Anything from the beach to the mountains can feel surreal when you’re on vacation. But these places – like The Wave in Arizona (our featured image) – are actually surreal. Here are our top six picks for the most surreal travel sights in the world.
The Wave, Arizona, United States
On the slopes of Coyote Buttes, near the Arizona/Utah border, is this stunning, wavy sandstone rock formation; visitors are limited and the process requires entering a lottery.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Pamukkale, in the south central Aegean region of Turkey, translates quite literally to “castle of cotton” or “cotton fortress,” which is exactly what this landscape looks like. Mineral springs with hot calcium-rich water have, over time, created these step-like formations now recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Hyden Rock, Australia
Not to be confused with The Wave in Arizona, Hyden Rock, in the small town of Hyden, Australia, is often called The Wave Rock. Why? At 47 feet by 350 feet this large natural rock formation looks exactly like monstrous breaking surf.
Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
Fingal’s Cave in Scotland looks like it was man made but the structure’s hexagonally jointed basalt columns are actually a work of nature! There’s a very serious scientific explanation for it all, but it’s more fun to just gawk and admire the geometrical perfection.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Tens of thousands of years of volcanic eruptions, erosion and wind created the miraculous chimney rock formations found in Cappadocia. Dating as far back as the Bronze Age, these rocks were carved into homes, churches and monasteries, in addition to the building of extensive underground structures that resemble cities.
Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
An abandoned railway turned into one of the most romantic spots in the world, this tunnel was carved from trains running on a track layed down through a dense forest. Local folklore says lovers who walk through holding hands will have all their wishes granted.
Another one of our favorite surreal destinations? Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
(Main image: Diva007)
