most difficult places to visit

10 MOST CHALLENGING TRAVEL PLACES ON THE EARTH (Update)

Many people who like traveling have their bucket list of the places which they want to visit in their life. Most of these places are the world famous and popular destinations like London, Paris, Bali, Iceland, or Morocco. But there are some travelers who know that there is really much more to visit and explore beyond these destination. And some places, somewhere beyond the horizon are really challenging. Read further about the Top 10 most challenging places to travel on the Earth!

If you are looking for the most beautiful views and landscapes on the Earth, you need to be better in geography and to look much further, where the tourism is not developed or totally missing. Some of these areas are so wild and extreme that only those who really love explorer’s adventures would go there to travel. Let’s see which are these areas- the most challenging places to travel. 

Although our planet is extremely small in the cosmos, it is still much larger for us, who live here and travel on its surface. Many people travel a lot, but if you see a map of the Earth, showing the places where they travel, it would cover only a small area with the most popular destinations and countries. But there are vast territories outside this area, which remain almost unexplored, even today. And if you make a trip there, you can be surprised how much more our Earth can offer to us.

Table of Contents

Look at the map of the Earth

If you watch the map of the Earth, you can notice that the most developed and famous countries, as well as the countries with the longest history, are located in the Northern hemisphere, in the middle between the Equator and the North pole. The climate in this zone is subtropical or moderate. There you can find USA, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea. The only exception is Central Asia due to its dry climate.

It is same in the southern hemisphere, where in the moderate and subtropical zones you can find the southern (most populated and famous) part of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the southern part of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and the northern parts of Chile and Argentina.

With some exceptions, these mild-moderate zones are the easiest to travel and explore. But if you look outside- it is too cold, or too hot and wet. And there you can find some of the most virgin, unexplored, far from the tourist crowds and difficult to travel lands.

The most challenging places to travel

These lands are located in different zones, from the Equator to the coldest places on Earth. They are challenging for many reasons.

Natural environment

Most of these places are very scarcely populated due to their extreme climate and natural conditions. Rainforests are very rich in life but almost unsuitable for agriculture activity. Hot and cold deserts are too dry, with extreme temperature amplitudes. Many islands in the oceans are too isolated and again too hard for any development. High mountains- again, severe climate, too rocky and steep.

So these lands are difficult not only for living but also for travel. No wonder that some of them are totally uninhabited.

Special political status

Many lands of these areas lie in some autonomous regions, where you can’t just go with your passport and visa, but you need some special permissions. And these permissions can be very difficult to obtain. Examples are Tibet and some autonomous areas of Russia, such as Taimyria and Chukotka.

Danger from humans

Although these areas are very scarcely populated, you can face problems with local people living there. For example, there are some radical Islamist bands roaming in Sahara. There is some tension between local tribes in Papua and the government of Indonesia. There are some mafia groups operating in Amazonia.

Natural reserves

Some areas are prohibited not only due to their political status, but also because they are turned into natural reserves (which is good for the local nature, but makes our visit extremely difficult and complicated). An example is Changtang plateau in the northern part of Tibet, which is uninhabited zone. Other examples are some isolated islands like Heard and MacDonald and Bouvet.

Anyway, for those travelers who really love adventure in the spirit of Magellan and other famous explorers from the history, it is still possible to prevail all these obstacles and to make an unforgettable trip to some of the most beautiful, unknown and challenging areas on the Earth.

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This is the Top 10 of the most challenging places to travel on the Earth.

Most of the people would never include these places in their bucket lists. But for the travelers who love adventures- it’s a different story.

Geographical zone

Equatorial zone. Location: South America. Rainforest area around Amazon River.

Basic facts

Amazonia is actually a famous land, located in the north part of Brazil and parts of its neighboring countries Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana, and Suriname. But it is famous only from some movies, documentaries and our classes of geography in the school. Yes, there are some tourist companies, offering trips in Amazonia, but only in some limited areas.

Amazonia is well known as the largest rainforest area on the Earth. There are a lot of local Indian tribes, hidden in the jungle, near the mighty Amazon river and its tributaries. Some of these tribes are still undiscovered. Unfortunately, there are also criminals, as well as groups of people catching the advantage of the remoteness and the weak applying of the laws, who not only destroy the local nature but also can be hostile to the travelers who penetrate in “their” territories.

The best and the most challenging route in Amazonia is following Amazon river from east to west, or from west to east. There are some explorers who have accomplished it. One of the most significant travelers there is Mike Horn , who crossed Amazonia from east to west, as a part of his Zero Latitude travel on the Equator of the Earth.

There are only two ways of transport on this route in Amazonia. The first way is by boat on the river. There are some cruises from Manaus city in Brazil, but they don’t go too far. For the longest part of the route, you need your own boat, which can be eventually gotten from the locals. And the other way of transport is your own feet.

Most of Amazonia is located in Brazil, and you don’t need anything else, but just a passport and visa for Brazil. But if you want to cross into the neighboring countries, you have to pass some restricted zones, and there are almost no convenient border checkpoints on such a route for crossing. So, such a route normally requires special exclusive permissions.

There are a lot of challenges in Amazonia, outside of the tourist-developed areas around Manaus and a few other cities. – It is the endless maze of rivers and jungle. Even the local can be lost in this vast landscape. – It is the extremely rich wildlife. There are really A LOT of animal and animal species, and some of them are dangerous. You can be bitten by animals in the jungle, and animals in the waters. – The plants can be also dangerous. They are so thick, some of them with thorns and even venom, so you have to be careful about them too. – The ground can be dangerous too. In some areas, you have to pass swamps or just extremely difficult to walk places. – And finally- people can be dangerous. As I mentioned above, there are illegal criminals, who have established their own territories, where they could do their crimes- either drugs or just destroying the jungle.

If you can prevail all these challenges, you can enjoy an unforgettable in the largest rainforest in the world, to dive in the beautify of the jungle and the rivers and to meet amazing people living there- the local tribes of the forest.

Check out some books and stories about the Amazon rainforest: 

Equatorial zone. Location: Oceania, Melanesia. Rainforest and mountain area.

Papua is one of the largest islands on the Earth. There is a high mountain range on its northern part, and plain southern part, richly covered by rainforest and rivers. Politically it is divided into West Papua, which is part of Indonesia, and East Papua, which is the independent state of Papua New Guinea.

Although it looks like a part of Sundanese Archipelago, Papua is a different world. Nature is different, and the people are different too. There are a lot of plants and animals, which are presented only here. And the local Papua people are not Asians, but Melanesians.

The main direction of a route in Papua is from west to east (and vice versa), from the “head of the turtle” (as the form of Papua is like a turtle) Chendravasih Peninsula, to the “tail”, beyond the capital of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby.

The routes can pass on the northern coast, on the mountain summit or on the southern part of Papua. And the southern version is the most difficult. Same as Amazonia, it is covered by an endless jungle and you can move there only by foot, crossing a lot of rivers and swamps. The mountain version is a little bit easier, because at least there are no swamps, and the forest is not too thick.

West Papua and Papua New Guinea have very limited opportunities for “normal transport”- bus, car or boat. It is only in limited areas around the bigger cities on the sea coast. But the interior of the island is really wild. Again, as in Amazonia, you can travel there only by local wooden boats or on foot. And it is even harder than Amazonia because there is no big river to follow, but only smaller rivers, which you can follow for a while.

Since New Guinea is divided into two countries, there is a border between them, which requires a passport and visas in most cases. But since there is only one checkpoint, and it is on the north coast of the island, the rest of New Guinea can be crossed only by special permission or illegally.

– Similar to Amazonia, there is an endless maze of rivers and jungle. Anyway, not such vast as Amazonia. – Again, there are really a lot of animals in the jungle, some of them are venomous, and some of them (like crocodiles) are predators. – The jungle itself. Same as Amazonia, it is extremely thick. – The ground: In the mountain ridge the terrain is very difficult, and the jungle makes it even more difficult. In the plains of the south, the maze of rivers and swamps also make the crossing very difficult. – The locals. There were some tribes in Papua, involved in cannibalism. Although there are no recent records of cannibalism in Papua, it can’t be said for sure that cannibalism is 100% disappeared.

As in Amazonia, you can experience one of the most undiscovered jungles in the world, here combined with mountains. It is especially exciting to cross it from coast to coast. And you can meet other unique people- the local Papua tribes.

Check out some books and stories about Papua:

Ocean tropical and equatorial area. Scattered islands in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the islands are archipelagos of atolls.

Polynesia , as a part of Oceania, is scattered across the Pacific Ocean, covering a vast area, larger than Europe and Asia together. But the land part of this area is less than 1%, consisting of thousands of islands, most of which atolls (coral reefs, ring islands), usually gathered in archipelagos.

Now all these islands are part of French Polynesia and a few islands countries like Tonga, Samoa (East and West), Kiribati, Tuvalu, and some British and American overseas territories, including Hawaii. Polynesia also includes New Zealand, which however looks quite different than the tropical paradise of the small islands.

Some of the islands (such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Bora-Bora, Rarotonga and a few more) are developed tourist destinations. But most of the other islands are remote, wild, and many of them are uninhabited or only occasionally visited by the locals. As a whole, you can find the perfect “tropical island paradise” picture exactly there, in Polynesia, especially in the remote, far from the tourist crowds islands.

There are a lot of possible route versions, running mainly from west to east. The two main directions start from Melanesia or Micronesia. One of the versions ends in Hawaii, and the other ends in the easternmost Polynesian island- Rapa Nui. Further beyond, there is only a vast ocean with almost no islands, to the coasts of America.

Since the whole area consists of small islands in a vast ocean, obviously the main on land transport can be only by ship. There are ferries between the main islands within an archipelago, but not to all islands. And there are only a few inter-archipelagos ferries. But if you want to cross the whole Polynesia, you can do it by your own yacht.

Then, on dry land of the islands, there are local buses or taxis, but now everywhere. On the uninhabited islands, as well as the islands with very few people you have to walk on foot or sailing by your own boat on the inner lagoons of the ring islands. Other options for visiting this region is of course on a cruise ship . This is a cheaper and easier option with regular departures from Sydney and Brisbane during the Australian summer months of November through to February.

Polynesia is divided politically between a few local countries, and territories of France, UK, USA, and Chile. So you need the normal border documents to cross from one country to another- passport and eventually visa. But there are some islands, which require special permission, either because they are natural reserves or military bases. Such an island is Midway, which is controlled by the US Navy.

– The distances. Polynesia is really vast, and the water distances between archipelagos are huge. – The sea storms. This is an ocean. The largest ocean on the Earth. So the sea storms are not uncommon.

The greatest reward of exploring Polynesia is to experience the most virgin, large and splendid tropical island paradise, feeling the freedom of the vastness. And at the same time, you can touch some last remains of the original Polynesian culture.

Check out some books and stories about the South Pacific and its scattered islands:

Sahara and the Arabian deserts

Dry tropical area. Sand and stone deserts, mainly plain and some scattered dry mountains.

This is a vast territory, covered almost the whole northern part of Africa, and the whole Arabian Peninsula, which is divided only by the narrow Red Sea. Most part of this area is plain, but there are some isolated mountain ranges, such as Ahagar, Tibesti and Sarawat mountains in Arabia.

The whole area is dry and with small scattered exceptions (some of which called “oasis”) completely naked- without any plants, or only with some bushes. A large part of Sahara and Arabia is covered by sand deserts, other parts- by rocky or stony deserts. And the mountains are just a part of the same landscape- almost without any plants.

All this vast area is shared between the countries of Morocco, West Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, and Oman.

The most interesting routes are from north to south. There are a few versions: along the Atlantic coast, crossing Ahagar mountains, crossing Tibesti mountains, following the Nile, and in Arabia- from Israel, through Hijaz range and Rub-al-Khali desert- to the coast of Oman.

There are a few roads, crossing Sahara and the Arabian deserts, and there are buses on them (but not on all roads). So using this way, you can pass a whole route through this area, but only through certain parts of it. The larger rest of Sahara and Arabia is completely wild and almost uninhabited, with exception of some oasis.

Maybe you can cross the deserts by 4×4 vehicle, but with high risk to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, especially in the sand areas. The only other options are crossing by camels or by your own feet. But camels now would be an extremely exotic and expensive experience, nearly impossible. Even the local nomads don’t cross the deserts by camels for long distances, as in ancient time, but they just go to the established roads.

Walking on foot is not less difficult since the main problem is the lack of water. But maybe it would be possible by support by someone else.

Sahara and Arabia are divided between many countries. There are border checkpoints on the few roads crossing the area. But for the rest, the crossing is possible again only by special permission or illegally. Saudi Arabia has very difficult visa regulations for foreigners. It is made easier in November’2018, but the cities of Mecca and Medina remain closed for non-Muslims.

– The climate and the lack of water. It is extremely dry. You may need more water than in “normal” conditions, and at the same time, it is very difficult to reach it. And if you find yourself without water, far from the nearest water source, you are doomed. – Lack of food. There is no food in the desert. Only in some places, you can find insects or snakes to eat, and that’s all. – The endless desert landscape. The landscape in this area is same hundreds, even thousands of kilometers (miles). You can easily lose an idea where you are. – The local Islamic extremists. There are some Islamic terrorist groups, controlling parts of the desert in Africa, mainly in countries like Mali, Niger, Chad, and Sudan. Also currently there is a war in Yemen and Syria.

You can have one of the greatest feeling of freedom and vastness here, in the endless wilderness. And you can enjoy the beauty of the desert in its perfection, with the additional unique feeling from its crossing from end to end.

Check out some books and stories about the largest hot desert area on the Earth-

Sahara and the Arabian deserts:

Northern Tibet

High mountain plateau, mainly dry. Covered by tundra or rocks. Altitude- mainly between 4600 and 5400 m

The Great Tibetan Plateau , part of the Greater Ranges area , is the largest and the highest plateau on the Earth. While its southern and eastern parts are populated, developed and some of the places (around Lhasa, Kailash, also in Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, and Gansu) arranged for tourism, its north, especially northwestern part is completely wild and uninhabited.

This part of the Great Tibetan Plateau is called Changtang. Along with its eastern extension, called Kekexili, it covers an area, larger than France and Spain together, with zero population. A large part of Changtang is endorheic, separated from the ocean. There are vast plains with scattered snowy peaks, rising more than 6000 m altitude. And there are many lakes, most of which are saline.

Changtang plateau can be crossed from north to south, but the most challenging version is from west to east. Starting from Karakoram or Kashgar, a possible route leaves the main road to Lhasa and cross Changtang on its length until the other road from Golmud to Lhasa. Then it can proceed further east to Yushu and Amnye Machin ranges to the easier and milder areas of Qinghai, Sichuan and Gansu provinces.

There are no roads in the uninhabited zone of Changtang. Now there are some very expensive expeditions, using 4×4 vehicles to cross the plateau, but even they don’t cross it on too long distance. There are also reservation guards, who also penetrate in the area by their vehicles, but again- not too far. In fact, there are large areas, where maybe humans have never set their feet.

The only other options are by bicycle (which can be very difficult too, especially in some stony or even sandy areas) or just on foot. There are only a few recorded cases of crossing Changtang on foot. The most challenging of them is even filmed in “77 Days” movie from 2017, based on a real event.

This area has very complicated red tape requirements. First, this is entirely within China, so you need your passport and a Chinese visa, that’s the basic. But then, a large part of it is on the territory of TAR (Tibetan Autonomous Region), which requires an organized tour and travel permit. That’s not all. Third- it is a natural reserve, which requires special permission on a very high price (if they give such document at all). And finally- if you want also to climb one of the peaks, you need one more permission for climbing.

– The high altitude. Most of the area of Changtang is located between 4700 and 5300 m altitude. There are no settlements (cities or villages) in the world, located such high and normally it is too high for humans to live constantly. – The harsh weather conditions. It is generally dry, but the temperature may suddenly drop. There is a danger of occasional storms. – Some wild animals. There are wolves and bears living in Changtang, as well as wild yaks. They may be dangerous for a traveler. – The ground. There are some sandy areas with floating sands, which can be dangerous. Also, there is a possibility of local floods.

You can enjoy some of the most virgin, breathtaking and unique landscapes on the Earth, and the pleasure of its infinity, as well as its rich wildlife.

Check out some books and stories about the Great Tibetan Plateau:

Mongolia-Altai

Moderate dry climate. Mainly grasslands and deserts. Plains and mountains, covered by scattered forests.

It is a vast area, located between Tibet and Siberia. It is mainly plain, but in relatively high altitude- around 1000 – 1500 m. There are mountain ranges, mainly in its northwestern part. The southern part is drier, dominated by Gobi Desert – mainly sandy or stony wilderness. An extension from this area is located in Xinjiang, between Tianshan and Kunlunshan mountain ranges- this is Takla Makan sand desert.

The northern and eastern parts of this area are covered by grasslands, and some scattered forests. The mountain ranges in the north include Altai and Sayans. Also, there are some rivers and lakes, such as Hobsgol Lake and Selenga River.

The whole area is very scarcely populated. There are only some remote towns, villages and nomad settlements. The tourism is almost undeveloped and consists mainly of some adventure tours on certain routes. Everything outside all this is wild, vast and uninhabited.

There are many route opportunities, mainly running again from west to east. These routes can cross Altai and Sayan mountains on their summits, Gobi desert from Altai, through the sand areas to the grasslands on the east. Takla Makan is challenging to be crossed from south to north too.

There are some roads, crossing this vast area. And same as Sahara and Arabia, there are buses only on a few of them. The only other way of transport can be cars, but only on some better sections of the road, 4×4 vehicles and passing trucks. It is possible you drive a 4×4, and go off-road, but in some areas, it is risky too.

Other ways can be crossing by camel or horse. Again- it depends on locals, and it is unlikely that they would assist you for too long distance.

Again, the other options are by bicycle, but not in the sandy areas, and on foot. There are some recorded cases. Since it is easier than Sahara, it is more possible.

This area is divided between China and Mongolia. There are a few checkpoints between the two countries, but it can be difficult for foreigners from a third country to cross through them. Once crossed, basically, there are no other requirements for Mongolia, but for Xinjiang province in China is different- many areas, especially near the border, are restricted or require special permission.

– The weather. It is dry, but sometimes there are unpredictable storms- thunderstorms in summer and snowstorms in winter. – The vastness of emptiness. You can walk hundreds of kilometers and don’t see anything but only an endless grassland or desert, without any mountains. You can lose an idea where you are. – The same challenges as Sahara in the desert areas. Sand, lack of water and food.

Again, you can experience one of the best feeling of endless infinity of stunning landscapes of grasslands and deserts, under the pure blue sky. You can also meet the famous local Mongol nomads.

Check out some books and stories about Mongolia and its grasslands:

From cold moderate to polar climate. Mainly plains, mountains in the far east, a lot of rivers. Covered by taiga forests and tundra in the north.

This is a huge area, covered the whole northern part of Asia, from Ural to Chukotka, and from China and Kazakhstan to the Arctic Ocean. It is mainly plain, rich in waters- rivers, lakes, and swamps, and covered by taiga forests in the south, and tundra in the north. Its far eastern part is more mountainous.

Siberia is well known as the coldest place in the northern hemisphere of the Earth. Actually, it is coldest only in winter, when the temperatures can drop lower than -50C. But summer is warm, even hot in some areas. Thus Siberia has the biggest temperature amplitude on the Earth.

The whole area is located in Russia. It is very scarcely populated too, some parts- completely uninhabited. The only tourism is developed in some parts of the Southern Siberia- mainly around Baikal Lake. Another destination that starts becoming a future tourist destination is Kamchatka. The rest Siberia, with exception of some local towns and villages, is very, very wild.

Since Siberia is really vast, there are many routes opportunities too, mainly running from west to east. The most challenging are two main versions: A taiga route, starting from Ekaterinburg, crossing Khanty-Mansya, Yenisei, Evenkia, Yakutia and arriving at Chukotka. And a tundra route, starting from Komi and Salehard, then running south of the Arctic Ocean- again to Chukotka. There are also many opportunities for crossing Siberia from south to north.

The most famous road is the Trans Siberian Highway, which runs on the southern edge of Siberia, both as railroad and automobile road. But if you want to penetrate deep northward, there are not too many options. There are roads connecting Ekaterinburg with Khanty-Mansyisk, and Never with Yakutsk and Magadan, as well as few more shorter roads, and that’s all. The rest is wild, almost uninhabited vastness, where you can walk hundreds of kilometers (miles) without seeing any road (I mean a dirt road or even a path), and any human.

However, there are some other options. Siberia is very rich in rivers. You can float on the three main rivers Ob, Yenisei and Lena, and their tributaries, as well as some smaller rivers in the north. Some river sections have cargo service and even tourist ship service in very limited areas. But for the rest, you have to rely on locals, if you find them at all. Or you can bring your own boat.

But again, when the river finish and you have to cross a watershed to another river, you can only walk. Maybe very, very long.

Siberia in winter is different. Everything is covered by snow, and the rivers are frozen. Then you can cross by ski, which is relatively faster. However, don’t forget that the terrain is still very difficult. And of course, don’t forget the extreme winter cold.

Siberia is entirely within Russia, so you need a passport and Russian visa. But for some autonomous regions like Dolgano-Netetzia and Chukotka you need another special permit, which is usually difficult and complicated to be obtained.

– The cold in winter. Siberia is well known as the coldest place on the Northern Hemisphere. It is particularly cold in Eastern Yakutia, around Verhoyansk and Oymyakon, where the absolute record of -71°C was registered. You need very good gear if you go there in winter. – The endless uninhabited area. You can walk hundreds of kilometers (miles) and not meat any human, even a trace of human presence, in a landscape, which looks the same. – The mosquitos in summer. They are big and aggressive, and they are particularly bad near the swamps and lakes. You need good protection against them. – The wild animals. There are bears, wolfs and other animals, who also may become aggressive, especially if they are hungry.

Crossing Siberia, especially from west to east, you can feel another unique feeling of vastness and infinity- the vastness of this stunning nature- its forests, rivers, lakes, and tundra, until you arrive at its end in Chukotka.

Check out some books and stories about Siberia:

Polar climate. Covered by a continental glacier, reaching 2,5 km thickness.

Greenland is the largest island on the Earth. Most of it, with exception of its coasts, is covered by a thick glacier. And the only tundra can be found in its coastal areas. The rest is only endless ice and snow. The northernmost point of Greenland is actually the northernmost dry land on the Earth, closest to the North Pole.

Greenland’s population is settled only in some towns on the coast. The whole other area of the island is completely uninhabited. The only tourism is in some adventurous forms, again only around the coast of the island.

Greenland is challenging to be crossed from east to west. But more challenging is a crossing from south to north (or vice versa), on its length. Nevertheless, all these route versions cross its continental glacier.

In Greenland, there are some short roads only at the coastline, connecting the local settlements. But the interior of Greenland is uninhabited and there are no roads on the glacier. So the only ways to cross Greenland is by ski or again on foot. Mike Horn wrote about such experience in his book Conquering the Impossible.

Greenland is one of the easiest territories concerning red tape. You only need a passport or passport with Greenland visa (depending on which country are you from). It is formally a part of Denmark, but not part of Schengen, so the visas for Greenland and Denmark are different.

– The cold. It is the second coldest place on the Northern Hemisphere, and it remains cold even in summer. You have to be well prepared. – The endless white landscape. You can walk many days seeing the same landscape of white and blue (or only white in bad weather), and nothing else. You can easy lost any idea where you are. – The glacier cracks. The glacier is safe in the middle, but there are many cracks at its ends. If there is fresh snow on them, you may fall in a crack, and it most likely would be fatal.

Crossing Greenland is another unique experience of another feeling of vastness, this time the vastness of the white. And finishing at some point of the Greenland coast is a real pleasure of satisfaction.

Check out some books and stories about Greenland:

The coldest polar climate. The largest glaciated continent on Earth. Its glacier reaches 3,5 km thickness.

Antarctica is the coldest continent, completely uninhabited, with exception of some scientific expedition and their polar bases. It is covered by the largest continental glacier. Only some small ground areas, free from ice, can be seen on the parts of the coast.

Here, in Vostok station, located deep inside the continent, is registered the coldest temperature ever- -89C (there is an unconfirmed data about even colder temperature- -91C). The only tourism is some luxury cruises , organized only to the coasts of Antarctica. And there are one or two companies, who occasionally arrange trips to the South Pole, at extremely high price.

Obviously, Antarctica is most challenging to be crossed in the middle, passing through the South Pole. It can be done from the Antarctic Peninsula or from another starting point.

Antarctica is even more difficult than Greenland. First, because unlike Greenland there are no settlements on the coastline and no roads. And second, because crossing the continent in the middle is much longer than Greenland. So, again the only way to cross is by ski or on foot. There are some explorers who made it, and the first of them- Amundsen and Scott are very famous. But there are such travelers today too. Again, Mike Horn is one of them.

Antarctica is a zone, which doesn’t belongs to any country. So no passport and visa are required. However, since it is a subject of the Antarctic Treaty Protocol for Environmental Protection, travel permission is required, which is normally obtained by travel companies. It is possible to be obtained without a travel company, but it’s more difficult and complicated. Otherwise, you can go there illegally, which can be a not good option in some cases.

– There are the same challenges as in Greenland, but here they are even more severe. First, Antarctica is larger. Second- it is colder, with stronger winds sometimes. And third- it would be more difficult to expect rescue help there.

Crossing Antarctica has a similar reward like Greenland, but here you can add the conquering of the South Pole.

Check out some books and stories about Antarctica:

Isolated Sub-Antarctic islands

Cold moderate wet climate. A few islands, scattered in the southern parts of Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Covered only by rocks and some tundra.

The ocean area around Antarctica is shared between the south parts of Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. It is the largest and harshest water territory on the Earth, with regular rain and snowstorms, strong winds and huge waves, which no land and mountain can stop. Only Patagonia, the southern part of South America penetrates deep into this area, approaching closer to Antarctica.

The whole area is covered by water. There are only a few scattered islands: South Georgia, South Sandwich and South Orkney Islands near Patagonia, and the isolated Bouvet Island in the Atlantic Ocean. In the Indian Ocean are Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, and Heard and MacDonald Islands. And in the Pacific Ocean is only Macquarie Island.

All these islands are uninhabited. There are only some scientist bases on them. The most isolated and difficult island to reach is Bouvet. Another extremely difficult island is Heard Island, now turned into a natural reserve.

All these islands can be a stops on a cruise to Antarctica. But more challenging would be a route, joining the islands in a chain around Antarctica, completing a full circle. It can start from Patagonia and end in Patagonia.

Obviously the only way of traveling on land there is by ship. But there are no passenger ships and no cargo ships to these islands. Anyway, there are some options. First- there are some expensive cruises, arranged by travel companies, which visit some of these islands (usually only South Georgia, South Sandwiches and South Orkney islands). Also, there are some scientific expeditions to every island, but it is usually difficult to expect them to agree to take you on board. Finally, you can probably go there by your own yacht, but it is very risky and may be deadly due to the extreme weather conditions.

The islands, located south of the 60th parallel have the same status as Antarctica. As for the other islands- they belong to a few countries- Norway (Bouvet), UK (Marion), France (Crozet and Kerguelen) and Australia (Heard, MacDonald, and Macquarie). So they require special permits to visit these islands, anyway it is unlikely that someone would check your permits. Hear and MacDonalds are completely restricted for visitors, being a natural reserve.

– The bad weather, which is almost constant. It is not very cold, but it is extremely wet and windy. – The big ocean waves. They are furious, and they remain big even in quiet weather since no coast can stop them. – Landing on an island shore. It is especially difficult at Bouvet Island, where no wharf exists and the wave surf is really furious. – Remoteness. These islands are some of the remotest pieces of land, separated by thousands of kilometers (miles) from the nearest continent. Again, Bouvet Island is most difficult, since there is only a weather station there, which often remains without people.

Exploring these remote islands can give you a unique feeling of the vastness of our “small” planet. You can not only enjoy the island’s breathtaking views but also experience the feeling to be really far from the civilization of the continents.

Check out some books and stories about the isolated Sub-Antarctic islands:

Journey to the far ends of the world

Of course, there are many other challenging places on the Earth- the savannas and jungles of Africa, the deserts of Namibia and Botswana, the wilderness of Iran and Central Asia, the rest of the Great Ranges in Asia, the remote forests of Southeast Asia, the deserts of Australia, the endless mountain chains of the Rocky Mountains in North America, the tundra and taiga in Canada and Alaska, the grasslands, mountains and forests of Patagonia, the challenge of the Arctic Ocean and the North Pole, even some remote and less known corners of Europe, and many more.

But these 10 places are the best in my opinion. Maybe they will be changed in the near future (unfortunately, with the pollution and climate change, they will be changed for worse) and maybe they would be not so challenging soon. But now, in my opinion, these most challenging places to travel are a real “bucket list”, which still remains unreached.

Forest, deserts, wild mountains, glaciers, endless ocean with scattered atolls,

and endless, endless vast spaces… 

WATCH MORE BELOW ABOUT…

Forests on the Earth:

Deserts on the Earth:

Highest and most challenging mountains of the Earth:

…or the vast spaces of Oceania and the tiny atolls, scattered in the ocean:

Go on a journey to the far ends of the Earth with the stories of some of the most extreme explorers!

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Like it?  Pin it here⇓!  Follow us in  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram !

Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.

So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.

And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.

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20 places to travel if you like a challenge

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Travel isn't always easy, but in these destinations it's certainly a little more challenging. Here are some of the world's more difficult destinations that are totally worth the effort.

• 1. Chipaya, Bolivia
• 2. Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

3. Aldabra, Seychelles

4. derweze, turkmenistan.

• 5. Easter Island, Chile
• 6. Kungsleden, Sweden

7. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

• 8. Alert, Nunavut, Canada

9. Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Islands

10. salavan, laos, 11. northwestern laikipia, kenya, 12. kolsai lakes, kazakhstan, 13. gobi desert, mongolia.

• 14. Batanes, The Philippines

15. Tiger’s nest monastery, Bhutan

• 16. Choquequirao, Peru
• 17. Knivskjellodden, Norway

18. North Korea

19. cape york peninsula, australia.

• 20. St George Island, The Pribilof Islands, Alaska, USA

1. Chipaya , Bolivia

High on the windswept plains of Bolivia, the Uru Chipaya are one of the oldest peoples of South America, having survived for thousands of years on such arid land that even the Incas avoided. Living in huts made of mud and straw, you won’t find any modern comforts in Chipaya, but you will experience an ancient culture that has hardly changed its customs or dress for millennia.

© aaabbbccc/Shutterstock

2. Lake Baikal, Siberia , Russia

Known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’, Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest and deepest lake. In winter, the water freezes over and its uneven icy surface stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s best to travel by car to reach the most isolated ice grottoes but be careful; cracks, slabs of ice and a dangerously slippery surface mean it's best to hire an experienced driver. Although, if you really want to test your perseverance, try walking across the lake.

Incredibly isolated and wonderfully untouched, it’s no surprise that David Attenborough described Aldabra as one of the wonders of the world. With no regular ship or air services, the intrepid traveller will need to organise their own transport to reach the remote paradise. Strong tides around the island and challenging terrain are worth braving for the vibrant sea life and chance to spot an endangered giant tortoise.

Deep in the barren Karakum desert, you’ll find the otherworldly Door To Hell, a fiery natural gas crater that has been burning for more than forty years. The mesmerising sight is visible for miles, and is best visited at night when it juxtaposes stunningly against the dark sky.

5. Easter Island , Chile

Once the home of the Rapa Nui, Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited islands on Earth. The landscape is dotted with imposing moai statues, relics of its ancient Polynesian culture. The Rapa Nui devastated the island’s natural resources, destroying its environment, so the rugged terrain can be testing, particularly in bad weather.

© Shutterstock

6. Kungsleden , Sweden

If we asked you to think of Western Europe’s last remaining wilderness areas, you might not have Sweden in mind. But in the far north of Swedish lapland, the atmospheric and grandly-named Kungsleden, or King’s Trail, is a stunning area of untouched natural beauty. Although much of the trail is well-adapted for hikers, try a route through Sarek National Park, where there are no marked trails, for a real challenge.

Ittoqqortoormiit, on the eastern coast of Greenland, is the country’s most isolated and undisturbed region. The neighbouring sea freezes over for nine months of the year, making it even harder to access, but visit in winter to experience it at its best. The colourful houses on the shore poke out above thick snow and the ice can reach six feet deep. Roads become unusable, so dogsleds and ski-mobiles are the preferred form of transport.

8. Alert, Nunavut , Canada

Canada’s Nunavut is its largest but also least populous territory. Inaccessible over land and with a largely polar climate, Nunavut boasts Alert, the most northerly permanently inhabited place in the world. Go to see the gorgeous midnight sun and mesmerising northern lights – a trip that’s certainly worth the effort.

© Sophia Granchinho/Shutterstock

Sitting between New Zealand and Antarctica, the remote, icy and utterly fascinating subantarctic islands are filled with rare and endangered species. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, you’ll find fur and elephant seals as well as royal, king and gentoo penguins on Macquarie Island.

Wide open spaces, spectacular waterfalls and mountainous terrain characterise the Lao province of Salavan. Despite the stunning scenery, little tourism infrastructure or transport means that its remote villages still attract only the most intrepid travellers.

Beautiful, wild and unexplored, northwestern Laikipia is one of the best places in Kenya for safaris. There are limited accommodation options so it's a great place to try wild camping, though be aware that wildlife in this area roams freely and isn't confined to the bush. You'll need a local guide for protection if anything dangerous comes too close. Look out for lions, elephants and giraffe as well as aardwolves, aardvarks and hundreds of bird species.

To add comfort to your journey, also read our guide on when is the best time to travel to Kenya and explore our Kenya itineraries for inspiration.

Thousands of metres above sea level, the clear blue waters of Kazakhstan’s idyllic Kolsai Lakes are an impressive sight. The long road from Almaty is poor, and there’s little infrastructure, but prepare yourself for the remote slopes with plenty of supplies and you'll experience a rewarding and picturesque hike through the green alpine forest.

Gobi means ‘waterless place’ and the Mongolian desert’s extreme temperatures and barren, rocky landscape make it a harsh, unforgiving environment. Stay in a Mongolian nomad’s distinctive felt yurt for a unique experience away from civilisation.

14. Batanes , The Philippines

Powerful waves pummel the shores of the ten tiny islands of the Batanes, which boast more lighthouses than anywhere else in the Philippines. Plan your visit carefully, as the islands are prone to wild storms and typhoons. If you do get caught out, escape the hostile environment by finding refuge in a traditional stone Ivatan house.

Brave the 3000ft climb up a mountain to Takstang Palphug and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views from arguably the most breathtaking Buddhist monastery in the world. Built into the rock, the four main temples are accessed by narrow passages, unstable bridges and stone stairways. Perched on the edge of a cliff, this is not a trip for not for the faint-hearted.

16. Choquequirao , Peru

High above the Apurimac, discover the magnificent remains of ancient Incan city Choquequirao. A three to four day trek through the Peruvian cloud forest means that, unlike the daily crowds at Machu Picchu, you’ll be among the few visitors to these awe-inspiring ruins.

17. Knivskjellodden , Norway

The wild, harsh winters of Knivskjellodden may not immediately entice travellers, but the dramatic landscape will both enthral and bewilder. Trek the northernmost trail to write your name in the hiking association’s minute book.

One of the most inaccessible countries in the world, tourist visits to North Korea are run by government-sanctioned tours. While the country can be dangerous, travel safely and consciously and you’ll be given a fascinating insight into a very different culture.

Prehistoric rock art, tropical rainforests and eucalypt woodland; Cape York Peninsula is like nowhere else on Earth. It’s virtually inaccessible in the wet season, and even in summer you’ll need to endure a rough, bumpy four-wheel drive to reach the peninsula. Once there, pitch a tent and make the most of the wild but beautiful landscape, which is ideal for adventure sports, and is bordered by the Great Barrier Reef on its eastern coast.

20. St George Island, The Pribilof Islands, Alaska , USA

Sometimes called the ‘Galapagos of the North’, the Pribilof Islands are located in the Bering Sea three hundred miles from Alaska’s coast. Abundant with fur seals and birdlife, the unspoilt rolling hills are a photographer’s paradise, but harsh winds, rain and thick fog will make for an even more adventurous trip.

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10 Hardest Countries to Visit in the World

What are the hardest countries to visit in the world? 

Here is our list of the 10 most difficult countries to travel to.

This is due to either remote location, accessibility, safety or security, or their difficult visa process.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

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A popular question we’ve received on our journey to visit every country worldwide is, “What are the hardest countries to visit?”

Travelling to many places along the way has been challenging, but our toughest countries to visit are mentioned here.

Table of Contents

Iran is definitely not one of the hardest countries to get to when comparing it with the rest of the countries on this list, however, it depends on your nationality.

US citizens , Canadians, and UK citizens have to jump a few more hoops to get their letter of invitation from the Ministry of Foreign affairs to be able to apply for their visa next. Sometimes their application is simply rejected.

Of course, if you have a European or Australian passport the visa process is much easier. In fact, you can even obtain your visa on arrival at the airport.

Why go? Iran is by far one of the best countries we have been to. These are the things we loved most about travelling in Iran . The genuine hospitality of the Iranian people is simply the number one reason to visit.

We especially loved visiting  Masouleh, a beautiful rooftop village in Iran.

The food is exceptional, don’t miss these  top 10 most delicious foods from Iran .

If you can get an invite for a home-cooked meal, you will be blown away. The cities and sights will keep you wanting to return for more.

20 of our favourite photos from Iran

Turkmenistan

This might be the least famous of all the “Stans” and with 7000 annual visitors, there is no surprise! The visa process requires a letter of invitation and you must be accompanied by a tour guide during your stay in Turkmenistan.

There is another option. You can get a transit visa if you are entering Turkmenistan via a land border and continuing on to another country. This is what we did.

Why visit? Well, Turkmenistan is one of the strangest places to see. For example, the capital city of Ashgabat is spotless and built mostly from white marble.

There are huge buildings hovering above empty clean streets, and you will ask yourself a question: Where are all the people?

Most importantly, the weirdest sight is the Darvaza Gas Crater also known as the Gates of Hell. It’s a natural gas field set on fire back in the ’70s and yes it is still burning… Sounds crazy?

This tour to visit the Darvaza Crater is highly recommended.

Yes, Turkmenistan is one of the hardest countries to visit, but if you get in, it is full of surprises. 

North Korea – One of the hardest countries to visit for US citizens

North Korea is the country most of us would think of as the hardest country to visit in the world. So it might surprise you, that it’s actually easy enough to get in if you hold a certain passport.

Yes, independent travel is not allowed so you must join an organised tour with local guides and with a set itinerary. We recommend Young Pioneer Tours.

However, when it comes to your visa, it’s all done by your travel agency. Simply turn up to have a glimpse into the everyday life of the most secretive regime. And please follow the rules. Entry to North Korea is currently not possible for US and South Korean passport holders.

Unfortunately, both North Korea and Turkmenistan are the toughest countries to visit in the world for citizens of the USA.

Why go? As a traveller, there will always be the desire to travel somewhere so distinctively different from our own home country. North Korea is just that.

If you are not sure if you should visit North Korea, read this article  Should you visit North Korea? Is it Unethical?  

You may be interested in reading about these 7 myths about North Korea.  

And, have you ever wondered what the food in North Korea is like? Here are 10 popular dishes .

If you ask anyone in the travel world about Libya, you will get a blank stare. The years of unrest and conflict in the country are usually the only thing that comes to mind. Tourism was limited during the time of Gaddafi, but after the Arab Spring in 2011, it has been paralyzed by the ongoing conflict.

As of late 2022, the ongoing conflict in Libya and the instability of the government means Libya is really only suitable for experienced travellers. 

If this is something that interests you, there is very little information on how to visit Libya as a tourist. 

Passports and visas are required for entry into Libya for all nationalities except nationals of Algeria, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. As Libya does not currently issue a tourist visa , the only option is to apply for a business visa.

For this, you will likely need the help of an agency. We cover this process in more detail, as we visited Libya in 2022.

Read our post –  How to Visit Libya – Everything you need to know.

This country has some incredible sights to offer, especially the Roman Cities of Sabratha and Leptis Magna , but it remains one of the least visited countries for tourism.

This is our experience visiting Libya – one of the least visited countries in the world.

And for those who are interested, these are the  10 most popular foods in Libya.

Angola is not on everyone one’s bucket list for a reason. Years of civil war and political unrest have seen only a few keen travellers making their way here. Also the capital Luanda has been nominated as the most expensive city in the world .

The visa process for Angola can take several weeks and any nationalities are required to apply in their home country. You’ll need a letter of invitation and proof of hotel booking to apply and then it’s still anyone’s guess. 

Updated: As of 2020, Evisa for Angola is now available.

Eritrea is a small unknown African country located on the banks of the Red Sea. To clarify, it has been called the North Korea of Africa as only a few people visit. And it’s mostly known for being the last on the list World Press Freedom Index .

There is no guarantee you will get a visa. Some applicants may only succeed after multiple attempts at obtaining one. We were successful in obtaining our Eritrean visa in the Eritrean Consulate in Melbourne, Australia.

Alternatively, if you cannot get a visa, then your best option is to join an organised tour and hope your travel agency will be able to apply for your visas on your behalf.

You can technically get a visa on arrival if there is no embassy in your home country. But you will need a visa approval letter from the government which can take weeks or months so technically still one of the hardest countries to visit in the world.

Eritrea Travel Tips | 10 Essential things to know before you go

Equatorial Guinea 

This small country in Africa was a real headache for many travellers, including us. The reason why this is one of the hardest countries to visit in the world is its location and a really difficult visa.

In fact, there are only a few embassies in the world that can issue visas for Equatorial Guinea! So if you need a visa (and almost all nationalities do), your best option is to get it in Cameroon or Gabon. These countries border Equatorial Guinea, but you are not allowed to cross the mainland border as a foreigner! Let me explain:

Equatorial Guinea consists of two parts: the mainland region Rio Muni and the island part of Bioko. If you secure your visa somehow, you will have to fly to the capital Malabo.

Oh, and it will cost you a fortune. The 45 minutes flight from Douala in Cameroon to Malabo in EG can cost up to $500. Ouch!

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Yemen has been a country of limits since the civil war broke out in 2015. And due to ongoing armed conflict and the extremely high threat of terrorism and kidnapping , most governments advise citizens against traveling to Yemen. 

There are a few trusted local agencies on the ground that can arrange a visit to mainland Yemen for persistent travelers. They can arrange help arrange your visa, guide, driver, logistics, hotel, and safety while you’re on the ground.

Expect to pay quite a lot of money for it. Essentially though, you’re paying a high price to ensure your safety in Yemen. 

While many travellers stay away, there is a place that seems to attract the most adventurous.

The island of Socotra is located just off the coast of the horn of Africa and this is a paradise for nature lovers. Known for its biodiversity, over 700 endemic species, and unique dragon blood trees, this is an untouched gem. 

Want to learn more about Socotra?

Read more in our detailed post about How to Visit Socotra Island.  This post covers essential information about how to get to Socotra, how to get a visa and what to expect from this destination.

We recommend booking a package with  Eye Of Socotra (quote our code: EYEOFSOCOTRA5 for 5% off a tour package). They offer two popular tour itineraries that you can  view here . 

Read this post to learn what it’s really like to visit Socotra, the unique Island in Yemen .

Kiribati ( pronunciation of ‘ Kiribati ‘ is ‘Kiribas’) is a remote island nation in the Central Pacific close to the Dateline. It’s, therefore, one of the world’s least-visited as well as hardest countries to get to.

If you are an EU passport holder you are very lucky and can get your visa on arrival. Other nationalities must apply for a visa at one of very few Kiribati embassies.

The reason to go? Amazing beaches , fishing, snorkelling and the ability to be on the island that starts each day first in the whole world.

Nauru is officially the least visited country in the world . Both, the remote location in the Pacific and limited scheduled flights make this country one of the hardest to visit. The strict visa regulations add to it.

Here is a helpful article on how to get your visa to Nauru.

Most nationalities need to obtain a visa beforehand at of the 4 embassies in the world! Nauru is also the site of Australia’s notorious refugee detention centre that has sparked controversy in recent years.

Why go? Well, there are not many countries you can cover in just a day. And you might actually be the only tourist here at that time!

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

Runner-up for the hardest countries in the world to visit:  Somalia

Be aware that most of these countries are difficult to visit for a reason. If you choose to travel to any of these places, be sure to check your latest government advice.

More Travel Tips

We have so many tips to help you travel more!

These 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you stretch your hard-earned dollars further.

Read our top 6 travel hacks to save money and the  20 best travel apps to make travel easier! 

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies. And, if history is your thing, these 30 amazing historical places worldwide will fascinate you!

We have many tips to save money for travel and consider these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world to help you travel longer.

If you become a trusted housesitter , you can also get FREE accommodation worldwide. Read more about how this works .

Check out our ultimate packing list for travellers , and remember to pack travel insurance! We recommend these two travel insurance companies for excellent coverage.

Our  12 essential tips for safe travel in any country are worth a read. 

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling the world. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries , or consider  a Global eSIM if you travel to multiple countries or regions. This eSIM connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM .

The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Get the best deals on worldwide group tours with Tourradar .

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

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Good to know is that Angola has become one of the easiest countries to visit as of the end of September 2023. Still not so much tourist infrastructure, but visa free for almost 100 nationalities. Also I thought it wasn’t expensive (anymore). Hope you’ll have a chance to revisit.

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13 of the world's most beautiful sites that are incredibly difficult to get to

• There are beautiful destinations the world over that are challenging to get to.
• The Wave in Arizona only gives out 20 permits a day.
• Machu Picchu in Peru involves a 26-mile hike.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

Sometimes, the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason: it's hard.

But often, being hard to get to is part of the appeal.

Whether they are super remote , incredibly isolated , or plain dangerous , these are some of the world's most difficult-to-access — but worthwhile — sites and attractions.

Tiger's Nest, Bhutan, sits on a cliff almost 3,000 feet off of the ground.

Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan country of only 750,000 people — is generally not the easiest place to get to: its only international airport sits 7,333 feet above sea level, surrounded by 16,000-foot Himalayan peaks. The landing is so dangerous that only a handful of pilots are qualified to fly here.

Read more: 15 of the world's most terrifying airport runways

Furthermore, the government requires visitors to book their trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator , get a visa, and pay upwards of $200 a day while there (this includes accommodation, food, transportation, and a guide). All of this is part of their "low volume, high quality" tourism strategy: the isolated country has only been open to tourists since 1974.

Tiger's Nest, also known as Paro Takstang, is a sacred Buddhist temple, and one of the country's biggest attractions. It's also perched precariously on a cliff almost 3,000 feet off of the ground , and 10,000 feet above sea level.

To get to the isolated temple, visitors must hike up steep, mountainous paths for about two hours, then cross a bridge over a waterfall, 200 feet above a sacred pool, before ascending terrifying steps carved into stone.

Visitors must climb down terrifyingly steep ladders to get to Brazil's beautiful beach Baia do Sancho on the small island of Fernando de Noronha.

Baia do Sancho, a beach on the small island of Fernando de Noronha off of Brazil, is consistently ranked one of the  world's best beaches . In fact, it was No. 1 on TripAdvisor for years .

Fernando de Noronha is a schlep in and of itself. About an hour from mainland Brazil, flights only leave from two cities, Recife and Natal, and they are anything but frequent.

The famous beach is part of the Parque Nacional Marinho de Fernando de Noronha — a national park — and you have to pay a fee to visit, which includes a trip to the park's offices, which are nowhere near the beach.

Once you finally get to the beach, $53 ticket in hand, you have to walk down a lengthy wooden walkway, climb down a vertical ladder through a small opening before squeezing through a narrow tunnel between rock faces, before climbing down another steep ladder and walkway to the beach.

All this also takes the help and coordination of park rangers with walkie talkies, as the path is so narrow those walking down to the beach must coordinate with those returning from it.

Read more:   I braved giant iguanas, narrow rock canyons, and terrifyingly steep ladders to visit the world's best beach — and it lived up to the hype

There's a limit on the number of visitors to Peru's Machu Picchu to protect the famous ruins.

Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World , is a bucket list item for many travelers, and for good reason.

Made up of around 200 structures , the ancient Incan ruins in Peru sit at 7,800 feet above sea level, dramatically wedged between peaks, valleys, and jungle. Built in the 15th century and abandoned in the 16th, when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spanish, it wasn't known to the outside world until 1911.

Today, tourists flock there — despite a difficult, 26-mile hike that typically lasts four days, as well as generally inclement weather, and the altitude they have to contend with as they ascend over 13,000 feet .

Further, UNESCO set a limit of 2,500 visitors per day   — and only 500 on the Inca trail — to protect the ruins.

Only 20 visitors are permitted to go to The Wave in Arizona each day, making it one of the most coveted hikes in the country.

The Wave, a sandstone rock formation in Arizona, was catapulted to bucket-list-item fame when Microsoft included it as Windows 7 desktop wallpaper . When hordes of people visited, putting its fragile ecosystem in jeopardy, the Bureau of Land Management decided to implement a cap on visitors.

Today, only 20 permits are dispensed daily, making it one of the most coveted hikes in the country.

If you're lucky enough to snag one of the rare permits (there's also a lottery), you have to travel to the border of Utah and Arizona, then drive House Rock Valley Road to the trail head, the last few miles of which are practically a dirt road, which can become impassable depending on the weather .

The hike itself is around 6.2 miles round trip , according to Alltrails, and considered moderate, despite harsh desert conditions.

To see Australia's Lake Hillier, you'll need to charter a tour plane or boat.

The stunning pink lake is probably familiar to many as a travel Instagram staple. The bubble gum-colored water is thought to be the product of a special kind of algae, but still somewhat of a mystery to scientists.

Getting that bucket list-worthy snap, however, is no easy feat. The lake is located on Middle Island, one of the Recherche islands, which themselves are off the coast of Cape Arid National Park in Western Australia. It's 70 miles from Esperance, or an eight-hour drive from Perth .

To see the colorful lake you need to charter a plane or boat with tour operators in Esperance.

Officials at Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii, began limiting the number of visitors allowed after the number of people visiting to see the sun rise skyrocketed.

Often referred to as the "top of the world," watching the sun rise from Mount Haleakala, Maui's tallest mountain , is one of the most popular things to do in Hawaii. In fact, Mark Twain once referred to it as the "sublimest spectacle" he had ever seen, according to Travel + Leisure .

Unfortunately word spread, and so many people were clambering up to the peak in the early hours of the morning that officials at Haleakala National Park began limiting the number of visitors allowed.

Only 150 vehicles are allowed into the park every morning, and reservations open two months in advance , with a few last-minute tickets available two days before a given date.

Ciudad Perdida, Colombia, is only accessible by a multi-day hike (three to six days) over treacherous terrain.

Colombia's "Lost City" was built by the Tayrona people around 800 CE — around 650 years before Machu Picchu . Also known by its indigenous name, Teyuna, the ancient city was abandoned around the time of the Spanish Conquest in the 1500s, to be "rediscovered" only in the 1970s.

Today, Ciudad Perdida, which sits deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, is still only accessible by multi-day hike (three to six days) over treacherous terrain, which, according to Afar magazine , can include: "Biblical downpours. Inescapable heat. Insects that penetrate the skin and require several forceful tugs to release."

The hike ascending Half Dome in California's Yosemite National Park can be fatal.

Yosemite is one of the most photographed places in the world , and the views from Half Dome are some of the best in the park. Yosemite Hikes describes it as "the ultimate Yosemite day hike — the one you can't die without doing, and the one you're most likely to die while doing."

It takes almost a full day to ascend Half Dome, making the hike one of the longest and most dangerous in Yosemite National Park.

Over 60 people have died trying , many of them slipping from the metal cables meant to help hikers reach the top, or falling off the "Death Slabs," huge, slick rocks that become increasingly dangerous during inclement weather.

Read more: 13 of the most dangerous attractions around the world that tourists keep flocking to

There's only one airline that flies to Chile's Easter Island, though there are only two flights you could take each week — from different destinations.

Easter Island is a volcanic island and Chilean territory in Polynesia. Also known as Rapa Nui, it's famous for being home to nearly 900 massive statues called moai, which were built between the 13th and 16th centuries, though their purpose remains unknown.

These stunning statues get plenty of people to take on the 2,300-mile trek from Chile to marvel at them.

LATAM is the only airline that flies to Easter Island, and it only offers one six-hour flight daily from Santiago, Chile, and one six-hour flight weekly from Pape'ete, Tahiti.

Just getting to Everest Base Camp, Nepal/China, requires tracking 81 miles round trip.

In recent months, Mount Everest has been in the news for deaths caused by overcrowding — clearly, this hike is a bucket list item for many.

But even just getting to the base camp requires an 81-mile journey round trip, which can take around 12 days. And while this particular part of the hike is classified as easy to moderate , your body will need time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Following 11 deaths this year, going forward Nepali officials reportedly may require climbers to prove their physical fitness , as well as raise the climbing fee from $11,000 to $35,000.

You'll need a boat — or to book a tour — to see Peru's Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

The Uros people live on around 120 man-made floating islands on Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. They have preserved their unique lifestyle for hundreds of years, though tourism has played a large role in sustaining them as of late.

To get there visitors must head to Puno — the nearest big town of which is La Paz, Bolivia, around six hours away — and then book a boat or tour there.

Travelers keen to visit the crater known as the Door to Hell in Turkmenistan will need a letter of invitation just to get into the country.

To get into Turkmenistan, visitors will need a letter of invitation (LOI), as well as a visa. Furthermore, permits are required for national parks and travel within various border zones, so your itinerary must be planned in advance. Oh, and you'll be accompanied by a guide 24/7, whom you will have to pay for.

The process of obtaining a visa can take up to six weeks, and the rejection rate for some, like the transit visa that allows tourists to travel without a guide, is around 50% .

The Darvaza gas crater is one of Turkmenistan's most famous attractions, and the result of oil drilling gone wrong in 1971 . After accidentally drilling through a pocket of natural gas, which collapsed and became the crater, scientists set it on fire to prevent the gas from spreading. Much to their surprise it's still burning almost 50 years later, though how much longer is anyone's guess.

The Door to Hell — as the crater has been nicknamed by locals — is in the middle of the desert, miles from anywhere, and requires an off-road drive through rough terrain, leading people to often get lost, or stuck in the sand . Best viewed at night, you'll have to camp there and bring all of your own food and gear.

Getting to Antarctica's Deception Island includes a two-day trip traversing the famously rough Drake Passage.

Antarctica is the poster child for remote but beautiful destinations.With habitation few and far between, this icy tundra is an otherworldly experience.

November through March is really the only time tourists can visit Antarctica , as ice makes ocean travel nearly impossible for the rest of the year. Getting there usually involves a trip to Buenos Aires, then Ushuaia, Argentina, the world's southernmost city, before a two-day trip traversing the famously rough Drake Passage. 

Deception Island — basically the caldera of an active volcano — has been many things; a Norwegian-Chilean whaling station, as well as a scientific research base for Chile, Argentina, and the UK. Today it is mostly abandoned and destroyed, but continues to be a draw for tourists who come to see wildlife such as penguins, and bathe in the island's natural hot springs.

• A couple traveled to 22 of the most remote places in the world — here are their stunning photos
• The 20 most isolated places on Earth
• 13 of the most dangerous attractions around the world that tourists keep flocking to

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The World’s 10 Hardest Countries To Visit

Strict visa requirements, poor infrastructure, political instability, limited access for tourists, and other reasons make these countries the 10 hardest ones to visit..

Lots of things can make visiting a country hard. Strict visa requirements, poor infrastructure, political instability, limited access… – you name it. These barriers can often deter even the most enthusiastic travelers from venturing into certain regions. But some places just take it to the next level when it comes to being the hardest countries to visit. We’re talking about countries that go above and beyond to make tourism nearly impossible. They roll out the red tape, keep the infrastructure in struggle mode, and seem wary of any wanderlust-stricken foreigner.

So for those who like a challenge, or just want to know which spots are true explorers’ nightmares, here are ten countries that rank among the hardest in the world to access. From political unrest to remote locales, these nations throw up some fierce barriers to entry. We’re breaking down the places that test the limits of even the most die-hard travelers out there. It’s a wild ride, so buckle up and get ready to navigate the most complex border crossings on the planet.

Located in the Horn of Africa along the Red Sea, Eritrea is one of the most isolated nations on Earth. It’s extremely difficult for tourists to gain access to the country, with visas granted sparingly. All travel in Eritrea must be pre-arranged by the government, and visitors are restricted to only a few areas, as security checkpoints are common during travel. Eritrea’s tense border disputes and compulsory military conscription further deter visitors.

North Korea

North Korea has virtually no tourism industry. Americans are unable to visit, and all visitors must book tours through approved travel agencies. An official state guide supervises travelers constantly, restricting spontaneous interactions and photography. The country’s poor infrastructure, limited healthcare, and potential safety risks add further challenges.

Once a popular Middle Eastern destination, Syria has been devastated by civil war since 2011. The violent conflict involving rebel forces and terror groups like ISIL make Syria extremely dangerous to visit. Destruction of cultural sites and a fragile security situation cause most Western governments to advise against travel to Syria. Strict visa requirements are further barriers for the few intrepid travelers.

Despite rich natural resources, the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa remains politically unstable and underdeveloped. Ongoing conflicts between armed groups gravely affect safety, especially in the eastern regions. Traveling is restricted, requiring permits that are rarely approved for foreigners. Poor transportation options and violent crime target tourists.

This remote Pacific island nation has virtually no tourism infrastructure. Its 33 coral atolls are spread across a huge expanse of ocean, making transportation difficult and expensive. Only two islands have airports, and accommodations are extremely basic. Entry visas must be arranged well in advance, and visitors should be proficient in the indigenous language.

The isolated Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan tightly controls its tourism sector. All foreign visitors must book package tours through accredited agencies, adhering to fixed itineraries and guides. Solo travel is prohibited, and a daily fee of $250 is charged. Bhutan’s remoteness and lack of proper roads also restrict tourism.

The tiny Micronesian island of Nauru sees almost no tourism activity. Its only airport has limited flights. Unique visas are required for entry. Facilities and activities for visitors are minimal, with little cultural heritage. A history of environmental devastation from phosphate mining has also made Nauru’s landscape rather barren.

Security concerns and strict visa rules make Iran a challenge to enter for Westerners. Visitors often require an authorized guide and cannot travel freely around the country. While Iranians are generally hospitable, the government is distrustful towards Americans and Brits. US citizens are prohibited unless traveling with a sanctioned tour group.

Emerging from years of civil war, Angola remains politically sensitive and unstable. Visas are difficult to obtain, taking months for approval. Once allowed entry, visitors face poor infrastructure, with limited accommodation options and bad roads. Weak emergency services, landmines, and petty crime pose safety risks. Malaria is another serious health concern.

The past decade of violence has severely diminished Libya’s tourism potential, makeing it one of the hardest countries to visit. Ongoing conflict between rival militias has created no-go zones across the country, leading the US and UK to advise against all travel to Libya due to terrorism risks. Visas are highly selective, necessitating letters of invitation, and the destruction of Libyan cultural sites adds to the tragedy.

In conclusion, though these destinations pique curiosity, their current accessibility is hindered by various factors. From geo-political challenges to inadequate infrastructure, these 10 countries rank as the world’s most difficult to reach. It’s important to note that conditions can change over time. Many of these once-inaccessible places have a tendency to transform into popular tourist hubs. However, as of now, these nations persist as formidable obstacles for travelers seeking to explore and enter their borders.

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The Most Difficult (but Rewarding) Places to Visit

From a baobab-filled outcropping in the middle of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi salt pans to an adventure hot spot in Iraqi Kurdistan, plan a trip to these bold destinations to earn some major adventure travel cred

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Even the most seasoned travelers consider certain destinations too difficult, dangerous, or remote to explore—but the reality can be different. We found three end points that fit the bill. Yes, you’ll have to spend a lot of time in transit and adapt on the ground. But we promise it will be worth the effort.

Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal, Siberia

Here’s how I got to this oblong island in Russia’s Lake Baikal: A 5.5-hour flight from Moscow to Irkutsk (canceled once, delayed twice). Then a bone-rattling seven-hour minivan ride to a rickety dock at Sakhyurta. Finally, a ferry crossing of the deepest lake in the world, which bottoms out at more than 5,300 feet. I disembarked on an island, slightly smaller in size than New York City, that was equal parts dense boreal forest and wide-open steppe. And that was the fast way. Many travel 3.5 days from Moscow on the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway.

Only 1,500 people, many of whom are indigenous Buryat, call Olkhon home year-round. Most seasons, including winter, when the lake freezes over and tourists from China and Russia come to see unique freezing patterns on the ice, you’ll likely go days without encountering anyone. You will, however, see wildlife, from freshwater Baikal seals to wild horses. There are no paved roads or hiking trails; to get anywhere, you’ll need to ask a local for help using basic Russian. Pack a tent, download an offline map, and set out from the town of Khuzhir for the two-day, 50-mile round-trip trek through larch woodlands and along empty beaches to Cape Khoboy, on the island’s northeastern tip. The Philoxenia , with several guest rooms (from $200) as well as campsites (from $6.50), rents paddleboards for a fauna-filled tour of the lake. It’s run by the Yeremeev family, who will make you feel at home in a place that otherwise seems like anything but. —Sebastian Modak

Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

People used to tell Douglas Layton, owner of the local company Explore Mesopotamia, that no traveler in their right mind would ever visit the place he raved about most—Iraq. His response? “But they’ll go to the other Iraq!” By that he meant Iraqi Kurdistan, the temperate, gorgeous, and supremely friendly region in the north that couldn’t be more different from what most probably imagine. Here, snowcapped peaks dive into rivers, green hillsides hide ancient ruins, and it’s nearly impossible to visit a bazaar and not get invited for tea.

Base yourself on the banks of the Great Zab River at the new Rubar Resort (from $100), a 37-room boutique hotel about two hours north of the capital, Erbil. From there you can take guided day hikes into the Zagros Mountains and the Barzan nature area, the only preserve in the country; explore Bestoon Cave, to the south, which was once used by Neanderthals; and tube down the Zab. The area is much safer than Mosul, 50 miles to the west, but be prepared to pass through some heavily armed checkpoints, and you’ll want to avoid border towns. Explore Mesopotamia can help you organize trips that include hotels, food, transfers, and a guide (from $250 per day). —Tim Neville

Kubu Island, Makgadikgadi, Botswana

The first time you see it, you’ll probably mistake Kubu Island for a mirage. After driving 370 miles north from the capital of Gaborone, or 240 miles south from the Okavango Delta, you’ll hit a seemingly never-ending expanse of salt pans, and then, soon after, a lone ­granite outcropping that’s about 30 feet high and covered with Dalí-style baobab trees. The thrill—and the challenge—of this corner of Botswana’s Sua Pan is its desolation. Yet there’s a lot to do: hiking the fossil-strewn surroundings, off-roading across the pans, and stargazing without a single light to wash out the view.

To get there in the rainy season, from November to March, you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with off-road navigation. Pack everything—food, water, gas, and camping equipment—and book a campsite under a baobab (from $14) through the Gaing O Community Trust , a group comprising members of the nearby Mmatshumo settlement who act as custodians of Kubu and make for expert hiking guides. —S.M.

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The world’s hardest (but most rewarding) places to get to

Our planet was meant to be explored. Since the dawn of mankind, the yearning to discover the most remote places in the world. It’s the premise in which our co-founders created Black Tomato.

Over a decade later, we’ve seen a lot of the world.

We’ve crossed the deserts, swam the oceans and turned as many stones as possible in search of the hardest to reach and most unique travel experiences . Along the way, we’ve found ourselves in some of the most remote, untouched and truly magical destinations on earth.

This obsession of ours will never end, and we’d love nothing more than to share it with you. Feel like journeying to a new, faraway land? Enquire with one of our regional travel experts and discover your next adventure.

The Independence Mountains, Antarctica

Reaching the Independence Mountains combines all the extremes of polar exploration on the planet’s least explored continent. Visiting the unexplored range of Antarctica certainly isn’t a voyage for the faint of heart (or lung capacity).

It requires three flights, (Patagonia to the permanently frozen runway at Patriot Hills and then on to Pirit Hills, located at 80 degrees south). Once on the ground, the journey consists of a combination of long range cross-country skiing, sledding in the endless expanse of of the arctic and camping amongst the solitude of the tundra.

All sounds a little extreme, but trust us the reward is more than worth the effort.

Read more: Journey to the edge of the world, join our Expedition Team and visit the iconic Paulet Island.

Dogon Country, Mali

Located on a stunning plateau with a 200km escarpment dropping down into a remote sandy plain, Dogon country is an incredible, otherworldly destination in a truly remarkable part of the world.

The journey starts in Bamako, where you’ll take a short flight to Mopti and meet your local guide. Reaching the enchanting Dogon Region means forging the tumultuous Bani River and trekking deep through the extreme wilderness, a feat which is impossible without the accompaniment of a knowledgeable local guide.

After the intricate trek, you’ll be greeted with clusters of traditional villages that settle amongst sharp escarpments and rolling arid landscapes – a fittingly traditional and breathtaking end to your journey to one of the world’s hardest to reach places.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan

In the valley of Paro, protected by the imposing shadow of Mt. Chomolhari, is a shrine like no other in the world. Celebrate the Buddhists’ most sacred site – the Taktsang Monastery, or more affectionately known as the Tiger’s Nest – as our local expert guide, Dorji, takes you to see this breathtaking holy site.

During your spectacular trip to Bhutan , raft down Mo Chhu river and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the famous riverbank Dzong. After lunch, continue your adventure by visiting a fertility temple where you’ll be able to meet the local incense maker and join him for a walk to gather ingredients to make the incense for the temple.

Explore the hilltop villages of Laya and Gasa and meet the village elders before indulging in the intensely relaxing hot springs. An utterly blissful experience.

Read more:  At an altitude of 2,800 metres, visit the Gangtey Monastery and explore unseen parts of the temple.

Have we inspired you?

We thought so. If you’re still looking for inspiration then take a look on our trip finder to find the perfect destination and begin planning your bespoke getaway.

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The Amazon and Rupununi Savannah, Guyana

From mist-shrouded jungle and mighty thundering waterfalls to rolling savannahs, Guyana is a truly untouched land of wilderness. And nowhere in the country epitomises this beauty that the Rupununi Savannah.

Flying into the remote Amazonian village of Surama, your adventure to reach the Savannah means traversing the dense jungle on foot, in a dug-out canoe and a specially adapted 4×4 vehicle, all while wild camping amongst the dense foliage.

The technical nature of the terrain and importance of utilising survival skills makes this one of the hardest places to reach on earth, but one of the most rewarding when you arrive.

The Great Dune Sea, Sahara Desert

An area of the Sahara that is so inaccessible and inhospitable it is yet to be fully explored, this trip demands the utmost respect for your surroundings.

Travelling by desert-adapted 4×4, you’ll battle across the endless landscapes of the Great Dune Sea on a journey that will take you to areas that virtually no-one other than nomadic Bedouin people have ever visited.

Starting in Cairo, you’ll take off in your desert-adapted vehicle, driving hundreds of miles into the Sahara, passing natural hot springs, local Bedouin tribes and vast swathes of desert that few have every laid eyes on. Welcome to one of the most remote places on Earth.

Baliem Valley, West Papua

The Baliem Valley in central West Papua offers the opportunity to travel back to a simpler time. The landscapes are untouched, the locals are loyal to ancient tribal ways of the region and the feeling is of complete, uncharted exploration.

This trek transports you between the traditional villages of the Dani tribe via swinging rope bridges and offers the chance to live amongst the local communities, gaining a unique insight into tribal rituals and an ancient way of life that few on earth have had the opportunity to experience.

Mt. Bisoke, Rwanda

One of the most stunning active volcanoes on earth, Mount Bisoke boasts a stunning glass-like crater lake and neighbouring expanse of surrounding volcano ranges, expect visuals like nowhere else on earth.

After touching down in Rwanda , a private helicopter journey takes you to your camp for the evening where you will learn some essential skills that will be utilised during your accent.

You’ll then be resting up in the shadow of the volcano, rising early to begin the climb to the 3700 metre summit through furrowing bamboo and senecio forests, a physically demanding climb that offers the ultimate test of mental and psychical endurance.

Read more: Experience the majestic wildlife of Rwanda, as you ‘re introduced to golden monkeys and playful gorilla families.

Forbidden Valley, Nepal

This is a truly unique trek into a secret part of Nepal that time has forgotten. After a combination of scheduled and specially chartered flights, you will stop off in Kathmandu before continuing to Pokhara, where the real journey begins.

The nature of the trek means that the only accommodation will be wild camps in central-northern Nepal that very few outsiders have had the privilege of visiting.

Journeying through deep valleys, narrow paths and towering gorges, this 11 day trek promises awesome vistas across the infamous Annapurna Massif; one of the most postcard worthy mountain ranges on the planet.

Read more: Fly to the Everest Base Camp, touch down and enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast with jaw-dropping views.

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Seven of the Most Extreme Places to Visit on Earth

29 May, 2018

E xplore Explore the world’s harshest and most hostile environments with our round up of the most extreme places on earth you can actually visit. Far from sand and sundowner holidays (you’ve had enough of those) these places will push your boundaries. Why be a mere tourist when you can be an explorer?

Vostok Station

With a population estimated at somewhere between 1,000 and 4,000 people, Antarctica is a land of extremes . The coldest and driest continent on the planet is home to Russia’s Vostok Station, located near the south geomagnetic pole. On 21 July 1983, it was here that the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was recorded – a chilly -89.2 degrees celsius. Only reachable by vessels specially strengthened to protect against the ice, visitors who come to trek through the wilderness must come well-prepared – by which we mean knowledgeable guide.

Death Valley

Starkly dramatic, the national park that defines this valley’s borders is only a little smaller than Connecticut. Hellish summer heat reached an all-time high in 1913 clocking a prohibitive 56.6 degrees celsius and the hottest temperature ever recorded. The narrowness of valley prevents air circulation, helping earn Death Valley its title as “the hottest place in the world”. Yet, in winter months and shoulder seasons the area draws LA who hop on the highway and hit up the poppy-blanketed hills of the Antelope Valley en route.

Atacama Desert

Northern Chile’s Atacama Desert takes the prize for being one of the world’s driest destination. In fact, it’s so dry that NASA decided it was the perfect location to test its Martian rover. Lunar landscapes aside, it’s also one of the best locations on earth to appreciate the Milky Way. The Atacama Desert’s 41,000 square miles of diverse terrain includes spurting geysers, wind-sculpted golden dunes perfect for surfing and cliffs of colourfully striped strata known as Rainbow Valley. Sparsely populated, the Atacama Desert has several hotels to choose from that cater to tourists who come to explore the parched terrain.

South Africa

These waters are no joke. Deemed the most treacherous on Earth, Gansbaai in South Africa is prime Great White Shark territory. A few miles off the coast lies Shark Alley, a small channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. This pool of water is home to the densest population of Great Whites in the world. Dicing with death not your thing? Try whale watching from the sandy white shores of Pearly Beach.

Salar de Uyuni

Covering 4,000 square miles, the otherworldly terrain of Salar de Uyuni is a sight to behold. Containing about ten billion tons of salt, Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat and one of the most remarkable vistas in all of South America. Left behind by prehistoric lakes that evaporated long ago, the sea of blindingly bright salt in polygonal patterns draws hordes of backpackers, making it feel slightly less extreme but no less impressive than the other destinations on this list.

As the coldest inhabited place on earth, the small Russian town of Oymyakon is just short of inhabitable. With a population of just 500, the town was once used only as a location for political exiles. The ground is permanently frozen and the town currently has only one hotel. This Siberian destination the coldest community on Earth averages -50 degrees celsius and reached -67.8 degrees celsius in 1924.

The farthest point from the Earth’s centre (or the closest place to outer space) either way you spin it, this places exists at the extremities of the globe. The inactive volcano of Mount Chimborazo stands at over 20,000 feet high; last erupting in approximately 550 AD, standing on Mount Chimborazo puts you closest to outer space than man can ever reach on foot. Although its peak is completely covered by glaciers, the mountain does has several routes for climbers. Venture at your peril.

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Take a Look at the Most Difficult Places to Travel to in the World

Modern travel has made life so convenient that it’s easy to imagine pretty much anywhere on Earth should be accessible within 24 hours. That’s not the case. In fact, there are many places that would take far longer and several others where no one has ever stepped foot at all.

The folks at RealLifeLore have put together a really nice breakdown of the ways that travel has changed over the years as well as what destinations would still require a heroic feat to reach.

Related Content

The top toughest spots to travel to are several mountain peaks. But non-mountain climbers looking for an adventure could do a lot worse than the island of Pitcairn . Anyone who truly wants to leave the world behind can actually get a free plot of land on the island. There are only 49 other people living there and the majority of them are descendants of Tahitians and nine of the crew that committed mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. Look at this beautiful place:

Yup, that looks like a chill spot to build a house and just be left alone. But unless you plan on chartering your own boat, it could take weeks to get there. The closest airport is over 500 km away and the only boat that travels to the island from there leaves once every three weeks. So, not only would it be a pain in the ass to travel to Pitcairn but once you’re there, you’ll be staying for a while.

Unless the neighbors are a nightmare, that place seems pleasant. But most of the other most difficult places to travel to are not. Take the mountain peak of Annapurna . Only 191 people have ever been there. And one in four people who have tried it, died.

What’s the toughest place of all to reach? Well, there places that are legally impossible to visit, like the Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan. But RealLifeLore gives the crown to Muchu Chhish in Pakistan. No person has ever successfully climbed to the summit of the mountain and only two people in recorded history have ever even tried. It’s 24,452 ft tall but the real issue is it’s incredibly steep.

Check out all the other difficult places to get to in the video below:

[ RealLifeLore ]

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Most Difficult Places to Travel to in the World (and How to Get There)

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Getting to Mexico, Canada and most of Europe is a breeze compared to visiting the most difficult places to travel to in the world. With help from Bootsnall and Garfors , we here at Swift outlined five of the most difficult places, why you’d want to go through the hassle and tips on how to get there.

North Korea

Stocked with intriguing culture and natural beauty, North Korea is big on detaining visitors if they don’t have their valid visa in hand upon arrival. The US Department of State travel warning reports a high risk of arrest, lengthy detention and even being banned from leaving the country unless your travel documents are in order. Once in the country, you must be accompanied by two guides at all times.

The world’s largest country is rife with vodka and magnificent history, but you also need an official invitation to get in. The invite is actually a booking confirmation from your hotel, and it’s followed by obtaining a tourist voucher, which you can get from your tour operator, government-approved hotel or travel agency. You apply for your visa next, a long and arduous process that tends to change frequently and involves plenty of patience.  If you plan on traveling to Russia, you’re in luck, Swift is able to Expedite Russia Visas !

Magnificent mountains, fascinating landscape and extraordinary Buddhist temples are just three reasons to go through the hassle it takes to visit Bhutan. You must first contact a licensed tour operator to book and pay for your entire trip in advance, and then obtain your visa. The Tourism Council of Bhutan sets the daily cost of your trip, and it includes everything you need: meals, transportation, cultural programs and guided tours around the country.

Turkmenistan

A near-empty capital city stocked with majestic buildings, a Karakum desert phenomenon known as “Door to Hell” and general lack of crowds and tourists are prime reasons to visit Turkmenistan. You can only get a visa if you sign up for a guide to show you around the country, and you must pay for your entire trip in advance.

Deep history, ancient buildings, hot nightlife in Tashkent and an equally hot exchange rate may draw you to Uzbekistan. Like Russia, you’ll need an official invitation to visit, although the hotel booking typically works. You’ll need a visa for any length of visit and, if you stay longer than three days, you’ll also have to register with the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Going through the process of visiting these countries may be arduous and lengthy, but they may easily be worth the hassle and wait. If you have any questions about visiting these or other destinations, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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10 most difficult places to reach in the world, even for experienced travellers

These 10 destinations may be challenging to reach, but the thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes with exploring these remote places make truly unforgettable experiences for adventurous travellers.

The world has places that can take our breath away. But as we continue to explore the planet we are often greeted by magical landscapes, spread across the Earth. However, some destinations stand out not only for their beauty, but for the sheer difficulty people face in reaching them. From dizzying heights to treacherous terrains, these ten places are not for the faint hearted. Take a look at the 10 most difficult places to visit in the world, according to American travel blogger Drew Binsky. (Image: Shutterstock)

The Most Difficult Places for Americans to Travel To

Difficult places to travel to.

If you’re American, you have it relatively easy when it comes to travel. According to Passport Index , the U.S. passport is the fifth strongest in the world. With a simple flash of your little blue book, you can enjoy visa-free entry into a staggering number of countries.

But this isn’t always the case.

There are still some countries that are tricky for Americans to visit, be it for political, practical, safety or seemingly bogus reasons. For many, the challenge is worth it, and you don’t necessarily need to erase hard-to-access destinations off your bucket list.

Just know that visiting these places will require some serious effort.

This country makes the list due to political tensions between Russia and the United States.

These days, if you want to visit Russia as a U.S. citizen, you must complete a lengthy application that contains dozens of questions and requires the submission of itineraries, a comprehensive travel history, your current and previous places of work, and a full list of all professional and charity organizations you have cooperated with. (Whew!)

And yet, in spite of this, American travelers haven’t been deterred. The country’s famous attractions, such as the Trans-Siberian Railway to the Kremlin, and iconic cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow, have contributed to a constant rise in tourism numbers.

Difficulty be damned.

Although the previous administration made a concerted effort to restore relations with Cuba, making it significantly easier to visit the popular island destination as an individual traveler, the present government has worked to undo many of these steps.

As such, what many predicted to be a flood of American tourists descending on Cuba has dried up to a trickle, and it’s still one of the more difficult countries for U.S. citizens to visit.

There are several hoops that interested Americans will need to jump through, including not spending money at businesses tied to the military , which many hotels, stores and other businesses are. You also must select one of 11 travel categories that makes you eligible for independent travel, including “family visits,” “religious activities” or “humanitarian projects.”

The easiest to select is “support for the Cuban people”; for this, you must meaningfully interact with the locals, and keep records of the trip to show the American government if asked.

Getting to know the people of Cuba is, happily, a wonderful way to spend your vacation anyway.

North Korea

Travel to North Korea has been possible for some time, although it’s a destination mired in controversy and complexity, particularly for American tourists. Political tensions, and reunions, between the current political administrations makes it a difficult trip to plan long in advance.

In July 2017, the Trump administration announced unusual plans to ban all Americans from traveling to North Korea. However, as tensions thaw between the two governments, it’s unclear what the future status will be.

Prior to the ban, Americans made up a reasonable percentage of the foreign visitors who entered the country, though even then the only way to do so was to contract with an official North Korean guide. With this requirement staunchly enforced by North Korean authorities, there’s virtually no option to explore the country independently.

India sits atop many Americans’ bucket lists, which is surprising given how tricky it can be to attain a visa to visit the country.

Americans wanting to travel to India must abide by relatively stringent visa conditions, including the submission of references and contact details for full-time employers. The submission and approval process can also take up to one month, meaning many last-minute travelers with intentions to visit India are forced to delay their trip.

These restrictions aren’t that harsh when you consider many travelers from other countries face similar constraints for every international journey. Still, it’s important to know that visiting this culturally rich country (which is well worth doing!) requires considerable advance planning and consideration.

The U.S. State Department warns heavily against visiting Sudan, owing to the risk of terrorism, violent crime and armed conflict. There’s also very little assistance for American citizens outside of the capital of Khartoum.

That said, if all you intend to do is visit Khartoum, then you’re unlikely to experience too many bureaucratic headaches. Entrance into the country is usually granted on presentation of a valid passport with an entry visa obtained at Khartoum's Sudanese embassy. You must also register with the Ministry of Interior within three days of arriving.

But venture farther than 15 miles outside of the capital, and you may be detained by authorities. And when there’s this much risk of violence, it’s probably best to wait on a visit until tensions ease.  

Nauru ticks all the boxes for stringent visa conditions and difficult travel logistics. The tiny island in Micronesia, north east of Australia, requires American citizens to obtain a visa prior to departure. The application process requires sponsorship by a local resident, or proof of hotel bookings and other travel arrangements. There are also only a dozen Nauru consulates around the world, meaning submitting an application in person is likely to be difficult.

Still, the trickiest part about visiting Nauru comes after you get the visa regulations out of the way. Travelers from the United States will need to first fly to Australia, a grueling journey in itself, and then board one of just a handful of monthly flights to the tiny island country.

Quiet beaches and bragging rights await, so maybe — just maybe — it’s worth the pain?

Somalia is not high up on many Americans’ lists of places to visit, but those who do wish to travel there will encounter several hurdles along the way.

According to reports, some sections of the country are willing to issue visas upon arrival, while others require an in-person visit to a Somali embassy. If you’re able to work out the bureaucratic difficulties, you’re still likely to face a trying trip.

The State Department warns heavily against American citizens traveling to the country, and local laws are said to be hostile towards foreign visitors. It’s not uncommon for international travelers to fall foul of local laws, and face immediate deportation or even lengthy prison sentences.

Picking up a tourist visa for Angola is notoriously difficult for American citizens. The application process, if successful, takes up to two months, and requires a Letter of Invitation from a local resident and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Even if you tick all the boxes on the visa application, there's a decent chance it'll be denied for unclear reasons. Assuming this isn’t the case, physically getting here is also particularly taxing for travelers from the United States, with only occasional flights from Europe, South America or Africa, almost all of which require lengthy layovers en-route.

The country touts a quality Portuguese food scene (it was once a Portuguese colony) and is home to a beautiful national park, Quicama, and some fascinating cultural attractions, like the National Museum of Slavery. So visiting has its rewards for more adventurous travelers.

Saudi Arabia

The oil-rich state of Saudi Arabia technically has a tourist visa application process, and the government has even made efforts to increase tourism to the country. Still, there’s risk of visa denials by the Saudi embassy, and the entry permit is notoriously difficult to obtain.

There are also safety and logistical concerns to consider. The State Department warns that attacks on American citizens by terrorist organizations are common, especially near the border with Yemen. Women are also not permitted to travel there unless they are met at the airport by a sponsor, husband or male relative, and if granted entry they must abide by Saudi Arabia’s conservative dress codes or risk falling foul of the authorities.

Turkmenistan

In order to visit the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan, U.S. citizens must obtain a visa and receive a letter of invitation certified by the government of Turkmenistan. Many visitors also provide proof of a daily itinerary and their hiring of a full-time local guide.

Even with these documents in hand, entry is granted sporadically and not guaranteed.

Given that many people visit the country as part of a longer journey through Central Asia, it is possible to obtain a transit visa. This allows visitors just three days to move through the country, and is usually a last resort for roadtrippers and bikers who were denied a visa but wish to make their way through the ‘Stans.

Those who do get a transit visa can check out spectacular natural sights like Yangykala Canyon and the underground lake Köw Ata.

Although it is indeed possible to travel to Iraq as a United States citizen, the State Department warns strongly against it due to a risk of terrorism activity and kidnapping. If that’s not enough to dissuade you, then the logistical processes related to the visa application might.

All applications must go through the embassy in Washington, D.C., and citizens entering the country under certain circumstances may need to provide a medical certificate proving negative statuses for Hepatitis B and C and HIV.

Upon arrival in the country, foreigners also need to ensure they receive a residency stamp and arrival sticker, without which they will be denied the ability to travel.

Iran is another destination that was traditionally difficult to get to, and into, so Americans mostly avoided it. But as more travelers have embraced the value of exploring the country's intoxicating beauty and complex history, tourism numbers have started to rise.

Although U.S. passports are now valid for travel to Iran, Americans must also obtain a visa (unless , somewhat randomly, they're going to Kish Island) and it's more difficult for them to do this than it is for those of many other nationalities. According to the State Department, most foreign tourists may obtain tourist visas on arrival in Tehran, but U.S. citizens are not eligible for these. They must instead apply ahead of time at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C.

Furthermore, the State Department warns that “Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison U.S. citizens.” At particular risk are Iranian-Americans, journalists and academics.

Bhutan has no embassy or consulate within the United States, which makes visiting there particularly difficult. In order to get around this complication, Bhutan does allow residents outside of Maldives, Bangladesh and India to arrange a trip through a local tour operator approved by the state . The tour operator will then handle all issues pertaining to the visa application process. Tourists must also meet the requirements of a minimum daily package that starts at $250 per day.

Although these measures seem somewhat draconian and result in a costly trip, they’re less to do with obstructing certain visitors and more about creating a high value, low impact form of tourism.

Those who’ve jumped through the loopholes in order to visit have returned with glowing reports of this elusive Buddhist kingdom, where spiritual monuments, rare wildlife and impressive nature await.

This northeast African country is so cut off that it’s earned the moniker the “North Korea of Africa.” This is one of the world’s most difficult tourist visas to obtain, and the obstacles don’t end there.

Foreign tourists are not permitted alone on most public transport, and need to confirm each destination outside of the capital with the Ministry of Tourism and Information.

Because of the bureaucratic processes associated with visiting, many consider Eritrea one of the most difficult places to visit. But determined travelers, many of whom contract an authorized tour guide to help them through the various processes, are richly rewarded with beautiful beaches, distinctive architecture, excellent (famously spicy) cuisine and the satisfaction of visiting one of the least traveled destinations on the planet.

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The 55 Most Beautiful Places in the World

From cloud forests to glacial lakes, these destinations are the world's best sights to see.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

There are never-ending reasons to travel, but many go to seek those awe-inspiring moments that stop them in their tracks, searching for the sights that will stay with them forever. Every day, travelers find those experiences among the ruins of Machu Picchu or at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.  

From sky-blue lakes in Canada to sandstone beaches in Seychelles, beauty abounds in every corner of the Earth. Focusing largely on national parks , mountains, beaches, deserts, and other natural wonders , we’ve compiled the world's most beautiful places to inspire your next dream destination. 

Join us for a journey to some of the most beautiful places in the world, like the red rocks of the Grand Canyon and the abundantly colorful Great Barrier Reef.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

There's no better way to experience Patagonia's rugged natural beauty than in Torres del Paine National Park . The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is home to its namesake granite towers (the park's name is an amalgam of the Spanish word for “towers” and the Tehuelche word for “blue”), as well as sparkling lagoons and otherworldly glaciers.

Bagan, Myanmar

It's hard to truly grasp the magnitude of Bagan Archaeological Zone , dominated by thousands of temples, pagodas, and stupas. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a bike (or e-bike to cover even more ground). For an eagle's-eye view, take a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise to see the temples scattered across the lush landscape.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica

This magical, misty, and well-preserved cloud forest in northwestern Costa Rica is the ultimate template for sustainable ecotourism. Along with its sister cloud forest, Santa Elena Reserve, Monteverde is a practically untouched paradise home to thousands of plant, animal, and bird species (including the radiant quetzal), visible from jungle paths and nail-biting steel bridges hanging over the canopy.

Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles

Pinpointing the most beautiful Seychellois beach is like splitting hairs, but Anse Source d'Argent gets extremely high marks for its sugar-white sand framed by dramatic granite boulders and sparkling aquamarine water. The sweet shoreline is relatively secluded from the resort crowds on La Digue Island.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

Offering some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, the Grand Canyon truly merits the term "breathtaking." The vast geologic wonderland, one mile deep and up to 18 miles across, displays countless layers of colorful rock and practically hypnotic vistas.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls spans the Zimbabwe and Zambia borders. "The smoke that thunders," as it is known to locals, and its surroundings, are hubs for white-water rafting, helicopter rides, big-game safaris , and other thrilling adventures.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Whitehaven Beach is arguably one of the loveliest shores in the world. Part of Australia's Whitsunday Coast, the star attraction is remarkable for its amazing combination of pure silica sands and vivid blue-green waters.

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

On a dirt road near Madagascar's west coast is a stretch of enormous baobab trees, all that remains of a once-dense forest. The centuries-old giants are especially magnificent cast in the light of a sunrise and sunset.

Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia

The world's largest salt flat covers 4,000 square miles of the Bolivian Altiplano. In the dry season, it's an endless white sheet of salt tiles made all the more dazzling by clear, sunny skies. From December to April, however, regular rains create a mirror effect that merges lake and sky. No matter when you see it, Salar de Uyuni is one of the most captivating sights on earth.

Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam

With hundreds of jungle-covered karsts springing out of emerald green waters, Hạ Long Bay is a photographer's dream. Hop on a boat or kayak to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site 's beautiful islands and surreal cave systems.

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Nicholas Schmidt/Travel + Leisure

Lake Atitlán in the Sierra Madres offers a combination of Indigenous culture, waterside serenity, and yoga bliss. Cross the gorgeous crater lake by boat and explore various pueblos, shop local markets for Mayan crafts, and sleep in treehouse accommodations .

Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius

A freestanding basaltic mountain hulking over a bright blue-green Indian Ocean lagoon certainly makes spectacular scenery. When viewed from above, the surrounding sand and silt form an optical illusion that appears to be a massive underwater waterfall at this mythic place. Thanks to its isolation and near-inaccessibility, Le Morne sheltered people who escaped enslavement during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Acadia National Park, Maine

From rocky shorelines shrouded in mist to conifer-cloaked mountainsides, Acadia is a wild place of sea, stone, and forest. Visitors flock here to hike, fish, climb, camp, and experience the end-of-the-world feel in New England's only national park.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The mighty Okavango, the largest inland delta in the world, is a vast network of winding waterways and animal-attracting lagoons. Navigating through reed-studded channels in a mokoro (traditional canoe) and spotting hippos, leopards, and elephants is one of the world's great travel experiences for nature lovers.

Railay West Beach, Thailand

Dmitrii Guldin / Getty Images

On the Railay peninsula's west side, Krabi's famous karsts meet a simply stunning jade-green lagoon. The vertical cliffs block access from the Krabi mainland, making Railay reachable only by boat, adding to its incredible appeal.

Maasai Mara, Kenya

This famed wildlife preserve (next door neighbor to the Serengeti) is one of the world's most enchanting ecosystems . The Mara's golden grasslands stretch to the horizon, interrupted by graceful acacia trees and rumbling throngs of wildebeest and zebra — and their stalking predators.

Cat Island, The Bahamas

Cat Island is a secret nirvana hiding in plain sight in the Bahamas . Sparsely developed and off the main tourist track, Cat Island is resplendent in miles of nature trails and wondrous pink-sands sprawling under the Caribbean sun.

Zhangye National Geopark, China

Distinct rolling bands of orange, cream, yellow, brown, and russet against jagged mountain peaks make this geological anomaly in Gansu, China look like a psychedelic scene on Mars.

Glencoe, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are filled with astonishingly scenic glens, but Glencoe is perhaps the most famous (and infamous, due to a brutal 17th-century massacre). Today the valley is a haven for hikers, mountaineers, and whiskey lovers — the 19th-century Ben Nevis Distillery is a short drive away.

Mount Kōya, Japan

The Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi founded this mountaintop temple town in 819. Today, the sacred and serene place is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and contains more than 100 temples, including head temple Kongobuji, featuring gorgeous gilded sliding doors and ceilings carved with flowers. Within the ancient complex is a mausoleum and cemetery surrounded by a cedar forest with old growth trees up to 600 years old.

Dead Sea, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel

Name aside, the Dead Sea is a lake and one of the world's saltiest, at that (in fact, the saline water has such a high density that it keeps bathers afloat). Set between Jordan, Palestine, and Israel at the Earth's lowest elevation, it's known for its beautiful clear and tranquil waters (nearly 10 times more saline than the ocean) and surrounding mineral formations, sandy beaches, nature preserves, natural pools, and waterfalls.

Zion National Park, Utah

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Glorious Navajo Sandstone cliffs, rainbow-colored canyons, and incredible biodiversity make Zion one of the most popular (and most scenic) national parks in the U.S.

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Dominated by a 3,000-square-mile ice cap of the same name, Vatnajökull is a chilly, Icelandic wonderland of caves, craters, glacier-filled calderas, and waterfalls. Perhaps the most famous falls is Svartifoss, surging over hexagonal lava-rock columns.

Pamukkale, Turkey

Pamukkale's electric-blue thermal pools and white travertine formations, naturally formed by slowly crystallizing calcium carbonate, make for gorgeous vacation photos.

Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii

Nā Pali translates to "the cliffs" in Hawaiian, a deceptively simple name that might not fully prepare travelers for the epic glory on view. The staggering coastline is too rugged and vertical for road access, so the only way to see it is by boat, air, or seriously intense hiking trails.

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Ascending iconic Table Mountain tops the list for most travelers in Cape Town. Adventurous hikers can go on foot, but there's also an aerial cableway that gently sweeps up to the 3,563-foot summit. Either way, the top offers insane panoramic views of the South African capital and the Atlantic.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Built nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Incan citadel whose engineering ingenuity and head-spinning views rival the extraordinary beauty of its Sacred Valley setting.

Lucerne, Switzerland

Picture a serene alpine lake fringed with soaring Alps. Now add in a walkable medieval town and you've got the setting for this long-popular Swiss destination . Don't miss Mount Pilatus (via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway) and the Rigi for nature trails and a famous viewpoint overlooking three lakes.

Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina and Virginia

The Blue Ridge Parkway may lack Highway 101's ocean scenery, but it trades Pacific views for peaceful Appalachian beauty. Stretching 469 miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park , the 45 MPH, no-trucks route winds past overlook after overlook, letting road-trippers marvel at the mountains' dreamy blue hue.

Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

This isn't a tropical island getaway with a wild party scene or string of upscale resorts. Pulau Tioman is more of a floating nature preserve, with local character and a strong sense of environmental conservation (coral rehab and sea turtle preservation are major focuses for the island's Juara Turtle Project ). The island, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea, is popular for its dive sites, shipwrecks, and tropical rainforest.

Damaraland, Namibia

Damaraland region is an almost-mystical vision of red-earth desert plains, flat-topped mountains, petrified forest, and well-preserved ancient Bushmen rock paintings. Though it looks like a scene from Mars, Damaraland is rich in wildlife, home to lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and the critically-endangered black rhino.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Altogether, the 275 cascades on the Argentina -Brazil border form a mind-blowing, panoramic waterfall. The overwhelming sight, combined with the sound and energy of water rushing at up to 450,000 cubic feet per second in the rainy season, is pure magnificence.

Matira Beach, French Polynesia

The South Pacific calls up many visions of spectacular beaches . Bora Bora 's Matira Beach gets singled out for its miles of pearly white, flour-fine sand and breathtaking bright turquoise lagoon.

Cirque de Gavarnie, France

Cirque de Gavarnie is a popular hiking destination in the Pyrenees, and one of its most beautiful. Called "the colosseum of nature" by Victor Hugo, the Cirque is a ring of sheer granite mountain walls enclosing a picture-perfect green valley. It's astounding even before you add in three-tier Gavarnie Falls pouring over a 922-foot drop.

Shark Bay, Australia

Shark Bay: where the red earth of Australia's westernmost point meets the teal waters of the Indian Ocean. The bay is home to one of the largest and richest beds of seagrass in the world, as well as stromatolites — rocky-looking, cauliflower-shaped microbial reefs and some of the oldest life forms on Earth.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

The Lofoten archipelago bursts dramatically out of the Norwegian Sea. Between the jagged peaks and steep slopes are quaint fishing villages, secluded coves, scenic backpacking and biking trails, and dreamy white-sand beaches.

Los Cabos, Mexico

Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, Los Cabos ' symphony of natural features — desert, mountains, sea, and plenty of sunshine — and yes, raucous party scene, have made it one of the most popular vacation destinations in North America. Its cobalt blue waters are a hub for diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, and whale watching.

Taormina, Sicily

Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Taormina has all the elements for a gorgeous Mediterranean destination : ancient ruins, a charming old town, and a setting backed by Mount Etna, an active volcano you can summit by foot.

Dal Lake, India

The snow-capped Zabarwan Range rise above Kashmir's romantic Dal Lake, a long-time Himalayan escape for Indians fleeing the south's heat. During the summer, veranda-clad cedar houseboats bob along the lake's western edge while floating markets and brightly-painted taxi boats drift by.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world's largest barrier reef is an unrivaled experience for snorkelers and divers. The sensational underwater world is made up of 2,900 individual reefs, 900 islands, and a mind-boggling diversity of marine life.

Fairy Meadows National Park, Pakistan

Near the foot of the world's ninth-highest mountain (Nanga Parbat), Fairy Meadows offers sublime mountain scenery and wildlife, including brown bears, markhor, and Himalayan ibex. Be forewarned: The road to get there has been dubbed the second deadliest road on the planet by the World Health Organization. To get to Fairy Meadows, you’ll have to be escorted by locals, in groups of six people at a time. 

Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China

Thousands of tapering quartz sandstone formations spiral skyward in this 100-square-mile stretch of karst terrain. Beneath the towers lie valleys, streams, waterfalls, caves, natural bridges, and dense green forest.

Banff National Park, Canada

Canada's oldest national park showcases the majesty of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Banff is known for its staggering peaks, dense pine forests, hot springs, animals (grizzlies, bighorn sheep, and moose all call the park home), and almost eerily azure glacier-fed lakes, such as the postcard-perfect Peyto Lake.

Wadi Rum Reserve, Jordan

Wadi Rum is a stunning red-desert landscape filled with canyons, dunes, mountains, springs, archeological sites, and stone archways (brave hikers can cross the largest, Burdah Rock Bridge, which is more than 200 feet above the ground).

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, New Zealand

Glaciers carved this awe-inspiring valley , leaving behind craggy peaks with sheer drops into glistening waters. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wahipounamu , Milford Sound is blessed with waterfalls, rainbows, rainforest, and a diversity of wildlife — everything from black coral to bottlenose dolphins, with seals and even penguins in between.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Blissfully isolated 217 miles off the Brazilian mainland, this lovingly-preserved archipelago offers pristine beaches and clear waters abundant in marine life perfect for world-class snorkeling.

The Algarve, Portugal

Surrounded by the Atlantic to the south and west, Portugal's Algarve region looks and feels like a wild respite. Wind-sculpted cliffs and headlands frame big, sandy beaches popular with surfers and dotted with secret coves and grottoes.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Solitary Mount Kilimanjaro is one of Africa's most stunning icons, rising more than 19,000 feet from coffee and banana farms up to snowy volcanic peaks. Along the way, hikers trek through distinct climate zones, from rainforest to high-altitude desert to the arctic-like summit (aka "the roof of Africa").

Mount Fuji, Japan

Both an active volcano and an icon of serenity, Mount Fuji is one of the world's most magnificent sights. You can hike to the sacred landmark's summit for sweeping views or simply gape at it from Lake Kawaguchi and elsewhere in the beautiful Five Lakes region . Head to the spa town of Hakone in winter to pair crisp Fuji views with steaming hot springs.

Li River, China

The Li River carves through the lowland farms and jagged karst terrain of northwestern Guangxi, creating some of China's most picturesque scenery (the area is so pretty, it appears on the 20 yuan banknote). A four- to five-hour river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most popular way to experience Li River, though travelers wanting more autonomy can rent bamboo rafts or hike — the natural moon-shaped arch of Moon Hill makes a glorious lookout.

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como has been one of Italy's most popular vacation spots since the time of the Roman emperors. This unabashedly high-rolling resort area still attracts a posh crowd with its lush gardens, cinematic palaces and villas, and sun-soaked alpine shores. Take the funicular to the tiny village of Brunate for an amazing panorama.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Like so many of Earth's most stunning sights, Crater Lake is the result of earth-altering, volcanic forces. Its 1,943-foot depth makes it the deepest lake in the U.S. , filled with mesmerizingly deep blue waters fed by rain and snow. View its perfection from hiking trails, boat tours, and the 33-mile Rim Drive around the caldera. (Keep in mind, some attractions like boat tours and the scenic Rim Drive close for the winter season.)

Big Sur, California

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

Even considering California's 840 miles of monumental coastline, it's hard to rival the beauty of Big Sur . Thick redwood forest, foggy canyons, and rocky cliffs tumbling into the Pacific define this area (the name refers to both the town and the coastal region), made all the more famous for its freewheeling NorCal vibes and Old Hollywood history.

Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee

With half a million acres split by Tennessee and North Carolina, this famous park 's wondrous mountain scenery encompasses hardwood forests, steep-sided ravines cut through by rivers and streams, and brilliant wildflowers in bloom from spring to fall. Hikers have 150 trails available to them, from the Appalachian Trail’s Charlies Bunion hike to the more challenging Rainbow Falls route.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The scenery alone — waterfalls, calderas, misty bamboo forests — makes Volcanoes National Park a worthy contender of any travel list. The mystical setting is all the more special for hosting buffaloes, birds, golden monkeys, and the elusive mountain gorilla.

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Ireland's top ten most mispronounced places

A harbor town in county waterford was ranked as the most difficult place name to pronounce in all of ireland..

Places in Ireland can be extremely difficult to pronounce for people not familiar with the Irish language.

To help tourists, Preply, the online platform connecting tutors with language learners in 180 countries, conducted research on the top ten most challenging place names and landmarks in Ireland and how to pronounce them.

To find the most challenging, Preply selected the largest six cities in Ireland then used ChatGPT to come up with a list of the most difficult–to–pronounce towns, villages, or landmarks in each city/county. This was then compared to a year's worth of global search data to create the rankings. 

The study found that Dungarvan, a town in Co Waterford , was the most searched in Ireland by people wondering how to pronounce it. 

• Some of the longest and strangest place names in Ireland

“The complexity in pronouncing Irish place names often arises from the fact that they originated in the Irish language, often referred to as Irish Gaelic," said language expert Sylvia Johnson, according to WaterfordLive.ie .

“Since Irish Gaelic has its own unique phonetic rules, which differs significantly from English, it can be quite tricky for non-native speakers to pronounce them correctly. 

“For example, silent letters. Just like in English, Irish has silent letters and letter combinations. For instance, the combination 'bh' might be silent or sound like a 'v' or 'w' depending on context.”

She added: “Many Irish place names are descriptive, so knowing some common elements can be beneficial. Few examples are 'bally' or 'baile' (place), 'dun' (fort), 'cill' (church), etc. If unsure of the pronunciation, use online audio tools to listen to the phonetics or ask a native speaker to help you out mastering the pronunciation.”

Are you planning a vacation in Ireland? Looking for advice or want to share some great memories? Join our Irish travel Facebook group.

So which are the toughest places in Ireland to pronounce? Check out this handy guide!

The top 10 most mispronounced places in Ireland

1. dungarvan, county waterford.

This pretty Irish harbor town in the heart of Waterford made the top of the list! The secret to pronouncing it correctly is where to put the emphasis – it's in the second syllable.

Correct pronunciation : Dun–GAR–ven

Dungarvan Harbour, Co Waterford. (Ireland's Content Pool)

2. Youghal, County Cork

One of Ireland’s hidden gems, Youghal boasts a stunning coastline and a rich history.  Despite the confusing spelling, it's simply pronounced like an American southern "Y'all."

Correct pronunciation: Yawl

Youghal, Co Cork. (Getty Images)

3. Castletownbere, County Cork

Castletownbere, also known as Castletown–Bearhaven, is Ireland's largest fishing port and the second–safest natural harbor in the world.  When it comes to the pronunciation in Irish, don’t put the emphasis on any particular syllable.

Correct pronunciation: Castle–town–bear

Castletownbere, Co Cork. (Getty Images)

4. Foynes,  Country Limerick

Foynes is a major port on the edge of the Shannon Estuary.  According to Preply, the word is pronounced "a bit like the Fonz but with a South London accent."

Correct pronunciation: Foy–ns

Foynes, Co Limerick. (Ireland's Content Pool)

5. Clogherhead, County Louth

Clogherhead comes from the Irish Ceann Chlochair, meaning ‘rocky headland.' The key to its pronunciation is keeping the g silent for a soft overall sound. The first syllable is like the beginning of the word "clock."

Correct pronunciation : CLO–her–hed

Thatched cottages, Clogherhead, Co Louth. (Ireland's Content Pool)

6. Caherconlish, County Limerick

The pronunciation of Caherconlish, a quaint village just outside the city of Limerick, varies between regions. Try the one Preply offers below and do your best!

Correct pronunciation: CATH–air–CHINN–lis

7. Termonfeckin, County Louth

Termonkeckin gets its name from Féchín, a 7th–century saint. The castle in the small village is often cited as one of the best–preserved landmarks in Ireland.

Correct pronunciation: Ter–mon–FEK–in

8. Spiddal, County Galway

Spiddal, also known as Spiddle, isn’t too tricky – it’s pronounced just as it looks so don't overthink it. The name comes from the Irish An Spidéal, meaning 'the hospital.'

Correct pronunciation: SPI–dl

Spiddal Village, Co Galway. (Ireland's Content Pool)

9. Grangebellew, County Louth

The small village of Grangebellew is located a 15-minute drive from Drogheda. To pronounce, don’t make the  ‘bellew’ sound like ‘bellYOU.' According to Preply, it’s more like the bear Balloo in the 'Jungle Book.'

Correct pronunciation: GRANGE–be–LOO

10. Tuam, County Galway

Tuam is the second–largest settlement in Galway and one of the most mispronounced names in Ireland.  To correctly pronounce it, Preply advises "Just do your best steamtrain impression."

Correct pronunciation: Choom

Tuam, Co Galway. (Ireland's Content Pool)

Related: County Galway Travel , County Cork Travel , Irish Language

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Electrostal History and Art Museum

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• Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea.

The main types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the more common form that occurs when throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs
• Central sleep apnea (CSA) , which occurs when the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea , also known as complex sleep apnea, which happens when someone has OSA — diagnosed with a sleep study — that converts to CSA when receiving therapy for OSA

If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your health care provider. Treatment can ease your symptoms and might help prevent heart problems and other complications.

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The symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making it difficult to determine which type you have. The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Loud snoring.
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
• Gasping for air during sleep.
• Awakening with a dry mouth.
• Morning headache.
• Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
• Difficulty paying attention while awake.
• Irritability.

When to see a doctor

Loud snoring can indicate a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms of sleep apnea. Ask your provider about any sleep problem that leaves you fatigued, sleepy and irritable.

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Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support the soft tissues in your throat, such as your tongue and soft palate, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, your airway is narrowed or closed, and breathing is momentarily cut off.

This type of sleep apnea happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax. These muscles support the soft palate, the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate called the uvula, the tonsils, the side walls of the throat and the tongue.

When the muscles relax, your airway narrows or closes as you breathe in. You can't get enough air, which can lower the oxygen level in your blood. Your brain senses that you can't breathe, and briefly wakes you so that you can reopen your airway. This awakening is usually so brief that you don't remember it.

You might snort, choke or gasp. This pattern can repeat itself 5 to 30 times or more each hour, all night. This makes it hard to reach the deep, restful phases of sleep.

Central sleep apnea

This less common form of sleep apnea occurs when your brain fails to send signals to your breathing muscles. This means that you make no effort to breathe for a short period. You might awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Risk factors

Sleep apnea can affect anyone, even children. But certain factors increase your risk.

Factors that increase the risk of this form of sleep apnea include:

• Excess weight. Obesity greatly increases the risk of OSA . Fat deposits around your upper airway can obstruct your breathing.
• Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
• A narrowed airway. You might have inherited a narrow throat. Tonsils or adenoids also can enlarge and block the airway, particularly in children.
• Being male. Men are 2 to 3 times more likely to have sleep apnea than are women. However, women increase their risk if they're overweight or if they've gone through menopause.
• Being older. Sleep apnea occurs significantly more often in older adults.
• Family history. Having family members with sleep apnea might increase your risk.
• Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers. These substances relax the muscles in your throat, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
• Smoking. Smokers are three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea than are people who've never smoked. Smoking can increase the amount of inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway.
• Nasal congestion. If you have trouble breathing through your nose — whether from an anatomical problem or allergies — you're more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea.
• Medical conditions. Congestive heart failure, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are some of the conditions that may increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Polycystic ovary syndrome, hormonal disorders, prior stroke and chronic lung diseases such as asthma also can increase risk.

Risk factors for this form of sleep apnea include:

• Being older. Middle-aged and older people have a higher risk of central sleep apnea.
• Being male. Central sleep apnea is more common in men than it is in women.
• Heart disorders. Having congestive heart failure increases the risk.
• Using narcotic pain medicines. Opioid medicines, especially long-acting ones such as methadone, increase the risk of central sleep apnea.
• Stroke. Having had a stroke increases the risk of central sleep apnea.

Complications

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. Complications of OSA can include:

Daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make typical, restorative sleep impossible, in turn making severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely.

You might have trouble concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching TV or even when driving. People with sleep apnea have an increased risk of motor vehicle and workplace accidents.

You might also feel quick-tempered, moody or depressed. Children and adolescents with sleep apnea might perform poorly in school or have behavior problems.

High blood pressure or heart problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during OSA increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. Having OSA increases your risk of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

OSA might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. If you have heart disease, multiple episodes of low blood oxygen (hypoxia or hypoxemia) can lead to sudden death from an irregular heartbeat.

• Type 2 diabetes. Having sleep apnea increases your risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
• Metabolic syndrome. This disorder, which includes high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and an increased waist circumference, is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

Complications with medicines and surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is also a concern with certain medicines and general anesthesia. People with sleep apnea might be more likely to have complications after major surgery because they're prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs.

Before you have surgery, tell your doctor about your sleep apnea and how it's being treated.

• Liver problems. People with sleep apnea are more likely to have irregular results on liver function tests, and their livers are more likely to show signs of scarring, known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep anyone who sleeps nearby from getting good rest. It's common for a partner to have to go to another room, or even to another floor of the house, to be able to sleep.

Complications of CSA can include:

Fatigue. The repeated awakening associated with sleep apnea makes typical, restorative sleep impossible. People with central sleep apnea often have severe fatigue, daytime drowsiness and irritability.

You might have difficulty concentrating and find yourself falling asleep at work, while watching television or even while driving.

Cardiovascular problems. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during central sleep apnea can adversely affect heart health.

If there's underlying heart disease, these repeated multiple episodes of low blood oxygen — known as hypoxia or hypoxemia — worsen prognosis and increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms.

• Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 28, 2022.
• Selim BJ, et al. The association of nocturnal cardiac arrhythmias and sleep-disordered breathing: The DREAM study. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2016; doi:10.5664/jcsm.5880.
• Jameson JL, et al., eds. Sleep apnea. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 21st ed. McGraw-Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed June 28, 2022.
• Sleep apnea. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sleepapnea/. Accessed June 28, 2022.
• Badr MS. Central sleep apnea: Risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 28, 2022.
• Kryger MH, et al. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 28, 2022.
• Aurora RN, et al. Practice parameters for the surgical modification of the upper airway for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. Sleep. 2010; doi:10.1093/sleep/33.10.1408.
• Amali A, et al. A comparison of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and modified radiofrequency tissue ablation in mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 2017; doi:10.5664/jcsm.6730.
• Parthasarathy S. Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 29, 2022.
• Mehra R. Sleep apnea and the heart. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2019; doi:10.3949/ccjm.86.s1.03.
• Badr MS. Central sleep apnea: Treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 1, 2022.
• Olson EJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. June 30, 2022.
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ELECTROSTAL HISTORY AND ART MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Most and least expensive destinations: Try these off-the-beaten-path spots

As travel prices continue to soar, sticking to a budget is important.

With that in mind, choosing off-the-beaten-path destinations can help your dollars go further, while jetting off to famous luxury resorts is obviously going to weigh on your wallet. New research from FloridaPanhandle.com shows that ski vacations and remote tropical destinations are especially likely to break the bank.

According to the site, its staff analyzed pricing data from more than 100 popular vacation destinations. The study looked at four- and five-star ratings of top-reviewed properties during the most expensive times of the year to travel based on the destination Dec. 21-27 or May 19-25 for all locations (taxes not included) in categories including lodging, ground transportation, flights, food and attraction admissions.

Here’s what the study found on the average cost per day, per person.

Most expensive places to visit

• Gustavia, St. Barth. Average cost: $1,852 per person per day, not including flights
• Gstaad, Switzerland. Average cost: $1,544 per person per day, not including flights
• Aspen, Colorado. Average cost: $1,487 per person per day, not including flights
• Park City, Utah. Average cost: $1,257 per person per day, not including flights
• Maui, Hawaii. Average cost: $1,082 per person per day, not including flights

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Least expensive places to visit

• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Average cost: $122 per person per day, not including flights, which can exceed $1,000 per person.
• Kandy, Sri Lanka. Average cost: $140 per person per day, not including flights.
• Warsaw, Poland. Average cost: $155 per person per day, not including flights.
• Granada, Nicaragua. Average cost: $157 per person per day, not including flights. 
• La Antigua, Guatemala. Average cost: $167 per person per day, not including flights. 

Cheap U.S. destinations include Oklahoma City, Little Rock and Albuquerque. 

Eurotrip tip: Next year will bring more (digital) paperwork for travel to the continent. Here's what to know.

Tips for cheaper travel

If you’re looking to travel on a budget, it’s a good idea to shop around. Experts have previously told USA TODAY that the more flexible you can be with your travel dates, the easier it will be to find deals. Going places at off-peak times, especially when school is in session, can help make tickets and accommodations more affordable and are likely to attract fewer crowds, too.

With the dollar still strong, it’s also a good time for U.S. citizens to consider traveling abroad. Favorable exchange rates mean your budget could stretch even further overseas. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected] .  

Location and driving safety features in Microsoft Family Safety are going away.

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Apply screen time limits to devices, apps, and games. When screen time runs out, choose whether to add more time based on what’s right for you and your family.

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Explore safely with content filters

Create a safe space for your kids to explore online. Use the app's content filters to set healthy boundaries, block inappropriate apps and games, and limit browsing to kid-friendly websites using Microsoft Edge on Xbox, Windows, and Android.

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Frequently asked questions

Which devices are compatible with screen time limits.

Screen time limits work on Windows ( Windows 10 and Windows 11 ), Xbox ( Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S ), and Android apps and games. They can be managed using the Microsoft Family Safety app on Android and iOS.

How do content filters work?

Turn web and search filters on to filter out sites and search results that are too mature when using Microsoft Edge on Windows ( Windows 10 and Windows 11 ), Xbox ( Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S ), and Android devices. Other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work.

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Everyone 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine.

People aged 65 years and older who received 1 dose of any updated COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech or Novavax) should receive 1 additional dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months after the previous updated dose. For more Novavax information, click or tap here .

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Money blog: Victorian island forts - complete with helipads and nightclubs - up for sale

Two Victorian island forts that were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards during the Second World War have been listed for auction for £1m each. Read this and the rest of today's consumer news in the Money blog.

Friday 7 June 2024 20:55, UK

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• Victorian island forts - complete with nightclub - up for sale
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• How much a last-minute Taylor Swift ticket will set you back

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Ask a question or make a comment

Ever wanted to own your own Victorian island fort?

Well now you can - with two being listed with a guide price of £1m.

Spitbank Fort in Hampshire and No Man's Land Fort off the Isle of Wight have been listed for auction and can be bought separately - or as a pair if you can't pick between the two.  

During the Second World War, the forts were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards. 

No Man's Fort is substantially bigger and probably presents itself more as a business opportunity, but Spitbank offers nine large bedroom suites across three floors and could potentially work as a private home to the right buyer. 

No Man's Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort naturally boasts a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.

"Throughout my career as an auctioneer I've seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets," said Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions.

"Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man's and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1m. 

"Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000sq ft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures."

The auction takes place on 18 June. 

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

Administrators to The Body Shop are aiming to clinch a sale of the stricken cosmetics retailer by the end of the month, even as its former owner veers away from making an offer for it.

Sky News' city editor Mark Kleinman has learnt that FRP Advisory, which was appointed to handle the chain's insolvency in January, has asked for indicative bids by next Tuesday.

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been cleared of all charges by a US jury in the high-profile fraud case related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dr Lynch, who was extradited to the US to face trial just over a year ago, was acquitted alongside a former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain who had faced the same charges.

They were accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the £8.3bn sale to HP - a deal that has been the subject of costly legal action since.

Labour is promising to get more young people on the housing ladder as it announces its "freedom to buy" scheme on Friday.

The party is pledging to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Meanwhile, the Tories are promising a tax cut for parents by raising the threshold for when families have to pay a levy on their child benefit.

The current system means if either parents or a parent's partner earns more than £60,000, they begin paying the high income child benefit tax charge, and lose the benefit altogether when a salary hits £80,000.

But if the Tories win the election on 4 July, they have promised to increase the threshold to £120,000 before any tax is paid, and to £160,000 before the benefit is withdrawn, as well as base it on a household income, rather than an individual.

If you missed out on the general sales but want to bag yourself a last-minute ticket to Taylor Swift's show in Edinburgh tonight , it could set you back a whopping £4,000. 

Not to fear, however, as it is currently possible to land yourself a ticket for as little as £271 - if you settle for a somewhat restricted view. 

We've checked resale giant Viagogo for the latest prices, accurate as of 10.30am. 

As is often the case with popular tours listed on resale sites, many of the tickets are sold individually - so if you're happy to go alone tonight, you're more likely to get a ticket. 

For context, a ticket at general sale cost somewhere between £80-£160 depending on where you sit/stand. 

As it stands, the cheapest seat with an unrestricted view of the stage is currently up for sale at £323.

Just one ticket is up for £271, but has a "restricted view". 

Bringing a crowd

If you're looking to take someone with you, the cheapest pair of tickets without any restricted view will cost you a combined £1,706.

However, if you're happy with a restricted or limited view, you can pay the cheaper price of £538 for the pair (£269 each). 

You can buy up to four tickets in the same area for £303 each (£1,212 together) for a restricted view, or £555 each (£2,220 together) for an unobstructed view of the stage. 

Getting closer to the action 

Standing tickets are much sought after given their proximity to the stage. 

As alluded to at the top of this post, one frankly optimistic reseller has listed four general admission tickets for a staggering £4,256 each (in the "floor" section shown in the map below). 

However, you can get even closer - with one ticket remaining in the separate section to the left of the stage at £651 and another to the right at £559. 

A word of caution

Ticket resale sites, including Viagogo, have previously been accused of "ripping off" consumers amid concerns customers could be turned away at venues because of restrictions on some resold tickets.

The company was told in 2019 that it was required to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets on its site.

It has since pledged to be compliant with UK watchdogs and now offers a "100% order guarantee [which] covers both buyers and sellers".

If you're happy paying over the odds for last-minute tickets, make sure you're buying through a site with such a guarantee and always beware of scams!

House prices in the UK dropped by 0.1% between April and May, data from mortgage lender Halifax shows.

Analysts had expected a drop of around 0.2%, while last week, rival lender Nationwide said its measure of house prices rose in May after falling in the previous two months.

In the 12 months to May, prices rose by 1.5%, Halifax said - faster than the median forecast in a Reuters news agency poll for an annual increase of 1.2%.

"Market activity remained resilient throughout the spring months, supported by strong nominal wage growth and some evidence of an improvement in confidence about the economic outlook," Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, said.

The stable picture for property prices over the last three months was likely to give more confidence to buyers and sellers, she added. 

Sir Keir Starmer will shortly promise to get more young people on the housing ladder as Labour announces its "freedom to buy" policy. 

We've now got some reaction from business leaders, who've been speaking to Newspage.

Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, was not impressed. 

"Freedom to buy looks great on the first read, but then you realise it’s actually been in place since 2021 and many lenders don't use it anyway," he said. 

"Labour are effectively promoting something that already exists and isn't used," he added. 

Andrew Montlake, managing director at Coreco, disagreed, saying it marked a "promising" first offering from Labour. 

"This can allow lenders to take a longer-term approach in their offerings and ensure that competitive products are continually available for those with lower deposits. 

"Whilst it doesn't solve the long-term housing issues overnight, Labour have at least shown they understand them and have already shown they are willing to speak and engage with those on the front lines, which is more promising for the housing market as a whole should the next government be a red one."

However, many more had a negative outlook. 

Lewis Shaw, owner of Shaw Financial Services, was scathing in his assessment, saying: "This policy is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. 

"Prior to the pandemic, 95% loan-to-value mortgage lending was the norm. 

"It happened without any political interference or putting the taxpayer on the hook - has everyone forgotten that? 

"If Labour really wants to help young people buy a home, then do the things that we all know are needed: Tax the super-rich, reduce wealth inequality and build more houses. It's not rocket science."

Katy Eatenton, mortgage and protection specialist at Lifetime Wealth Management, said it was "yet another scheme with no real substance", which was echoed by Stephen Perkins, managing director at Yellow Brick Mortgages.

"This policy will not hugely impact the property market," he said. 

Shortly, we're expecting Sir Keir Starmer to promise to get more young people on the housing ladder as Labour announces its "freedom to buy".

He's set to speak in the coming hours. 

The party will pledge to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Sir Keir will also commit to an overhaul of the planning system, including reintroducing housing targets, claiming his measures will see 1.5 million more homes built over the next five years.

Among the planning changes, the party will promise to tax foreign buyers "pricing out young people" from the housing market in order to pay for new planning officers, which it claims will help increase projects being signed off.

It will bring back house-build targets - scrapped by the Tories in 2022 - as well as fast-track permissions to build on brownfield sites, and reform compulsory purchase orders to "stop speculators frustrating housebuilding".

They will also promise to offer "first dibs" on new developments to local people looking for a home and reiterate their pledge to create "the next generation" of new towns.

Read more in our dedicated Politics Hub :

GAME are set to end their long-running rewards programme on 31 July and have urged customers to use their remaining credit whilst they still can.

Both the company's standard GAME Reward scheme and their Elite membership tier will cease to exist, while no further reward points will be earned from purchases made in store or online after July 15.

You can currently redeem 400 reward points for £1 off of a purchase. The end of GAME Elite will mean the end of its monthly offers and prize draws. Any outstanding paid Elite membership months will be eligible for a refund.

"We would strongly urge you to redeem your GAME reward points prior to the closure date on purchases in store or online to avoid disappointment," said GAME.

"After the closure date, GAME reward points will be reset to zero and the GAME reward account will be closed, you will no longer be able to access it and you will no longer be able to redeem your GAME reward points."

The end of GAME's reward programme is the latest move from the company to make changes to their business model.

The chain has already closed several of their own bespoke high street stores and instead taken up residence within Sports Direct and other Fraser Group outlets.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

We've now had the first interest rate cut in the UK, US and EU for years. 

Yesterday the European Central Bank (ECB) brought down the cost of borrowing in the countries using the euro - the first reduction since 2019.

Sterling stayed roughly where it has been against the euro for the last two weeks - one pound buys more euro than it has done for most of the last year, €1.1740. 

Oil prices have ticked up through the week but are still just below $80 a barrel for Brent crude, the benchmark price. 

That's cheaper than the vast majority of this year and good news for motorists.  

Signs of stabilisation can be seen in the housing market with the news that house prices fell just 0.1% in May, equivalent to a £170 drop in the average house, according to mortgage lender Halifax. 

But renting is still becoming more expensive, just at a slightly slower rate than before, according to property portal Zoopla.

The average rent costs £80 more a month compared with a year earlier.

Higher housing costs have also shown through in a market update from British homebuilder Bellway, which said it expects to sell houses at a higher price point than it previously thought.

The company is a constituent of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 250 index of 101st to 350th most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange which is down 0.22% this morning. 

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