Brilio.net/en - There are times when we were so heavily exhausted by our routines and just feel the urge to get completely out from this Earth. Hold on folks! There are certain places, still on Earth, but absolutely look like plucked from a fairy tale. Some much needed rest to your mental fatigue.
As we came across BBC this morning, we were stunned by an enchanting Alpine palace in Germany that would make Cinderella blushed; as well as a postcard-perfect English landscape that inspired Beatrix Potter and J.R.R. Tolkien in evolving their magical worlds.
Maybe its hard to believe that such places are real, but here they are, seven of the worlds dreamiest destinations that are beyond fascinating:
1. Hollands colorful giant patchworks
Stunning colorful tulip fields in Holland will leave you mesmerized by their broad stripes of vibrant violets, reds, blues, yellows and pinks.
(It) looks like the artwork in a children's book, says visitor Rahul Shankar via his Quora account. It popped in Shankars mind that this coastal region of the Netherlands strangely reminds him of the Wizard of Oz.
Flower farms in Holland have been largely sought by tourists as a hot spot, because they are easily cirecled by foot, by bike or via caravan in modern times. Yet surprisingly, tulips are not a native Dutch flower. They were imported in the 16th Century and became very popular during 17th Century (the Dutch Golden Age). By that time, tulips were so highly coveted thus created the worlds first economic bubble: Tulip Mania.
Today, more than three billion tulips are grown in Holland in one year, attracting tens of thousands of yearly visitors.
Hollands most popular tulip fields are situated in western Holland between the cities of Leiden and Den Helder. Others are situated near the city of Enkhuizen and in the nearby province of Flevoland.
Tulip season spans from March until August, giving travelers plenty of time to enjoy the vibrant display.
2. Spains miraculous structure from Gaudis fantasy
The Sargada Familia stands peculiarly, as if it had popped out from a dark fantastical world in the middle of Barcelonas urban setting. The elaborate Gothic castle (served as a Roman Catholic church) seems to be ripe with stories, spirits and secrets, as well as legendary history.
The castle is designed by Spains most notable architect, Antoni Gaudi. According to BBC, the construction began in 1882, but the project was completed less than a quarter when Gaudi passed away in 1926. Since then work has progressed slowly, disrupted by the Spanish Civil War, a fire and a series of contentious controversies.
But at least, a happy ending might be destined for the Sargada Familia, as architects plan to complete the project by 2026, in the centenary of Gaudis death.
Barcelonas most popular tourist destination attracts three million visitors annually for a good reason: the dazzling masterpiece with highly elaborate architectural details is nowhere else to be found, except (maybe), in fairy tales. The building is the reason, according to Quora user Aditya Pandya, for the citys status as the cultural capital of Spain.
3. A setting that is perfect for a fanciful epic hero
Do you know what kind of setting fairytales takes place in? We were seeking for the answer and end up spotting the Lake District in Englands northwest, which is a place where fairytales are literally happening (in a form of popular storybooks).
With its postcard-perfect valleys surrounded by glittering lakes, gurgling brooks, rolling hills and rocky peaks, this place was J.R.R. Tolkiens inspiration for the Shire and Beatrix Potter's inspiration for Peter Rabbit.
The undulating fells, whitewashed cottages and stonewalled fields where ponies roam are things youll expected in an epic story.
This district also home for the Lake Poets, including William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey.
Sixteen millions tourists come to the 2,292 square kilometers Cumbrian national park for its lake cruises, mountain hikes and astonishing sightseeing. Especially if you are used to living in a busy metropolitan city, a visit to this place wouldnt have you feeling anything but anything but storybook magical.
4. Faroe Islands most magical optical illusions
In the faraway land of the Faroe Islands, on the island of Vagar, Mother Natures oddest optical illusion created a vision that might only be seen in the movie Avatar.
The glittering Lake Srvgsvatn, which is also known as Lake Leitisvatn, is the most astonishing among all lakes on the island. Besides being the biggest lake in the country at six kilometers long, the lakes fame comes from a clever optical illusion.
The lake appears as if its resting hundreds of meters above the sea, with a turbulent ocean beneath its tranquil waters.
But nature can be a master of deception. In reality, Lake Srvgsvatn is actually no more than about 30 meters above sea level. A steep cliff overlooking the lake and a clever camera angle make the lake appear to be much higher than it really is.
The island of Vagar is also a home to other dreamy natural attractions, such as dramatic coastal cliffs, rare bird species, as well as grassy meadows dotted with sheep.
5. Norways spectacular cliff of the mythical land
Bulged dramatically above the mirror-like waters of Lysefjord, the spectacular cliff of Preikestolen in Ryfylke, Norway, is a perfect setting for any Hollywood mythical epic.
Preikestolen, also known as Preachers Pulpit or Pulpit Rock (because it resembles a reading desk), is a 25 meters by 25 meters rocky plateau that towers 604 meters above the crystal-clear waters below.
(It looks) like something from the Roadrunner cartoons, says Derek Harkness via his Quora account.
The spectacular cliff was formed about 10,000 years ago, during the Ice Age period. According to BBC, the edges of a glacier bumped up against the surrounding mountains before the water penetrated mountains cervices and froze, eventually breaking off colossal portions. What was left behind is the dramatic precipice of Preikestolen.
The Ice Ages cracks will eventually expand and fragment Pulpit Rock into a pile of rubble, yet according to geological investigations, not in the foreseeable future.
6. Majestic fairytale castle for a romantic heroine
The fairytale non-believer will surely shift their minds after seeing the majestic Neuschwanstein Castle. An enchanting Romanesque Revival fortress that stands sumptuously in the Alpine foothills of southwest Bavaria is reputedly an inspiration for Disneylands Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty castles.
Out of the dreams of little princesses around the world into the reality, the castle has everything appropriate for a fairytale heroine: romantic surroundings, a glowing limestone facade, fanciful spires and an elaborate interior featuring rows of shining armors.
It seriously looks like a Prince Charming and his lovely wife are going to step right out of the front door to greet you, wrote Danielle Maurer on Quora. If I were a princess, I would want my castle to look like this.
Even though the reality wasnt as beautiful as fairytales (none of the tale actually happen; the castle functioned as a personal retreat in 1869 for King Ludwig II of Bavaria), more than 1.3 millions of tourists flocked in Neuschwanstein Castle every year.
7. A building seen through the looking glass
It seems like Alice in Wonderland sort of things, or maybe something reflected in a fun-house mirror.
This isn't an illustration in a fairy tale book; this is a real house, wrote Bruce Feldman, describing Polands fantastically topsy-turvy Krzywy Domek, or Crooked House.
According to Feldman, with wavy roofline and distorted windows and doors, this queer yet amazing building was inspired by the fairy tale illustrations of Jan Marcin Szancer and the work of artist Per Dahlberg.
This vertigo-causing building, situated in the seaside resort town of Sopot, is a home for a shopping center, restaurants and a radio station. The Crooked House attracts thousands of tourists each year to see the modern architectural art.