Escaping this world sounds like a pretty good idea at times. There’s no better feeling than leaving your entire life behind to visit somewhere out of this world. The only problem is, space vacationing doesn’t exist… yet.
If you’re stuck on the idea of getting off this planet – especially since you just passed your – defensive driving online course – then you’re in luck. Earth has some travel destinations that will make you feel like you’re in a different universe.
Dallol – Ethiopia
Located in northern Ethiopia is a strip of land in the Afar Depression. When the land becomes dry, and it is during a time when teens can drive along in NY, the life in the area vanishes. This gives Dallol an outer worldly appearance. If you’ve ever been curious about traveling to mars on a budget, then Dallol, Ethiopia is your destination. This nearly uninhabited land is home to a natural volcano, which last erupted in 2011.
Painted Dunes, Lassen Volcanic Park – U.S.
Because of diverse volcanoes in the area, the Painted Dunes have become a nearly sci-fi sight to vacationers. You might feel like you’re stepping through a looking glass to another world when you visit the Painted Dunes. The breathtaking appearance of, what looks like a watercolor painting, will make you forget about your Earthly struggles.
Salar de Uyuni – Bolivia
If you’re in Bolivia, visit the Salar de Uyuni. You might have seen photos of this popular salt flats before, but that doesn’t take away from its gorgeous view. When visiting this destination at certain times in the year, you can see a complete reflection of the sky, creating a stunning mirror effect.
Lake Natron – Tanzania
Lake Natron is unlike any other body of water on Earth. The lake is nearly habitable, because the water temperatures reach upwards to 104 degrees. Lake Natron also gets its red color from the lake organism’s photosynthetic pigments that lurk within it. If you wanted to see what water would look like on the red planet, then look no further than Lake Natron.
Valle de la Luna – Chile
In 1969, mankind visited the moon. They didn’t realize they could have visited Valle de la Luna in Chile instead. This dry land has colorful stones and rocks that have been carved by water and wind erosion. This gives the area a look like the surface of the moon. Moreover, you’ll have a great view of the moon if you visit.
Pamukkale – Turkey
If the thermal springs of Pamukkale, Turkey don’t look out of this world, bathing in them will. Known for their pure white color, the springs are a popular destination for people visiting the country. The surrounding limestone gets its color from the calcium rich springs.
Fly Geysers – U.S.
One of the most alien looking destinations on this list is the Fly Geysers in Nevada, United States. This slimy, roundish rock formation spews hot water, some of it reaching 200 degrees. As a result, it creates warmth loving algae that feeds off the mineral deposits. One of the most alien things about this geyser is how the area is teeming with life in the desert.
Waitomo – New Zealand
Speaking of aliens, some sci-fi lovers believe that extraterrestrial life consist of bug like creatures. The Waitomo cave in New Zealand encourages this notion because of its display of glowworms. Tourists can take a small boat through the cave or hike at their own discretion to marvel at the spectacle of glowworms illuminating these New Zealand caves.