Best Way to Get There: you can take buses or trains from the main airports in Northern Italy (Milano, Bergamo, Verona). Still, as the region is so wide, transportation depends a lot on the exact location you’ll choose as your home base. My best advice is to rent a car which will give you the highest degree of freedom!

Hotspots Nearby:  Marmolada, Altopiano della Paganella, Val di Non, Val di Sole, Val di Fassa, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Campiglio Pinzolo, Dolomiti Bellunesi, Alpe di Siusi, Val Gardena, Val di Fiemme, Val Pusteria, Trentino, Sud Tirolo

HM: The Serengeti (Kenya – Tanzania) 

Say Goodbye to what you thought really mattered,

and discover the laws of survival!

Last but not least, an honorable mention.

I know I said 10 places, but cherry-picking them wasn’t easy and for every one I included there were 3-4 that I had to exclude… but the Serengeti, oh… it would have been impossible to leave it out of this list!

The Serengeti ecosystem, is the most famous and popular national park in Africa, it’s composed by the Serengeti Park in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya (here you can discover our guide to all parks of Kenya and Tanzania).

With a mind-blowing extension of over 30.000 square kilometers, 70 species of large mammals (including wild lions!), and 500 species of birds, the Serengeti is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa (along with the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, the Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya, the Nile in Egypt, the Sahara Desert, the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Red Sea Reef.

If you are dying to escape from urbanization, and you dream of nature in the wild, harsh, severe, but breathtaking… the Serengeti is the destination for you! 

Best Months to Visit: May-September (for the Wildebeest Great Migration), December-February (for lower prices)

Best Way to Get There: fly to the Kilimanjaro Airport, Arusha airport (Tanzania) or Nairobi (Kenya), rent a jeep or join a safari tour from there. You could also check out Serengeti Tours directly from the Uk, where everything will be organised for you beforehand.

Hotspots Nearby:  Marmolada, Altopiano della Paganella, Val di Non, Val di Sole, Val di Fassa, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Campiglio Pinzolo, Dolomiti Bellunesi, Alpe di Siusi, Val Gardena, Val di Fiemme, Val Pusteria, Trentino, Sud Tirolo

Conclusion

Here we are at the end. It took me quite a long time to draft this list but I am happy to say I shared with you the list of the ten most stunning natural marvels I’ve ever seen to date. I truly hope they’ll inspire you to travel more or at least will help you fill some empty quarantine time with some healthy travel planning.

Are you also burning inside waiting for the world to open once again to start traveling like me? Do you have any natural wonder you could recommend me to travel to after this pandemic will be finally over? Or perhaps you just would like some more first-hand information about one of the places mentioned above?

Leave me your thoughts or suggestion in the comment section below, I genuinely would like to hear them!

Thanks for reading:)