There’s no doubt life is better in flip-flops. If the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions the beach is a solitary bungalow on a remote island, here’s a challenge for you: find and enjoy some of the best city beaches in the world. Even amid the urban hustle and bustle, you can immerse yourself in the laid-back, cocktail-soaked, sea-breeze-infused atmosphere of these sandy dream lands.

Bruxelles Les Bains (Brussel Bad), Belgium

Beach time in Brussels | Stephane Mignon/Flickr

The capital of Belgium has its very own beach at Beco Quay (Quai de Beco) – every year for a month a real beach appears, featuring huge stretches of sand, palm-trees, exotic plants… Visitors play beach volleyball and beach soccer, or cool off by splashing about in fountains and pools.

Brygge Islands, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Brygge Islands | © Christian Alsing/ Visit Copenhagen

You may think you’re too far north to afford the luxury of going for a swim in the open, but that’s because you haven’t been to Brygge Islands – a wonderful free pool by the harbor in central Copenhagen. The water is clear and refreshing, but you probably won’t want to jump off the quay and into the water unless you visit in July or August.

Paris Plages (Paris Beaches), France

Beach along the Seine, Paris | Eric Huybrechts/Flickr

The closest coast is 200 km (124 mi) from Paris, but that doesn’t stop the French. For four weeks from late July, several tons of sand are pumped onto the Seine’s banks in the French capital. More than 2 km (1,5 mi) of sandy beaches invite all those citizens and guests who are exhausted from the heat to enjoy a Seine-side holiday. The beaches bustle with free classes, rollerbladers, cyclists, a mobile library and plenty of people enjoying other fun activities.

Repulse Bay Beach Hong Kong, China 

Repulse Beach, Hong Kong | Mark Lehmkuhler/Flickr

Escape from the madness of Hong Kong and discover the sun and golden sands that grace the southern part of the island. This oasis of calm is set against a background of modern buildings and mountain slopes. 

Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA

Venice Beach, LA | DenisDenis/Flickr

This iconic beach is perfect not only for sunbathing, but also for renting roller skates or a bike. You can roll down a seven-mile bike alley to Will Rogers State Beach.

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The Fairy Pools (Isle of Skye, Scotland)

The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, Scotland | Two Travelling Texans

The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, are just magical.  They are a set of waterfalls flowing into crystal clear pools with the stunning Black Cullins mountains as the backdrop.  The colors of the water and mountains are so intense, it seems like a place out of a fantasy movie.

It’s a short easy walk to the largest waterfall, you just have to navigate across the stream on a rock bridge.  If you are up for it, you can even go for a swim in the crystal clear waters but let me warn you it will be cold.  I would allow an hour for the 2.4 km round trip walk so that you have plenty of time for pictures.

How to get there: To get to the Fairy Pools, take the road to Glenbrittle and you will see the car park.  It is free to visit the Fairy Pools, you don’t even have to pay for parking.  Bring along some rain gear, just in case, as the weather in Scotland can be unpredictable.  Get there early to beat the crowds, the Fairy Pools are popular and parking is limited.

Anisa from Two Traveling Texans

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The Fairy Glen (Isle of Sky, Scotland)

The Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye, Scotland | Travel Hacker Girl

Enikő Krix from Travel Hacker Girl

Termas Geometricas (Pucón, Chile)

Termas Geometricas in Pucón,, Chile | The Family Voyage

Stepping into the mist-shrouded ravine of Termas Geométricas, located on the side of a volcano in Pucón, Chile, on a drizzly spring day is truly like walking into a fairy tale. Imagine yourself sitting in a naturally heated rock-lined pool, with rainwater dripping through vines and moss onto your head to cool you from the relaxing waters and steam shrouding your views of the other pools and bathers. A walk along the paths brings you through 17 pools, past a charmingly-defunct water wheel and all the way to a secluded waterfall at the end. The designers seem to have taken strong cues from Frank Lloyd Wright’s built-into-the-brow style, allowing the ravine’s natural beauty to shine through at every turn while punctuating it with the stunning red angular walkways. No visit to Chile’s Lake District is complete without a stop at Termas Geometricas!

Melissa from The Family Voyage

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Pena Palace (Sintra, Portugal)

Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal | Stef’s Journey

Sintra seems like a place taken from a fairy tale and a dream come true. The only difference – Sintra is real! Located not very far from the capital of Portugal, Sintra is going to take your breath away. The romantic aura of this charming city has been attracting artists for centuries, such as Lord Byron who believed it is the most beautiful place in the world. Sintra is a place that can keep you captivated for many hours since there are so many things for you to see whether it’s the magnificent palaces, the luscious gardens that surround the palaces or the panoramic views of the city. The most iconic place in Sintra is Pena Palace which looks like it got straight out of a Disney movie with its vibrant colors and unique architecture. My ultimate favorite place in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira, a former Gothic residence compromised of a palace, luxuriant gardens, secret tunnels, hidden wells and much more. When you walk around the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, you will instantly sense an alluring sense of mystery as it contains an enigmatic system of tunnels, caves and underground walkways that you have never seen before.

Stefanie Konstanta from Stef’s Journey

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The Pink Lagoon Salinas de Torrevieja (Spain)

The Pink Lagoon in Spain | Heart of Everywhere

Torrevieja is a coastal Spanish town. It’s not as famous as Barcelona or as charming as Seville, but its pink lagoon is a unique attraction that no other Spanish city can offer. Torrevieja Pink Lake is one of the two lakes of Natural Park de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja.

If you are already picturing yourself bathing in this strawberry milkshake lake, like I was, let me just warn you that it’s a forbidden activity. Nevertheless, when I visited this spot most of the people were enjoying it like a free and secret saline spa. However, being a prohibited activity, if caught by the civil guard or by environmental agents, may lead to a fine.

Lara from Heart of Everywhere

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Hokitika Gorge (New Zealand)

Hokitika Gorge viewpoint | Suzy’s Stories

Nestled in an enclosed rainforest on the West Coast of New Zealand lies a very special secret. You may have seen its otherworldly hues of popping color on your Instagram feed, or it may be recognized for its Tolkien-inspired ambiance, but I can assure you that is nothing compared to witnessing its alluring charm in real life.

Hokitika Gorge is a truly magical spot that simply cannot be overlooked while exploring the ultimate fantasy destination. With vibrant colors and a peaceful atmosphere, you’re soon transported to a dreamy pocket of natural beauty.

After a brief walk through the bush, you cross a narrow bridge over the mouth of the gorge getting just a sample glimpse at the extraordinary blue waters below. Once at the iconic viewpoint overlooking the heart of the gorge, you’ll simply marvel at the stunning view ahead. Flanked by rich forest greens, the turquoise colors stand out even more.

One could stay staring at the still serenity of this mesmerizing water the color of liquid crystals for hours. However, clambering over the rugged rocks makes for an even more adventurous visit and allows you to perch atop the rocks to get that perfect perspective. Needless to say, I can’t recommend soaking up the tranquility of Hokitika Gorge enough, it’s locations such as this that make it all too easy to imagine mystical creatures living deep in the woods around this enchanted scenery!

Suzy Whittle from Suzy’s Stories

If you choose to travel to New Zealand it’s worth renting a car from a company like Enterprise Rent-A-Car to get yourself around and have a fun road trip

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The Hidden Canyon (Bali, Indonesia)

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A post shared by Nam | Traveller Hiker Foodie (@laughtraveleat)

One of the most surreal places I’ve visited in Bali was the Hidden Canyon. While Bali is not short of stunning locations, Hidden Canyon is easily the most memorable with its dark rocks, deep gorges, and weird weather pattern. A walk through it was almost like stepping into a mysterious, fantasy world. The Hidden Canyon consists of a series of three gorges, and you would need to hire a guide in order to go in to ensure that you are on a safe and right path. We arrived in the early morning just after it was open and was able to walk through the canyons alone, soaking in its beauty while surrounded by high cliffs and forests. The gorges are a result of millions and thousands of years of erosion by the river, and at the end of the tour, you would also walk through a local rice paddy!

Nam Cheah from Laugh Travel Eat

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Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah, USA)

Bryce Canyon | Camera and a Canvas

I had wanted to visit Bryce Canyon for a long time from seeing all the cool pictures of it’s unique looking landscape. But I did not truly understand just how unique-and magical it would be until I got there and took a hike down into the canyon. We went on a trail named “Fairyland Loop”, and it truly felt like you were in a land not of this world! The ground color was a smooth gradient of deep rich orangey reds fading out to white; the rock formations, called hoodoos, were in all sorts of fantastical shapes! One of the formations was a long wall, with a spot that had a window in it that you could peak through! Another farther on down the trail was named “Tower Bridge”, and it really looked like a fairy castle, perched on top of a tall cliff, with two towers and a bridge connecting them! It was all truly breathtaking and I felt like I was in a different world!

Maura Elko from Camera And Canvas

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The Fairy Tale Route (Germany)

The Fairy Tale Route in Germany | Photo: deutsche-maerchenstrasse.com

We have all heard the stories of Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the Little Red Riding Hood but we rarely wonder where they have come from.

In fact, they were all part of central Germany’s folklore and now that you know the stories, the forests look as if coming out of the story of the Red Riding Hood and the Marburg Castle reminds you of Cinderella’s one-hundred-year sleep.

Today, you can drive through this region and experience the ambiance of the towns described in the fairy tales. This scenic drive is popular as ‘The Fairy Tale Route‘ and stretches from the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, Steinau, to the town of Bremen popular for its animal ‘musicians’.

Varsha Kulkarni-Gawai from Varsha Travel 360

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Black Forest (Germany)

Black Forest, Germany | Erin At Large

Every time I step into the Black Forest in southern Germany I feel like there are naughty sprites watching me from behind moss-covered rocks, or a witch about to offer her hospitality. Some of the folk tales the Grimm brothers included in their books were collected in this region, and every little lake or waterfall seems to have its own local legend attached. The Mummelsee, a round lake up high in the mountains, is said to be the home of the Mummelsee King and his court of mermaids that come out to play when there’s a full moon. If you would prefer to pretend to be in a fairy tale yourself, visit the Altes Schloss above the spa town of Baden-Baden. The ruins of this castle are perched on a crag, giving excellent views on the valley below. There is a nearly intact tower, and walkways have been built so you can explore some of the first floors, peering through the windows. Don’t let those witches catch sight of you though…

Erin McGann from Erin At Large

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Königssee (Germany)

Königssee (King’s Lake) | Reverberations

The German state of Bavaria is known for its castles, lakes and the Alps. And while the state is full of special spots, each with its own unique personality, the Königssee is one of the most spectacular lakes Germany has to over. Nestled deep in southeastern Bavaria, about three hours from Munich and just a stone’s throw from the Austrian border, it takes a bit of travel to get there but it’s well worth it.

Set in the shadow of the Watzmann peak of the Alps, the Königssee (literally “King’s Lake”) is said to be the country’s cleanest lake and one of its deepest. The Königssee is beautiful, crystal-clear green-blue water. And hidden down at the far side of the lake is a 17th-century fairy tale pilgrimage church, St. Bartholomä. The church’s red onion-domed roof adds a magical touch to the building. Visitors can reach the church with a hike through the surrounding Berchtesgaden National Park or with a quiet cruise along the waters on an electric ferry.

Corinne Mandell from Reverberations

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Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Lake Bled | Epicurious Passport

Lake Bled, located in the breathtaking Julian Alps of Slovenia, is a real-life fairy-tale destination. The emerald blue waters wash the banks of the postcard-perfect little island in the middle with the cutest little church.
From the moment you enter Bled town, you feel like you have left behind your normal life – and what’s not to love about this little town? It offers peace for the honeymooners, great mountain ranges for the avid hiker, water sports and adventures for the adrenaline junkie, unforgettable experience for the backpacker who is the there just to take it all, and great memories for the families who are there with their kids to make them feel as if they are living in a fairy tale.

Vrithi Pushkar from Epicurious Passport

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Gjain (Iceland)

Gjain, Iceland | Harbors and Havens

From basalt formations with the faces of trolls to rock piles that house elves, the folklore of hidden or supernatural creatures holds a strong presence throughout Iceland. No place felt more like stepping into a fairytale, though, than Gjain, where a barren and rocky landscape gives way to a lush valley filled with countless waterfalls, ponds and volcanic formations.

A lack of tourist crowds here adds to the appeal, since a bit of effort is required to reach Gjain (it’s just a couple of hours from Reykjavik in the Southern Region, but you have to drive inland from the main Ring Road down some pretty bumpy paths, ideally in a 4WD vehicle). With few other visitors around at any given point, it’s easy to lose time hopping rocks to cross waterfall-fed streams, climbing boulders to peek into lava caves or twirling around on the grassy shores with only the invisible fairies that surely live here for company.

Michelle Joy from Harbors and Havens

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Aideen’s Grave on Ben of Howth (County Dublin, Ireland)

Just outside Dublin is the little peninsula of Howth, with a charming fishing village, a castle of the same name and a 4000-year-old history. As you walk to the Ben of Howth through the castle grounds, the current residence of the heirs of the Lords of Howth, you reach the Rhododendron Gardens, a magical and enchanting area of woodland. The trees are big, old and gnarly, climbing over rocks and creating natural green tunnels that lure you in.

Within these woods you will find Aideen’s Grave, one of the oldest monuments in Ireland and said to be the burial place of Aideen, an important figure in Irish mythology. She was the wife of Oscar, the strongest and bravest of the Fianna warriors. When she heard of Oscar’s death in battle, she herself died of sorrow and her resting place is now marked by a giant dolmen. This dolmen is also said to be a portal to the fairy world, and after hearing the legends that surround the area, you almost expect the fairies to appear at any moment.

Teresa from Brogan Abroad

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Tea plantations (Munnar, Kerala)

Tea plantations in Munnar, Kerala | My Trip Hack

Tea plantations look incredible in pictures but they ooze surreal beauty even in real life. At least that’s how I felt during my visit to Munnar, Kerala. A huge area around the town is covered in perfectly shaped tea trees. There are several bright-colored temples inside the plantations that add a fairy-tale touch to the scene.

Beyond getting an eye-pleasing look of the tea (perfectionists, here you go), you can also learn about the technology of tea production in one of the local museums or factories. If you love nature, there are plenty of trekking routes with scenic lakes and spice plantations around Munnar. The variety of places and activities in the area can keep you busy for a few days.

P.S. Beware, you might end up with hundreds of pictures of tea just because it feels so satisfying to click it.

Natalia from My Trip Hack

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Mount Kalsubai (India)

Mount Kalsubai (India) | Azure Sky Follows

Mount Kalsubai, the highest point of Maharashtra, an Indian state, made my dream of living in a fairy tale come true. Kalsubai is a 4-5 hour hike from its base village. Scaling the top of the mountain involves climbing up four metal ladders. I attempted this trek in the monsoon months when the hills were cradling the clouds. The countryside and every stretch of land were nothing but blotches of unreal green. When I reached the final ladder which is critical to ascend the summit of Maharashtra, my fairy-tale moment arrived. The top of the ladder was not visible from its origin, not because it was too high but because the clouds completely engulfed it. I started climbing and soon I was wrapped in a cloud cover. I could barely see my feet on the ladder steps! But like a magical swoosh, a strong gust of wind blew away the cloud and my surroundings were colorful again. This kept happening on the summit as well. It was my mini moment of cloudwalk like Jack did in the fairy tale ‘Jack and the beanstalk’.

Tania Banerjee from Azure Sky Follows

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Lata Berkoh/Berkoh Cascades (Taman Negara, Malaysia)

Taman Negara, Malaysia | Teja On The Horizon

Hiking back from the Berkoh Cascades, the creek fans out slightly wide and stills into a pool. Tannin stains the water a translucent bronze, glowing in the morning light. That day, the rays of the sun shimmered over it as a curtain of light. And I thought, a bunian princess would bathe in a pool like this.

The bunian are a race of light whose beauty and grace can be likened to Tolkien’s elves. They are said to inhabit a land between heaven and earth, called kayangan. A familiar theme of Malay fairy tales often begin with a bunian princess descending on moonlight to bathe in a secluded jungle pool. A human man encounters her. Instantly smitten, he hides her magical clothing. Unable to return to kayangan without it, she promises to marry him and remain on earth. But she extracts from him a pledge he must not break.

Years pass, and they live in contentment. But the heart of man is inconstant, and he gradually takes for granted his exceptional bunian wife. One day, he breaks his pledge. And as is the way of the honorable bunian folk, she gathers her magical clothing and returns to kayangan, lost to him forever.

Nurani Arsad from Teja On The Horizon

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The Lake of Seven Colors (Bacalar, Mexico)

Boat on Lake Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico | Page Traveller

Last autumn I spent a week in the lakeside town of Bacalar, in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico. After experiencing hectic Mexican cities and touristy beach destinations, when I arrived in Bacalar I felt like I’d stepped into the world of Neverland and I was staying at a mermaid lagoon.

Lake Bacalar is known as the Lake of Seven Colours because the water is so clear, you can see bright shades of blue and green reflected in the sand below. The Yucatan area of Mexico is also known for cenotes, which are natural sinkholes filled with water. Bacalar has several of these; some in the lake itself and others nearby, such as the large Cenote Azul, where you can dive with the fishes.

During a sunrise stand-up paddleboarding tour of Lake Bacalar, we ventured over to the far side of the lake and the Pirates Canal, where pirates would come up from the Caribbean in the 1700s. There is also an abandoned ship that you can climb and jump off into warm waters of the lake.

Needless to say, the sunsets and sunrises over the lake are stunning, and several times I had to pinch myself to check I wasn’t just an extra in Peter Pan.

Amy Poulton from Page Traveller

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The Canyon of Waterfalls (Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria)

The Canyon of Waterfalls in Bulgaria | Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

You should tread carefully across shaky bridges, climb wooden ladders, feel the refreshing spray from waterfalls of all sizes and breathe the crystal air of the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. The picturesque woods seem like a filming location for fairy tales; you’ll be reminded of Little Red Riding Hood as you make your way along the hiking trails at the Canyon of Waterfalls. You’ll see 46 waterfalls of all sizes and capacity along the route. The best section of the trail includes numerous wooden bridges, zigzagging between both sides of the river Elenska. You can find plenty of panoramic views overlooking the beautiful Rhodope Mountains, as well as summer houses, benches and picnic tables along the route. Bring some sandwiches and water to sustain you for a whole day in the canyon.

Useful tips: The most appropriate season for visiting the Canyon of Waterfalls is the beginning of summer, when water levels are high and everything around is green. Autumn also offers beautiful conditions, as the canyon’s trees show off their yellow, red and brown leaves – the colors of the traditional local dress.

Maria Angelova from 203 Challenges

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A few honorable mentions

Armoy, United Kingdom, a.k.a The Dark Hedges | Trevor Cole

Faroe Islands| Jake Hinds

Westfjords Region, Iceland | Cassie Boca

Yosemite National Park set on fire, USA | Madhu Shesharam

Any place when foggy (in this case: Bushy Park, Hampton, United Kingdom) | Paul Earle

Featured image: Isle of Skye, Scotland

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The post 19 natural sites that are straight out of a fairy tale appeared first on 203Challenges.

A couples escape, a family holiday or a cliche-free solo trip – here’s a selection of our favorite quirky Christmas getaway ideas for a not-so-ordinary holiday season.

Because if you don’t bring the Christmas spirit in your heart, you won’t find it on your travels, even if you venture as far as Lapland.

Plus, if the legend is true, Santa will find you wherever you are.

This list will guide you through all the cool and unusual things you can do this Christmas that turns out to be one of the best Christmas gifts for your friend with whom you are going on a trip during the holidays.

#1 Spend the night at a Bedouin desert camp

Sand, heat, camels: this image is the antithesis of every stereotypical Christmas card. So if you’re looking to do something different, why not head straight to the nearest desert? It doesn’t need to be a rough experience – you can stay in a luxury tent.

A luxury tent at Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan | Christian Piatt/Flickr

#2 Enjoy the glorious van life

This article says it all in a very inspirational way:

#3 Go skiing in a Santa costume

Cover yourself in a dollar-store Santa costume and stir up a little holiday confusion on the slopes of your favorite ski resort.

#4 Build an igloo and have a festive dinner inside

If you have kids, make them build the igloo while you prepare the dinner. Bring candles, warm blankets and woolen socks for everyone.

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A post shared by Filippo Scrivani (@filipposcrivani)

#5 Go on a Christmas road trip

We’re not suggesting just any old road trip; for this challenge, you need to decorate the car. Head somewhere that’s open on Christmas Day, like a nature park or the historical center of a nearby city.

#6 Go boating or kayaking

Book a ticket on the nearest available cruise and sail the holiday season away. Or, if you’d rather travel under your own steam, swap the cruise ship for a kayak.

#7 Just go somewhere colorful

Head to Guatemala, Colombia, Venice, Thailand or anywhere with colors more vivid than a photoshopped image.

Guatemala | Ronald Cuyan/Unsplash

#8 Soak in a warm mineral pool (especially if it’s snowing outside)

There is nothing like immersing yourself in an open-air mineral pool in the winter. You’ll feel like you’re cheating nature as you watch snowflakes falling from above while you soak in warm mineral water, not caring about tiny details like weather forecasts or temperatures more suited to polar bears… Bring hot drinks with you.

#9 Spend the day in the company of animals

Don’t get me wrong, humans are okay… but I prefer animals because (other than parrots), I’ve yet to hear one assault my ears with “‘Tis the season to be jolly” for the 1,056,669th time in a row. In fact, I respect animals’ ability to detach from the holiday craze. Find some furry friends at a farm, a nature park or a zoo – whatever you have at hand will do.

A puffin in Iceland who doesn’t know a single Christmas carol | Jonatan Pie/Unsplash

#10 Fly to the cheapest foreign country available

Check your favorite airlines’ websites or a flight comparison website to see where you can escape at the last minute… and just do it. Life is short – you should make more silly decisions.

#11 Go surfing

Surfing is a cliche if you are Australian, and an unconventional treat if you are not.

Surfing on Christmas Day? | Conner Murphy

#12 Rediscover yourself at a retreat

Why not head on a silence retreat, a meditation retreat or a nature getaway during the holidays? When the materialistic world becomes too overwhelming, it’s time to run away from it all and sit in silence to rediscover your inner self.

#13 Go skinny-dipping

This challenge is not for the faint of heart if you live close to one of the poles… but it’s still worth it if you want a Christmas to remember.

#14 Embark on a refreshing bicycle ride

If the weather isn’t too frightful, hop on your bike and enjoy a long, serene ride, making sure to occasionally glimpse through the windows of the houses you pass to see what other people do on Christmas Day. The best part about this is that the streets will be empty. Like, zombie-apocalypse empty. Have you checked out our bicycle-themed playlist to keep you company during your ride?

Santa, is that you? | Robert Couse-Baker

#15 Return to your pagan roots

Christmas is rooted in Christianity, but Christianity is rooted further back in time. Add a pagan flavor to the holiday season by using your days off to visit an ancient monument. It could be a megalith, a stone circle, a tomb or whatever ancient landmark you have nearby.

#16 Organize a snow picnic

Wrap yourself in warm clothes, pack some baked goodies and flasks full of tea and coffee (and rum, and whiskey…), and head out for a picnic in the crisp air. It’s a good idea to pack extra blankets and spare gloves. Here’s our full guide how to organize a winter picnic in the snow.

A picnic is always a good idea, no matter the weather | picseli

#17 Change the season

If you have spent your whole life celebrating snowy, white Christmases scented with the smell of chestnuts roasting on the open fire, then a little change will be more than refreshing. Head to another climatic zone and see what the change of scenery has to offer.

Change the season this Christmas | Thomas Kelley

#18 Travel to a neighboring city to eat at an exotic restaurant

As there is no Christmas in China, Bangladesh or Thailand, restaurants serving these national dishes will probably be open. Choose a nearby city and check which international restaurants there have the highest rating on Google, Facebook or TripAdvisor.

#19 Book a remote cabin in the forest

The more remote, the better. Keep it warm and cozy, staying by the fireplace and preparing your own mulled wine. Take advantage of the fact that you are close to nature and practice the Japanese art of ‘forest-bathing’: shinrin-yoku.

Go somewhere remote | Paul Itkin

#20 Climb somewhere high for a gorgeous view

Depending on your preferences, this may be a skyscraper, a mountain peak or a just a tree.

#21 Eat your Christmas lunch on a plane, train, etc.

Most public transportation continues running even on Christmas Day. Even if you are not forced to be on a plane or train on Christmas Day, you can arrange a journey for yourself and make the most of the trip. Bring some cookies and special cinnamon latte with you if you’re worried about missing the holiday spirit.

Pin it for later, because the Christmas craze may eventually become too overwhelming and you may want to escape:

The post 21 unusual Christmas travel ideas for every kind of traveler appeared first on 203Challenges.

My favorite attractions are those that don’t have a red rope to keep you away from the exhibits, ones that let you completely immerse yourself in the past (as good museums should!). If you visit this next stunning place, you’ll not only see 5000-plus-year-old underground rock tombs, but will be able to enter and explore them from the inside.

The houses of fairies

There are hundreds of small tombs around the Italian island of Sardinia, which the locals believed to be houses of fairies (domus de janas in Sardinian). They simply couldn’t think of any other explanation for the peculiar formations they found all over the island. One of the most impressive places to admire these structures is the Necropolis of Anghelu Ruju, with 38 rock-hewn tombs that look like small houses, featuring windows, doors and rooms linked together with tunnels.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Why it’s worth visiting Anghelu Ruju

The most amazing thing about these rock tombs is that they weren’t carved with metal instruments but with other pieces of rock. The people of that time (from the local Ozieri cultures) found a type of rock that was harder than the one they had to excavate and, considering the limited tools they had to work with, performed an amazing feat of artistry. In some of the tombs you’ll see engraved images of bulls with horns – a symbol of the male god in Ozieri cultures. Examine the walls for traces of ocher – the color of rebirth – to make sure this is not your last life on earth.

Some of the tombs are linked to each other with windows, while others are accessible by staircases leading underground. The entrances are sometimes narrow, but it’s not impossible to squeeze in. Once you’re inside, you’ll feel like a prehistoric man or a fairy in your own magical domain.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

A brief history of Anghelu Ruju

While building a house in 1903, workers came across a human skull and an ancient vessel. Further excavations revealed 38 underground tombs – with both mass and single graves. The prehistoric Ozieri culture, whose people created these tombs, was dominant in Sardinia between 3200-2700 BC.

Add some local wine to the trip!

Less than a mile (1.6 km) down the road there is a winery – Vigneti Sella & Mosca – where you can taste and buy wine made from local varietals, including Vermentino, Torbato, Cannonau, Carignano and Monica. It’s best to book your tasting session in advance.

Anghelu Ruju near Alghero by © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

How to get to Anghelu Ruju

The easiest way to visit Anghelu Ruju is by car, as there’s no public transportation to get you there. The historic site is located 6 miles (10 km) from Alghero and 2.5 miles (4 km) from the local airport. An entrance ticket costs 3.50 euros. Opening hours: from 1 November to 31 March: 10 am – 2 pm. From 1 May to 30 September: 9 am – 7 pm. April and October: 9 am – 6 pm.

Other large domus de janas include Montessu, near Villaperuccio, and Sant’Andrea Priu in Bonorva.

The post Anghelu Ruju: visit a fairy house in Sardinia appeared first on 203Challenges.

The Eiffel Tower is on the ‘must-see’ list for almost all travelers. But if you can’t make it to Paris to see the real thing, why not check out the 3.2 mm (0.123 inch) high Eiffel Tower replica made of cherry stone in Prague’s Museum of Miniatures?

What it’s all about

The museum includes 29 exhibits, most of them created by Anatoly Konenko. They are painted on or carved into the smallest objects possible – the eye of a needle, a strand of hair or a mosquito’s wing – and can be seen only with magnifying glasses or microscopes, which of course the museum provides.

The story of the flea with the golden shoes

One of the museum’s most interesting exhibits is a flea that, thanks to Konenko’s craftsmanship, is now equipped with horseshoes. Surprisingly, shoeing fleas has actually been a common achievement among micro miniaturists, especially those from the former Soviet bloc. Тhe reason for this fascination is as intriguing as the works themselves.

It all started with a novel written by Russian author Nikolai Leskov, in which a Russian tsar visits England and receives as a gift a tiny steel flea that can dance. Upon the tsar’s return to Russia he searches for a way to outdo the English, a problem solved by a left-handed craftsman who presents a flea with horseshoes, on which the craftsman’s own name is inscribed. Although the novel was written in 1881, around 100 years before micro-miniature art gained popularity as a genre, the tale of the flea has become so embedded in the Russian psyche that it remains relevant today.

Other exhibits to see at the museum

One of the most curious works in the museum is the world’s smallest book, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The book in question is ‘The Chameleon’ by Russian writer Anton Chekhov, measuring just 0.9 x 0.9 mm (0.04 x 0.04 inches) and consisting of 30 pages and three illustrations. The museum contains another piece of art dedicated to Chekhov: his portrait painted on half a poppy seed.

You can also grab a microscope and examine miniature copies of masterpieces by legends like Salvador Dali and Leonardo da Vinci, hand-painted on tiny fragments of mammoth bone.

Other artworks include a caravan of camels in an eye of a needle, the Lord’s Prayer on human hairs and a sailboat on a mosquito’s wing.

Useful information

The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Its address is Strahovské Nádvoří 11, Prague 1 – near the Strahov Monastery. To get there from the city center, take tram 22 to Pohorelec station. Tickets cost CZK 150 for adults and CZK 100 for students and children. More information here.

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If you don’t have the time, money, or guts for great adventures to unknown worlds, we challenge you to start off with something small. Go out of your comfort zone with one of the mini-adventures in the list below. And don’t forget that as you are walking out of your comfort zone, you are also expanding it.

1. Go out with someone new. It doesn’t matter if it’s a romantic date or just a new friend, it will put your ego in line. This experience can be as exciting as bungee jumping. You have nobody to travel with this weekend? Place a public ad on social media – you might receive some surprising replies (personally tested!).

2. Pitch a tent in your backyard. In some parts of the world, there is an entire modern movement called gamping (garden + camping). The idea is that people who cannot go camping in the wilderness, for whatever reason, could pitch a tent in their own backyard. Changing up your surroundings, your bed, where you wake up, can inject an unexpected amount of inspiration into your everyday life.

3. Dine alone, in a new place. Find an interesting eatery and enjoy a slow meal with a good dessert. You get some bonus points for sampling a new type of cuisine.

4. Discover new places in your neighborhood. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes and set off in a direction you’ve never been before. Just walk around, without a plan, and see what happens. Take your camera and shoot a set of photos of the most unexpected findings. The last time I did it, I came across a house with a gallery-like yard full of weird statues, just two blocks away from my own home.

5. Get dirty. Find your favorite way of getting dirty, muddy, and dusty. Sign up for mud running challenge, make a mud cake, or plant new flowers in your garden. You don’t have a garden? Do it in a friend’s garden.

6. Visit a local landmark. It is easy to underestimate the museums in your own town, as well as the parks and the other ‘tourist’ attractions, because you know that you can always go there. Swap ‘always’ with ‘right now’ and choose a local landmark to visit this weekend.

7. Get wet. Don’t run inside as soon as it starts to rain. Enjoy every drop of water, as you did when you were a child. Jump with both feet into a puddle.

8. Pretend to be a photographer. Get your camera or phone and go to a favorite place with an idea in mind – flowers, architecture, interesting details, food, older people, dogs… Take as many photos as you want.

Pin it to your travel board:

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While simply laying back and soaking up the sun is a fab way to spend a relaxing beach holiday, it’s not always easy if you have kids! Family beach holidays can become a nightmare pretty quickly if you don’t keep the kids entertained. So, to help, here you’ll discover some great fun things to do at the beach to keep everyone happy.

Enjoy a spot of fishing

It’s important to note that not all beaches allow you to fish, so this is something you’ll need to research beforehand. However, if it is allowed then fishing can be a great, relaxing activity for the whole family.

You’ll be surprised how much fun your kids will have trying to catch fish. Not only does it keep them happy, but it also keeps them quiet – just what you need to enjoy your holiday! 

Play cricket

If you’re looking for something a little more active, cricket can be a great activity to play on the beach. This idea is sure to tire the kids out, so you’ll also be able to enjoy a nice relaxing evening!

If you don’t have any cricket equipment, you can easily pick some up online. Stores such as Talent Cricket offer affordable, high-quality cricket sets you can pick up before you go.

Fly kites

Remember when you were younger, and times seemed so much simpler? Flying kites on holiday used to be a very popular, fun thing to do. Though technology has now pretty much taken over, these traditional activities can still be enjoyed.

Why not buy the whole family a kite? You’ll be able to enjoy feeling like a kid again and the kids will absolutely love it!

Enjoy a beach BBQ

After trying out the activities above, what better way to unwind than with a beach BBQ? You can pick up disposable BBQ equipment and cook up a treat for you and the family. Again, there may be regulations against this on some beaches so it’s definitely something to check before you light up a BBQ!

Collect Seashells

Want to make the holiday educational as well as fun for the kids? Collecting seashells can be an awesome way to spend the time.

When you’re abroad, the shells you’ll find are typically different to the ones you’d find on UK beaches. So, if your kids already have a collection back home, they’ll be able to add to it with unique shells from your travels. Of course, you’ll have to check you’ll be ok to take the shells home with you. If not, you can still have fun collecting them. You can then teach your kids about the different shells and where they come from.

The above is just some of the great fun things you can do at the beach. Why not try one, or even all of them, the next time you’re on a beach getaway?

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#1 Take a ski lift to the top of Mount Baldy in the summer

You may think you can’t hit the slopes in the area if you come during the warmer summer months, but Mount Baldy offers trips to their summit by way of ski lift at that time too. We took a lovely hike at the top and ate lunch (which was included in the ticket at the time). They even have a disc golf course, so bring those discs with you to the top.

#2 Try this muddy adventure playground

I am a family travel blogger, so I had to include something totally unique to do with the kiddos when you visit. For a small admission of $3 per child (adults are free) you can bring your kiddos to what is essentially a mud city. They have rafts to play on in their mud lake, a rope bridge to climb across, and a mud waterslide! It’s a child’s paradise for fun and adventure. They even let children 5 and older use hammers and nails to build structures on their kid construction site.

#3 Hike Yucaipa

I have hiked a lot of places around California, but if you hike in the city of Yucaipa in the spring you will see rolling green hills and the most beautiful shades of flowers. I recommend hiking the trails by the foothills. I haven’t been to Ireland yet (it’s definitely on my list), but Yucaipa in the spring reminds me of the pictures I’ve seen of the Emerald Isle.

#4 Stand on the Center of the World

Yes, for a small fee you can stand on the center of the world. They give you a certificate and everything. To think it is right here in California! The French government has recognized it as the official spot and even more recently the Imperial County has legally recognized it as well. It’s only $3 for a tour and only $2 more for the certificate that you stood there. The spot is in a pyramid in the middle of the Sonoran desert, so pretty cool in my opinion. If you like quirky roadside attractions, this is the place for you.

#5 Visit the ghost Bombay Beach

Once a place of luxury and lakeside retreat, this former resort area by the Salton Sea has now turned into a ghost town. You can see the remnants of old resorts and restaurants of the past. The Salton Sea is a terminal lake, which means water runs in from rain and rivers, but it has no way to flow out. There is a small community of people who still live around Bombay Beach, but the unique landforms and abandoned structures make it feel like a place on another planet!

#6 See Salvation Mountain

Close by the Salton Sea lays a fantastic example of folk art. Late artist, Lenoard Knight created a masterpiece of epic proportions; a psychedelic art installation that covers an entire hillside with bright colors, Bible verses, and inspirational sayings, all created by one man with a singular vision. Even though he recently passed away, his legacy lives on and continues to spread his message of God’s love and perseverance. You can’t help but get wrapped up in the beauty of this intricate masterpiece. We met Leonard back in 2007 when we visited and he was truly the kindest human. He told us how he came to live there and how he created his work of art. Truly fascinating.

#7 Stay in a castle cottage

It’s a pretty popular concept to rent a cabin in the mountains of Big Bear, but a lesser known option is the themed cabin options at Castlewood Resort. We rented the Castle Cabin and it was equipped with a dungeon dining room, indoor forest Jacuzzi, upper level royal suite, and a moat with a drawbridge! They have other themed cabins as well, but if you go, you might as well go big and stay in a castle!

#8 Visit the free Cabrillo Beach Museum

There are many aquariums to visit around Southern California, but a lesser known one that is actually free is located in the little seaside community of San Pedro. They have great exhibits, a touch tank, and it’s located right across from a great beach with some great tide pools. It is really easy to get to if you are visiting Los Angeles. Just head straight down the 110 freeway.

#9 Go snorkeling off Catalina Island

I know snorkeling is usually saved for those warmer tropical locations, but you would be missing out if you didn’t take an hour boat trip across to Catalina Island and snorkel off the back of the casino. The kelp forests are mesmerizing and you will see your fair share of our state fish, the brightly colored Garibaldi. We even snorkeled in December; cold, but worth the experience. Oh, and night snorkeling here is awesome too. Bring along an underwater flashlight and be prepared to see lobsters, seals, and maybe a small shark or two. Not to mention Catalina’s little town of Avalon will give you a taste of heaven. It reminded me of visiting the Isle of Capri off the coast of Italy.

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Well there you have it, Janelle Vecchio’s top 9 unusual places to visit in Southern California. Check out her blog My Vacation Pants for other traveling tips. 

Photos: My Vacation Pants. Featured photo: Kevin Dooley/Flickr

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There is probably no other city in the world that has as many comic book stores as Brussels. There is also hardly any other city where comic book characters have escaped the pages and scattered themselves around the facades of the buildings in the city center like they do here.

Lift your head up, keeping your hat in your hand, and enjoy Brussels in comics.

The love affair between Brussels and comic books has a long history. The city’s two most famous magazines – Tintin and Spirou – sprang up in the beginning of the 20th century. Some of the most beloved comic books of several generations were created here: The Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Gaston Lagaffe…

Brussels, of course, has a comic book museum – the Belgian Comic Strip Centre, where you can learn useful and interesting information. But it is much more inspiring to just walk down the streets of the Belgian capital and get acquainted with your favorite characters in person.

The murals are so well integrated into Brussels’ architecture that you might not even notice them.

Apart from the graffiti on the walls, comic book characters are revived here in 3D form, too. A prime example is the statue of comic book hero Gaston Lagaffe on Pacheco Boulevard.

You can join some of the paid guided bike tours and walks along the comic strip route, but probably the best way to immerse yourself in comic culture is to start your own journey with a map in your hand (a perfect map is available in the bottom of this page) and enjoy your treasure hunt.

To complete a real themed day, finish at the Comic Strip Village (Stripdorp/Le Village de la BD, situated at Sablon Square) in the center of Brussels. Here you’ll find a gallery, a comic book store and a café, where you can have a rest surrounded by colorful comic strips.

You can buy a comic map from any Brussels Tourism Office (costs 1 euro), or alternatively you can take the route provided on this map below:

Pin it for later because you’re gonna need this map and it will get buried in the tons of information online:

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In the distant year of 1979, for a period of 7 months, a team of 165 people built 19 wooden houses, using a few thousand logs, 8 tons of nails, and more than 7 500 liters of paint.

After it served its purpose as a movie set, Popeye s Village became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malta. The fun is for people of all ages and includes water trampolines, boat rides, wooden deck chairs for sunbathing (which is why you are in Malta anyway), and educational games.

Useful information: Popeye s Village is located 3 kilometers away from the Mellieha, Malta. From Valletta, the capital, you can board bus number 42; from Sliema or St. Julian s take bus number 222. Get off in Mellieha – every hour you can take bus number 237, which will take you to Popeye’s Village. More information here.

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