5 Beautiful National Parks That Are Never Busy

We tend to equate how busy a destination is with how worthy of our time it is, but that’s not always the case. These national parks are the least busy, still extremely beautiful and all yours to discover.

1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

If you haven’t been to Alaska yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. You might imagine a frozen tundra, a desolate and cold waste with little to do. That’s certainly not the case!

People who love hiking and camping have been keeping Alaska their little secret for years, and it has four of the largest national parks in the United States. The most popular and perhaps most tempting to visit is Wrangell-St. Elias, but you can expect more visitors and less peace and quiet.

Gates of the Arctic, on the other hand, feels completely untouched and unobstructed by throngs of visitors. Yes, we’ll admit that it’s a little “rougher around the edges” than the other parks since it has no roads or trails, but that simply adds to the authenticity of the experience.

This is the wild. This is the backcountry. This is a national park the way it’s meant to be. You’ll need to arrange transportation in and out of the park, with the most common option being by plane. But it should be worth the effort if you long to be completely immersed in nature with no distraction.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve isn’t necessarily for amateur hikers, but if you have some experience and are ready for an adventure, this is the place to check out.

2. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

There’s a lot of beauty that escapes the notice of the masses in the United States, and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is one of those hidden gems.

It only garners around 16,000 visitors a year, yet those few stand witness to its natural beauty in the way of calm waters, towering lighthouses, and lush scenery.

A ferry is the only way to get to the Isle, and that’s likely one of the reasons that it doesn’t get as many visitors as some of the more mainstream parks.

Before you go, make sure to book a camping reservation if you plan on staying for a night or two. Also, grab a fishing license if you really want to live off the land and catch your meals.

3. North Cascades National Park, Washington

Residents of Seattle don’t have to go far to escape the noise and congestion of city living and let the mind relax in a peaceful natural environment. North Cascades National Park in Washington is only three hours from the city, but it feels like another planet, considering the aesthetic contrasts.

Whether you go for the day or choose to stay for a night or weekend, you’ll have lots to fill your time with: walking the Newhalem trails, bird watching, boating through Thornton Lake.

2018 is actually the 50th anniversary of North Cascades National Park’s opening, so what better time could there be to go for a visit?

4. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park attracts a little more attention due to the fact its the home of Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century architectural wonder that holds the record for the largest all-masonry fort in America. It’s still grossly underrated though and remains much less busy than other big parks.

You’ll likely need to book a camping site in advance as the Garden Key campground only supports 10 sites, and you’ll need to boat or take a plane to the park. Being surrounded by water is part of the appeal at Dry Tortugas National Park, and snorkeling and exploring the aquatic life is a big draw for many visitors.

5. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Stargazing is always a big selling point when it comes to being out in nature. The absence of light pollution makes it easier to see the stars, and they’re as visible as they can be in Great Basin National Park. These are some of the darkest skies in the United States, which means you get to see them fully lit up by a canopy of fireflies in the evening.

Other points of interest in Great Basin National Park are the Lehman Caves. These are naturally formed caves with impressive stalagmites and structure, and you can either explore them on your own or take a guided tour.

Stop by Baker Creek and Summit Wheeler Peak and you’ve got yourself an excellent itinerary.

There are no better parks in the United States of America to explore minus the crowds than these ones. Make sure to plan your visit according to the season and local weather so that you dodge heavy rains, cold temperatures, etc.

Not only will you be amazed by the sights and leave more relaxed, but you’ll have some great memories from these parks. Don’t forget your camera!

The Best Horse Riding Vacations In America

If you’re a horse lover looking to try something different for your vacation, consider booking a horse riding vacation at a ranch or farm. Even if you’ve never ridden, odds are you’ll feel a bond with these powerful, beautiful creatures.

1. The Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm

One of the benefits of choosing a horse farm in Vermont is that you’re close to everything you’ll need. The Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm spans gorgeous acreage that includes Sugarbush and the Mad River Valley. As a guest, you get to spend your nights at a country inn that’s full of Victorian inspiration; you’re likely to feel as if you’ve ridden back in time for the duration of your stay.

This is the ideal spot for riders who love Icelandic horses, plus it offers versatile packages. You can hang out for a day or two, or you can book up to six days filled with excursions and equine delights. Meander through the landscape atop your horse just once, and you’ll probably want to opt for the six-day package. Lazy trips through tranquil meadows and gallops across speedy streams will have you in love with Vermont within the first few hours.

Consider reserving your vacation for autumn. There’s nothing like New England in the fall, plus you can get all sorts of maple goodies around that time of year.

2. The Mountain Top Inn, Vermont

Remember all of that gushing about Vermont? The Mountain Top Inn in the Mad River Valley offers a similar backdrop to the Vermont Icelandic Horse Farm. Mountain Top backs up onto the Green Mountain National Forest, which has a host of trails. You and your horse can take a winding ride up the mountainside where the views go on for days. The Inn has its own Equestrian Center, open from June to October.

What’s great about this vacation idea is that you can learn everything. Ride on your own or with a guide. Learn how to ride in the English or Western style. You can even get your feet wet in dressage and jumping.

However, you aren’t limited to horseback: the Mountain Top Inn offers guests a bevy of additional activities, such as kayaking, clay bird shooting, swimming, hiking, and various sports. You can even eat on-site, and the food is rich enough that you’ll need the exercise.

Hills of Vermont — Vermont. Unsplash / Brad Fickeisen

3. Marriott Ranch, Virginia

No, this historic farm has nothing to do with the hotel chain. Rather, the ranch is a staple, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains for ample riding opportunities. You won’t find a prettier vacation spot, but you’re only about 50 miles outside of Washington, D.C., just in case you get a big city itch.

It’s unlikely you’ll want to leave, however. There are several wineries nearby, and in addition to riding and dressage lessons, you’ll have the option to participate in cattle drives with genuine Longhorn cattle. You can also opt fot trail rides, or themed packages. For example, there are weekend trips that include rides, food, and room at a charming local bed and breakfast.

4. Southern Cross Guest Ranch, Georgia

This Georgian ranch, only an hour from Atlanta, sits in the center of the Historic Heartland of the state. Apart from offering rides through forests full of towering trees, the ranch specializes in Western riding and prides itself on its competitive prices. As you’ll discover upon arrival, however, the experiences are priceless.

It’s a one-of-a-kind vacation, in that most horse farms and ranches won’t let guests ride off by themselves. Independence is encouraged at Southern Cross, though. Between rides, you’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know about grooming and generally handling a horse. Because the retreat follows the B&B model, you have a built-in place to stay and access to home-cooked meals too boot.

5. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas

Arkansas isn’t quite the wild west, but it’s close. Horseshoe Canyon is near the Buffalo National Wilderness Area, so it’s not only scenic, but it’s also overrun with trail riding opportunities. You get to stay in cabins that appear rustic but come with all the comforts of home, including air conditioning.

The guides make sure to match you with a horse that complements your skill and comfort level. After a long day on the trails or a rugged ride — just for experts — you can relax in the pool or the hot tub. Dinner is steak every night of the week. You can’t beat that.

Horses in a field — Unsplash / Bethany Legg

6. Zapata Ranch, Colorado

Zapata Ranch is a genuine working ranch that specializes in bison and cattle. It borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Reserve, which is right at the bottom of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The family that manages the place has been ranching for three generations, but the Nature Conservancy owns the ranch itself.

Zapata likes to provide guests with variety and choice. Three packages are available. One focuses on improving riding skills, while another is designed to show visitors just what it means to work on a ranch. You can ride through the Great Sand Dunes or the pretty Medano meadows. Feel free to climb off your horse to take a hike, learn about conservation ranching, or study the local bison.

Does a holiday with a horse sound like heaven to you? Then we hope this list has inspired you to start planning your next adventure.

4 Must-Have Travel Apps And How They Work

Travel apps can make traveling a little smoother. From suggesting hotels to renewing your passport, it’s almost guaranteed there’s an app out there that you’ll love! Here are four must-have travel apps and how to use them.

1. Hopper

Hopper scans billions of flights and provides you with the best deals. The app tells you exactly what to do, and will send you notifications when it’s time to book, or a cheap flight has come up. Hopper is extremely simple to use, and it’s available for Apple iOS and Android smartphones for free. Here’s how to use it: Open the app and click “continue,” then allow the app to send you notifications (this will be very helpful when cheap flights become available). Next, type in your to and from destinations. Then, choose “one way” or “round trip” and pick your dates. The app will show you a preview of the months via a colored calendar; the colors represent the prices. Tap the month you want to travel in, and the calendar will expand to show you the days to choose from. Hopper will find the cheapest available flight, and will “watch” the flight to see if the price drops (if it does, you’ll get a notification). Hopper will tell you to keep waiting to buy if it thinks the prices are likely to drop. If you like what you see, tap “shop flights” to choose an airline and flight times. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, Hopper will also let you watch flex dates as well as give you price drop predictions.

2. XE Currency

If you’re traveling outside of the United States, it’s important to know what the U.S. dollar converts to. That’s where XE Currency comes in handy. This little app is free and does all of the math for you. Download the app on your Apple or Android device, and open it. The app will give you a brief tutorial. Then, you will see that the top dollar amount is your base country. All of the countries underneath are converted based on the amount in the base country. You can quickly change this amount by tapping the calculator next to it and typing a new number. The currencies will change automatically to reflect the new conversion. Add or delete as many countries to your conversion list as you want! The app also updates in real time to reflect current market rates. Even if you aren’t traveling, this app is a fun way to observe the value of the U.S. dollar around the world.

3. Google Trips

If you’re a Gmail user, this app helps plan your trip by pulling reservation confirmations out of your email and putting them all in one place for easy viewing, even when you don’t have internet access. Once you download the app, it will ask you which Gmail account to link to. Then, it will automatically pull confirmations from your email and create a list. If you don’t want the app to pull from your email, you can turn this off in the app settings and enter the trip details manually. Choose the relevant trip and tap “download” (this may take a few seconds). Downloading the trip makes it available when you are offline, just in case. You will also be able to view related emails about the trip from your inbox. Once the trip is downloaded you will see a menu with your reservations, suggestions on things to do, and more. By clicking each menu item, you will be given full details including a map and contact information of the places you can visit. The Need To Know menu item is particularly helpful, as it lists nearby hospitals, currency exchanges, rules for tipping, and where to find free WiFi.

4. RoadTrippers

This fantastic little app makes it so you’ll never have to use a map to plan a road trip again. The beauty of taking a road trip, are the fun places you’ll stop along the way. The RoadTrippers app finds these places for you. To use it, just download the free app on your Apple or Android device, and create an account. Once you’re in the app, just type in your to and from locations, and choose the categories you’ll want to stop along the way. You can select trails and hikes, nightlife, geographical locations and much more. Then the app will route your destination and give you a list of all of the options you can choose from along the way. You won’t have to look anywhere else to decide where to stop during your next road trip!

There are so many more reputable apps out there that you can download to make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable. These apps help plan your trip so that you can spend more time exploring. Before you choose your favorite, I recommend downloading a few and playing around with them to get comfortable before your big journey. Happy travels!

6 Trips To Help Save Endangered Species

Today, over 40,000 species are on the endangered species list. Taking a volunteer vacation can help make a difference.

1. Panda Reserve, China

The panda population is dwindling thanks to deforestation and a delicate birthing process that leads to high infant mortality. The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) has been hard at work for the last 20 years. They’d love it if you flew into Ya’an City to give them a hand. The China Conservation boasts the highest panda birth and survival rates in the world. Over two decades, the CCRCGP’s panda population has grown from its initial six pandas to over 70. The project length is one week. You’ll be tasked with preparing food, chopping bamboo, and cleaning enclosures. Several cultural activities are included as well.

2. Cheetah Conservation, Namibia

Years of conservation efforts in Namibia have allowed the cheetah population to make a comeback in the region. There was a time not long ago when cheetahs occupied the majority of Africa’s countries. Thanks to habitat loss, high infant mortality, and poaching, the continent’s population nearly slipped into extinction. The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) welcomes working volunteers. The work isn’t glamorous but is much needed. Volunteers live onsite and do everything from chopping meat to collecting scat (feces) samples. The location is rural and isolated, even for Namibian standards. Bring sunscreen and expect to work a wide variety of tasks.

3. Bali Sea Turtle Rescue, Indonesia

Bali Sea Turtle Rescue’s focus is on spreading conservation knowledge about the delicate state of the global sea turtle population. They rehabilitate turtles who are injured by local fisherman and help baby hatchlings waddle to the ocean during breeding season. When injured turtles have healed, they’re triumphantly returned to the ocean. Bali Sea Turtle Rescue asks that volunteers stay a minimum of two weeks. The first five days are dedicated to an introduction to Balinese culture. After wrapping up the week-long orientation just outside of Ubud, you’ll venture over to Nusa Penida, a large island off the southeastern coast of Bali. Once there, you’ll be charged with feeding, cleaning tanks, caring for sick and injured turtles, nurturing new hatchlings, and scouring the beach for eggs.

4. The Orangutan Project, Borneo

The Orangutan Project is based out of the Matang Wildlife Centre in the lush Kubah National Park. An array of species from sun bears to macaques call the area home. Orangutans are considered critically endangered. Populations have declined dramatically over the year due to rampant deforestation of their habitat. Mining and the pet trade place further pressure on their waning numbers. Without intensive conservation efforts, orangutans would probably already be extinct. As a volunteer at the Orangutan Project, you’ll participate in constructing new platforms, feeding, cleaning, and gardening. Unfortunately, no direct contact is allowed with the orangutans. The goal of the project is to keep them wild. Unnecessary human contact would make them more dependent on caretakers.

5. Giant Tortoise Center, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

At one time, a quarter million of these giant tortoises freely roamed the South American islands. Today, a mere 3,000 remain. Sailors and settlers hunting them for food are mostly to blame. The Galapagos Islands are a chain of islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The archipelago is home to a wide range of rare and exotic species. As a volunteer, you’ll work with the Galapagos National Park to preserve the tortoise population. That’s no small feat considering these mammoths weigh up 800 pounds. Watch your toes! Your tasks may include feeding, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, and explaining the codes of conduct to tourists. The Giant Tortoise Center requires a three-week minimum stay. The extra ambitious can stay and work for up to three months if they schedule far enough in advance.

6. SANCCOB, African Penguins, South Africa

Penguins are endangered as a result of commercial fishing and the reverberating effects of oil spills in the region. Shipping lane traffic continues to affect their numbers. SANCCOB successfully returns 90% of the birds that they rescue to the wild. The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is located in Cape Town South Africa. Volunteers must stay a minimum of six weeks. You’ll spend your time preparing food for feeding, cleaning the pools and habitats, and delivering medicine. SANCCOB’s hospital is a streamlined facility. The program requires a six-week minimum because volunteers are allowed to take part in life-threatening emergencies when they arise. It isn’t entirely uncommon for the hospital to be swamped with hundreds of orphaned chicks in a short period. During crunch time, everyone puts in 12 hour days. It’ll all be worth it when you get to release the rehabilitated birds back into the ocean.

The world is a rough place for the long list of endangered species that inhabit it. Working volunteers provide a vital service, not only in staff hours but in becoming ambassadors of the cause. The work doesn’t stop when your volunteer vacation ends. Get out there and spread the word! Chances are, you’ll have too much fun to stay away from the grind for long.

The 7 Best Suitcases For 2018

From rugged checked luggage pieces to lightweight multi-purpose carry-on style bags, we’ve collected the best in the market. Take a look at these great luggage pieces and choose a winner for your next trip.

1. Stylish: Samsonite Winfield Spinner

Although not the most critical feature, many travelers enjoy luggage that is stylish as well as functional. The Samsonite Winfield 2 Fashion Hardside Spinner is an excellent overall bag that looks great, too. It has multi-directional wheels for ease of movement, a squared full-capacity design, and a full-zip interior organization pocket design. But its best feature is a brushed aluminum exterior design. These brush strokes camouflage the inevitable scuffs and scrapes that happen to hard-shell checked bags. The Winfield Spinner is lightweight at and medium size (24 inches), which is optimal for a four-day trip. For those looking for a more substantial checked bag, this model also comes in a 28-inch size.

Buy: Samsonite Winfield Spinner for $179.99

2. Durability: Delsey Helium Aero 29 inch Expandable

Another great-looking bag, the Delsey Helium Aero 29 inch model takes a beating during handling and can manage all the road warrior miles you throw its way. It has all the expected features of a high-end checked piece of luggage, such as 360-degree spinner wheels, organizable interior with zippered compartments and straps, and an easy-glide retractable handle. As a bonus, the bag expands an additional 2 inches – an essential feature in hard-shell models that can be unforgiving. Users rate this bag high for its durability, with quality oversized self-repairing zippers and an integrated 3-dial TSA lock.

Buy: Delsey Helium Aero 29 inch Expandable for $140.00

3. Function: Nomatic Travel Bag

If you are looking for an all-purpose bag, one that has unsurpassed organizational features while being lightweight and stylish, Nomatic’s Travel Bag may be just for you. It is technically a carry-on bag but is full of features that may allow it to be a replacement for your checked bag needs. Available in a base model, with three levels of add-ons, the Nomatic includes integrated laundry bags, water bottle storage, laptop case, shoe storage and more. Its innovative strap system allows quick switching from a backpack to a duffle. It is also designed to fit snuggly on a roller-bag handle should you need more storage and use it strictly as a carry-on item. The Nomatic Travel Bag retail price starts at $229, with an expanded model retailing for $449.

Buy: Nomatic Travel Bag for $229.99

4. Oversized: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 32

For those looking for a large bag that is easy to maneuver, rugged and forgiving at the same time, the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 32 is a rolling duffle that fits the bill. This bag is rife with features, from numerous organizational pockets, secondary storage spaces so clothing can be kept separate from gear, and multiple carry points. Since it is a soft bag, it weighs much less than many oversized bags, at just seven pounds. It holds a massive 5,500 cubic inches of clothing and gear and rolls on heavy-duty treaded wheels that can quickly overcome any obstacle.

Buy: Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 32 for $299.00

5. Lightweight: Samsonite Luggage Fiero HS Spinner 24

Durable checked luggage doesn’t get much more lightweight than Samsonsite’s Fiero HS line, and its 24-inch model is perfect for a 3-4 day trip. Its fully-functional 360-degree spinning wheels are rugged and lightweight, and its hard shell is designed to resist scratching from handling abuse. It also comes with a fully dividable interior and a durable locking system.

Buy: Samsonite Luggage Fiero HS Spinner 24 for $220.00

6. Organizable / Garments: Delsey Helium 45 inch Deluxe

Heading to a wedding or a business meeting? The Delsey Helium 45 inch Deluxe is the best garment bag on the market today. Garment bags often suffer from floppiness – if you are not carrying them, they rumple your clothing. Delsey’s design keeps everything rigid enough to protect suits and dresses while still being forgiving when packing in a car or taxi. The bag opens book-style to allow access to its several compartments, so travelers do not have to dig for frequently accessed items. It holds a lot and is super lightweight at only five pounds. To make it easier to carry, Delsey has included padded straps and multiple carry points, too.

Buy: Delsey Helium 45 inch Deluxe for $85.00

7. Overall: TravelPro Platinum Magna

For travelers who need many features in their luggage, the TravelPro Platinum Magna may be the best piece of luggage on the market today. The Platinum Magna Spinner Suiter combines an easily maneuverable rolling checked lugged with garment bag functionality. It features eight patented self-aligning Magna-trac wheels for unparalleled mobility. Featuring premium fabrics, leather handles, brushed chrome appointments and “Supra” zipper heads, the Magna line looks as good as it functions.

Buy: TravelPro Platinum Magna Spinner Suiter for $254.99

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The World’s Most Popular Religious Destinations

There are areas of the world where churches and temples attract more visitors than a soccer match. These are some of the most popular religious sites around the globe. How many have you visited?

Mecca in Saudi Arabia. — Sony Herdiana / Shutterstock

1. Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Mecca is the holiest city in the religion of Islam. It’s located on the Arabian Peninsula 210 miles to the south of Medina. An average of 13 million people visit Mecca every year, nearly all of them Muslims. Devout Muslims are encouraged to make the journey to Mecca (the Hajj) at least once in their lives if they are able, but many make the trip every year. The final month of the Islamic calendar is the busiest. Approximately two million Muslims come to celebrate Hajj. Mecca’s holiness derives from the fact that it was the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad and the site of his first revelation about the Quran.

Sadly, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the city of Mecca; failure to observe this rule will lead to fines or deportation. However, non-Muslims are allowed in Medina, another of Islam’s holiest cities.

The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. — Bill Perry / Shutterstock

2. The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

Israeli police estimate that over 11 million people visited Jerusalem’s Old City and the Wailing Wall (Western Wall) in 2016. That’s quite the increase from the mere three million people who visited in 2003. Followers of the Jewish faith are the most frequent visitors, with some making more than one trip a year. The wall is also a holy site for Muslims, so control of the wall has long been a subject of contention between the two groups.

The Wailing Wall is a place of prayer that has long been sacred to Jewish people. The original wall dates back to the second century B.C., when it was part of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, and the wall is today all that remains. The extant section of the Wailing Wall connects to a larger wall that encircles the Muslim Dome of the Rock. The Wailing Wall that stands today measures 160 feet long and is 60 feet tall.

The Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan. — Mihai-Bogdan Lazar / Shutterstock

3. Senso-Ji Temple And Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan

The Senso-ji Temple sees about 30 million annual visitors; it’s a must-see for any traveler passing through Tokyo. Senso-ji was built in A.D. 628 and is the city’s oldest temple. The five-story pagoda glows with accent lighting in the evening. During the day, street vendors sell food to tourists on the temple’s Nakamise Street. The Senso-ji Temple is a hot spot during New Year celebrations, consistently ranking in the top 10 for temple attendance during the new year.

Not far from the Senso-ji Temple is the Meiji Shrine, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Construction began in 1915 and was finished in 1916. The shrine is dedicated to the spirit of the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. It was erected in an iris garden where the emperor and empress often spent time. The original structure was destroyed during World War II, but it has since been restored. The new building stands in a 170-acre forest. The surrounding evergreen glade contains over 365 different species of trees, all of which were donated by people from different parts of Japan.

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. — cesc_assawin / Shutterstock

4. Vatican City, Italy

Visited by nearly 4.2 million people annually, Vatican City in Italy is a place of pilgrimage for many devout Catholics. The Vatican is an independent city-state located in the middle of Rome. The city’s beauty and history attract tourists and architecture buffs in droves. Vatican City is home to the pope and is considered the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Saint Peter’s Basilica is a focal point for both worship and sightseeing. It was designed by several well-known architects, including Michelangelo and Bernini. Saint Peter’s is regarded by many as the holiest of Catholic shrines.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. — Gurgen Bakhshetyan / Shutterstock

5. Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Notre-Dame Cathedral is another tourist magnet and site of pilgrimage for Catholics. Located in Paris, Notre-Dame is the most-visited attraction in France and the 13th-most-visited tourist destination in the world. Annual visitors to Notre-Dame are estimated to number 13.7 million. The cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, combining naturalistic sculptures and glowing stained glass with earlier Romanesque architecture.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. — WitR / Shutterstock

6. Basilica Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico

Approximately 20 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe every year. The basilica was constructed on the site where Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared to an Aztec peasant named Juan Diego in December of 1531. Juan Diego’s tilma, which bears the miraculous likeness of Our Lady of Guadalupe, has been displayed inside the basilica for centuries.

In 1921, a bomb was planted in a flower vase in the basilica, and much of the building’s interior was damaged; the tilma, however, remained unscathed. The Old Basilica was closed for many years following the incident. It still stands, but it’s now joined by its neighbor, the New Basilica, which can hold up to 50,000 people for Mass.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, India. — hecke61 / Shutterstock

7. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, India

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in India is located on the western bank of the river Ganges. The river itself is thought to have healing powers, and the temple is one of the most famous in the Hindu religion. It is dedicated to the Shaiva philosophy — a metaphysical concept of a supreme being or Brahman. The Kashi Vishwanath temple attracts 22 million visitors a year — 3,000 people each day on average. On busy days, nearly 10,000 pass through its doors. The current structure was built in 1780.

The best part about places of religious pilgrimage is that they tend to feature stunning architecture and a vibrant social scene. Taking in the architecture is just a bonus to soaking in the history of these sites — or the spiritual significance, if you’re religiously inclined.