2015-03-14





1. Cocos Island, Costa Rica



Off the shore of Costa Rica, Cocos Island is surrounded by deep waters and counter currents. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the island is more or less rectangular in shape. It is home to dense and exuberant tropical moist forests.

2. Studenica Monastery, Serbia

A 12th Century Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Studenica Monastery is situated in Central Serbia. It is one of the largest and richest Serb Orthodox Monasteries in existence. A must see destination for religious followers, or just a curious soul. Surely, an exotic destination.

3. Shibam, Yemen

With 7,000 inhabitants, Shibam, is quite a large town nestled in Yemen, famous for its mud-brick-made tower houses. The first known inscription about the city dates back from the 3rd century AD. It was the capital of Hadramawt Kingdom, and is now officially a World Heritage Site. The distinct features set it apart from other Heritage sites, and the houses rise 5 to 11 stories high.

4. Gillette Castle State Park

Sitting high above the Connecticut River, the castle was originally a private residence. Designed by William Gillette, an american actor, famous for playing the role of Sherlock Holmes. The park receives 300,000 visitors annually. It opened in 2002, after years of restoration costing a total of 11 million dollars. Now, includes a museum, hiking trails, picnic area, and theatrical celebrations.

6. Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park is located two and a half hours southeast of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The park is situated in the valley of the REd Deer River and more than 500 specimens have been removed and exhibited in museums around the globe. It is also well-known for being the richest dinosaur fossil locales in the world.

7. Rock Paintings, Baja California

Consisting of prehistoric paintings of humans and other animals, often larger than life-size, the paintings are situated in the mountains of northern and southern Baja California. The most common figures are humans and deer; others include rabbits, bighorn sheep, birds, fish, and snakes. The images are essentially silhouettes. A dorsal/ventral perspective is employed for humans, turtles, birds, and fish. A lateral perspective is used for most deer and other animals.

8. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Established on April 1, 1931, as a unit of the National Park Service, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located in northeastern Arizona-within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Ultimately, it preserves ruins of the early indigenous tribes that lived in the area including the Ancient Pueblo Peoples.

9. Gebel Barkal And The Sites Of Napatan, Sudan

A small mountain located some 400 km, north of Khartoum in Karima town, Sudan. The mountain is 98m tall, has a flat top, and apparently was used as a landmark by the traders in the important route between central Africa, Arabia, and Egypt. In 2003, the mountain and the historical city of Napata were named World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

10. Liechtenstein

Located in Central Europe, Liechtenstein, is a doubly landlocked German speaking micro state. It is a constitutional monarchy and is headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein. Bordered by Switzerland to the west and south by Austria, it has an area of just over 160 square kilometers. Economically, Liechtenstein has the highest gross domestic product per person in the world.

11. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Located in the death valley area, the sand dunes are surrounded by mountains on all sides. Due to their easy access these dunes have been used to film sand dune scenes for several movies. A wonderful destination to behold with your very eyes.

12. Gulf of Porto, Corsica

Located on the French island Corsica, within Corsica Regional Park, the park and reserve has been recognized by the United Nations as a Natural World Heritage Site, and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983.

13. Vredefort Dome, South Africa

Enunciated in the list of of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2005, after a crater struck the Earth. An important moment in time captured perfectly awaiting for curious minds and souls indeed.

14. Giarre, Italy

An Italian town on the east coast of Sicily in the providence of Catania. In 2010 it’s population was 27,785 people approximately. Since the late 18th century Giarre was a village of the county of Mascali.

15. Cappadocia, Turkey

A historical region in Central Anatolia, famous for unique geographical features like chimneys and grand-scale architecture. Made from stone, the works are amazing and breath-taking to behold. Next time, make sure to make a visit at this grand destination.

16. Rohtas Fort, Pakistan

A historical garrison fort located near the city of Jhelum in Punjab, Pakistan. It was built by Raja Todar Mal, in the 16th century, at a strategic site in the North of Pakistan. It is a perfect example of Muslim military architecture. So, if you are interested in these sort of things, check it out next time you go on a trip.

17. Sani Pass, South Africa

Known as the mother of South African mountain passes, it meanders over the Drakensberg Escarpment into Lesotho. The Rout up Sani Pass starts 1544 m and climbs 1332 vertical meters to an altitude of 2876 meters. The road is notoriously dangerous and requires the use of a 4*4 vehicle as to maneuver the route in a decent manner, with safety primarily in mind. Caution is to be exercised and all people must be alert along the way.

18. Kangbashi, China

Also known as China’ “Ghost City” Kangbashi is largely uninhabited, and was originally built for a population of a million. If you love seeking out terrifying and thrilling new places, China’s Ghost City aka. Kangbashi, China is the right place for you.

19. Volcanoes of Kamchatka, Russia

Volcanoes at Kamchatka are a large group of volcanoes situated on the Kamchatka peninsula. The Kamchatka River and valley surrounding it are flanked by large volcanic belts containing 160 volcanoes of which 29 are still active.

20. Nowhere, Monegros, Spain

An event that is based primarily on the European Arts, Nowhere, is held annually in the month of July. It embraces the Burning Man principles of radical self-expression if you may.

21. Barle-Nassau and Narle Hertog

Municipalities in the town of Southern Netherlands, these overlooked destinations are great for anyone interested in antique architecture. The municipalities are quite old, and are linked with complicated borders especially the Dutch-Belgian Border in this case. Baarle-Hertog is in Belgium while Baarle-Nassau is in the Netherlands side. So in this case, you get to be treated with twice the fun and excitement, and make sure to not miss out.

22. Saltaire, England

A Victorian model village, Saltaire, England, lies within the confines of the Bradford Metropolitan District by the River Aire and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It was designated as a World Heritage Site, and is also an Anchor Point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. It was built in 1851 by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woolen industry.

23. Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA

Lying in Yellowstone National Park, the Springs are the largest in the United States of America and the third largest in the whole world. They reside in the Midway Geyser Basin and were named for their striking coloration that match the rainbow consisting of green, blue, red, orange, and yellow.

24. Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Capital of the Bukhara Providence, the city-museum include 140 architectural monuments. The nation’s 5th largest city, the population was approximately 272,710 people in the year of 2014. The city has been a center of trade as it lies on the Silk Road and is known for trade, scholarship, religion, and culture. It contains several mosques, madrases, and is a World Heritage Site in additional quality.

25. Kilauea Volcano and Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii

A currently hyperactive shilled Volcano, Kilauea is the most active of the five surrounding volcanoes. Located around the southern shore of the island is the second youngest of offspring…and is also the most active. Notably, and surprisingly, it was also one thought to be a satellite also.

26. China Danxia, Southwest China

Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red sedimentary beds, and endogenous forces, or sandstone if you may please. They are characterized by steep cliffs as well by the same token. It was inscribed on the World Heritage site as well.

27. Portland Head light in Cape Elizabeth, Maine

A historic lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The light station sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Port Harbor within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. Construction had begun in 1787 while George Washington was president of the USA.

28. Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Dominated by the Ahklun Mountains in the north and cold waters of Bristol Bay, Togiak National Wildlife Refuge confronts the traveler with a kaleidoscope of landscapes. The natural forces that have shaped this land range from violent and powerful to the geologically patient. Earthquales and volcanoes filled the former role but glacial ice filled the latter role as well. It is the fourth largest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States of America and home to 48 mammal species, of which 17 are marine-life.

29. Mount Hood

A stratovolcano in the northern region of Oregon.

30. Horseshoe Bend

A horse shoe shaped meander of the Colorado River, it is located near the town of Page, Arizona, in the United States of America. It is accessible via hiking a 1.5 mile round trip from US Route 89 and contains various minerals like platinum, garnet, and hematite.

31. Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah

The centerpiece of the 10-acre Temple Square, Salt Lake Temple is considered sacred by the Church and its members. It is the largest LDS Temple by floor area and the sixth temple completed by the Church. It required 40 years to complete and the fourth temple built since the Mormon exodus.

32. Garden of The Gods

A public park in the location of the Colorado Springs and designated a National Natural landmark in 1971 as well. The red rock formations that are evident were a cause of a major geological upheaval millions of years ago. Evidence show that people lived for a hundreds of years ago….as prehistoric evidence primarily or more specifically declares. Native American People may have been attracted to the wildlife and plant life and used overhangs for shelter.

33. Tubbataha Reef, Phillipines

A protected area of the Philippines, the reef is home to a wondrous amount of creatures and species of fish. It is located in the middle Sulu Sea. It is made up of two coral reefs called the North and South and separated by a wide and deep channel. Each reef has a big lagoon in the middle of it, quite a spectacle for many. In 2008, the reef was nominated at the New 7 Wonders of Nature – a big achievement.

34. Gila Cliff Dwellings

The Gila Cliff Dwellings is a National Monument in the Gila Wilderness of southwestern New Mexico. The 533-acre was established by President Theodore Roosevelt and located in the extreme southern part of Catron County.

35. Palouse Falls

Lying on the Palouse River, the falls are 198 ft. in height. The canyon at the falls is very deep and exposes the Columbia River Plateau.

36. Windsor Ruins, Mississippi

About 10 miles Southwest of Port Gibson, these Ruins have notably been used in various motion pictures. Commonly known as Windsor or Windsor Ruins, today they are comprised of 23 columns, a few pieces of China, and some wrought iron chairs.

37. Skagit Valley Tulip Field

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held annually April 1 – April 30th. The festival is Washington’s largest with over one-million visitors in the State of Washington. It was also selected on #1 street fair in King Tv’s “Best of the Northwest” award.

38. White Sands National Monument

White Sands National Monument is a US monument located 16 miles southwest of Alamogordo. Creating a national park in the White Sands has been a major find. A group in El Paso has proposed the creation of “Mescalero” National Park.

39. Lumbini, Nepal

The area is known to be sacred as it was the birth place of Lord Buddha in 623 B.C. It is located in Terai plains of southern Nepal, and is widely recognized by its’ famous gardens of Lumbini. Now it is a place of pilgrimage, where visitors come across the world to visit.

40. Lake Junaluska

Lake Junalska lies in the Great Smokey Mountains, 20 miles from Asheville, North Carolina. Home to a lovely and man-made Lake, it is named after a prominent chief of the Cherokees because the land was inherently their for centuries. The past 100 years, it has been the home of a retreat and conference center operated by the United Methodist Church of the South Eastern District. There is a gorgeous walking trail evident.

Featured photo credit: Mazagan, Morocco via businesseventsnews.com.au

The post 40 Attractive Places To Visit Which Are Always Overlooked appeared first on Lifehack.

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