Rize, Turkey
Here, we take a look at three of the most incongruous and out-of-place landscapes for you to explore.
It’s basic human nature to make certain snap assessments based on our prior knowledge and experiences. As much as we might try not to judge a book by its cover, it’s an intrinsic part of how we learn: we connect the dots to come up with the most likely conclusion.
This is why we tend to develop very specific perceptions of countries across the world. We view African nations, for example, as arid desert regions, and forget that many are also filled with lush and verdant spaces. Likewise Russia, to our minds, is a frozen winter wasteland, despite the fact that summer temperatures can reach anything up to 40 degrees Celsius.
So, where in the world can the biggest surprises be found? Here, we take a look at three of the most incongruous and out-of-place landscapes for you to explore.
Hunza Valley, Pakistan
When we think of Pakistan, we picture sunbaked earth and shimmering, heat-hazed landscapes, but the reality is that there’s an awful lot more to the country than we realise. The Hunza Valley is a perfect case in point. Located in Gilgit-Baltistan, it’s a glorious playground of springtime blossoms and brightly coloured autumnal hues, which would arguably look more at home in the Alps. Beautiful as it is, it can be tricky to access, so visitors to the area must proceed with care. Not only are landslides common, but tensions between Pakistan and neighboring India can also make things difficult.
Mount Hotham, Australia
If there’s one place you don’t expect to find snow, it’s Down Under, so here’s a landscape that looks especially incongruous against its surroundings. Offering skiing for tourists who want to try something different, Mount Hotham has plenty of white stuff to play around in, so it might just be worth a visit. As this article from Lottoland proves, we should all try to invest more in experiences, and this is one you won’t find anywhere else. Spend some money on making memories, and take full advantage of the bumper snowfall that’s recently helped resorts to open early for business.
Rize, Turkey
When we imagine the perfect places for growing tea, we tend to think of Asian countries. We’ve all seen images of the verdant tea fields of Sri Lanka, so it might take you by surprise to realise that we have the same set-up right here in Europe. The stepped fields of Rize, which are situated in Turkey, 50 miles east of Trabzon, offer the ideal environment for such a venture, thanks to their uniquely wet and humid conditions, and almost monsoonal weather. Interestingly, these are unique to the region, being a result of hot air rising in Central Asia and then being cooled by damp winds from the Black Sea. The outcome is a microclimate that perfectly supports tea growing.
The world is filled with weird and wondrous places, and all we can really hope for is the chance to appreciate as much of its beauty and bizarreness as possible during our lifetimes. These are three fantastic spots for helping you to do that, so why not start organizing your travel itinerary today?
