No.13: Dallol Volcano, Danakil Desert (Ethiopia)
In the blazing heart of Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression—one of the hottest, most inhospitable places on Earth—lies the otherworldly landscape of Dallol Volcano. Here, sulfur springs bubble, iron and salt crystallize, and pools of acidic water glow in shades of neon yellow, green, and orange. The scene resembles a psychedelic painting—or the surface of an alien planet.
With temperatures soaring beyond 50°C (122°F) and pools so acidic they could dissolve flesh, Dallol is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing. Yet, extremophiles—microorganisms that thrive in such harsh environments—live here, making the area a hotspot for scientific research. For adventurers, it’s a vision of Earth at its most surreal and unforgiving—a true “last frontier” of our planet.
No.12: Meteora (Greece)
Rising dramatically from the plains of Thessaly, the sandstone pillars of Meteora seem like something out of a fantasy film. Perched atop these towering rock columns—some over 600 meters high—are centuries-old monasteries, built by monks seeking isolation from the world. Their name, Meteora, means “suspended in the air,” and it’s easy to see why: these monasteries look like they’re floating between heaven and earth.
Enveloped in mist at dawn or glowing gold at sunset, Meteora offers a view so breathtaking it borders on the divine. Six monasteries remain active and open to visitors, but reaching them requires climbing long, steep stairways—a pilgrimage well worth the effort for a glimpse into this ethereal realm.
