Nature & Outdoors

Anyone who plans a trip to the beautiful African island of Mauritius will most likely come across at least one activity that is connected to the Black River National Park--the largest protected forest area on the island. This landscape is a real treat for nature lovers. The park provides about 17,000 acres of rolling hills, impressive valleys and countless waterfalls dropping down into a deep green tropical jungle. Alongside many hiking options, there is one specific hike that people are extremely interested in: The Black River Peak Hiking Trail.  

America's East Coast is blessed with an abundance of stunning beaches that offer sun, sand, and surf to millions of visitors each year. From the rugged coastlines of Maine to the vibrant shores of Florida, the East Coast is home to a diverse array of coastal destinations.

Having lived in New York City for the past 13 years, I’ve fallen in love with my new city. The bright lights of Broadway, innumerable restaurants, museums of every variety, my favorite Irish pub, and the gym where I work off my indulgences are all just a subway ride away.

To outsiders, New Guinea is most often known as the home of bird of paradise species, whose unique feathers and elaborate mating dances feature in many nature documentaries. But the capital city of Port Moresby has an unfortunate reputation for crime and unrest, and strong travel advisories have restricted many areas of the country for years. Yet, the wild and rare beauty of PNG’s ecology tempt some - myself included - to make t

he Black Star Canyon Falls almost always rank the number one waterfall to visit on the bucket list of nature seekers. Located deep inside the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County, the picturesque waterfall drops at a maximum elevation of 1,638 feet (500 meters) and can be reached by means of a very adventurous and demanding seven-mile return hike.

One way to be connected to nature is to learn about the history of the Earth. In the chain Red Sea Mountains in the Eastern Desert in Egypt, there are red granite rocks that are among the oldest on the planet, dating back to 600 million years ago.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” My husband, Ben, stopped me and took a critical look at the map.

Although I usually have a hard time ranking landscape destinations, there is one specific beach I would easily consider the most beautiful in the Baja California area, if not even in all Mexico: Playa Balandra, a spectacular, crescent-shaped bay with crystal clear and shallow water.

In the central part of Croatia, close to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, lies the Plitvice National Park, one of Europe’s most famous and, by far the prettiest. This almost 300-square-foot area consists of a broad range of natural features, such as turquoise water, deep green forest surroundings, limestone canyons, and an impressive series of 16 cascading waterfalls.

With a total length of 60 km, the Tatras Mountains represent the highest part of the Central Carpathian Mountains, a 1,500 km-long mountain range winding its way through Central and Eastern Europe, all the way from Czech Republic to Moldova. The Tatras are further divided into four parts (Belianske Tatras, Western Tatras, High Tatras, and Siwy Wierch) out of which the High Tatras are by far the most impressive.

Deep inside the jungle of Bali’s northern Sawan district of the Buleleng regency lies one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the world--Sekumpul waterfall. What makes this specific waterfall so special is its overall impressions and the layout of its surroundings.

Southern California has many hiking trails, but only a few are as famous as the trail heading towards the “Bridge to Nowhere.” This arch bridge is 120 feet high and 180 feet long, a majestic throne over the San Gabriel River.