No Filter Needed Locations Around the Globe

Although the photos below look more like high-tech movie backdrops or surreal works of art, the places depicted in these breathtaking images are 100% real. Don't believe us? Take a trip to see them for yourself — and use it as another reason to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are 5 places on Earth you won’t believe exist.

Fjaðrárgljúfur, Iceland

We’ll forgive you if you can't pronounce this canyon's name, because the view alone will probably leave you speechless. Fjaðrárgljúfur formed about 9,000 years ago and remained a hidden gem until Justin Bieber filmed a music video there in 2015, bringing this magnificent spot to the world's attention.

After being flooded with an influx of visitors in the following years, the Environmental Agency of Iceland temporarily closed the canyon in 2019. The country is now focused on building the necessary infrastructure to support year-round visitors. Once it’s open to the public again, you can marvel at the 300-foot-high canyon walls that wind like a serpentine through the southern part of the island.

Socotra, Yemen

This isolated, four-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean is home to a variety of plants and animals you won't find anywhere else on Earth, which is how it earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Approximately 37% of Socotra's plants (including the superbly named dragon's blood tree, pictured here), 90% of its reptiles, and a whopping 95% of its land snails are endemic to the archipelago.

Despite its remote location, Socotra is home to about 50,000 human residents, too. Many of them fish, dive for pearls, and raise crops and animals. The island’s famous exports include frankincense, fish, and ghee.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Stretching more than 4,000 square miles across the Andes of Southwestern Bolivia, the Uyuni Salt Flat contains an estimated 10 billion tons of salt. Within the layers of salt lies 70% of the world's lithium reserves, making this area particularly important for the manufacturing industry, as lithium is used to make batteries for laptops, cellphones, and electric cars.

For travelers, however, the area’s appeal lies in the unique hexagonal formations on the surface, as well as the mirroring effect that's created when a thin layer of water covers the salt flat on a sunny day. Though local legends have different takes on how the area came to be, scientists tell us that the salt flat formed over 40,000 years ago, when an evaporated lake left behind a thick crust of salt.

Tunnel of Love, Ukraine

An industrial train track wouldn’t normally make a list of incredible places to visit, but the Tunnel of Love is a notable exception. Just outside of Klevan, Ukraine, this two-mile tunnel is formed from trees growing over the tracks, their branches and leaves creating a brilliant green canopy overhead.

The tunnel dates back to the Cold War, when trees were planted around the tracks to hide the transporting of war materials to and from a nearby military base. Since then, the Tunnel of Love has undergone quite the rebranding. Today, it's believed that couples who make sincere wishes during their visit will see their hopes and dreams come true.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

The smooth red sandstone slopes of the canyon consist of multihued striations, artfully sculpted by wind and water over 190 million years. Located in Arizona on Navajo land, this famous slot canyon is divided into Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, both of which can be accessed only by guided tours.

The upper canyon is particularly popular with tourists. There, visitors can see shifts of cascading sunlight grazing the 120-foot rock walls, creating incredible photo ops that make it one of the most photographed places in the Southwest. The hike through the lower canyon is more physically demanding but offers equally memorable scenery.

If you’re ready to chat about your perfect getaway to these (or any other) beautiful locations, book your complimentary Custom Vacation Planning Session now by using my online scheduler to find a time that’s convenient for you!

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