L'Officiel Austria Guide: Tips for Adventurers and Trendy Travelers
"Let's embark on a journey...” Immediately, visions of turquoise seas, stunning landscapes, ancient architecture, delectable cuisine, and rich culture fill our imaginations. We find ourselves daydreaming of unforgettable adventures and mentally preparing our suitcases. These eight natural wonders are sure to ignite our wanderlust.
Table Mountain in South Africa: A Tablecloth of Clouds
Standing tall at 1,086 meters, Table Mountain graces the skyline of Cape Town at Africa's southernmost tip. While its majestic stature is renowned globally, fewer are familiar with the "tablecloth phenomenon." Occurring in the South African summer, between November and May, this event sees humid air masses moving in from the sea over the mountain. As this air cools, it forms clouds that drape over the mountain's plateau, much like a tablecloth.
Pamukkale: The White Terraces
Nestled between Izmir and Antalya in southwestern Turkey are the awe-inspiring limestone terraces of Pamukkale. Crafted by nature's patience over millennia, these terraces have formed from deposits left by calcareous thermal springs. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural marvel stands today as a series of "natural pools."
Guelb er Richat: The Eye of the Desert
For those intrigued by extraterrestrial landscapes, the Guelb er Richat in Mauritania, also known as the Eye of the Sahara, is a breathtaking sight in North Africa. This sedimentary rock formation, resembling a ringed crater and spanning about 45 kilometers, was so distinguishable from space that astronauts once used it as a landmark for navigation.
Salar de Uyuni: A Salty Memento
Located in Bolivia, the world's largest salt flat has its origins in a salt lake that dried up many millennia ago. The true magic unfolds after a rainfall: the residual water creates a vast natural mirror, mere decimeters deep, stretching for kilometers. This mirror allows for an awe-inspiring reflection between the earth and sky, and can be traversed either on foot or by vehicle.
Zhangjiajie Mountains: Avatar's Enchantment
These ethereal mountains in China are defined by their distinct quartz sandstone pillars, shaped by erosion during a time when the region was submerged under the sea eons ago. Today, they're draped in verdant vegetation. Sharp-eyed film enthusiasts might find the mountains familiar: they inspired James Cameron, the director of the blockbuster film "Avatar," as he envisioned the captivating landscapes of his cinematic universe.
Preikestolen: Nature's Precision
Nestled near Stavanger, Norway's fourth-largest city, is Preikestolen, a rectangular rock ledge. Crafted by the forces of frost over thousands of years, it dramatically protrudes from the surrounding mountain face. Daredevils can peer down from its edge to a dizzying depth of over 600 meters, while others can savor the panoramic view of the serene 40-kilometer-long Lyse Fjord. Movie aficionados might recognize this ledge as the backdrop for the climactic battle in the sixth installment of the Mission Impossible series.
Iguazu Falls: Echoes of the Crystal Skull
The ceaseless thunder of water resonates, creating a sight that imprints on one's memory. Spread across the border of Argentina and Brazil in South America, this mesmerizing cascade consists of 20 major and over 250 smaller falls. Together, they span an impressive 2.7 km and have held the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World since 2011. The sheer magnitude of this water spectacle serves as a humbling testament to nature's power and allure. Hollywood took notice, with Indiana Jones making a dramatic descent down these falls in the series' fourth installment.
Fly Geyser: An Accidental Masterpiece
Originating from a human miscalculation in the 1960s during geothermal exploration, this remarkable phenomenon in Nevada came to be. An inadequately sealed borehole continuously ejects water and various minerals to the surface. Over time, these deposits accumulated, resulting in the vibrant, 1.5-meter tall geyser we see today, surrounded by a terraced landscape.
