9 Destinations No Travel Portal Is Telling You About

9 Destinations No Travel Portal Is Telling You About

Sanjana Sule, September 10, 2015
“Life is short, and the world is wide.”

Traveling is a passion we all harbor, at some point in our life. All we have to do is go online and any travel portal will give you millions of places to book an air ticket. But the world is a vast place, and the tentacles of the online world though vast, do not compare to the greatness of our world. So what about those places that no one talks about? The ones that slip through the cracks of the online world? Where and how do you learn of their existence? Well, we have the answer for you. We bring to you 9 amazing, off-beat places that you can forever knock off “The destinations no travel portal tells you about” because we’re telling you. All you have to do is listen, and follow your heart.

1. Atacama Desert, Chile

Atacama Desert, Chile

Virtually lifeless, with next to no drop of water, landscape mirroring that of the moon with miles and miles of mineral sediments, yet breathtakingly beautiful. This barren desert might be incapable of supporting life, but no one can blame it as being incapable of supporting beauty. It’s not every day that you come across something lifeless, looking this stunning. A walk or ride through the desert, and you'll know just what I mean.

2. Marble Caves, Chile

Marble Caves, Chile

Accessible only by boat, the marble caves are a group of pillars and monoliths, painstakingly formed by the waves over the past 6000 years. Entering these blue and grey caves will make you feel as if you’ve entered into a turquoise chamber of beauty, specially carved by nature for you.

3. Psychedelic Salt Mines, Russia

Psychedelic Salt Mines, Russia

Located 650 feet below the city of Yekaterinburg in Russia. The red, yellow, blue, green swirls of magnesium that cover the walls, floors, ceilings, and every other exposed surface of the mines have earned it its name. With huge widening tunnels, it’s easy to lose track of time, hunger as well as the way. If you go down these mines, you’re going down in a trance, and we can’t promise what comes out will be 100% you.

4. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Neither Europe, nor Asia, but an amalgamation of contrasts and traditions from both, Azerbaijan is not a destination you often see on ‘must visit destinations’ lists, and one can only wonder why. From rural villages to soaring Caucasus mountains, to everything in between, Azerbaijan has it all. Including a flowing cascade in the form of the Caspian Sea.

5. Damascus, Syria

Damascus, Syria

One of the oldest cities of the world, today it stands ravaged and torn by modern-day conflicts and war. If this city, home to the Romans as well as the Greeks at one time, is not being recommended today it’s because of the Syrian conflict. Look what one war can do to millions of years of beauty and history. Ancient culture is no match to the hooves of tanks and guns.

6. Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen, Morocco

A small quaint little town in the northwest of Morocco, what makes it different from any other town you’ll ever lay your eyes upon, is the color blue. Called the Blue Pearl of Morocco, all the houses and buildings in this town are blue in color. Not fifty shades of blue, but the very same shade. If you’re wondering why? Some secrets are best left unanswered. So just take in the beauty, you’ll never see so much blue in one place again.

7. Albarracín, Spain

Albarracín, Spain

A small town located in Aragon Spain, Albarracín has the potential to help you time-travel. Walking through the streets of this town will make you feel as if you’re right back in the middle ages. The houses of this town, along with its cathedral and museums emit an old-world charm. One of the most beautiful places in Spain? Yeah, probably.

8. Craco, Basilicata

Craco, Bascilicata

Abandoned after an earthquake in 1980, this ghost town has only empty houses, with the winds blowing through, leaving whispers of the past. Today it is used as an important filming location. If you’ve watched the Quantum of Solace, chances are you’ve probably seen Craco and you just didn’t know about it. Well, now you do.

9. Popeye Village, Malta

Popeye Village, Malta