The Best Lakes to Visit

The Atacama is a vast desert plateau in northern Chile. It is the driest non-polar place on Earth. You should visit between March and May or September and November. These months avoid the most extreme heat while keeping skies clear. The terrain is harsh because it sits between two mountain ranges that block all moisture. Expect very little plant life.

The Sahara covers most of North Africa. It is the largest hot desert in the world. Plan your trip for October, November, March, or April. Temperatures are moderate during these times. The desert excludes the coastal fertile regions and the Nile Valley. It remains one of the most challenging environments to cross.

The Maldives consists of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. It is the smallest country in Asia. The best time to visit is from November through April. This period offers the driest weather for water activities. Most land area is located just above sea level. The country is spread across 90,000 square kilometres of sea.

Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It sits on a creek along the Persian Gulf. Visit between November and March to avoid the intense summer heat. The winter months are mild and suitable for walking. The city grew rapidly after the development of its port and oil industry. Today, it serves as a major regional hub.

Moai are monolithic figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island. They were created between 1250 and 1500. Travel between October and March for the best weather. This covers the warmer months on the island. Many statues remain at the Rano Raraku quarry. Others were moved to stone platforms around the coast.

The Petronas Towers are an interlinked pair of 88-storey skyscrapers. They stand 451.9 metres tall in Malaysia. Visit in February, March, June, or July for clear weather. These months are generally favorable for city tours. They held the record for the tallest buildings in the world until 2004. They remain the tallest twin towers currently.

Glacier National Park is located on the Canada-United States border. It covers over 1 million acres. July, August, and September are the only months when most trails are free of snow. Plan accordingly to avoid winter closures. The park contains over 130 named lakes. It is part of a large ecosystem known as the Crown of the Continent.

Hagia Sophia is a major site in Istanbul, Turkey. It has served as a church, a museum, and a mosque. April, May, June, September, and October offer the best climate for visiting. Summers can be quite crowded and humid. The current building was completed in AD 537. It is known for its large pendentive dome.

Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world. It is located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Visit during March, April, May, September, October, or November. These months balance water flow with comfortable walking temperatures. The falls divide the Iguazu River. Most of the structure lies on the Argentine side.

Mount Fuji is an active stratovolcano on the island of Honshu. It reaches an elevation of 3,776 metres. July, August, and September are the best months for climbing. Snow covers the cone for the rest of the year. The mountain is a symmetrical cone visible from Tokyo on clear days. It is a central part of Japanese culture.