Just Enough Room Island: The Tiny Island

Just Enough Room Island, or Hub Island, is located in the beautiful Thousand Islands region, a scenic archipelago that stretches along the border between New York and Ontario in Canada. 

The area is home to more than 1,800 islands of various sizes, ranging from large islands with hotels and castles to tiny rocky outcrops barely visible above the water. Among all of these islands, Just Enough Room Island stands out because of its incredibly small size. Covering only about 3,300 square feet (around 310 square metres), it is smaller than many suburban backyards. Yet, this tiny piece of land has become one of the region's most photographed attractions.

Tiny Just Enough Room Island with a cottage on the St Lawrence River

Strange Places in Jerusalem: Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Immovable Ladder Church of the Holy Sepulchre: A wooden step ladder leaning over a balcony against the right window at the Church of the Sepulchre's second-tier facade in Jerusalem's Old Town. The cornice is where the ladder rests, and it is placed against the window. The Armenian Apostolic Church owns this window. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre ladder is the symbol of Christianity's interfaith conflict. The six Christian denominations owning the Church agree to place the immovable ladder in their proper places. They are forbidden from moving, repairing, or changing anything inside the Church without their consent.

The famous immovable ladder rests against the façade of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Colossi of Memnon

Two giant statues of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt, Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BCE), are known as the Colossi of Memnon, or el-Salamat (also el-Colossat and el-Salamat). They lie west of Luxor, Egypt, overlooking the Nile River. The statues show the seated king on a throne with emblems of his mother, his wife and the god Hapi. Each figure weighs 720 tons and is 18 metres tall. They were carved from a single block of sandstone.

The massive Colossi of Memnon stand near ancient Thebes in Luxor, Egypt.

Floating Markets of Southeast Asia

A floating market can be described as a market that appears on the river, the main traffic route—a place where both the buyer and the seller use boats to transport their goods. The floating market is typically located in sections of the river that are neither too broad nor too narrow. The river section must not be too wide or too short. Many floating markets were established in areas where water transport was necessary. They are primarily tourist attractions and can be found in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka.

Traditional boats loaded with fresh fruits and local produce create a colorful scene at Bangladesh’s vibrant floating markets.

Moon Bridge in Taiwan

In the centre of Taipei City, Taiwan, a delicate white bridge spans the waters of Dahu Park in the Neihu District. One of the park’s most recognisable features is the elegant Moon Bridge, a landmark. The bridge’s arch shape is reflected in the tranquil lake, creating a beautiful scene that blends a traditional design inspired by China with Taipei's natural landscape.

Moon Bridge is a scenic landmark spanning Dahu Lake in Taipei, Taiwan.

Mount Roraima: Gran Sabana, Venezuela

Rising dramatically above the vast grasslands of Gran Sabana in Venezuela, Mount Roraima is one of the most extraordinary landscapes in South America, surrounded by three different countries: Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana. Its enormous flat-topped summit, towering cliffs, misty valleys, and unusual plants make it look almost unreal. From a distance, the mountain resembles a gigantic stone table floating above the surrounding landscape. Its sheer vertical cliff walls rise 7,671 feet (2,338 meters) above the surrounding forest floor, creating a surreal "floating island"

Mount Roraima rises dramatically above the grasslands of Venezuela's Gran Sabana.

Hocking Hills Caves, Ohio: A Wild and Wonderful State Park Escape

Hocking Hills State Park is where Ohio shows off its dramatic, almost secret side. Deep sandstone gorge, echoing rock shelters, cool forest trails and waterfalls create a landscape that feels a world away from the everyday. The caves in Hocking Hills are among the most memorable outdoor experiences in the Midwest for hikers, photographers, families, and weekend travellers.

Explore the dramatic sandstone gorge, waterfalls, and forest scenery at Old Man’s Cave.

Ifrane: The Little Switzerland of Morocco

At first glance, Ifrane can make you wonder whether you have somehow left Morocco. Instead of the ochre-coloured buildings and bustling medinas commonly associated with the country, you find red-roofed houses, carefully maintained streets, green parks, mountain air, and, in winter, snow. This unusual town is located high in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, about 70 kilometres from Fez. At roughly 1,650 metres above sea level, Ifrane has a cooler mountain climate and a landscape of forests, lakes, and rocky hills. Morocco's National Tourist Office itself calls Ifrane “the little Switzerland”, a nickname inspired by its architecture, greenery and alpine appearance.

Ifrane is renowned for its red-roofed houses and clean mountain setting.

Sigiriya: Sri Lanka’s Ancient Rock Fortress

Rising dramatically above the forests of central Sri Lanka, Sigiriya is one of the country's most extraordinary historic sites. The enormous rock seems to rise from the ground, its steep sides towering over the surrounding green landscape. At the summit are the remains of an ancient royal citadel, while the gardens, ponds, frescoes and monumental entrance below reveal how carefully the site was designed.

Sigiriya rises dramatically above the surrounding forests of central Sri Lanka.

Predjama Castle: Slovenia’s Castle Built Into a Cave

Imagine approaching a medieval castle and discovering that much of it sits directly in the mouth of a gigantic cave. That is Predjama Castle, one of Slovenia’s most extraordinary historic landmarks. Built into a 123-metre-high cliff near Postojna, the castle appears to grow out of the rock itself, combining mediaeval architecture with the dramatic landscape of the Slovenian Karst.

Predjama Castle appears to emerge directly from the limestone cliff.

Park Güell Barcelona: Gaudí’s Colorful Masterpiece

Park Güell, high above Barcelona, is more like a dream made of stone, tile, and plants than a regular city park. One of Antoni Gaudí's most famous works, the park is filled with colourful mosaics, unusual columns, and imaginative buildings along its winding paths.

The famous mosaic dragon welcomes visitors near the main entrance.

Preikestolen: Norway’s Famous Pulpit Rock

High above the deep blue waters of Lysefjorden, a remarkably flat cliff projects from the Norwegian mountains like a giant stone platform. This is Preikestolen, better known in English as Pulpit Rock. The cliff rises about 604 metres above the fjord, and its nearly square top measures roughly 25 by 25 metres. From the edge, the view stretches across one of Norway's most dramatic fjord landscapes. 

Preikestolen rises dramatically above the beautiful Lysefjord.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: China’s Floating Mountains

I'll be honest — the first time I saw a photo of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, I thought it had been digitally altered. Thin stone pillars rise from the green valleys, some of which tower more than 200 metres above the surrounding landscape. When mist settles between them, the peaks can look almost as if they are floating in the clouds. But this place is completely real. comparison.

Towering sandstone pillars rise through the mist in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

James Bond Island Thailand: The Story of Khao Ta Pu

Rising dramatically from the green waters of Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand, this narrow limestone rock has become one of the country's most recognisable natural landmarks. Known as Ko Tapu, or Khao Ta Pu, the rock is widely called James Bond Island because of its appearance in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. The island itself is surprisingly small, but its shape makes it unforgettable. A slender column of rock rises from the sea, appearing wider near the top and narrower toward the water. Around it are towering limestone cliffs, small islands, and sheltered waters that give Phang Nga Bay its distinctive scenery.

The famous James Bond Island rises from Phang Nga Bay.

Glass Beach California

Glass Beach, California, is one of the most unusual coastal attractions on the Mendocino County shoreline. Located near Fort Bragg, California, this beach is famous for thousands of smooth, colourful pieces of sea glass scattered among the pebbles. Blue, green, brown, white, and occasionally rare red or orange pieces can create a striking mosaic along the shore.

What makes Glass Beach especially interesting is that its beauty has an unexpected origin. The colourful glass was not formed naturally. Much of it came from discarded household items and bottles that were dumped along the coastline decades ago. Over many years, the Pacific Ocean gradually broke, tumbled, and polished the glass, transforming unwanted waste into smooth, rounded pieces.

Sea glass pebbles blanket the shoreline at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California.

Ginnie Springs, Florida: Crystal-Clear Natural Springs

Hidden among the forests of north-central Florida, Ginnie Springs is the kind of place that can make an ordinary summer day feel like an adventure. Seven freshwater springs feed remarkably clear water into the Santa Fe River, creating a landscape of swimming holes, river runs, underwater caverns, and shady woodland.

Crystal-clear spring water makes Ginnie Springs one of Florida’s most memorable natural attractions.

Crystal-clear spring water makes Ginnie Springs one of Florida’s most memorable natural attractions.

Monsanto, Portugal: Village of Giant Boulders

Drive through the countryside of central Portugal, and Monsanto appears almost unexpectedly on the rocky slopes above the surrounding plains. From a distance, it looks like a traditional stone village perched on a mountain. Come closer, though, and the reason Monsanto is so unusual becomes obvious: large granite boulders are part of the village itself.

Monsanto is famous for houses built among enormous granite boulders.

Zalipie, Poland: The Village of Painted Houses

There are villages that are beautiful because of their architecture and others because of their landscape. Zalipie, Poland, is different. Here, ordinary homes, farm buildings, wells, fences, and other objects can become canvases for brightly coloured flowers. Set in the Powiśle Dąbrowskie area of Małopolska, Zalipie is widely known as Poland's “Painted Village.” The colourful decoration is not a modern tourist attraction, but a local folk tradition. It grew from a local folk tradition that has survived for generations and remains part of everyday community life.

A traditional wooden house decorated with colourful floral paintings in Zalipie, Poland.

Timberline Lodge, Oregon: The Historic Hotel Behind The Shining

Rising high on the south slope of Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge in Oregon is hard to mistake for an ordinary mountain hotel. Its rough stone walls, enormous timber beams, and steep roof seem perfectly suited to the rugged landscape around it. When winter arrives and snow covers the mountain, the lodge takes on an even more striking appearance.

Timberline Lodge stands on the south slope of Mount Hood in Oregon.

Neuschwanstein Castle: The Unfinished Fairy-Tale Castle

High above a gorge in the Bavarian Alps sits a castle so theatrical it looks like it was sketched by a set designer rather than an architect. In a way, it was. Neuschwanstein Castle, tucked into the hills near the town of Füssen in southern Germany, has become one of the most photographed buildings on the planet — and the man who built it intended almost none of that fame.

Neuschwanstein Castle rises above the Bavarian landscape near Hohenschwangau.