It is amazing how many people have “a trip around the world” or a number of exotic, culturally significant or spiritually uplifting destinations to visit on their bucket lists, as if we were nomads at heart (which perhaps we are).

Equally interesting is that some people have more things on their bucket list than anyone could achieve in a whole lifetime, and others have few or even none.

For both of these, and for travel lovers of all shapes and sizes, here is the ultimate bucket list of “must-see” places. It is not necessarily a practical list; some of these places are all but inaccessible, others in some way dangerous, including countries burdened by poverty, racked by disease, ravaged by war or suffering in the wake of some terrible (or man-made) catastrophe. Some of them will also be way over the average person’s budget.

However, we need to dream before we can act: in the words of a very wise North American Indian: “Truly rich is he who has more dreams in his soul than reality can destroy”. Some of these places one might actually visit, but in our dreams, we can visit them all.

51. Charyn Canyon (Kasachstan)

The Charyn Canyon near the Chinese border, 200 km east of Almaty, has often been likened to the Grand Canyon. At 150 km long and around 300 m deep, it is considerably smaller, but its bizarre and striking rock formations and colors – particularly the “Valley of Castles” – show many similarities. Around 20 km from the canyon are the relics of an ancient grove of trees (notable the “sogdian ash”) left over from the Ice Age and unique in the world! All in all a region of jaw-dropping natural beauty and a most unusual and unforgettable destination.

The Charyn Canyon can be accessed from Almaty airport in around 2 hours by road. Guided tours are also available from Almaty.

52. Ouidah Voodoo Festival (Benin)

Officially “The Republic of Benin”, this little-known country in West Africa is the home of voodoo, which together with a long history of slavery has influenced it more than any other factor. An estimated 60% of Beninese follow voodoo (aka “vodun”), which was officially declared a religion in Benin in 1996. Accordingly, the 10th of January – date of the famous annual voodoo festival in Ouidah, the “spiritual” centre of voodoo – was declared a national holiday. Thousands flock to the tiny state of Benin to take part in ritual dancing, goat-slaughtering and other colorful shenanigans, accompanied by moderate (and less moderate) gin consumption. The fetish market, the sacred forest of Kpasse, the Temple of Pythons and the Door of No Return (through which slaves passed on their way to the New World) are just a few more of the unsettling things to see in Ouidah. Spooky, but different!

Closest airport is the Cotonou Cadjehoun airport, 37 km west of Ouidah (50 minutes by road).

53. The Shahara Bridge (Yemen)

Venice-lovers may be piqued or just simply amazed to discover that their beloved “Bridge of Sighs” has a twin – in Yemen. 140 km north of Sana`a, the Shahara Bridge which connects two almost sheer mountain faces (Jabal al Faish and Jabal al Emir) at a height of 2.600 metres above sea level is also called “The Bridge of Sighs”. The sight of this astonishing edifice – which was built in the 17th century using only local supplies and traditional stonemason’s tools – is quite simply breathtaking. It is perhaps for this reason that the bridge’s architect, Salah al Yaman, lost his mind shortly after it was completed.

Car hire and an experienced guide are essential if you wish to view this incredible masterpiece. The (bumpy) ride from the El Rahaba airport in Sana’a takes around 3 ½ hours. (NOTE: currently the situation in Yemen makes travel to the country inadvisable, particularly for US citizens. If and when the conflict in Yemen is resolved and the Shahara bridge is still intact, it is definitely bucket-list-worthy!).

54. Batu Caves (Malaysia)

The Batu caves in Gombak, Selangor is a series of caves rising to an elevation of almost 100 m and housing countless Hindu shrines, temples and statues. The caves, formed in limestone believed to be around 400 million years old, take their name from the Sungai Batu river which flows nearby and from an adjoining village, also known as “Batu Caves”. The caves are a main tourist attraction in Malaysia, drawing 10.000 visitors annually for the Hindu Thaipusam festival (January/February).

The Batu Cavesare only 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur (20 minutes by car) and 76 km from Kuala Lumpur International airport.

55. Tsingy de Bemaraha (Madagaskar)

The Tsingy de Bemaraha Nature Reserve is located in the Antsalova District, central west Madagascar. It was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. A combination of geological and climatic factors has produced in Tsingy (literally: region in which you cannot walk barefoot) a phenomenon which is unique in the world: a veritable forest of limestone karst, complete with pine-needles. The northern part of the Tsingy is a strict nature reserve; tourists are not allowed in. The remaining 732 square km of bizarre rock formations, untouched green forests and indigenous fauna and flora – many of them as yet unrecorded – have to be seen to be believed.

Zingy lies 300 km west of the capital Antananarivo, which is the closest airport; depending on road and weather conditions, the trip can take up to five days. Both car rental and an experienced guide are strongly recommended (public transport is virtually nonexistent) and even then, your trip to the Tsingy de Bemaraha is going to be the adventure of a lifetime!

Source:
http://www.jenreviews.com
https://www.jenreviews.com/best-places-to-visit/