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.

46. Tunnel of Love in Klewan (Ukraine)

Kleven`s famous “Tunnel of Love” is a fascinating example of what happens when nature is allowed to flourish side by side with man-made inventions. It was formed when 3 km of railway tracks were laid through the middle of a forest to transport wood to a factory near Klewan three times a day. The trees and bushes were not so easily displaced and formed a leafy tunnel around the tracks, which quickly cast a spell on all who saw it; the “Tunnel of Love” had been born. Legend has it that couples who pass through the tunnel and make a wish will have their wish fulfilled (whether or not that applies to singles too is not mentioned, but it’s worth a try!).

Klewan is 25 km northwest of Rivne (30 minutes by car or rail). The closest airport is the Danylo Halytsky airport in Lviv (208 km). Day trips are available from Kiev.

47. Sea of Stars on Vaadhoo Island (Maldives)

The Maldive islands, comprising 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, are not only the smallest southeastern Asian country and the lowest country above sea level in the world, they also offer some of the most exquisite geographical locations on the planet. The icing on the cake is the phenomenon known as “Sea of Stars”, which is caused by bioluminescence; when the plankton in the water feel threatened, they emit a beam of light to distract the predator. Under the right conditions and at night, it can look as if the sea is full of stars.

Between August and November when the moon is on the wane is reportedly the best time to witness this unique and magical sight, though night swimmers on Vaadhoo whose movements “threaten” the plankton enough might find the water around them glowing blue at any time! Visitors are best advised to fly to Malé and then take the ferry to Vaadhoo(around 4 hours).

48. Hang Son Doong (Vietnam)

At 5 kilometres in length and 200 m in height, Hang Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park near the Laos/Vietnam border is the biggest cave in the world, with stalactites up to 70 m long! Large dolines (sinkholes) in the roof which allow sunlight and rainfall into the cave have facilitated the growth of vegetation and even trees; the cave houses a large subterranean river and most resembles a complete surrealistic underground world. An awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime experience not quite so easy to realize; visitors must apply for a permit and only 800 permits are issued each year. Nothing like being one of the elite!

The closest airport is Dong Hoi (45 minutes from Hang Son Doong) with regular flights to and from Hanoi.

49. Equator Line (Uganda)

In Kayabwe in the Mpigi district of Uganda, around 80 km southwest of Kampala, the scientifically-minded visitor can stand with one foot in the northern and one foot in the southern hemisphere and marvel that he really does weigh 0.5% less than he would at the North pole! Did you know that water drains clockwise in the northern and anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere? Well, at the equator it drains straight down, another fascinating fact you can prove for yourself at Uganda`s equator line.

Visitors should drive or take the bus from Kampala to Kayabwe along the Kampala Masaka road (around 1 ½ hours). In Kayabwe, the equator line is unmistakably marked, since it is one of Uganda`s most popular tourist destinations!

50. Tikal (Guatemala)

Tikal in what is now northern Guatemala was one of the most significant kingdoms of the ancient Maya civilisation (around 2600 BC to 1697 AD). The monumental remains of this ancient city – which include tombs, walls and pyramid-like structures which are at least as awe-inspiring as the better-known ones in Egypt – date from around the 4th century BC and offer stunning insight into the mechanical and visionary skills of this brilliant yet enigmatic civilisation.

Visitors are advised to fly to Flores from Guatemala City (around 1 hour) and go by road from Flores to Tikal (around 1 ¼ hours). Flores is also the best place to stay; Tikal itself is deep in the El Peten rainforest!

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