The Magical Lofoten Archipelago in Norway

Normally, you would think twice before deciding to take a vacation at latitude 68°N. For those of you who are not familiar with latitude coordinates, you should know that that value is well above the Arctic Circle. That, in turn, translates to freezing temperatures, which are usually not considered ideal for family vacations.

However, there is one really intriguing exception to that. The stunningly beautiful Lofoten archipelago is located so high on the map that winter should be experienced at around -40°F (-40°C). Very surprisingly, though, the coldest months of the year often boast temperatures above 32°F (0°C). Summer can even pamper locals and visitors with warm, 73.5°F (23°C) days.

Lofoten flaunts one of the world’s largest temperature anomalies in relation to its geographic position. And this is only one reason to visit the place. Even more importantly, the archipelago is an incredibly beautiful place on Earth. It is definitely one of the most spectacular places in Norway with steep peaks that seem to pop up directly from the water.

The rugged coast holds lovely small fishing villages tucked cozily in fjords. Norway is excellent at keeping traditions and local identity almost intact, while also enjoying intense touristic activity. The local authorities are experts at establishing a healthy balance between tourism and tradition, which only makes everything even more interesting.

Holy Mount Haguro in Japan

There is a very special pilgrimage site in Japan’s ancient province of Dewa (now Yamagata prefecture). In the Japanese Shinto religion, this is considered a holy place, but even for a non-believer it represents a wonderfully serene destination. It is called Dewa Sanzan, which means “Three Mountains of Dewa”.

Only one of the three holy mountains can be visited all year round, and that is Mount Haguro. It is also the most easily accessible of all, with a humble height of only 1,358 feet. The summit can be reached by climbing a long path with 2,466 stone steps.

The walk is not difficult, but definitely tiring, so visitors will be happy to find a lovely teahouse about halfway to the top. Here tourists can stop and enjoy some refreshments before resuming their pilgrimage towards the shrine at the summit. Here the Sanzan Gosaiden temple represents a place of veneration of the spirits of the mountains.

Also noteworthy is the place where Japanese poet Basho found inspiration for one of his famous poems. You can visit it near the tea house and then continue your way to the top of the mountain. And also make sure you don’t miss the six centuries old five-story pagoda called Goju-no-to, which is a remarkable National Treasure.

The Wonderful Hamilton Pool Preserve

Some 23 miles west of Austin, Texas lies one of the most beautiful oases of natural beauty in the country. It is the Hamilton Pool Preserve and it has been a popular summer destination for Austin locals and visitors since the 1960s. Formed thousands of years ago, the natural pool appeared after the ceiling of an underground river collapsed due to erosion.

It is now a superb swimming spot with jade green water and a 50-foot waterfall. The pool is surrounded by limestone formations from which spectacular stalactites grow downwards. The grotto’s ceiling and the surrounding cliffs are beautifully decorated with maidenhair fern, moss and cliff swallows. This area is also home to the cute but endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

In case you were wondering, the crystal clear water is not chemically treated, but you don’t have to worry about swimming in it, because it is regularly monitored and sometimes human access to the water is restricted altogether. Actually, the entire area is a protected environment, as the pool is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. It’s a little piece of heaven, some might say.

The Historic Schwerin Palace in Germany

There are many things a tourist can do in Germany, and one of them is visiting wonderful castles that date back many centuries. One example is the superb Schwerin Palace, built on its very own island in the city of Schwerin, Germany. Aerial views of the palace on Lake Schweriner See are breathtaking, but even when viewed from ground level, the Middle Age royal home and its gardens are strikingly beautiful.

The Spectacular Town of Geiranger in Norway

If spectacular views are what you’re after, then Norway is one of the best countries to visit. Somewhere in the south-western part of the country, in a beautiful region called Sunnmøre, there is a tiny tourist town that is often described as the best travel destination in the whole of Scandinavia. A quick Google search on Geiranger will result in some of the most amazing photos you’ve ever seen. And still nothing compares to actually being there and experiencing everything first hand.

Geiranger has only about 250 permanent residents, so it really is a small community. But during the short tourist season that begins in May and ends in September, it is flooded by hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. The beautiful town is home to the country’s third biggest port for cruise ships and is visited by up to 180 such vessels every year.

Unlike most small towns, Geiranger has more than ten camping areas and five hotels. Its economy is obviously based on tourism, but there’s a constant threat to this community and its tourist-based businesses: one of the local mountains could collapse into the fjord at any time, which would cause a huge wave that would destroy much of the town.

That aside, Geiranger is an excellent destination with incredibly much to offer. The fjord area is actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are plenty exciting things to do here. One really exciting annual event is the Geiranger – From Fjord to Summit bike race and half marathon. Participants get to climb from sea level to the top of Mount Dalsnibba (4,911 feet) and also go from summer to winter, because the journey ends with snow-covered peaks. An unforgettable adventure, if you ask us!