America; land of the free, home of the brave and country of the untraveled. Last year skift.com published a survey on the travel habits of Americans. They found that only 13% had actually traveled abroad in the previous year. That’s an astonishing 87% of people that opted not leave the United States at all. Factors such as working too much and not taking advantage of time off paint a harsh reality that in a world that provides so many wonders and experiences, why aren’t enough people taking advantage of what lies East? If you’ve never been out of the states (Mexico and Canada do not count) or don’t own that fabulous little navy blue book, then it’s time for you set a straight course and start mapping out your next destination right now. So to all you traveling neophytes out there, pull out your iPad and take some notes, because today we present five places you need to visit before you die.
Venice
Italy is a country that is full of beauty and rich in artistic treasures and the one place that reflects this perfectly is Venice. With the romantic aura of the canals, phenomenal building architecture and old world style, Venice is simply awe-inspiring. The nearby Isle of Murano known for its unique glass creations also add to overall mystique of the city. If reports are true, the rising sea levels of the Adriatic over the last century have threatened to sink this beautiful place, so the possibility of it not being around in the future is even more of an incentive for you to add it to your list.
The Maldives
Similar to Venice, the Maldives a country made up of a thousand plus coral islands in the Indian Ocean is predicted to be gone by the end of the century due to a rise in the levels of the Indian Ocean. With gorgeous white sands and deep blue water, the Maldives is the epitome of natural beauty and serenity. With breathtaking views straight off a postcard, there’s a reason honeymooners flock here for post-marital bliss. We’re not saying that you need to get hitched in order to go, but it’s the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable sunset with that special someone.
Svalbard, Norway
One of the most amazing sights that one can see is that of the Northern Lights. There are many places to view this beautiful anomaly, but one of the absolute best is in Svalbard, Norway. Due to its high latitude, the Norweigian Archipelago provides a great chance of seeing the Aurora Bourealis at full display. With activities such as snowmobile safaris, dogsledding and the Polar Night phenomenon, Svalbard can provide a trip mixed with beauty and adventure. Not the place for you if sipping cocktails in the sand is your thing, but for memories that will be unparalleled, this should be your next stop.
Brazil
The birthplace of Samba music and home of the beautiful Amazon rainforest, Brazil is an absolute dream for nature lovers. The South American country, which happens to sit directly on the equator has a diverse catalog of wildlife both flora and fauna. With the beauty of Corcovado and Ipanema, the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer and the excitement of Carnival, Brazil is a prime destination for any would be traveler.
Belize
Formerly known as British Honduras, the small Central American country of Belize is famous for the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef (second only to Australia’s Great Barrier) and features the mysterious Great Blue Hole. Visit the magnificent ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization or go snorkeling in one of the amazing Caye’s, it’s a great destination for exploration and relaxation. The cuisine, a mixture of Latin and Caribbean dishes with a unique twist is delicious and simply top notch. If you’re looking for a nice blend of Caribbean fusion, then Belize is the perfect choice for you.
Main photo by sdecoret
Additional photos by Gurgen Bakhshetsyan, Filip Fuxa, Dmitry Islentev, West Coast Scapes and Incredible Arctic
For more information about tourism in Venice, the Maldives, Norway, Brazil and Belize, please click on the hyperlinks
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