Africa seemingly has it all, including beautiful landscapes, incredible safari tours, natural wonders, and an extensive history, which makes it the perfect place to visit. However, despite the various sights, sounds and flavors to explore, there are many superb places to visit outside of the continent.
If you want to enjoy a vacation overseas and embrace a completely different culture, here are six unique travel experiences you must do at least once in your lifetime.
1. Take a Tour of Israel
How would you like to walk in the footsteps of both Jesus Christ and his Disciples? It is possible to visit all the sacred sites of Christianity from both the New and Old Testament. It will undoubtedly be a truly spiritual experience, as you can explore the Holy Land in great detail. Tours to Israel departing from South Africa are an extraordinary, affordable, and exciting experience you simply cannot miss.
2. Explore the Wilderness at Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA, offers a unique wilderness, as it features picturesque alpine rivers, hot springs, dramatic canyons, impressive geysers, and lush forests. It is also home to hundreds of animal species, such as elk, bison, wolves, antelope, and bears. Book a flight straight into Salt Lake City to explore the 3,500-sq.-mile park.
3. Watch the Northern Lights
Few experiences are more memorable than the stunning aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Your jaw is bound to drop as you watch the colorful shades of green spread out across the night’s sky, which can also be joined by different red hues. The best places to experience the northern lights for yourself include Abisko, Sweden, Svalbard, Norway, and Yellowknife, Canada.
4. Take a Balloon Ride Across Cappadocia
Early Christians are believed to have burrowed into the Anatolian plateau’s volcanic rock in approximately AD 600, as they created many underground homes, monasteries, and churches. If you would like to see the human-made wonder for yourself, consider taking a hot air balloon ride across Cappadocia, and you can even spend the night at a cave hotel.
5. Trek to Machu Picchu
It’s hard to imagine how 15th-century Inca architects managed to construct Machu Picchu, which is an Incan citadel 2,500ft high in the Andes mountains. If you would like to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World for yourself, you can embark on a 43km Inca trail that starts from Km88 to Machu Picchu. However, the trek is not for the faint-hearted, as it will take between three to four days to complete and you’ll need a permit to do so.
6. Enjoy a Cruise Along the Galapagos Islands
Every day will be different when you enjoy a cruise along the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. One day you’ll be snorkeling with penguins on the equator and the next you’ll watch giant tortoises in action. While there are both three and four-night cruises available from many operators, you’d be wise to make the most of the unique experience by taking a week-long adventure across the island.
Header Image Credit: Health Fitness Revolution