Tag Archives: Antelope Canyon

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The Most Scenic Destinations in Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

While many may immediately think of the desert at the first mention of Arizona, the state has so much more to offer. It is absolutely packed with natural beauty, and has some of the most beautiful spots in the country. Let’s takes a look at some of the most scenic destinations in Arizona.

Sedona.

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Sedona
A small Arizona desert town, Sedona is famous for its red rock buttes, steep canyons and pine forests. It is a place of awe-inspiring natural beauty, and is one of the most popular destinations in Arizona because of this. In addition to being breathtakingly beautiful, Sedona is also a place of huge spiritual importance, and is known as one of the most sacred healing sites in the world. You are likely to notice several shops in town selling alternative medicines and healing crystals, as well as many opportunities for yoga sessions, meditation and other spiritual activities. We recommend exploring Sedona either at sunrise or at sunset, because you will no doubt agree with the many others who say that Sedona is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park
No mention of Arizona would be complete without talking about the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Located in the Grand Canyon National Park, the steep canyon has been formed over the past 17 million years, with the Colorado River carving through and exposing almost two billion years of Earth’s geological history. There are two sides of the canyon that you can visit – the North Rim and the South Rim, each offering their own spectacular perspectives. While the South Rim is more catered towards tourists, the North Rim is more rugged, and is the option that we would suggest if you are wanting to avoid the crowds.

Antelope Canyon.

Antelope Canyon
If you live in, or are going to be visiting, Arizona, you are likely to have already seen many photos of the state, including some featuring dramatic slot canyons. Antelope Canyon is where the majority of these are taken, and it is one of the most spectacular slot canyons in the world. Not only are the sculpted rock formations perfectly highlighted by the rich colors and rays of light, but it is also a very accessible slot canyon, which can’t be said for many. The colors and patterns that surround you seem out of this world, and even an amateur photographer will end up with incredible images, so don’t forget to bring your camera!

There is no doubt that Arizona is home to some of the most scenic destinations in the country, if not the world. The Grand Canyon has made its way onto countless bucket lists, while Sedona will amaze you with its sense of calm peacefulness. We would like to remind you that each of these destinations are extremely popular, so it is essential that you plan your trip carefully if you want to avoid the crowds.

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Surreal Destinations

Although a beach or a city may be your go-to destination for the majority of your vacations, sometimes a visit to somewhere spectacularly unique will give you a much more unforgettable experience. OROGOLD takes a look at some of the most surreal destinations around the world, each of which guarantee that you will feel as though you are in another world.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
The Waitomo region of New Zealand is home to many awe-inspiring natural attractions, but one of the most popular of them all has to be the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Only two other places in the world exist that are similar to this, one in Australia and one in Japan, but the caves in Waitomo top them all. A boat ride takes visitors along the underground Waitomo River, into a cave that is eerily dark except for the living lights, provided by the glowworms, that make the ceilings sparkle. This glowworm species is native to the area, and visitors describe this ethereal experience as truly magical. There are also many other caves and grottos in the area that can also be explored by visitors, making this definitely a worthwhile destination.

Antelope Canyon, USA.

Antelope Canyon, Arizona, US
Known by the Navajos as ‘the place where water runs through the rocks’, the Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in Arizona that has only been made available to the public since 1997, as this is when the Navajo Tribe made it into an official Navajo Tribal Park. The entrance into the canyon is only a few feet wide, and, once in, the temperature drops by about 20 degrees. The curved sandstone walls reflect glints of sunlight, displaying glorious patterns and shapes in warm, vibrant colors. Although there are many other stunning slot canyons throughout the US, Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular, as it doesn’t require any climbing and has the perfect combination of mesmerizing colors, ambient lighting and otherworldly rock formations.

Ice Caves, Iceland.

Ice Caves, Iceland
Each autumn in Iceland, ice caves begin to form on the edge of glaciers, and last throughout the winter. Since these ice caves are temporary, the exact locations can only be determined nearer to the winter, but there are many experienced tour operators to take visitors to the best ones each year. From inside, the caves are constantly sparkling, as though they have been covered with crystals, with an eerie blue/white light glistening on the surface. You can also usually a hear a groaning sound, and although this can often sound as though the cave is collapsing, it is actually the noise that occurs as the cave slowly moves along with the shifting glacier.

The world is full of unbelievable destinations, from caves that glow with the light of glowworms to sweeping pink colored sandstone walls inside one of the most beautiful slot canyons. Whichever one you choose to visit, OROGOLD is sure that you will have a truly memorable vacation, and return home with plenty of surreal photographs!