Whenever I have some free time I open Google maps and start traveling. Mostly I’m heading to paradisiacal islands in the Pacific Ocean – oh, those beautiful beaches with golden sand and palm trees! Over the years I have learned, that paradisiacal places do not always have to be remote islands.
So I have found several other amazing fairytale places around the world, I’d like to share with you. I even hope, that one day, I’m able to visit them personally!
Aogashima Volcano, Japan
Aogashima Volcano (source)
Have you ever wondered how would it be to live in an active volcano crater? For 200 brave people who live on a tiny volcanic Japanese island in the Philippine Sea, an active Class-C volcano is a home!
Aogashima is Japan’s least populated village administered by Tokyo. Located approximately 358 kilometers from Tokyo, it’s still a rarely-visited island. Due to weather conditions, the daily helicopter or boat lines get canceled a lot of times.
This volcanic island is a great place to forget big city noises and just relax. Take a hike, visit Oyama Prospect Park to enjoy the best 360-degree view of the island and after all the hard work loosen up in a geothermal sauna.
Nine Villages Valley, China
Jiu Zhai Gou by Sung Ming Whang (CC BY 2.0)
Jiu Zhai Gou Valley also called Nine Villages Valley is one of the places that is always on a recommended tours of China list. Nine Villages Valley is a real fairyland! The valley got its name from nine Tibetian villages scattered throughout the reserve.
It’s known for its breathtaking scenery featuring alpine valleys with colorful lakes, amazing waterfalls and as the habitat of giant pandas.
It’s no wonder Nine Villages Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a World Biosphere Reserve. When visiting China, Jiuzhaigou Valley is a must see!
Waitomo Glowworm Cave, New Zealand
Who would think that insects around the size of an average mosquito would be in a New Zealand’s must-see list! Well, glowworms living in a cave at Waitomo are an unforgettable tourist attraction since the late 1880s, when the cave was first opened to the public.
Why is it so special you ask?
When you take a boat on the underground Waitomo River you’ll see thousands of tiny glowworms lining the ceilings and walls of the cave with green/blue fairy lights!
Hobbiton, New Zealand
Bag End in Hobbiton by Tom Hall (CC BY 2.0)
If you are a big fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, it’s a perfect place for you. Even if you are not a fan, this place is worth a visit.
Hobbiton was built as a movie set and now it’s available for tourists to visit. It’s a really picturesque little hilly village with all those sweet Hobbit holes, a lake, and sheep on the hillside.
The Hobbit houses are really charming, tucked away in a hillside and just colorful doors, chimneys, and little windows showing. Little details make Hobbiton an amazing place and it seems that hobbits are still living there. Each hobbit house is unique and reflects the character of the owner.
During the guided tours, you will get a chance to see Hobbit holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other arrangements built for the movies.
Wow these are some amazingly beautiful interesting places indeed. I would love to visit some of them indeed. I love the Hobbiton because we love Lord of The Rings. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never heard of that volcano in Japan, but wow does that look beautiful. I think that would be at the top of my list, while Hobbiton would be the top of my husbands.
OK I would love to visit all these places as well!! All so breathtaking!! If you ever plan a trip don’t forget to invite me 😉
Hobbiton! That’s definitely one of the destinations at the top of my “must see” list. Really, I’d love to visit any of these places. That volcano looks amazing from above!
Those two places in New Zealand look so magical and charming. Thanks for sharing these amazing locations with us 🙂
I have never heard of the first two, but my husband would be all over Hobbiton! He loves that book!
I can’t imagine living on a volcanic island. It is breathtaking but I would be too scared. They are brave indeed.
Yes! These are amazing places! New Zealand is a BIG one on my bucket list because of the glowworm caves and Hobbiton.
I think I need to book a flight to New Zealand!
What a scenic locations! New Zealand is on my bucket list and I’ve been wanting to go forever. The volcano in Japan looks amazing too.
OMG I want to visit all of these places! They really ARE magical!!!!!!
Based on this post, New Zealand is in my future. Wow, just wow! I remember my parents traveled there when I was a child and they loved it more than any other place they’ve been!
Oh my goodness! All of these places look so amazing! Totally bucket list worthy!
I had no idea that you could visit Hobbitton!?! I can’t wait to show this to my son (total LOTR fan!)
I think that this would be so much fun to go and see. I especially would love to see the volcano island in Japan. It looks so beautiful. Great idea on a quiet afternoon.
Searching travel destinations on Google maps is a great idea! I may have to do that next time I’m bored. I’d actually love to visit all the places you listed. We’ve explored an active volcano (Crater Lake), but there were no people living in it. It would be neat to see a village inside an active volcano. The other places would be great, too. We love visiting UNESCO sites and who wouldn’t want to visit Hobbiton?
wow those pictures are so pretty. that volcano is beyond pretty.
WOW what wonderful places! I would love to visit ALL of them. It’s minus 8 degrees right now where I live. I would take ANY of these wonderful places to visit over where I am right now. Thank you SOOOOOO much for sharing all of these wonderful photos with me!
Wow, you’ve really opened my eyes because I hadn’t heard of these places til just now! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2015 x