How to feel far away while traveling in Europe
"Why wander far and wide when the good things are so near?" German poet Goethe once asked. Here's a roundup of places in Europe that can make travel lovers dream of faraway lands.
... like Hawaii
The mix of volcanic landscapes, exotic plants, tropical forests and warm waterfalls is not unique to Hawaii. The nine Portuguese islands of the Azores have a mild subtropical climate year round, making them popular with hiking fans. But just like Hawaii, the islands also offer opportunities for surfing and whale watching.
... like the Caribbean
Sardinia is the second-largest island in Italy, and thanks to its white sandy beaches and emerald green waters, it is known as the Caribbean of Europe. The label is not without reason: Enchanting bays and beaches, interspersed with rock formations, are spread along its vast coastline. Don't forget diving goggles and a snorkel for the full Caribbean-style experience.
... like North Africa
Azulejos, colorful glazed ceramic tiles, adorn the facades of villas, palaces and churches in Portugal. The decorative tiles are a legacy of the Moors, who passed on their technique to the locals. In addition to pictorial representations, which did not appear until the 16th century, traditional elements of Islamic art can be found in many places in Portugal, just as in Morocco.
... like New Zealand
Endless expanses, high mountains and deep blue lakes — such a description could fit New Zealand, a destination many Europeans long to reach. The same words also apply to a European country known for its outdoor attributes: Norway. With its many fjords, Norway is the perfect destination for those seeking tranquility in nature. The Nordfjord near Olden (pictured) is an ideal destination.
... like Sri Lanka
Europe's oldest temple of Buddhist teachings stands in Berlin. It was commissioned in 1923 and has housed German monks as well as monks from Sri Lanka and other Buddhist-oriented countries ever since. The place of worship has been listed as a national cultural asset and is open to the public along with its garden.
... like the Sahara
Always wanted to take a trip to the Sahara but haven't found the time? Poland's Slowinski National Park features impressive, wandering sand dunes you would never expect in Europe. Located in northern Poland, the area is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, about 115 kilometers (75 miles) west of Gdansk. The highest dune is around 42 meters (137 feet) tall.
... like Colombia
One doesn't have to travel to South America to take mud bath in a volcano. A unique alternative is a trip to the Berca mud volcanoes of Romania, located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Bucharest. The formations reach up to 8 meters and spew cold mud bubbles — fortunately, there's no danger of a hot lava eruption here.
... like China
Zhangjiajie National Park in China is known for its bizarre rock formations, which have given it UNESCO World Heritage status. Yet Germany boasts a similar UNESCO site as well: Saxon Switzerland National Park. Like its Chinese counterpart, it is characterized by a rugged landscape and eye-catching stone formations. The Bastei bridge, pictured here, is one of its landmarks.
... like Arizona
Fans of the "Wild West" can also spend their holidays in Europe with confidence. Instead of visiting the rugged US southwest, one can take a trip to Croatia, which offers an abundance of landscapes cowboys would feel right at home in, thanks to its large canyons. The Zrmanja Gorge was even the setting for the German western film "Winnetou: The Last Shot."
... like in Indonesia
The crater of the Ijen volcanic complex on Java features a bright blue lagoon. The eye-catching color is caused by minerals that settle on bottom of the lagoon due to volcanic activity. Yet a "blue lagoon" can also be found in Iceland. In the thermal bath near Grindavik, one can take a dip in waters at temperatures between 37 and 42 degrees Celsius (98 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit).
... like in Namibia
To experience vast steppes as in the African nation of Namibia, one can take a trip to the Puszta steppe in Hungary — central Europe's largest and best-known steppe area. One of the best places to experience is Hortobagy National Park, pictured here. The park's name is derived from the Old Slavic word "pust," which means "desolate," "deserted" or "empty."