Category: National Geographic

Posted on

According to National Geographic, These Are the Best Trips to Take in 2020

Listen up, world travelers!

Where do you plan on traveling in 2020? Somewhere overseas, or maybe you plan to keep it domestic?

Either way, the new list of “transformative travels” from National Geographic will definitely get you thinking about where you might want to explore next year.

George Stone, executive editor of travel at National Geographic, says, “Best Trips is our annual list of where to go, what to know and how to see the world in the year ahead. To build the list we worked with National Geographic editors around the world as well as photographers, writers, explorers and, of course, passionate travelers to report on the essential sites to see and places to be in 2020.”

Here are the lists from National Geographic, broken down into different categories: Culture, City, Nature, and Adventure.

Culture Picks

1. Asturias, Spain

2. Guizhou Province, China

3. Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

View this post on Instagram

#göbeklitepeturkey #tarih

A post shared by @ retrouvalliess on

4. Maya, Guatemala

5. Mendoza Province, Argentina

View this post on Instagram

Provincia de Mendoza • Egzaminy i projekty skończone w pierwszym tygodniu, drugi wolny na podróże. W sobotę spakowałam plecak, a w nocy w niedzielę dopiero zdecydowałam w którym kierunku jadę w poniedziałek. Ale chyba dobrze trafiłam, prawda? ?☀ ••• Exams and projects done in the first week, the second free to travel. On Saturday I packed my backpack and on Sunday I decided where I were going to on Monday. But I ended up nice, didn’t I? ————————————————- #mendoza #potrerillos #lake #andes #mountains #argentina #mendozaprovince #experiencesouthamerica #backpacker #girlswhotravel #backpackersintheworld #southamerica #polacywpodrozy #podrozniczka #podroz #travel #mochilera #hitchhiking #nature #amazingworld

A post shared by Paulina Skrundź (@ucieczka_od_codziennosci) on

6. Abu Simbel, Egypt

View this post on Instagram

?Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), now located in Aswān muḥāfaẓah (governorate), southern Egypt. In ancient times the area was at the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam. Photo ? by: @alexinavannes . Follow @antiktarih ? _ Follow us for more Archaeological Photography ? ??@archeo.photo ?? ? _ ?#archaeology ?#archeology ?#archeologia ?#arqueologia ?#arkeoloji ?#археология ?#arqueología #archéologie ?#archäologie ?#abusimbel ?#ancienttemple

A post shared by Archaeological Photography (@archeo.photo) on

City Picks

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

View this post on Instagram

WPW shot of Billy watching the sunrise, as he does every morning, keeping watch over our fair city and all of her inhabitants, as we wake up for a new day. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I have to say I am very thankful for my family most of all, but the success of our business this past year was quite unexpected, thanks to all of you, our loyal followers, so thank you all for all of your support over the years!! Really means a lot! ______________________________________ Equipment: Mavic 2 Pro Editing: Lightroom Location: Center City, Philly Settings: ISO 100, 10.26mm, f/2.8, 1/30sec ______________________________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #depthdiscovered #visitphilly #philly #philadelphia #shotzdelight #yophillymag #artofvisuals #trappingtones #gramslayers #instagood #citykillerz #depthobsessed #wanderlust #illgrammers #citygrammers #way2ill #howphillyseesphilly #stayandwander #trappingtones #unknownperspectives #agameoftones #theimaged #moodygrams #phillyphire #heatercentral #drone #meistershots #roamtheplanet #williampennwednesday #rawurbanshot 

A post shared by ChrisDantonioDronePhotography (@phillydroneshots) on

2. Telč, Czech Republic

3. Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

4. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

5. Parma, Italy

View this post on Instagram

Parma, Italy ? @marylouu89 #parma #italy

A post shared by Beautiful Italy ?? (@beautiful_italy__) on

6. Puebla, Mexico

View this post on Instagram

In the past, all Cuetzalan was inhabited by the majestic birds called "Quetzales", their feathers were used as an offering being given as tribute to the Aztecs by the cultures that lived here. Hence it is believed to be one of the reasons for the name of this Town, Cuetzalan, or as its name says "Abundant Place of Quetzales." Who do you want to tour Cuetzalan with?  Share it! ❤??⛰ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. _ En el pasado, todo Cuetzalan estaba habitado por las majestuosas aves llamadas "Quetzales", sus plumas eran usadas como ofrenda siendo entregadas como tributo a los aztecas por parte de las culturas que aquí vivian. De ahí es que se cree que es uno de los motivos del nombre de este Pueblo, Cuetzalan, o como su nombre lo dice "Lugar Abundante de Quetzales". ¿Con quién quieres recorrer Cuetzalan? Comparteselo! ❤??⛰ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. . ?Fotografía y derechos propiedad de…@omargonval . Equipo MEXICOFORALL??… @diego_lazaro_mtz . Recuerda etiquetarme y usar el #mexico_for_all para futuras menciones! ?‍♂️?‍♀️

A post shared by Mexico For All (@mexico_for_all) on

Nature Picks

1. Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada

View this post on Instagram

How majestic does #magdalenislands look?! ?? @mathieu_dupuis_photo says this spot in #québec  is one of his “favourite locations in all of Canada” as it’s “heaven on earth.” ⬇ PHOTO OF THE DAY?June?11?2019? _____________________________________________ ? Location: #ilesdelamadeleine #quebec ⭐ Photos credit by?@mathieu_dupuis_photo? ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ⓒ ⓞ ⓝ ⓖ ⓡ ⓐ ⓣ ⓤ ⓛ ⓐ ⓣ ⓘ ⓞ ⓝ ⓢ follow @livelovecanada Tag #livelovecanada . ? #cliffs #explorequebec #ig_color #ig_captures #banff #explorebc #explorecanada #canada #montreal #edmonton #ottawa #calgary #novascotia #6ix #mississauga #winnipeg #usa #saskatchewan #yukon #nyc #streetsoftoronto #tofino #toronto #ontario #alberta

A post shared by live love canada (@livelovecanada) on

2. Kalahari Desert, Botswana

View this post on Instagram

The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa. One of the most interesting Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall – between 5 and 10 inches annually. However any rain filters rapidly through the vast expanses of sand, leaving nothing on the surface, turning the Kalahari into the "thirstland". The name “ Kalahari” is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst", or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place". . . ? @beautifuldestinations ? #Kalahari #kalaharidesert . . #botswana #namibia?? #southafrica #visualsofafrica #africantourism #nomadsafaris  #traveladdict #safariadventure #africangeographic  #discoverafrica #iloveafrica #safarilife #africanwildlife  #giraffe #africanroadtrip #bushveld #savanna #southernafrica

A post shared by Nomad Africa (@nomadadventuretours) on

3. Bialowieza Forest, Belarus/Poland

4. National Blue Trail, Hungary

5. Canary Islands, Spain

6. Maldives

7. Grand Canyon, Arizona

View this post on Instagram

Sedona is Beautiful from Above ❤? @jonhuynh1

A post shared by I love AZ (@ilov3az) on

Adventure Picks

1. Tasmania, Australia

2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

3. Wales Way, UK

4. Tohoku, Japan

View this post on Instagram

達沢不動滝 秋Ver? 2019/11/2 夏に続き、秋も達沢不動滝へ訪問しました。 以前投稿した 塔のへつり に行く前、朝方を狙いました。 タイミングとしては落葉が進んでいて、ギリギリセーフといった感じでした? 相変わらず糸を引くような流れに日差しが入り、水がキラキラと光る光景と、紅葉?との組み合わせがとても綺麗✨でした? 良く撮られるのは男滝と呼ばれるほうですが、左隣には女滝があります。此方も一緒にアップします? #絶景 #フォトジェニック #達沢不動滝 #紅葉 #滝 #滝好きな人と繋がりたい #いなわしろ新八景 #ふくしまの水三十選 #自然好きな人と繋がりたい #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい #ファインダー越しの世界 #けしからん景色 #絶景辞典 #福島県 #猪苗代町 #東北 #行くぜ東北 #秋の東北インスタキャンペーン #極上の会津 #tohoku #fukushima #japan #zekkei_delic_j #dokoiku #retrip_nippon #spira_spot #bestphoto_japan

A post shared by ツノふみ (@egss9899) on

5. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

View this post on Instagram

Озеро в кратере вулкана Горелый Пожалуй, один из самых доступных вулканов для восхождения. До него достаточно легко добраться – на проходимой машине ехать 4 часа, находится он в 75 км (по прямой дороге) от Петропавловска-Камчатского. Восхождение на него занимает от 3 до 6 часов в зависимости от подготовки путешественника. Высота 1829м, набор высоты по вертикали 900м, уклон пологий 25°. Подъем хоть и затяжной, но весьма лёгкий, осилить его сможет каждый, чтобы самому увидеть эту красоту! ?@victorr_joy

A post shared by Твоя Камчатка (@yourkamchatka) on

6. Zakouma National Park, Chad

Have you visited any of these destinations? Or maybe now you want to after these recommendations?

Share your travel thoughts and plans with us in the comments!

The post According to National Geographic, These Are the Best Trips to Take in 2020 appeared first on UberFacts.

Posted on

Extremely Rare “Blonde” Zebra Photographed in the African Wild

“Blonde” zebras, or zebras that are striped white and a sort of golden-yellow color, are extremely rare. But sightings of a rare “blonde” zebra in the Serengeti National Park seem to confirm that, if accepted by their herd, the lighter-colored version can survive in the wild without issue.

The photographs were taken by National Geographic photographer Sergio Pitamitz, who was out to capture images of migrating zebras when he saw what looked like an all-white member of the striped crowd.

At closer glance, he saw a white-and-gold striped animal drinking from a watering hole. He told National Geographic about the experience.

“At first I thought it was a zebra that had rolled in the dust.”

When it didn’t wash off in the water, though, he realized he was looking at something special.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Scientists think the zebra has partial albinism, a genetic condition that leads to a lack of melanin. It’s been recorded in a number of animals, from orangutans to penguins. The opposite condition, melanism, has also been seen in the animal world – it turns normally lighter colored animals so dark as to nearly be black.

Albinism is rare to see it in the wild, though, since albino animals are much easier to spot than their camouflaged relatives. Until now, no one was sure whether an albino zebra could survive outside captivity. Zebra stripes actually aren’t for camouflage or climate control, so not having black stripes hypothetically shouldn’t affect a zebra’s ability to survive – scientists just weren’t sure whether an albino zebra would be accepted by the herd.

The pictures prove that doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Fun fact: Each zebra’s pattern is unique, like a fingerprint, so maybe they don’t notice how different this one is – melanistic and even spotted zebras have been previously seen in the wild.

Another fun fact: there are three species of zebra – plains zebras, mountain zebras, and Grevy’s zebra – and all have slightly different markings.

Nice to think that animal species aren’t bothered by their differences, instead accepting the fact that none of them look the same. Humans could learn a thing or two!

The post Extremely Rare “Blonde” Zebra Photographed in the African Wild appeared first on UberFacts.