Directed by Ömer Faruk Sorak and Yılmaz Erdoğan, the film Vizontele describes the arrival of television to the city and how it changes citizens’ perceptions. The city’s mayor, played by Altan Erkekli, addresses the public: “If you love this place, this is the most beautiful place in the world. But if you don’t like the most beautiful place in the world, it is not the most beautiful place in the world.”
The connections between humans and spaces are emotional as well as physical. A holiday destination gains meaning not just because of its appearance, but through the feelings and memories it evokes. In this vein, we present six relatively unknown paradises, places that offer unique experiences and long-lasting memories.
1. Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Set in the Siwa Desert, several hundred kilometers from the Qattara Depression and the Great Sand Sea, the Siwa Oasis is about 50 kilometers from the Libyan border and 760 kilometers from Cairo.
Until the construction of a tarmac road in the 1980s, Siwa Oasis was relatively isolated; its only connection to the outside world was via camel tracks through the desert. Its natural isolation allowed the region’s Berber inhabitants to develop a unique culture and crafts tradition of elaborate basketry, pottery, silverwork and embroidery. While the area now attracts more tourists, many of these traditions have continued.
The geography of the area is also intriguing. Siwa Lake, with 95% salinity, is said to have healing properties. In any case, swimmers won’t drown – the salty water guarantees buoyancy. In addition to the Lake, the dunes and stones in the area are also notable.
Historical sites include the Cleopatra Pool, the Mount of the Dead and Amun Temple. Visitors can also sand ski, go on desert safari and camping excursions, and sample Bedouin dishes unique to the region, as well as the local olives and dates.
The best time to visit the Siwa Oasis is in spring and autumn, when the days are warm. The famous Black Festival of Siwa Oasis is held on the first full moon in October.
Siwa Oasis is 760 kilometers from Cairo Airport, 600 kilometers from Alexandria Airport, and 300 kilometers from Mersa Matruh Airport, which requires a transfer from Cairo. Renting a car is recommended due to the inadequacy of public transport. Guide services are also available. It is highly recommended that visitors remain in the areas permitted by the local authorities.
2. Waitomo Glowworm Cave, New Zealand
The Waitomo Glowworm Cave, in New Zealand, is – as its name suggests – a fascinating place. Limestone caves, formed in the Waitomo region over 30 million years through volcanic activity, feature stalactites and stalagmites; approximately 300 of these caves are known. But what makes these caves particularly interesting is their glow worm population. Called Arachnocampa luminosa, the creatures’ larva disseminate tubes of mucus. From these tubes come the finest silk strings. Mucus regurgitated onto the silk absorbs water from the cave’s humid atmosphere. These tiny luminescent droplets are designed to attract prey, but also create an otherworldly glow in the cave.
Because visitors can affect the humidity inside the cave – and thus, the habitat of the glow worms – admittance to the cave is regulated. Guided tours are available; most of the guides are descended from the Maoris who discovered the caves. The best time to visit is between December and February, although these summer months are the most crowded.
The Waitomo Caves are about two to three hours’ drive from Auckland. Buses and tours are available.
3. Boulders Beach, South Africa
Have you ever considered sunbathing next to a penguin?
About 40 kilometers from the center of Cape Town, the Boulders Penguin Colony is home to about 2,500 African Penguins. The gorgeous Boulders Beach and its surrounding beaches, forming part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, are accessible to visitors; while you can gaze at these adorable, flightless birds to your heart’s content, you are not permitted to touch, feed or harass them in any way! The penguins waddle around the beach, sometimes venturing up to the banks (where they lay eggs) or to nearby Simon’s Town. Check under your car before you depart – these little penguins are known to roam. Also check out the Boulders Visitors Center, for more information on the penguins.
The best time to visit is from October to March, when the weather is drier; March and April tend to draw the most visitors.
Boulders Beach is about 40 kilometers from Cape Town. From Cape Town, bus tours are available. A train goes from Cape Town to nearby Simon’s Town. You can also reach Boulders Beach by car.
While you’re in Cape Town, climb Table Mountain and enjoy a magnificent view of the city and its surrounding area.
4. Lake Louise, Canada
Lake Louise is an oasis set in Banff National Park, in Canada’s Alberta region. Gorgeous Banff National Park features mountains with snowy peaks in the winter and lush green trees in spring, complementing the enchanting emerald-turquoise hues of Lake Louise. It’s beautiful, but cold even in the summer – the semi-arctic climate requires warm clothes at all times of the year. The advantage, however, is that there’s all-year skiing in the Rocky Mountains that surround the Park. Other activities, particularly in the spring and summer, include cycling, fishing and deer-watching.
In 2011, the total population of the Lake Louise region was 691. This is a place where the world flows slowly.
Lake Louise and Banff National Park are about 185 kilometers from Calgary, in the south of Alberta. Tour buses depart from both the Calgary Airport and the city center; you can also rent a car.
5. Vinicunca Mountain, Peru
Is it possible to touch a rainbow?
Visit Vinicunca Mountain – also known as Rainbow Mountain – in Cusco, Peru.
Colorful Vinicunca Mountain features shades of red, yellow, purple and green, created by the chemical reaction of the mountain’s minerals with waters melting after the ice age.
Reaching the summit of Vinicunca Mountain is not easy. First, make the two or three hour drive to Pitumarca from Cusco City. From Pitumarca, it’s about a five kilometer walk and then a steep uphill trek of about 1.5 hours. You can hire a horse for the first part of the walk, but the slope is accessible only by foot. The summit is 5,200 meters above sea level but, don’t worry, the main camp area has equipment to address oxygen deprivation. Every challenge endured is worth it: this is a mountain that is, indeed, a hidden paradise.
The best time to visit Vinicunca Mountain is between April and October, when the weather is relatively dry. Do check the weather before you make the trek: snow and rain can obscure the magnificent views and make climbing conditions more difficult.
6. The Bioluminescent Beach, Iran
Larak Island is a small island in the Persian Gulf, on the southern coast of Iran. We have included it in this list of hidden paradises due to its remarkable population of bioluminescent creatures.
The most familiar example of a bioluminescent creature is the firefly. But the seas and oceans are also home to a number of these living creatures. In Larak Island, the nighttime glow is created mainly by plankton, which gleam gorgeous blues on dark nights.
While accommodation on Larak Island is limited, visitors can stay on nearby Kesm Island, where the bioluminescent creatures can also be seen. In general, ferries depart Kesm Island to Larak Island twice a day on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays, but do check the schedule as it changes periodically. The two islands are 16 kilometers apart. Daily flights are available to Kesm Island from Tehran. As well, Larak Island is accessible via boat from Hormuz Island and Bender Abbas.
The best time to visit the Larak and Kesm islands is from September to March.
Although bioluminescent creature can be seen in many places around the world, we believe that the views from Larak Island are the most magnificent!
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