There’s something to be said about the beautiful wide-open spaces throughout the world. For example, the air just feels fresher when you can breathe in the smell of the grass and the trees around you. There’s lots of room to explore, to hike, to do absolutely whatever you want. Isn’t the best thing about going on vacation being able to do whatever you like and have fun? If you agree, you’ll love the dozens of recommendations we have selected for your consideration. Check them out below!

Wide Open Spaces in the Americas

The wide-open spaces of the Americas are like nothing you’ve ever witnessed before. Some of the last parts of the world to be “discovered” by people of European ancestry, the wide-open spaces of the Americas are in many cases pristine and untouched. Take a look at the fifteen options chosen below. You’ll fall in love with at least one destination for sure, if not more than that! Take note: When exploring the following pages, keep in mind you can choose to tackle these locations on your own, or try using the Activities link where you may find guided tours!

Travelers from the U.S. may be familiar with the American Rocky Mountains, which stretch through much of the western part of the country, but how much do you know about the Canadian Rockies? They were settled about a generation after the American Rockies, with some places not being connected to the Canadian National Railway until the 1920s. The Canadian Rockies run up the border between British Columbia and Alberta, with many sizable mountains in both provinces, with the range ending in north-central British Columbia. Jasper, Alberta is a great place to situate yourself if you want to visit some of Canada’s most popular national parks, such as Jasper National Park and Mount Robson National Park across the border in B.C. Jasper National Park is home to such noteworthy peaks as Mount Columbia and Mount King Edward. This region is home to numerous lakes and rivers, many of which are protected federally in the confines of Waterton Lakes National Park (pictured). Fun fact: The national parks of the Canadian Rockies (Jasper and Waterton Lakes National Parks, plus Banff National Park in Alberta and Kootenay and Yoho National Parks in British Columbia) have been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Wide Open Spaces in Europe

You might think of Europe as a rather densely-populated continent, and in many parts, it is. There are parts of Europe, however, which range from the far-flung relaxing getaways to verdant oases set smack-dab in the middle of urban sprawl. Just a short car or train ride away from Madrid, you will find La Mancha, and a day trip from Budapest will take you to Europe’s largest plain. Remember, you can explore many of our suggestions independently, but use the Activities links where you may find expert-led tours which can enrich your understanding and appreciation for these unique places!

Remember the famous line in My Fair Lady, “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain”? La Mancha might be the largest plain in Spain, but notably, it is one of the driest parts of the country. It’s even nicknamed “España Seca”, or “Dry Spain”. The plateau making up La Mancha is bordered to the west by the mountains of Toledo and to the south by the Sierra Morena, and covers a wide swath of central Spain. The provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, and Toledo are located either partially or entirely on La Mancha. Since it is such an arid region, agriculture is difficult, although not impossible. Sheep are raised here, and from their milk comes the delicious Manchego cheese. Wheat and oats are important cash crops and have been for hundreds of years, hence the omnipresent windmills dotting the wide-open landscape (pictured). This area is also a well-known wine region, particularly centered around the province of Ciudad Real. You can explore La Mancha by choosing either Toledo or Cuenca as a base. The Renfe Avant high-speed train takes travelers from Atocha railway station in Madrid to Toledo in about 30 minutes. Regional trains traveling to Cuenca make the journey from Madrid in about three-and-a-half hours.

Wide Open Spaces in Africa and the Middle East

Arguably the world region with the most examples of wide-open space, Africa and the Middle East have a lot to offer the traveler, from deserts in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the lush grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. Here are five wonderful examples of wide-open spaces in Africa and the Middle East. Pro Tip: Use the Activities link from the following island/region pages to explore what tours may be available in each of these Unique Places.

There are three things that travelers tend to think of when they picture the historic Turkish region of Cappadocia. The first is indeed its history. Cappadocia has been an important world region since the Kingdom of Cappadocia in the 4th century BCE, although the region we picture today, situated between the Turquoise Coast and the inland capital of Ankara, was not the traditional home of the first Cappadocians (that would be what is modern-day northeastern Turkey). So what is the Cappadocia region that we know now known for today? Fairy chimneys and hot air balloons! “Fairy chimneys” (bottom of picture) are rock formations that are created by erosion in an arid climate. These “chimneys” are called peribacası in Turkish, and are so well-known that they are even featured on Turkish lira banknotes! With these “chimneys” dotting the landscape, and some even fashioned into houses, they are indeed popular tourist attractions. The best way to see all of these formations is from the air, and that’s where the iconic hot air balloons (pictured) come in! For the maximum amount of fun experiences, you will want to use either Kayseri or Nevşehir as a base for exploring beautiful Cappadocia.

Wide Open Spaces in Asia and Oceania

Like Europe, parts of Asia can be very densely populated as well, but various national governments across the region understand the worth of protecting areas that have extreme natural beauty. Did you know that even in bustling city-states like Hong Kong, you can find beautifully undeveloped areas to explore? Check out the 15 areas we’ve selected for your consideration, from the isles of Thailand to the glaciers of New Zealand. Don’t forget, you can always choose to explore these beautiful sights on your own, but the Activities link found on the island/city pages can help you book a guided tour (where available)!

The Australian Outback is one of the most sparsely-populated areas in the world. In many parts of the Outback, there are so few people around, and many present dangers such as weather, to the point where much of the land can be untouched by humans for months or even years. Due to large levels of iron oxidizing the soil, the land in the Outback has a very red hue which is mistaken by many for clay. (Clay soil can be found in the coastal areas of Australia, but not the interior.) To see just a glimmer of what the Outback has to offer, it is best to base yourself in Central Australia’s largest town, Alice Springs, located in the Northern Territory. Alice Springs is nearly equidistant between Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, and Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. Alice Springs is used as a base to explore popular tourist sites in the Outback, like the rock formations Kata Tjuta and Uluru (latter pictured), which are sacred to the Aboriginal communities who lived here first. If you want to see more than Alice Springs, you can travel all 1,800 miles from Adelaide to Darwin by driving on the Stuart Highway (not for the faint of heart!), or you can take The Ghat tourist train. Over two days, the train takes you north from Adelaide to Darwin, allowing passengers the chance to stop off for guided tours of the Outback along the way.

For even more travel inspiration, be sure to check out a few more of our interest-driven curations by clicking on the pictures below.