Top 10 Stunning secret places that most tourists may not know

Al-Hijr Archeological Site, Saudi Arabia

While its northern neighbor and fellow Nabataean city, Petra, is far more well-known and visited, this beautiful site is composed of well over 100 elaborately carved tombs that date back over 2,000 years, making it a must see locale.

Church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacán, Mexico

You’ve probably heard of the famous ancient Roman ruin of Pompeii, but what about the ruined villages of Paricutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro? Destroyed in the early 1940s by the sudden emergence of Paricutin volcano, all that remains are these cathedral ruins.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Of all of the waterfalls in the world, none are quite as extraordinary as those at Plitvice. Of course, I should say “series of waterfalls,” as this amazing natural ensemble is composed of 16 different terraced limestone lakes, with crystal clear water flowing from one to the next.

St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England

Perhaps you’ve heard of Mont Saint Michel, but what about its English cousin? With its castle and gardens rising proud from the waters of Mount’s Bay, St. Michael’s Mount is a beloved Cornish gem.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

History, legend, and beauty weave themselves together like a magical mirage in Samarkand, home to ancient mosques and the mausoleum of the famous Tamerlane. Titled by UNESCO as the Crossroads of Culture, this city exemplifies the wonders of the Silk Road.

The Dazu Rock Carvings, China

Stretching out through the mountainous domain of Dazu County, these extraordinary rock carvings pay homage to multiple religions, from Buddhism to Taoism, and date back over 1,000 years.

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

Smoo Cave, Scotland

This massive seaside cave looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park, but don’t worry, the only thing lurking within its depths is a hidden waterfall that cascades 80 feet into the placid waters below.

Garajonay National Park, Canary Islands

Like something out of a dream, this park is almost always shrouded in mists that drift in from the Atlantic, making this land of twisted laurisilva trees, delicate flowers, and carpets of moss seem like a completely separate reality.