The best travel destinations for outdoor enthusiasts

 The best travel destinations for outdoor enthusiasts

By Efrat Sagi-Ofir on Nov 22, 2022.

If you love being outdoors among nature, you probably also prefer vacations that allow you to explore and take in all the natural beauty that the destination has to offer. From exotic rice paddies to mountainous regions that take you to cloud nine, here are the top outdoor vacation destinations you should put on your travel bucket list.

New Zealand

Featuring breathtaking stretches of coastline and snow-capped mountains to glittering lakes, if you love the outdoors, one trip to New Zealand won’t be enough. There are few places in the world where one can experience ancient forests, stunning coastlines, and mountain vistas within the space of a day. With plenty of national parks to explore, volcanic and geothermal active areas, and gorgeous landscapes that seem to go on for days.

Head to Queenstown to get a bit of everything, from water sports to hiking and climbing. It’s also the birthplace of bungee jumping, so travelers looking for an adrenaline rush can be sure they’ll get one.

South Africa

South Africa is truly a nature lover’s destination. Offering some of the most diverse landscapes in the entire African continent – with forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands, and savannahs just some of the scenery you can expect to encounter. Besides the incredible natural surroundings, there’s also plenty of wildlife – with over 700 publicly owned reserves, 200 private reserves, and 19 National Parks. Time to tick off “go on an African safari” on your travel bucket list.

A trip to South Africa isn’t complete without a trip to the largest game reserve in Africa – the Kruger National Park. Make sure you keep your eye out for the “Big Five” – lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

Argentina

The sheer size of Argentina practically ensures there’s incredible natural diversity. Argentina’s natural beauty has been attracting nature lovers for many years. From the tropics to the Andes, each region of the country has a different ecosystem to experience. Taking a trip through Argentina is like traveling through several countries – with its world-famous UNESCO-listed Iguassu Falls to its unique jungle-scapes home to a vast variety of different flora and fauna species.

Head to Patagonia, in Southern Argentina, to enjoy one of the most spectacular hikes in the world – the W Trek, which includes the peaks of Torres del Paine. You can also explore clear lakes, dense forests, and mountain passes on horseback or a bicycle.

Iceland

Iceland’s natural beauty is easily the highlight of the entire country. From glittering glacier lagoons to bubbling hot springs, the island’s unspoiled, otherworldly charm captivates travelers at every turn. And whether illuminated each season by either the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights – the lighting is guaranteed to up the ante. Iceland gives adventurers plenty of opportunities to explore volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and powerful waterfalls.

Many people don’t even know that you can even dive in Iceland, in the Silfra fissure – located between the North American and Eurasian plates. How’s that for a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience!

United States

The United States is an incredible destination for nature lovers – with the National Park System encompassing 423 national park sites across the US. Stretching across 84 million acres, with parks in each state and extending into the US territories (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), no matter where in the US you’re headed, you’re guaranteed a little slice of outdoor paradise.

Why not head to the infamous national park in California, Yosemite? With over 750 hiking trails to choose from, river rafting trips, and of course, the stunning landscape, Yosemite is a place that every outdoor adventurer should see at least once.

Switzerland

Do you want to conquer mountains and valleys, dive into rushing waters, and discover UNESCO World Heritage sites? Switzerland’s landscape is more varied than almost any other place on earth. And once you set your sights on its breathtaking natural scenery – crystalline lakes framed by snow-capped mountain-scapes – you’ll realize that all the postcards don’t do it justice. Switzerland will take your breath away.