Top Ten Travel Destinations - Waterfalls
It's hard to hate a waterfall. Inherent in their nature they are free,unfettered and ever-changing, and rich with inspiration. Withthousands of spectacular waterfalls around the world, finding theperfect plunge is no easy feat. When weighing the mighty factors ofheight, volume and width in your consideration, they all compete for aplace among the most amazing waterfalls in the world. With theirundeniable majesty, waterfalls radiate an aura of relaxation, and assuch tend to be a mainstay on the 'do to list' of most travellers.Ranging from the tall elegant trickle, to the plentiful and powerfulgush, this top ten list explores the worlds best waterfalls fromaround the globe.
The first thing you notice about Yosemite Falls is not the view, it's the noise. The roar of millions of gallons of water crashing down the length of a 200-story building is deafening, even from half a mile away. The falls known as Yosemite Falls are actually a series of two waterfalls, Lower and Upper Yosemite Falls, which are separated by a series of pools, streams and fissures that snake through a deep gorge. At the bottom of the falls, the spray rises for hundreds of feet, often creating beautiful rainbows as the water glistens in the clear California sunlight. Before it sweeps into the 5th largest waterfall in the solar system, the Yosemite Creek is a gentle stream fed primarily by snow melt. However, ...
The lush enchanting scenery of Iguazu Falls evokes a sense of amazement that most would think only possible in fairy tales or adventure stories. Fittingly enough, ancient legend has it that Iguazu Falls was created by an enraged God who wished to marry a local woman. The woman instead fled with her lover down the river in hopes of avoiding this fate and during their escape the God split the river, damning the lovers to an eternity of falling. In reality Iguazu Falls was the product of a volcanic eruption that left a large crack in the earths surface, approximately 1.5 miles long and has over 275 falls which cascade from it. The largest and most well known of all the falls is la Garganta ...
Sa Pa is known as the place of four seasons; with spring in the morning, summer at midday, autumn at dusk, and winter at night, creating a wonderful climate that you'll undoubtedly love. Located in Lao Cai Province, northwest Vietnam, this small mountain town is home to many ethnic minorities such as the H'mong, Dao and Tay people. Along the rolling slopes of the paddy fields, the true beauty of this small town can be seen in the careful balance between land and life. As you wake in the morning and amble down to your breakfast, you can watch the sun rising over the eastern mountains, slowly burning off what is left of the clouds from the night before. In the distance you can begin ...
As one of the tallest and mightiest waterfalls in the world, those who make the long trek into the remoteness of New Zealand’s south island are rewarded with a beautiful treat, Sutherland Falls. Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, call Sutherland Falls Te Tautea, or the White Thread. It is possible to walk directly to the base of Sutherland Falls; here, the sheer force of water is felt as a damp whirl wind, visibility is reduced as the air fills with mist, and the roar of the falls is so loud one might expect an airplane to appear from the falls at any moment. Sutherland Falls has what is called a ‘tiered plunge’ as the water makes three different leaps during its decent. Dropping ...
As the crisp scent of dawn gives way to the break of day, quiet solitude can be found along the waterfall lined trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park. While the morning dew subsides, a winding plank walkway unfolds, lacing together an exquisite collection of waterfalls. Comprised of 16 interconnected lakes, Plitvice Park is divided into the Upper Lakes, Gornja Jezera, and the Lower Lakes, Donja Jezera. The azure waters and distinctive cascades are derived from the location of the basin, which lies on a large deposit of karstic rock. Spanning over 8km, the terraced Plitvice Lakes are sprinkled amongst a lush forest backdrop home to deer, wolves, bears, wildcats and some 160 rare species of birds. The Big Waterfall also known as Veliki Slap, is ...
Waterfalls are one of Mother Nature’s most majestic and powerful creations. Short and wide, tall and skinny – it doesn't matter the shape, waterfalls are always a welcome sight. Langfossen, or Langfoss Waterfall in southern Norway is one of Europe’s most iconic and beautiful falls. It is the 5th largest waterfall in Norway, spanning 2008 feet high by 205 feet wide.Technically Langfossen is not a waterfall but a cascade, as the water rushing down keeps contact with the cliff face behind it. Technicalities aside, Langfoss Waterfall is a natural wonder and worth the effort in your journey to find it. Skirting the edge of the serene Åkra Fjord, Langfossen is located just outside of a tiny Norwegian hamlet, Etne. Home to 4,000 locals, the town’s ...
A visual ecstasy on sunny days, the fresh waters of Erawan Falls pour over limestone rock and collects into 7 refreshing pools, begging visitors to stop and relax in its cool water. The falls are said to resemble the 3 headed Elephant Erawan from Hindu mythology and is also the name sake of this work of nature. A series of paths and footbridges lead you to the various 7 tiers of Erawan Falls and are quite the adventure in and of them self. If you are looking to go right to the top be prepared for some intense uphill sluggin’ and steep steps, but once near that last 200m to the top, the view is truly one of paradise. Erawan Falls are quite popular and ...
Take in the feeling of utter awe when you visit the Salto Angel falls. Indigenously known as Parekupa-meru, which means falls to the deepest place, these falls drop an astounding 2,648ft, making it the worlds tallest free falling fresh water waterfall. Taking a trek to see this natural wonder will require some moderate hiking and maneuvering through the Canaima National Park terrain located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. The effort is well worth it for that moment when you and your traveling companions make it to the base of Angel Falls, and plunge your body, mind and senses into the cool currents being churned out into the Churun River. The scenery is beyond striking. Above you, a vertical cliff of Auyan-Tepui Mesa, and below lush wild ...
As soon as you step foot on the island of Koh Samui, the essence of tropical paradise will overcome you. After having sufficiently sunned yourself there is plenty to explore on this burgeoning and bustling archipelago. Amidst the canopy of coconut trees the adventurous can find some of the most beautiful waterfalls, the crème de la crème being Namuang Falls. Located within the South Coast Inland area, journeying here can be a test of patience and of your navigational skills. Much like the video game frogger, driving on Koh Samui can be all about predicting your next move, avoiding the hazardous bikers and drivers in the middle of the road coming towards you, and finding your turn on streets otherwise unmarked. Ring road does get ...
The intrigue and charm of Niagara Falls never ceases to amaze, even for a local! Having lived right next to Niagara Falls for practically my entire life, you might think Niagara Falls would lose some of its appeal. Not so. Every time I visit the Falls, I am still amazed by its beauty; its power. Nowhere is this power and beauty more evident then if you take a trip behind Niagara Falls. A quick elevator ride will take you down thirteen stories beneath the Falls, leading to a maze of tunnels. These tunnels were originally built in 1889, and back then guides led visitors through them by way of lantern. Nowadays, the operation is slightly more sophisticated, yet the basic premise is the same. Two ...
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