Marble Caves (Chile)
One of the most beautiful natural places on the planet is Marble Caves. They are a national monument of Chile and are located on the western shore of the glacial Lake General Carrera in Patagonia. Almost in its center stands a lonely island, as if hanging over the crystal water. Inside this piece of land there are caves that look like bizarre labyrinths painted by a talented artist. For more than 6000 years, water and wind have been working to create these drawings, washing them out in rocks. This is how marble stains appeared — from milky to blue-gray colors, and in some places a pink shade.
Marble Cave is a unique attraction of the world that leaves an indelible mark on the heart. They are especially beautiful in the morning, when the sun’s glare plays in the azure waters of the lake and is reflected on the rock.
Mammoth Cave (USA)
In Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Kentucky, there is a karst cave system of the same name — the longest in the world. Its explored part stretches for 676 km and has 225 underground passages, about 20 large halls and more than 20 deep mines. Inside there are underground rivers, tunnels, labyrinths and picturesque formations that have been formed for millions of years.
You can visit the Mammoth Cave as part of one of the many excursions. Guests are offered different options. Their duration is from 1 to 6 hours.
Blue Grotto (Italy)
The Blue Grotto is the most famous attraction of the island of Capri, in southern Italy. It impresses with ultramarine blue water, the reality of which is hard to believe. This amazing shade arises due to two sources of sunlight — surface and underwater. You can get into the grotto through a single entrance, no more than a meter high. In the absence of waves, boats come here.
The best time to visit the Blue Grotto is considered to be the period from 12:00 to 14:00, when sunlight penetrates inside as much as possible. However, to avoid waiting in line, it is better to go on a trip in the morning.
Fingal’s Cave (Scotland)
Fingal’s cave is located on the uninhabited island of Staffa on the west coast of Scotland. It has a very unusual appearance — its internal walls consist of hexagonal basalt columns. Some visitors assume that they were built by human efforts, but in fact they are a creation of nature. In addition, the cave has a natural arched roof. Therefore, when the waves hit the ancient stones, there is a sound resembling a real melody.
Many famous people came to see this unusual miracle of nature. Among them are Queen Victoria, Jules Verne, Walter Scott and others.
Waitomo Firefly Caves (New Zealand)
Among the most famous caves in the world are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the North Island in New Zealand. They became famous thanks to the species of mushroom mosquito inhabiting them — Arachnocampa luminosa, which glows in the dark and is endemic to this country. During the tour, tourists are guided through three halls. In them you can see an extensive system of underground rivers and stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites, pillars and columns. The tour ends with a boat ride through the Grotto of Fireflies on the underground Waitomo River, where the only light source is tiny mosquitoes that create a sky of living lights.
Tourists should keep in mind that the best time to visit the Waitomo Firefly Cave is from December to March. You can’t take pictures inside it, because Arachnocampa luminosa can die from the flash of the camera.