Things you must do before you die!
These are the places that you must see, the things you must do, and the
things you must experience at least once in your lifetime.
Go dog sledding through the last frontier,
Alaska
"The Last Frontier", Alaska is 650,000 square miles of isolated tranquility,
but while having a sparse human population the state is home to a vivid wildlife
residency. In addition to the stunning landscape there's everything from Kodiak Bears to Bald Eagles.
However if you're looking for a truly unique way to experience Alaska try
taking a dogsledding adventure through the wilderness. You'll find ample
opportunity to get in touch with your "inner self" and probably have an
Aurora Borealis sighting as well. There are many outfitters offering trips that
range from anywhere from a few hours to more than a week.
Check out our directory of Alaskan tour operators: http://www.travelersdigest.com/alaska_tour_operators.htm
Explore the Sahara Desert in Algeria
A long and brutal civil war has taken Algeria off of most people's
itineraries, but the adventurous could still find considerable
reasons to visit the country. One of the highlights is the Tassili
n'Ajjer National Park in the southeast of the country. The park is home to
a stunning mountain range whose sandstone composition has resulted in some
of the world's more unique rock formations.
There are several eco-tourism operators that offer trips to the
Algerian interior and due to the situation in the country it would
probably best to stick to an organized trip.
Check out our directory of Algerian tour operators: http://www.travelersdigest.com/algeria_tour_operators.htm
Visit the frozen continent of Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the least explored places on earth and there's a
good reason, it's hard to get to! It is however definitely worth the effort as
it boats a near unimaginable landscape filled with protruding icebergs, mountain
ranges and penguin colonies with populations larger than most people's home
towns.
The most common way to visit Antarctica is to take a cruise from the
(relatively) nearby
countries of Argentina or Chile. There are several different types of cruises,
many choose to take large luxury cruise liners, however most of these ships
don't offer the ability for passengers to go onto the continent and instead
heave passengers spend their time viewing the scenery from afar. The other common
type of cruise is an expedition ship, these are for the more adventurous and the
more
wealthy. Many of these ships offer the ability to visit shore and some even the
possibility to camp
overnight on the continent. Alternatively there is also a somewhat new practice
of tourists chartering planes to the continent's interior.
Check out our Antarctica travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/antarctica.htm
Put on your safari hat in the Okavango Delta,
Botswana
Botswana is nourished and well preserved by both mother nature and man
as it boasts one of the world's most sound environmental policies. The
country has smartly geared itself to the upmarket eco-tourist in an effort
to minimize impact on wildlife, but at the same time bring much needed
financial resources to the nation. The Okavango Delta region in the north
of the country is particularly well known for its animal diversity
including the big names: Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants,
Rhinos, Giraffes.
An interesting, albeit, opulent way to experience the region is to stay
in a luxurious 5-star lodge surrounded by the planet's most beautiful
wildlife.
Check out our directory of Botswana safari lodges: http://www.travelersdigest.com/botswana_safari_lodges.htm
Get lost in the Amazon,
Brazil
The Amazon besides being the world's largest rainforest also has the world's
highest diversity of birds and freshwater fish, spans the borders of eight
countries, and is home to one third of the world's animal. Despite its wonder
however, logging persists at an almost unchecked
rate threatening the forest and even the planet's environmental security. The forest has lost an
area the size of Greece over the last five years alone. This has served to make
environmentally friendly tourism to the region imperative for sound development.
A popular way for tourists see the Amazon is to take boats up the Amazon River from Manaus
where they can choose to stay in a rainforest
lodge.
Check out our Brazilian travel directory:
http://www.travelersdigest.com/brazil.htm
Witness humanity at its worst at the Killing Fields in
Cambodia
Once upon a time in a land not so far away an entire country's population was
terrorized by a murderous regime and was forced to suffer starvation, work camps
and mass executions. The Khmer Rouge regime ruled Cambodia for a short time in
the 1970's and their attempts at forming a 'Communist agrarian
society' resulted in the deaths of 25% of the nation's population and
turned
Phnom Penh into a literal ghost town.
Things have changed a lot in the nation since
but the solemnity of the killing fields remains. Not much is left there today,
it's just a shady piece of land on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, but a visit to the site
might change your perspective on humanity's inherent good or lack thereof.
Check out our Phnom Penh travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/phnom_penh.htm
See the pandas in their natural habitat in
Sichuan,
China
These days when China comes to mind more often than not the associated image
is that of bustling population centers and polluting smoke stacks. It's easy to
forget that China is also home to some beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife.
Sichuan province is home to both and it is the stomping ground to over 80% of the
world's Giant Pandas. Sichuan is also the botanically richest site in the temperate
world.
At the moment the province and its capital city of Chengdu are still a little
hard to get to, but future development plans are in the works to make the area
more tourist friendly while (hopefully) retaining its ecologically sound state. River
rafting, rock-climbing and bungee-jumping are all things on the docket.
Check out our Chengdu travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/chengdu.htm
See the great apes in the
Congo
In all honesty the Congo is a volatile nation distraught with civil war
and as such it may not seem like a place you should be visiting. However
if you look beyond the danger and lack of creature comforts you'll see
that the Congo does in fact have a few things going for it. Namely it's home to the world's largest population of Lowland Gorillas
and
is one of only three countries to house the captivating Mountain Gorilla.
Unfortunately though there's only an estimated 750 Mountain Gorillas left alive, so you would be wise to visit
soon. If only the country could manage to make its civil war a little less
bothersome.
The safest way to visit the country would be to go with a respected
outfitter with an understanding of the region and its people. You can
check out our website for a list of tour operators in the nation: http://www.travelersdigest.com/congo_tour_operators.htm
Contemplate evolution in the
Galapagos Islands,
Ecuador
Located 600 miles west of the South American mainland this small island
chain is one of the world's most beautiful and unique destinations. Sporting a
diverse and unique wildlife, this is the setting that so immersed Charles Darwin
when he was developing the theory of
evolution.
Tourism to the islands is however quite difficult, with an annual
imposed cap of 60,000 visitors, the majority of whom come by cruise ship from
Ecuador. There are also flights from the Ecuadorian coastal city of Guayaquil. It's not cheap, but if you have the resources,
a visit to the islands is most definitely worth it.
Check out our Galapagos Islands travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/galapagos_islands.htm
See the last great wonder of the world at
Giza,
Egypt
The pyramids are the last
surviving wonders of the ancient world and they continue to be just
as impressive today as they were 6,000 years ago. Built as burial chambers for Egyptian kings,
they dominate the horizon with a truly inspiring presence.
The pyramids are easy to get to as Giza is located just outside of the
Egyptian
capital, Cairo. There are many hotels in the area surrounding the
pyramids and the site itself is a great location for a sunset camel ride
or even just a walk.
If you'd like more information on travelling
in Egypt take a look at my Egyptian travelogue:
http://www.travelersdigest.com/egypt_dakota_travelogue.htm
Walk through the Valley of the Kings at
Luxor,
Egypt
Known for being the site of ancient Egyptian kings' burial chambers, including the most famous of
king of all King Tutankhamun (King Tut). The Valley of the Kings, as the
name implies, is a valley with dozens of underground
walkways branching off to the burial chambers. Once inside one of the chambers you can expect a long narrow
corridor accompanied by a low ceiling leading down into the centre of the tombs where
you will usually find the king's sarcophagus.
Located next to the city of Luxor on the Nile River, it's an easy place
for tourists to explore. You could join one of the many tours departing
Luxor daily, or you could also hire a car to drive you to
the site from the west side of the river bank.
If you'd like more information on travelling
in Egypt take a look at my Egyptian travelogue:
http://www.travelersdigest.com/egypt_dakota_travelogue.htm
See the ice fields before they melt in
Greenland
With global warming breathing down our necks it's time to start thinking
ahead and I don't just mean in terms of carbon reduction. Greenland's ice
fields are predicted to melt by the mid-century mark meaning our time to see this
wonder may be running out. Two miles thick and large enough to blanket an
area the size of Mexico, Greenland's ice fields shape the world weather,
and if they melt in their entirety world sea levels could rise by as much
as 21 feet.
One of the best ways to see the ice fields of Greenland is to
take a helicopter trip from the more temperate east coast. The east
coast of Greenland can be reached from neighboring Iceland but the
tourist season is limited to the three month period of summer.
Check out our Greenland travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/greenland.htm
Watch a volcano erupt on the
Big Island, Hawaii
It's not everyday that someone gets to safely observe a volcanic eruption.
In fact
Mount Kilauea is the only place I know where it's possible at all. Part of
a series of volcanoes on the big island that formed the island,
Mount Kilauea has been in a continuous state of eruption since 1983.
Today the volcano is a large reason why tourists flock to the island
and there are many was in which tourists can enjoy this unique attraction.
There's everything from helicopter tours over the volcano to walking tours
right up to its crust.
Check out our Hawaii Island travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/hawaii_island.htm
Visit the 8th continent,
Madagascar
Often referred to as the "eighth continent" in reference to the
island's break from Africa sometime around 160 million years ago. It's
this
long absence from a continental body that has allowed an entirely unique set of
animal and plant life to develop on the island. Madagascar is now home to one of the
world's most diverse eco-systems, housing 5% of the entire world's animal
species.
The primary tourist draws are the tropical rainforests that populate the island and
the unspoiled beaches that line the coast. The best way to experience the
island is to stay at one of its many eco-lodges. Getting to Madagascar can
be a challenge, the easiest way to reach the island is by flight from
either South Africa or France. The island was once a French colony and as
such there are regular flights from Paris to its capital of Antananarivo.
Despite being an island nation, Madagascar does not maintain regular
passenger sea links with neighboring nations so don't expect to be able
to take a boat from Mozambique or Reunion.
Check out our Madagascar travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/madagascar.htm
In modern times Madagascar has faced its largest threat, deforestation.
More than eighty-percent of the nation's original forests are gone and
every year another one-percent disappear. Madagascar is one of the most
threatened eco-systems in the world, however there is hope. Currently more
money pours into Madagascar for conservation efforts than any other
African nation.
One non-profit organization working in Madagascar is Azafady. They work
with disadvantaged communities to improve living standards and promote
positive coexistence with the the local environment.
Please take a look at their website: http://www.madagascar.co.uk/
See the polar bears strut their stuff in
Churchill,
Manitoba
In the far north of Canada on the western shores of the Hudson Bay
lies the world’s largest Polar bear denning area. Visitors to the region
take tundra buggies over the frozen ice for the chance to view polar bears
in their natural habitat. Many mothers, some with young cubs, can often be
seen in close proximity to the vehicles. In addition to the polar bears,
Churchill is one of Canada’s best places to observe the Northern Lights.
Fall is the time to visit as it’s when the bears are returning to the
ice after the summer and it’s also the best time to observe the northern lights.
VIA Rail (Canada’s national rail line) provides train service to Churchill
from Winnipeg on a regular basis.
Check out our Churchill travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/churchill.htm
Polar bears around the world currently face enormous threats to their
habitats. These threats come from a variety of sources not limited to but
including climate change. Now whether you believe in climate change as a man
made event or even at all. There is no denying that polar bears are a species
on the brink.
Dozens of organizations are currently working to protect the species and its
habitat. The WWF comes to mind as one who uses a multi-faceted approach to
conservation and is working tirelessly to achieve protection for the polar bear.
They even organize environmentally friendly tours to Churchill.
To find out ways you can help, please visit the following website:
http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html
Witness the sights, smells, and sounds of
Marrakech in
Morocco
A beautiful city built in true Saadian style, one could say Marrakech is
the most beautiful city in all of North Africa. The focal point of the
city the Jemaa El-Fna square. It's a large open space in the day
filled with fruit stands and everything from
snake charmers to story tellers. At night however the area transforms with
countless food stalls opening up that offer many different kinds of food.
The most popular type of tourist accommodation in the city is a type of
guest house called a 'riad'. Riad's range in quality and price but many
share common traits. The rooms usually look out onto an internal
courtyard, possibly containing a splash pool.
If
you'd like more information on travelling in Morocco take a look at my
Moroccan Travelogue:
http://www.travelersdigest.com/morocco_dakota_travelogue.htm.
Go swimming in the world's deepest lake, Lake Baikal,
Russia
Located in Siberia, Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world with
its depths sinking over one-mile below the surface. Lake Baikal is also the world's oldest
lake and its isolated location has led to some unusual freshwater fauna
giving it its nickname ‘Galapagos of Russia'.
The most popular way to get to Lake Baikal is via the Trans-Siberian
railway which stops at the nearby city of Irkutsk. Known as the 'Paris of
Siberia', Irkutsk is a beautiful city located just off the south-western
part of the lake. Visitors to the lake can also take the Circum-Baikal
Railway which travels around the southern portion of the lake.
If you would like more information on travelling on the Trans-Siberian
Railway take a look at my travelogue:
http://www.travelersdigest.com/trans_siberian_railway.htm
Lake Baikal is currently under threat from the local lumber and fossil fuel
industries, but there is something you can do about it. The Great Baikal Trail
is an international volunteer-driven non-profit that promotes
sustainable development of Lake Baikal through low-impact tourism. Currently
they're building a network of hiking trails around the lake in an effort to
supply more revenue to the region through earth-friendly tourism. And like any
non-profit group they always need donations and volunteers.
Visit their website to find out ways you can help:
http://www.greatbaikaltrail.org/index_en.html
Set your watch to 'Old Faithful' at
Yellowstone,
Wyoming
The world's first national park, inaugurated in 1872, Yellowstone is
the focal point of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact
ecosystem in the Northern Hemisphere. Its residents include
Gray Wolves, Bison, Grizzly Bears and almost 60 other mammals. However
the park's true superstar is the geyser named 'Old Faithful'. Known for
its remarkable regularity, one eruption can shoot up to 8,000 gallons of
boiling water about 180 feet into the air.
It's been an American tradition to take family road trips to Yellowstone
since the invention of the automobile and every year the park receives at
least two million visitors. There are over 2,000 campsites in the park and
recreational activities abound.
Check out our Yellowstone travel directory: http://www.travelersdigest.com/yellowstone_national_park.htm
- Article written in whole by Dakota Smith - Travelers Digest
