The best travel destinations for outdoor enthusiasts /

If you enjoy being out in nature, you probably also prefer vacations that allow you to explore and take in all the natural beauty the destination has to offer. From exotic rice paddies to mountainous regions that will take you to the ninth heaven, here are the best outdoor vacation spots you should put on your travel bucket list.

New Zealand

With breathtaking coastlines and snow-capped mountains to shimmering lakes, if you love the outdoors, one trip to New Zealand won’t be enough. There are few places in the world where you can experience ancient forests, breathtaking coastlines and mountain views all within a day. With plenty of national parks to explore, volcanic and geothermal active areas and beautiful landscapes that seem to last for days.

Head to Queenstown to get a little bit of everything from water sports to hiking and climbing. It’s also the birthplace of bungee jumping, so travelers looking for an adrenaline rush can be sure to get one.

South Africa

South Africa is truly a destination for nature lovers. It offers some of the most diverse landscapes on the entire African continent – with forests, mountains, deserts, grasslands and savannas just some of the landscapes you can expect. In addition to the incredible natural environment, there is also a lot of wildlife – with more than 700 public reserves, 200 private reserves and 19 national parks. Time to tick “going on an African safari” off your travel bucket list.

A trip to South Africa is not complete without a visit to Africa’s largest game reserve – the Kruger National Park. Be sure to keep an eye out for the “Big Five”: lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros.

Argentina

Argentina’s sheer size practically allows for incredible natural diversity. Argentina’s natural beauty has attracted nature lovers for years. From the tropics to the Andes, each region of the country has a different ecosystem to experience. Traveling through Argentina is like traveling through different countries – with the world-famous Iguassu Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the unique jungle landscapes that are home to a wide variety of different species of flora and fauna.

Head to Patagonia, in southern Argentina, to enjoy one of the most spectacular hikes in the world – the W Trek, which includes the peaks of Torres del Paine. You can also explore clear lakes, dense forests and mountain passes on horseback or bicycle.

Iceland

Iceland’s natural beauty is easily the highlight of the entire country. From shimmering glacial lagoons to bubbling hot springs, the island’s pristine, otherworldly charm captivates travelers at every turn. And whether it’s lit up every season by the Midnight Sun or the Northern Lights – the lighting is guaranteed to hit the mark. Iceland offers adventure seekers plenty of opportunities to explore volcanic landscapes, hot springs and powerful waterfalls.

Many people don’t even know that you can even dive in Iceland, in the Silfra fissure – located between the North American and Eurasian plates. How’s that for a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience!

United States

The United States is an incredible destination for nature lovers – with the National Park System encompassing 423 national parks in the US. Stretching across 84 million acres, with parks in every state and stretching into the US territories (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), wherever you go in the US, you’re guaranteed a little piece of outdoor paradise.

Why not head to California’s infamous national park, Yosemite? With over 750 hiking trails to choose from, river rafting trips and of course the breathtaking scenery, Yosemite is a place every outdoor adventurer should see at least once.

Switzerland

Do you want to conquer mountains and valleys, dive into running water and discover UNESCO World Heritage sites? Switzerland’s landscape is more varied than almost any other place on earth. And once you set your sights on the breathtaking natural scenery – crystal clear lakes framed by snow-capped mountainscapes – you’ll realize that all the postcards don’t do it justice. Switzerland will take your breath away.

And the best part is that it is a year-round destination. Whether you opt for hiking in the Jungfrau region, skiing in the Alps or rafting on the Lütschine Rive – there is something for everyone.

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Costa Rica

Found just north of the equator, Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth (and is a leader in ecotourism). In fact, there are few places on earth where you can find so many different habitats that fit into such a small place. More than half of Costa Rica is covered by forests, much of which are primary and pristine rainforests. Add to that the country’s 1,300 kilometers of coastline and 28 national parks (three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and you’ve got a natural oasis on your hands.

Costa Rica’s incredible national parks offer visitors the chance to enjoy exciting activities such as river rafting, canyoning, and ziplining, as well as discover incredible wildlife.

Ecuador

Another small country that is incredibly rich in species, Ecuador is known for its green expanses of landscape. In other words: a paradise for nature lovers. The tropical nation is home to greater diversity than temperate countries, making it a haven for so many species. The ecosystem includes peaks of the Andes Mountains, mangroves, cloud forests, coastal areas and the Amazon rainforest. Ecuador is a true bird watcher’s paradise, with 1,500 species, with excellent weather conditions for bird watching all year round.

Head to Mindo Cloud Forest just outside Quinto to discover hundreds of bird species, take a cable car ride through the valley or hike to one of the many waterfalls where you can take a refreshing dip.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s size, tropical climate and geography of the archipelago support one of the world’s highest levels of biodiversity. There is so much to discover in the world’s largest island country, from ancient temples in Java to enchanting rice paddies in Bali. More than 17,000 islands form an incredible landscape of volcanoes, jungles, lakes, mangroves, grasslands, snow-capped mountains and beautiful coral gardens.

One of the top destinations for adventure lovers can be found on the island of Lombok – the active volcano in Mount Rinjani National Park makes for an exciting activity for any adventure seeker.

From Iceland to Indonesia, the world is filled with destinations that would make any nature lover swoon. Let me know in the comments which of these (or other destinations) are your favorite outdoor destinations.

Efrat Sagi-Ofir is CRO and founder of Air Doctor. Air Doctor is a startup that connects travelers via a user-friendly app to a global network of 20,000 local doctors, so that they can receive appropriate medical care anywhere in the world.

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