Walking trails of the world. Time-tested: All-Union routes. Lycian Way, Türkiye

World of travel

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01.03.16 10:16

We've become so lazy lately! Travel agencies offer us to visit the most prestigious resorts world: airport transfer, personal guide, all-inclusive system, 24-hour butler - a lot is available for the money. But there are still those among us who prefer to create their own routes or take “advice from experienced people” and feel like real travelers by going on a long hike. Tourist routes in Russia - both traditional, operating in the pre-war USSR, and relatively new ones - are a real adventure!

Time-tested: All-Union routes

Let’s start with those “remnants of the Soviet past.” One of the most interesting of these Russian routes was shortened due to a tragedy that occurred in the early 1970s (on the Fisht glacier). Tourists start in Adygea and finish in Dagomys, near the Black Sea. The 20-day “All-Union Route No. 30” was created back in the early 1930s. It runs through the famous Caucasian Nature Reserve. You will pass through several climatic zones, breathe in clean mountain air, and the landscapes of the subtropics will be imprinted in your memory forever. The only inconvenience (unless, of course, you are afraid of hiking in the mountains) is that you will have to pay a fee for each day you stay in the reserve.

There are several options for passing the All-Union Route No. 77. It runs along Altai mountains, the Katun River (rafting along it is very dangerous) and Lake Teletskoye - the pearl of these places. Tourists can visit the Denisova Cave (it was opened not so long ago) and see with their own eyes the Ukok plateau, on which the legendary “Altai Princess” (the mummy of a girl discovered in 1993) was buried. We warn you right away: this tourist route Russia has always been considered the most difficult, so many prefer a simplified pedestrian crossing - from the Edigan settlement to Lake Teletskoye. And yet, on this not very long path you will see one of the most beautiful natural areas of the country - Altai is magnificent!

Riches of the ancient land: “Rings of Russia”

« golden ring“Russia” does not need a long introduction - a lot has been said and written about him. Stopping points are ancient cities with many temples, craft centers, museums, and cultural monuments. You will cross the borders of several regions (“The Golden Ring” “embraces” Moscow, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Tver and Yaroslavl region). Every stop is admiration and delight. But even if you are not a fan of ancient architecture, local archaeologists can show you a lot of interesting things. For example, the notorious “Vladimir Central” was also located on the territory of the “Ring”. Historians will show you the paths along which prisoners escaped from dungeons. You might even be lucky enough to find a treasure!

In addition to Golden, there is also “ Silver ring Russia", running through the lands that in ancient times were part of Novgorod Rus', the richest principality - now these are the lands around St. Petersburg. The route begins in Veliky Novgorod and ends in Tikhvin. You will see not only Pskov, Pechory (Pushkin’s places with interesting monasteries), but also “pro-Western” Vyborg, Kingisepp and Ivangorod, located on the Estonian border. In the vicinity of St. Petersburg, Finnish and then German troops hid stolen goods from the richest ancient churches and monasteries. So there are plenty of treasure hunters here too.

Are you a romantic and love poetry? You will definitely like the Pushkin Ring of the Upper Volga region route, opened 45 years ago. You will visit many settlements - local estates, hotels, former forges and travel palaces still remember the great classic. Alexander Sergeevich visited the Tver province often - he visited his friends in the period from 1811 until his death. You will feel like a character in the poet’s works, taste delicious shanezhki, drink some water in healing springs, visit not only the manor houses, but also two of the poet’s museums (in Torzhok and Bernovo). The length of the route is approximately 250 km - not very tiring!

The legendary path from the Varangians to the Greeks

The Blue Road route is the only one in our ranking of the most interesting routes Russia, which “wanders” abroad, or rather, begins there (on the Norwegian coast, in Mo i Rana), continues in Sweden and Finland. But it finishes here in Karelia. Why did the route get this name? It’s just that its two thousand kilometers are mainly located on the banks of lakes and rivers. This is the same path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, so popular among our distant ancestors. A former trade route, now a very popular route crosses almost the entire Karelia (from the border with Finland to Arkhangelsk region). These are very beautiful protected places!

The newest route: the virgin nature of Lake Baikal

Unlike other interesting tourist routes in Russia, this “Great Baikal Trail” is still in its infancy. But several small ecological “trails” have already been opened. When everything is completed, the total length of the route will be about 1800 km. As planned, the route will pass across the territories of three national parks and three reserves. The idea to develop such a “trail” was born in the 1970s, but almost thirty years passed before enthusiasts began to implement it. Visit this amazing world– Baikal does not need any special compliments or advertising. The fauna and flora of the lake itself and its shores are largely endemic and simply amazing. What is especially captivating is that there are no factories, sanatoriums or holiday homes near the route; this is a virgin region, not disfigured by civilization.

On the border of Europe and Asia

Are you a seasoned hiker? Then you won’t be scared by the multi-day route “Big Ural Ring”, which runs along settlements Sverdlovsk region And Perm region, including Perm itself, Yekaterinburg, Nizhny Tagil, Solikamsk. The road lies through the middle Urals. But risky travelers take the opportunity and definitely turn towards Miass, because in its vicinity there is a unique natural monument, Lake Turgoyak, one of the largest freshwater bodies of water in the country. It’s not for nothing that they call it the “Pearl of the Urals”: ​​crystal clean water can compete with Lake Baikal. It was in these parts that Pyotr Bazhov was inspired to later write his wonderful tales (several mines for the extraction of semi-precious stones still exist here). It was these lands that Ermak once conquered. And this is where it is located memorial sign"The border between Europe and Asia." Stand on it and make a wish!

Trekking tour in Europe – great option, which will provide both vivid impressions and delight you with the beauty of wild and not so wild nature, and at the same time allow you to relax. You don’t have to be an athlete to do this, because trekking in Europe is accessible to almost any tourist. But choose optimal route Our mini-cheat sheet will help you:

1. Sentiero Azzurro (Azure Path), Cinque Terre, Italy

Perhaps one of the easiest and most comfortable routes, which is suitable even for tourists with children: the entire route runs along the “civilized” coast, if you get tired (or if the children get tired), you can take the train to return home at any time.

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The length of the route is 12 kilometers, the start is in the city of Riomaggiore, the finish is in Monterosso. The Azure Path winds along coastline, crossing cities and towns such as Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. There are several ups and downs along the way, but overall the road is very simple, and any more or less trained person can handle it. Another good thing about the route is that you can stop in each town along the way for as long as you want to explore it better, or you can go off the main route and climb up the slopes for some quiet time.

You can hike Sentiero Azzurro at any time of the year, but we would recommend autumn or, at the very least, spring - there are fewer tourists and it’s not as hot as in summer.

Hint: the most difficult section of the route is at Monterosso, so it makes sense to save your strength at the end of the route for the “final throw”. You can also break the hike into two stages and take a break in Corniglia, which is located right in the middle of the route.

You can get to the starting point of the journey - Riomaggiore - from Milan, Bologna, Florence or other nearby Italian cities by train.

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It is best to go here either in June or September. Firstly, the influx of trackers is significantly lower than in July-August. True, there will also be fewer hotels operating at this time. Secondly, comfortable weather conditions, thanks to which even beginners can feel quite confident on the route. But from October to May, weather conditions worsen. In winter, it is completely snowy here, and even in May, an abundance of snow on the passes is not uncommon, which requires certain skills from travelers. In addition, not all passes are safe, so when going on a hike, it is advisable to have some experience.

The route starts in Calenzana, in the north of the island, 12 km from the city of Calvi, and in Conca (in the south). The entire path can be walked in any direction, but it will be easier to do it from south to north. If you don't intend to hike the entire route, there are numerous exits along the entire length of the trail, so you can choose the optimal length of the trip for yourself. Or you can, following the example of many European tourists, walk only half the way to Vizavona, and from there continue your journey around the island by train.

You will have to make transfers to get to your destination (Kalentsany), since direct flights there is no connection between Ukraine and Corsica. The most convenient way is to choose a flight from Kyiv to or, and from there by ferry to Corsica. You can find out more about ferry transportation from France.

3. Laugavegur Route (Fimmvurduhauls Pass), Iceland

The entire round trip length is 80 kilometers. There are huts along the entire route where travelers can relax (they are open from late June to mid-September). Well, for those who do not want to go through it all, there is a shortened option: walk 20-25 kilometers along the Fimmvurduhauls pass, cross Thorsmörk Park and finish the path at Skógafoss waterfall. It will take you one day to do everything.

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Note: although the trail is located at a decent distance from big cities, from Reykjavik there are regular buses to the beginning of the route - the Landmannalaugar hut.

4. Way of Saint James/Road of the French Kings, Spain

This road is very well equipped with everything necessary for travelers, and along the way you regularly come across rest houses where you can spend the night and have a snack. However, for unprepared beginners the route can be quite difficult. Therefore, many do not walk the entire route to begin with, but “join” the flow of pilgrims at one of its sections or choose one of the shortened routes. The most popular is the Road of the French Kings/French Way, which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, passes through the Pyrenees and leads to Galicia (Spain) with stops in Leon and Pamplona.

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The best time for a hike is spring and autumn, when the heat subsides and there will be an order of magnitude fewer people on the route.

Note: if you are going to travel this route not just as a tourist, but for religious reasons, you need to get a pilgrim’s passport, which will allow you to pay less for housing and food on the road. This can be done at the starting point of the route in a special office for pilgrims.

You will have to get to the starting point - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - in stages: first from Kyiv to Paris, and then you can take a train to Bayonne, and from there to the departure point (the whole journey will take about 7.5 hours).

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The road runs from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbor in Dorset and covers a total of 1,016 kilometres. The path goes completely around southwest coast Great Britain, passing through the westernmost point of the island, and connects the towns of Minehead and Poole. The route also crosses the county of Cornwall, where you can admire the colorful landscapes. The path runs mainly along the coast, only occasionally going deeper into the island.

Travelers should remember the main feature of the route - the bays . They come across the path almost one after another, leading to a constant difference in altitude - frequent ascents and descents can lead to knee pain (especially for unprepared tourists). Therefore, we advise you to stock up on painkillers just in case. And, of course, the notorious English weather: changeable, with frequent rain and strong winds. So a raincoat, warm clothes and a windproof jacket will come in handy.

To get to the starting point of the route - the city of Minehead - from Ukraine, the most convenient way is to fly from Kyiv to Bristol, and from there from Bristol Temple Meads station (by bus with a change in Taunton) to Minehead.

6. Tour of Mont Blanc (Italy, Switzerland, France)

This hike is universal in that it passes through the territory of three states at once:, and. Only here you will have the opportunity to enjoy views of the highest mountain chain in Europe with glaciers, cliffs, green pastures and steppes.

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The hike around Mont Blanc starts in Valle d'Aosta and takes you down to Lake Combal, through high altitude pastures with stunning views, to Lake Checruit and further down to the valley floor to Dologne and Courmayeur.

It is better to go to conquer Mont Blanc between June 15 and mid-September. Of course, you can do this earlier or later, but keep in mind that then almost all mountain shelters may be closed, and do not forget about the unpredictability of the weather.

The traditional route starts and ends in Les Houches, is approximately 170 kilometers long and takes 7-11 days to complete. You will have to get to Les Houches by car, since the commune is quite far from major cities. The fastest option is to fly from Kyiv to or Bern, and from there by car to the starting point of the route.

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The easiest way to get to Tatranska Lomnica is by plane from Kyiv to Kosice, and from there by car to your destination.

How to prepare for trekking?

The difficulty of trekking can be very different, and in some of the routes we offer (for example, the Way of St. James or the Cinque Terre), you can always stop overnight or get there by transport if you wish. At the same time, even for the easiest option, good physical shape will not hurt - it will be easier to walk, and you will be able to enjoy the trekking itself. Therefore, study the complexity of the chosen route, evaluate your strengths and listen to the advice of experienced travelers.

Your main task is to strengthen your legs and develop endurance. Pay special attention to cardio training. Talk to your trainer about which leg exercises are most effective for strengthening your muscles. Running is great for developing endurance, especially over rough terrain. At the same time, not only the muscles are strengthened, but also an addiction to uneven soil is developed, reducing the chances of injury. For those who work out in the gym, we advise you to also pay attention to the step machine. And on a treadmill, alternate running and walking, change the speed and incline.

You should definitely take care of your own first aid kit. If you usually take a minimum of medications, then this time take more bandages, tourniquets, ointment for injuries and other products that are used for bruises, abrasions and sprains.

Don't forget to take out travel insurance - this is mandatory if you choose active recreation. Even if you accidentally slip and twist your ankle, you may need to see a doctor abroad - it is possible that such a consultation will cost you hundreds of euros. And having insurance is a guarantee that all the money spent will be reimbursed to you upon returning home.

The cost of a basic travel policy from IC "AHA Insurance" is 148 UAH for 7 days.

No the best way get to know the country rather than drive along its roads in person. Freedom of movement and independence depends only on us, because we built the route ourselves! When traveling, a country opens up with all its pros and cons, and this is also a very valuable experience.

We are used to traveling by car in Russia, because we have our own own car. When do you travel abroad? There's nothing complicated. You just need to rent a car from one of the large rental companies, choosing the option that suits you. We did this in the USA, in Thailand and in many other countries. We also rented a motorbike more than once - in Cambodia. Myanmar, Laos and even.

Related articles:

To rent a car, you should know in advance how many days you will be traveling for. This means you need to create a travel itinerary. It is precisely these routes along the most beautiful roads in the world that I will tell you about.

I’ll start with the most beautiful roads I’ve personally tested, which we’ve already driven ourselves. And then I’ll tell you about those that we hope to conquer in our next travels. And, of course, I’ll just list the most interesting roads world, which are considered very beautiful according to many travelers.

1. Grand Circle in the southwestern United States

One of the most unforgettable trips in the USA is a trip to the Wild West and through the national parks of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and California. Here you can see the most unimaginable geological wonders: stone bridges and, huge monuments standing in the middle of the desert, wide, fabulous, unforgettable hikes among the hoodoos and the lowest and dry place in the States - the Badwater salt marsh in Death Valley.

Utah National Parks + Grand Canyon

  • Route 1: from Los Angeles (or from Las Vegas) through national parks and natural attractions of the USA (3500 km / 2 weeks):
    • Monument Valley

  • Route 2: from Las Vegas through Utah National Parks - The Mighty 5 (1700 km / 5 days)
    • Zion
    • Bryce Canyon
    • Canyonlands

Helpful Tip: if you include some, such as and, in your travel itinerary, then your tour of the USA will be even more grandiose.

Read more:

Zion Park - part of the Grand Circle

2. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, take Highway 1 along Pacific Ocean (Pacific Coast highway)

The most beautiful road California along the Pacific coast, Route 1, Pacific Highway, Pacific Coast Highway - all this is the dream of any romantic. Take a breeze along the ocean, passing legendary beaches and small Californian towns. Would you dare? We - yes!

  • Route: — — — — — — —
  • Mileage: 1055 km
  • When to go: in spring (to catch wild flowers blooming), summer or early autumn.
  • Duration of the trip: 3 days
  • Attractions: , Bixby Bridge and another beautiful road - on the Pacific coast in Monterey.

More details about the route:

On the beaches of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway

3. Drive a car around the island of Oahu in Hawaii (O’ahu Scenic Drive)

Oahu is the capital island of the state of Hawaii, where most of the tourists fly. And yet, the island is desperately beautiful and there is a lot to see. The main thing is not to relax too long on the main beach of Waikiki, but rather take a car and go explore the island. Fly.

  • Route: from Honolulu to anywhere.
  • When to go: good time during the high season (December to March), but it is better to go in the off-season: from mid-April to mid-June and from September to mid-December. I went just at the beginning of June and I confirm: there are not very many people, and the weather is excellent!
  • Duration of the trip: 4-6 days
  • Beautiful roads: Pali Highway (Hwy 61), Kamehameha Highway (Hwy 83), Kalaniana'ole Highway (Hwy 72)
  • Attractions:(Diamond Head), Kailua Beach Beach Park), Kualoa Regional Park, Waimea Bay, old road to the Nu'uanu pali cliff.

Old road to the Nu'uanu pali cliff on the island of Oahu, Hawaii

4. Mae Hong Son Loop in Thailand (Mae Hong Son Loop)

Thailand has long been a mecca for beach holidays. But is it possible to see the real Thailand on the beaches? No. For cultural pleasure, you need to go to the north, where authentic life remains. We lived here for a long time and therefore I talk about it with special love.

Driving a rented car around Northern Thailand

  • Route: - Pai - Mae Hong Son - Mae Sariang - Chiang Mai.
  • Mileage: 600 km
  • When to go: December - February, during the cool season.
  • Duration of the trip: from 3 to 5 days
  • Beautiful roads: mountain road 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son (762 turns), highways 107 and 108.
  • Attractions: numerous hot springs in the city, Tam Lod cave in Soppong, tea village, temples in, WWII museum in, Tung Bua Thong sunflower field, the highest waterfall in Thailand, national park

Read more:

Authentic Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai city

Viewpoint along Road 1095 Mae Hong Son Loop

5. Canadian Rockies & Lakes

We have already visited the Rocky Mountains of the United States - we went to the national park and were amazed by the pure beauty of nature in , so now we want to see what is there on the other side of the border. I constantly see Canadian photos with lakes and mountains everywhere. And what beautiful roads there are!

So this part of Canada is a must-visit, and I’ve already prepared. I offer you two options for routes that will take you not only through the mountains, but also through prairies and picturesque valleys with clear lakes.

Moraine Lake in Canada

Route 1 in the Canadian Rockies in the states of British Columbia and Alberta:

  • Journey: Calgary – Banff – Lake Louise – Jasper – Edmonton – Elk Island National Park – Calgary
  • Mileage: 1200 km
  • When to go: summer or early autumn. In autumn, colorful colors appear, but the number of tourists in the parks, on the contrary, decreases
  • Duration of the trip: 1 week
  • Attractions: Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake.

Route 2 across Canada's badlands, prairies and lakes from Calgary to Toronto:

  • Journey: Calgary – Drumheller – Dinosaur Provincial Park – Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump – Moose Jaw – Regina – Saskatoon – Winnipeg – Thunder Bay – Algonquin Park – Sault Ste. Marie – Wawa – Toronto
  • Mileage: 4500 km
  • When to go: also in summer or early autumn
  • Duration of the trip: 2 – 3 weeks

If you combine both of these routes, you can generally travel around Canada for 3.5 weeks or even a whole month. By the way, entrance to Canada's national parks is paid and it is more convenient to buy a pass in advance (like) on the Parks Canada website.

6. Australian Outback

Seeing the deserts of Australia is mine old dream! As soon as I saw Mount Uluru while flipping through a magazine and reading an article about the wonders of nature, I realized that I wanted to visit Australia primarily for this amazing geological formation that is located in the very heart of Australia. Southern continent.

Map of beautiful roads in Australia: Alice Springs - Kings Canyon - Uluru

  • Route: Alice Springs – King’s Canyon – Uluru – Alice Springs
  • Mileage: 1200 km
  • When to go: March to May (ideally April) to avoid heat, rain and crowds of tourists.
  • Duration of the trip: 5-7 days
  • Attractions: Uluru, mountains The Olgas (Kata Tjuta), beautiful sunsets, kangaroos and dingoes

Great Ocean Road in Australia

7. Great Ocean Road

Another reason to come to Australia is the Great Ocean Road in Victoria from Torquay ( Torquay) to Allansford ( Allansford) along the edge of the Southern Continent. This scenic road, built in 1932, is considered a national treasure of Australia.

  • Mileage: 243 km.
  • When to go: Australian summer or autumn (November to March)
  • Duration of the trip: 2-3 days
  • Attractions: Port Campbell National Park and its highlights - the Twelve Apostles rocks, Shipwreck Coast, Loch Ard Gorge, The Grotto.

8. Dalton Highway in Alaska

Travel beyond Arctic Circle through wild Alaska, from south to north. We have already traveled to the very north of Russia, to Murmansk region and saw the Arctic Ocean. Now I want to make the same journey through Alaska, the largest and most uninhabited state in the USA. Besides, I already managed to visit, and it was very interesting, so I want to resume my adventures in Alaska!

Dorona Dalton Highway is the route from Fairbanks to Deadhorse, but it is more convenient to fly into Anchorage and drive from there.

Road from Anchorage to northern Alaska

  • Route: Anchorage - Fairbanks - Deadhorse
  • Mileage: 1400 one way
  • When to go: in summer, and better in August, during the polar nights. By the way, northern lights can also be found starting in August.
  • Duration of the trip: 5 days for travel + time for national parks (from 3 to 6 days).
  • Attractions: Denali National Park with the most high mountain in the USA, Gates to the Arctic National Park, Arctic Circle sign.

Chuisky Trakt. Altai, Russia

Here are some more beautiful roads where you can go on your own by car:

  • Chuysky tract- the most beautiful road in Russia in Altai. My friend rode it on a bicycle and says that she has never seen more beautiful expensive ones;
  • Atlantic Road in Norway— road along the islands through the sea;
  • Road through the Pampas in Argentina— along road 40 from the very north to the south.

And these are roads that you can’t drive your own cars yet, but you need to book a tour:

  • Pamir Highway— from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan
  • Altiplano of Bolivia- from by itself large salt marsh in the world along volcanoes and picturesque lagoons with flamingos.

Aug 31, 2015

There are so many amazing, famous and not so famous places on Earth, when you find yourself in them, you involuntarily feel like a small part of the majestic universe. When planning a vacation, some dream of being in paradise and enjoy a comfortable holiday, others are looking for exciting tourist routes, where every new day will give an unforgettable impression of what they see natural beauty and attractions, while others want to combine business with pleasure. Given such a variety of interests, website has chosen for you the best tourist places in the world, many of which occupy first places in the rankings of the most interesting places on the planet and are objects World Heritage UNESCO.

1.Colorful villages of Cinque Terre in Italy

Cinque Terre, Italy /Flickr: sullivanng

Five colorful villages perched on the steep cliffs of the Cinque Terre National Park are nothing like resort area with developed infrastructure. This amazing Italian outback is far from civilization and that is probably why it attracts tourists from all over the world with its genuine simplicity of life. Uncomplicated and unlike each other villages, where to this day, as if strung on top of each other, there are low-rise houses local residents, however, are full of sights and legends. So travelers definitely won’t have any questions about what to do and what to see. A walk along the ten-kilometer trail connecting all the villages will leave an indelible impression. Such picturesque landscapes, winding paths and turns you will not find anywhere in the world! And for young spouses, a section of the trail, called the road of love since ancient times, will become symbolic.

2. Vineyard roads in Switzerland

The Chemins des Vignes, Martigny, Switzerland / Photo by Trover: InternationalTravelers

The best walking tour through vineyards and villages awaits visitors to the Swiss province of Martigny. Six kilometers of vineyard roads (The Chemins des Vignes) - this tourist route runs along the Alpine slopes, lined with man-made terraces for vineyards. Magnificent landscapes, clean mountain air and the serenity of rural life have made this place popular among tireless tourists.

3. Colored lakes at the top of Kelimutu in Indonesia

Lakes in the Kelimutu Crater, Flores Island, Indonesia

Three colorful lake, shrouded in mystical beliefs about the souls of dead people living in them, are hidden from prying eyes in the crater of the majestic Kelimutu volcano at an altitude of almost 1700 meters. "Lake of the Elderly", the adjacent "Lake of Boys and Girls" and "Enchanted Lake" periodically change their color from black to turquoise, green and red under the influence of chemical reactions between the minerals found in them. The best time to admire the lakes is early in the morning or after twelve o'clock in the afternoon, when they are not covered by a veil of fog.

4. Centuries-old salt mines in Peru

Salt mines in Maras, Peru / Trover: Misha Zavoico

The mesmerizing salt mosaic - the brainchild of the resourceful Incas - is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the world. It would seem, what can attract salt baths, from which salt is still extracted by hand?! Multi-stage terraces will not only be a brilliant find for photographers in every sense, but also on a sunny day will amaze impressionable tourists with the multicolored salt landscapes. And everyone has the opportunity to check for themselves whether it is easy to obtain salt!

5. Meteora Monasteries in Greece

Monasteries of Meteora, Thessaly, Greece / Trover: Jade Johnston

The transparent waters of the Pinios River, forming the Thessalian valley, embrace powerful rocks immersed in the greenery of forests... Harmony of nature and harmony of spirit! The history of this most popular tourist route in the world dates back 15 centuries. Despite the fact that only 6 monasteries (4 male and 2 female) out of 24 built survived, Meteora is a real pillar of Orthodoxy. The six-hundred-meter high cliffs, which were once the bottom of the ancient sea, became a reliable foundation for the monastery buildings. As you climb the stone steps, you can’t help but think about how difficult the stairway to heaven is. But this is precisely why the power of monastic achievement and God-given grace are so strongly felt.

6. The mysterious rock of Uluru in Australia

Uluru, central Australia / Photo: Johan Lolos

The monumental - 0.35 km high, 3.6 km long and 3 km wide - orange-brown chameleon rock Uluru, located within the National Park, has become one of the most interesting tourist attractions in the world thanks to its ability to change color in depending on the time of day: from dark purple at dawn, bright red and pink in the morning to gold by midday. Indented by numerous caves and ponds, it preserves the history of ancient tribes in fantastic rock paintings. Along the sacred path local tribe Anangu can climb to the top of the rock, from where during the day a truly breathtaking view of the surrounding area opens, and in the evening you can admire the carnival of the starry sky.

7. Ko Poda Islands in Thailand

Koh Pohda Islands, Thailand / Trover: Brendan Caffrey

The islands of Koh Poda in the province of Krabi are rightfully considered the most popular tourist destination in the world. Tourists tired of entertainment come here by boat for peace and quiet. Spreading palm trees, pristine snow-white beach, transparent sea ​​water, a coral reef with exotic fish and stunning views of the cliffs of the Railay Peninsula will give heavenly pleasure. And not far from the island of Poda there is a local landmark - the hundred-meter island rock Ma Tang Ming, also known as one of the best places for diving in the center of Krabi.

8. Isle of Skye in Scotland

Isle of Skye, Scotland / Trover: Jimmy Dau

Skye - the largest and most unusual island in Scotland. Typically Scottish landscapes: deserted, hilly, with rocks, lakes and green meadows where sheep wander, amazingly interspersed with tropical oases that arose under the influence of the Gulf Stream washing the island. Palm trees and rhododendrons bloom here in October too! Isle of Skye – favorite place for rest and work of creative people. There are a lot of small art museums here. Climbers from all over the world flock here to conquer the peaks mountain range Cullin, called the Scottish Alps.

9. The blue town of Chefchaouen in Morocco

Chefchaouen, Morocco

To all fans of little ones cozy places on Earth you will love this glorious tourist town, which began its history in the 15th century with the construction of a small fortress, which is now one of the attractions of Chefchaouen. The color blue brought popularity to this town: the walls of houses and sidewalks in Chefchaouen are painted in bright shades of blue. Unforgettable impressions will leave walking along stone narrow and winding streets, warm gatherings in cafes, climbing the mountains and visiting the most beautiful parks and reserves: Thalassemtan, Talembot and Bukhashem.

10. Bryce Canyon in the USA

Bryce Canyon National Park, USA

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah and covers an area of ​​145 km². This is a majestic miraculous amphitheater consisting of whimsical orange, pink and creamy hoodoo rocks, the shape of which is tirelessly adjusted by the most unpredictable sculptor in the world - nature itself. Sharp peaks give way to mysterious turrets or upward-pointing spiers. The slopes of Bryce Canyon are surrounded by bright green, dense coniferous forests and mountain meadows that soften the rugged landscape and make it enchanting. But the most spectacular spectacle of Bryce Canyon is at dawn, at sunset and in winter - that’s when the parade of fantastic colors unfolds!

11. Volcanic island of Camiguin in the Philippines

Camiguin, Philippines / Flickr: gogo159

It is no coincidence that Camiguin Island, surrounded by lush greenery, can be called the pearl of the Philippine archipelago. Just imagine: a tropical climate, magnificent white beaches and caressing azure ocean waters, amazing 50-meter waterfalls and hot springs, seven active volcanoes and first-class diving, unique flora and fauna! And if you climb to the top of Mount Hibok-Hibok, you will see fantastic views! A local attraction and tourist find is a huge white cross, which was installed on the site of a cemetery that sank into the sea.

12. The many faces of Cape Town in South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa/ via Gogobot

The capital of the multinational Western Cape Province and the legislative capital of South Africa, the southernmost African city, comfortably located near legendary cape Good Hope, Cape Town is of great interest to tourists all over the world. Even the architecture of the city itself is a popular tourist destination. A vibrant mosaic of historic and ultra-modern buildings creates a unique flavor of Cape Town, as if walking through the city you are traveling back in time. This is especially noticeable when visiting the colorful Bo-Kaap district, where descendants of slaves live.
Wonderful climate, natural wealth, excellent infrastructure will make it unforgettable beach holiday and will allow you to fully enjoy the popular surfing here. The best tourist places in Cape Town are, of course, Table Mountain - the main lighthouse of sailors, Victoria and Alfred Harbor - the center of shopping and entertainment centers, stunning beauty botanical garden Kirstenbosch, “Aquarium of Two Oceans”, where the inhabitants of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Huge number cultural centers, national museums and art galleries, historical monuments and facilities will not let the most demanding guests of Cape Town get bored.

13. Impressive Cappadocia in Turkey

Cappadocia, Türkiye / Flickr: aigle_dore

Fairytale Cappadocia, symbolized by mushrooms with caps, fully lives up to its definition. Strange landscapes created volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks, seem unreal, coming from childhood dreams. Just imagine the mysterious natural labyrinths, in which the first Christians hid during the period of persecution, mountains and rocks in the shape of cones, pyramids, stone pillars and freaks! Tourists will be able to observe the bizarre landscapes of Cappadocia from a flying height hot air balloon. But the popularity of this place is also brought by the “Museum under open air", which unites worthy of attention travelers will find ancient rock churches and monasteries with here and there preserved frescoes of times that have sunk into oblivion.

14. Ha Long Bay in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam / Jetsetter

Ha Long Bay, beloved by tourists, is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the world, steeped in ancient legends. Two thousand stone islands covered with luxurious greenery are solemnly scattered over the amazing emerald-colored water. Many fascinating grottoes and caves, mirror lakes and waterfalls will amaze even the most unromantic people and put them in a contemplative mood. Delightful landscapes combined with a wonderful climate invite you to... relaxing holiday on snow-white beaches, water skiing or jet skiing, and also provide excellent opportunities for camping and rock climbing.

15. Lake Tahoe in the USA

Lake Tahoe. California and Nevada, USA / Flickr: renotahoe

The most beautiful in North America Lake Tahoe, whose crystal clear blue waters do not freeze in winter, is surrounded by stunning scenery mountain range Sierra Nevada. Coniferous forests and snow-capped rocks give the lake a unique charm. This lake district is famous for its beaches and ski resorts, several national parks with dozens of hiking trails for ecotourism lovers. Let's add to natural resources brilliantly developed infrastructure - and before us is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, where you can have a wonderful holiday at any time of the year.

16. Waterfall in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia / Flickr: magnusvk

To the amazing tourist places world belongs to the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. On an area of ​​almost 30,000 hectares, 16 large and a huge number of small lakes, more than a hundred waterfalls and several dozen caves are picturesquely located. But the most amazing sight is Big waterfall Sastavci. The crystal waters of the Plitvica and Korana rivers rush down from a 72-meter height in polyphonic silver streams.

17. Blue Sea of ​​Nemophiles in Japan

Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan /Flickr: kobaken

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Those who do not sleep are intoxicated by flowers...
Basho

The most touching place in the world, awakening all the best, all the pure in a person, is the Hitachi National Seaside Park in Japan, occupying 120 hectares. There are no centuries-old trees or intricate shrubs here - delicate flowers reign here all year round, replacing each other. They are not collected in elegant flower beds, but planted in huge fields, which is why suddenly a person begins to feel not the master of nature, but an integral part of it. Amazingly, the park’s world fame was brought not by proud tulips and graceful poppies, but by millions of tremulous nemophilas with airy petals, turning the earth into a blue ocean. Every year, Hitachi Park hosts an enchanting flower festival called “Harmony of Nemophiles.”

The beauty of a bicycle is its simplicity. You just sit down and go wherever you need to go - to the store, bar or to work. However, some prefer routes that are more interesting and difficult, with long distances and sometimes very dangerous. Here are 7 fantastic cycling routes, some that can be completed in a couple of days, others that can be completed in months. Don't forget to take your skin irritation cream from a known location!

If you're a fan of high-altitude views, then the 800-kilometer route from the Tibetan city of Lhasa to the Nepalese border will be the most beautiful cycling route in the world. Although this is definitely not the highest path above sea level. The altitude reaches a dizzying 5,220 m, and the Gyatso La Pass offers views of Everest in clear weather.

Needless to say, such a journey is only possible for prepared people. Travel conditions are of a high difficulty category, and the distance between cities requires careful planning of your trip. Additionally, the unstable political situation in Tibet means that traveling alone can be dangerous.

Otherwise, this is one of the most interesting cycling adventures in the world! Expect amazing religious and cultural discoveries in Lhasa and Gyantse and Lake Yamdrok Yumtso, whose turquoise waters will sparkle in the valley below. In addition, the route ends with perhaps the longest descent in the world, with a vertical drop of 3,500 meters and numerous hairpin turns.

This is a shorter, but hardly less exciting, 270 km route through Costa Rica. From the Pacific to the Caribbean coast the road goes along paths through the jungle, coffee plantations and even past an extinct volcano. Every year in November, a bicycle race takes place along this route, which takes three days. But if you are not in such a hurry, you can spend as much time as you like on this path. The road along which the Spanish conqueror Juan de Cavallion, the main conquistador of his time, passed, awaits you.

The route starts from Jaco Beach, popular among surfers, and quickly rises to an altitude of approximately 3000 m on the first day of the trip. Skirting the capital of San Jose, the road passes the extinct volcano Irazu and at the end descends to mangrove forests and beaches from white sand. The traditional end of the route is swimming in the Caribbean Sea.

North Sea Cycle Route (Europe)

This route is also known under the less sonorous name Euro Velo Route 12. It passes through 8 countries and is considered the world's longest signed cycling route. The road, almost 6,000 kilometers long, starts from northern region Shetland Islands across the territory of Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Of course, it is not at all necessary to try to cover the entire distance. Some people try to do this in several passes, mostly in summer time, because the route is clearly not intended for winter.

This 64-kilometer route is perhaps the only one presented here that can be recommended for traveling with children. Completely separate from highway, he snakes among the little ones picturesque islands Hiroshima Prefecture in the western part of the country. Japan is usually more associated with cars than bicycles, but the latter are also quite popular here. Shimanami Kaido is a perfect example of how four- and two-wheeled modes of transport can coexist harmoniously.

The separate cycle path, which also has a path for pedestrians, runs next to the highway for the most part, deviating from it in some places to create a gentler climb that's less taxing on your pedaling legs. There are bike rental shops at several places along the route.

Some people cover this route in one day, but many try to go slower and take a look at the beautiful views inland sea Seto. There is a fee for cyclists to cross the bridges, but the fee is small. You will only need pocket change and will not have to withdraw a lot of money from the card.

This route is not only long (4,400 kilometers), but also offers a total of 61,000 meters of ascent. Yes, yes, it’s like climbing Everest seven times! This off-road route runs from Alberta, Canada to New Mexico. This is a road for those who ride well-worn mountain bikes and take bear spray and titanium hiking spoons with them :)

The path passes through the forests, mountains and moors of the Great Basin. Your traveling companions here may be grizzlies, moose, lions and eagles. The route can only be traveled from June to September, but even at this time the road sometimes remains impassable for weeks due to rainfall.

Another huge route, and this time in one of the most remote places on earth - Western Australia. The 960-kilometer route passes through forested areas. “Mudda Biddi,” by the way, is translated from the local language as “path through the forest.” The route starts near the state capital, Perth, and reaches Albany in the southwest part of the country.

Less ambitious travelers can opt for the day trip option, and the route's official website provides updates on road conditions, which can sometimes be impassable. In any case, you need to be prepared for intense summer heat. What’s nice is that about every 30 miles you can find accommodations and water sales points.

This 160-kilometer route falls in the “deceptive and difficult” category. At first glance, this is, of course, not the Alps, but an ordinary English countryside. But these endless ups and downs quickly lead to the feeling that you are driving through the mountains. In total, the height of the climbs is 4300 meters.

The South Downs Way existed as a trail for travelers on foot and horseback several thousand years ago. Today it is a full-fledged tourist route, fully marked with signposts. It winds from the steep cliffs of Beachy Head to historic Winchester. The route can be comfortably covered in 2-3 days, and along the way you will find picturesque villages with pubs and small hotels.