Caves are not what people consider “vacation spots.” We cannot imagine why: who doesn’t love a gigantic hole in the ground filled with bats, pointy rocks, and darkness? Perhaps for the outdoors man or the adrenaline junkie in your life, but hardly a luxurious vacation spot, right? Well, DLX dug deep (pun intended) and found some of the most stunning and spectacular cave experiences the world over.
7. CAVES OF THE THOUSAND BUDDHAS
Also known as the Mogao Caves, this ancient and beautiful subterranean shrine is located not far from the historic Silk Road near Dunhuang in the Gansu province of China. The history comes to life through the hundreds of Buddhas that have been collected for over a thousand years. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, new parts of this sprawling and beautiful maze continue to be discovered.
6. CUEVA DE LOS CRISTALES
The Cave of the Crystals was found in 2000. Through a very complicated and very scientific process that doesn’t really matter, gigantic glass-like crystals grow throughout the cave in a way that only seems to exist in fantasy films. The downside? It’s over 122 degrees Fahrenheit, you need to wear a suit filled with ice to use it, and it’s over 100% humidity inside it. Beautiful and alien, but only for the most adventurous.
5. AINSWORTH HOT SPRINGS RESORT
Heated pools are out, and natural hot springs are in. Located in a small mining village of the Kooenays of British Columbia, the Ainsworth Hot Springs features mineral-rich water that travels from the nearby Cody Caves area. The water travels through subterranean rock formations before bubbling up, naturally heated and and naturally relaxing. You can either enjoy the large pool-like area or the more intimate cave area where fresh water bubbles up.
4. HALONG CAVE DINING – CAVE EXPERIENCES
Candle-lit dinners on cruises are always lovely, but why not make some more interesting memories by having a candle-lit dinner in the Halong Cave near Halong Bay? Offered by Indochina-Junk (namely their private Dragon’s Pearl Junk), you get to spend a day exploring the beauty of Vietnam before having an intimate and fine dining experience in a small grotto.
3. GROTTE PREHISTORIQUE DE ROUFFIGNAC – CAVE EXPERIENCES
Known as the Rouffignac Cave or the Cave of the Thousand Mammoths. Explore prehistoric man and see art that’s older than the oldest city. Located several miles deep with in the cave, access is gained by a thrilling electric train ride. Located in the French commune of Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac, this amazingly preserved cave features over 200 drawings of various animals and humans that are estimated to be from 13,000 years BCE.
2. FANTASTIC CAVE PIT CAVE EXPERIENCES
Fine dining and historic art not your thing? Well, how about diving into one of the deepest caves known to man. Ellison’s Cave, located in Lafayette, GA, is over twelve miles long and features a thousand foot vertical drop. The Fantastic Pit in the cave, though, is the deepest in the United States and could easily hold the Washington Monument. Not for inexperienced climbers!
1. GLOWWORM CAVE EXPERIENCES
Located in Waitomo, New Zealand, the Glowworm Cave sounds nasty, and yet contains some of the most awe-inspiring creatures in the animal kingdom. Known as the Arachnocampa Lumiosa for the scientific-minded, the glow worm is unique to New Zealand and glows a truly magnificent shade of blue. A genuine must-see.
Still think you can’t have fun in a cave? Have any cool locations we might have missed? Let us know in the comments.
