What makes a trip memorable? Sometimes it’s the company you travel with, while others it’s where you go. Choosing a travel partner can be a challenge, but your destination doesn’t have to be. If you are looking to make the next vacation one you’ll talk about for years, consider one of these spots for a truly unique experience.
Table of Contents
An Electric Memory
From May to November, just where the Catatumbo River flows into Lake Maracaibo, the sky fills with light. This phenomenon goes by a variety of nicknames but most commonly referred to as the Catatumbo Lightning. Here, during the wet season, you can watch hundreds of lightning bolts fill the sky for the world’s longest thunderstorm. Just one viewing, and your relationship with nature, and its power, will forever be changed. While the storm has the nickname of ‘The Everlasting Storm,’ it is not guaranteed every night; so plan on staying for at least two nights. While waiting, you can enjoy the villages on stilts and try to catch views of the diverse wildlife around the area.
An Island Dyed Red
Just under 1000 miles off the coast of Australia lies the small land of Christmas Island. While famous for its coral reefs and caves, it is in the late fall that the island both literally and figuratively comes alive. Every year, approximately 50 million red crabs migrate for their spawning season. The red crab migration shuts down roads and dyes the landscape red as these creatures make their way across the island . Native to only two islands, the Christmas Island red crab migration is truly an awe-inspiring sight. When planning your visit, be sure to include time for exploring the rainforests, snorkeling and, of course, trying the local barbecue.
A “Dangerous” Undertaking
Norway has long been famous for its breathtaking fjords and views of the Northern Lights. However, deep in the waters off the coast is one of the largest gatherings of orcas anywhere on the planet. Every winter, when the sun sets early and the frosty chill of winter bites at your skin, tours go out for divers, experts and amateur alike, to swim with the killer whales. Mostly banned around the world, Norway offers you the rare opportunity to get close to these giants in their natural habitat. As you schedule your vacation, it is best to book late October or Early November through January when the orcas have gathered in the region.
A Long Wait
One of the most challenging sites to see on this list is the ruins of the Fabbriche di Careggine, a small medieval city sunk beneath the waters of a Florentine Lake. Built in the 13th century, Fabbriche di Careggine survived until 1947 when a dam was constructed and the city was lost to the water. However, since its construction, the region has occasionally drained the lake allowing tourists the rare opportunity to explore the city on foot. Knowing when to go can be the biggest challenge for this once-in-a-lifetime sight; but, to increase tourism following COVID-19, the city may be visible this year. Before you book, check the local website for exact dates to ensure you don’t miss this chance.
A Frosty Paradise
There are many places to go where you can feel isolated from the rest of humans, but none, perhaps, so much so as Antarctica. This icy continent hosts 4,000 people in the summer but only 1,000 in the winter. Here, you can view Paradise Bay, the home to some of nature’s most beautiful views and majestic creatures. The frozen landscapes at this incredible site are home to thousands of penguins and seals. From the deck of an Antarctica cruise, you can look over the waters full of humpback and minke whales, making this vacation one you’ll never forget. Book your trip for January or February to catch the summer season when days are longest and the weather warmest.
Safe travels and don’t forget your camera.
