As the ferry pulled away from the coast, I gazed out at the receding shoreline and spotted a cluster of towering rock formations rising from the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea. Though they appeared rugged and unforgiving at first glance, I had a feeling these so-called ‘Kornati Islands’ held…

Göbekli Tepe sits quietly on a barren hilltop in southeastern Turkey, roughly 15 kilometers northeast of the town of Şanlıurfa. At first glance, it may appear unremarkable — merely a collection of rough limestone stones partly obscured by undergrowth. However, beneath this unassuming exterior lies one of the greatest archaeological…

Nestled in the Kii Mountains of Wakayama Prefecture lies one of Japan’s most iconic and breathtaking sights — Mount Kōya. For over 1,200 years, this sacred mountain has drawn pilgrims seeking spiritual enlightenment within its mist-shrouded forests. With over 100 Buddhist temples scattering its slopes, Kōya-san offers visitors a chance…

Iceland is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, from towering volcanoes and expansive lava fields to thundering waterfalls and gorgeous fjords. However, beneath the raw natural beauty visible on the surface lies a network of intricate caves waiting to be explored. Iceland’s hidden cave systems offer a look into the island’s…

I had the most magical experience during a recent trip to the small island province of the Dinagat Islands in the Philippines. Nestled in this remote region is a beautiful natural wonder known as the Enchanted River. Despite its fame among locals, this place remains relatively unknown to international tourists…

Located deep in the Himalayas, Bhutan is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Nestled between India and China, its towering mountains have helped it remain untouched by modernity for centuries. …

Perched high in the Caucasus Mountains sits a village virtually untouched by time — Ushguli, Georgia. Deep in the Svaneti region of northern Georgia, Ushguli feels worlds away from modern civilization. With twisting alleyways between its stone towers, Ushguli remains one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in Europe. With…

Deep in the arid desert plains of coastal Peru lies one of the ancient world’s greatest enigmas — lines and geometric shapes etched across the landscape that are only visible from high in the sky. …

I’d always wanted to visit Svalbard, a remote Norwegian archipelago midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Often referred to as “the edge of the world,” Svalbard seemed like the perfect destination for my quest to see truly wild and untouched nature. …