Great destinations for nature connection — global top 15
This article will help you plan transformational nature travel by providing 15 inspiring destinations across the globe to practice a deepening nature connection.
This article will help you plan transformational nature travel and provide 15 inspiring destinations across the globe to practice a deepening nature connection.
Have you ever returned from traveling, only to feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? Did you go somewhere that was hyped on social media but only felt meh? Or, you connected with Nature on a fantastic adventure but returned home only to jump right back into the rat race.
A deep connection to Nature begets more self-clarity that helps avoid these far-too-usual experiences.
When you practice thriving in your Nature, you stay authentically connected to yourself, your travel companions, and the nuances of your destination.
This means your experiences have more purpose and meaning. Travel becomes part of a continuum in your life, rather than a jarring start/stop, repeat rhythm.
Table of Contents: Great destinations for your nature connection — global top 15
Why should you listen to Matthew Kessi (that’s me)?
- I’ve spent the last thirty years traveling the globe — to over 60 countries — in every variation imaginable.
- My experience planning and guiding people on transformational journeys gives me valuable insight into the right balance between what is possible and rewarding.
- Unlike big travel websites, I’ve been to all the places, experienced nature, tested the ideas, eaten the food, and taken photos. Unless specified, I don’t receive compensation for naming specific locations — my recommendations come from the heart.
- I’m a practical mystic, which means I actively integrate other-worldly intuition and meaningful applications in daily life. I can help you find more rewarding experiences grounded in nature — and you can be more present to yourself, your companions, and all the wonders of travel. In another article, “Six steps to deepen your nature connection, “ I write about six fundamental questions to ask yourself to engage in transformation in nature.
The benefits of a deeper nature connection.
The difference between an “eh” experience and a memorable one is about grounding with the natural environment. You can probably think back to wonderful travel experiences, and the common denominator would be feelings of belonging — or connection — to yourself, your companions, and the destination.
Whether that is a fun conversation with a server at a quirky restaurant or sighting a rare bird landing on your veranda, the magic occurs when you’re open to the beauty of a connection. It’s the wonder that awakens in your heart and soul.
And often, the loudness of modern culture, especially on vacation in an unfamiliar place, adds static. The static prevents a total opening up to the possibilities, consciously or subconsciously. That’s why — without grounding — you might return home feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.
Nature-forward focuses on the “loudness of the ocean” — making your connection to the land the priority of travel. But don’t worry. You can still enjoy your favorite experiences, like witnessing droplets falling from a mossy branch, dodging drift logs on an expansive beach, or canoeing in a glacial lake. Overlaying a nature-forward focus makes all these things more meaningful because you’re more connected to heart and soul — or intuition.
Over my lifetime, I’ve developed a framework of six questions to ask yourself, guaranteed to help you practice a nature-forward connection. Staying grounded and mindful takes as little as 30 minutes daily. I give you all the information in this article, How to transform your travel experience with nature-forward vacations.
My local Pacific Northwest favorites
Since I live and breathe travel throughout my home states of Oregon and Washington, I may be a bit biased toward the abundance of varied natural beauty here. If you ever need help planning an epic adventure, remember to reach out to me. I offer Zoom travel counseling. After an hour together, you’ll leave with a clear plan, complete with plenty of options, to make the most of opportunities to make a deeper nature connection.
While you can’t go wrong anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, these are my favorite places — where nature’s intelligence is powerfully alive:
- Washington State National Parks: Olympic Peninsula. North Cascades National Park. Mt. Rainier National Park.
- Siuslaw National Forest — Oregon Coast.
- Steens Mountain Recreation Area — Eastern Oregon.
- Wallowa County — Eastern Oregon.
Getting to the Pacific Northwest.
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia are relatively easy to reach from any part of the globe. Seattle (SEA) and Vancouver (YVR) have large international airports, and Portland (PDX) offers a more intimate experience with plenty of flights to places throughout the United States.
You can take the train between Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, as well as Seattle and Portland — and onward to California or Chicago.
Once here, you’ll need a rental car to truly venture out to these more remote places.
USA: National Forests and Bureau of Land Management offer less crowded options. Also UNESCO sites.
The United States enjoys a wonderful National Parks system — attracting visitors from around the world. And at times many of the iconic parks (like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon) get crazy busy. While I support as many people as possible experiencing nature’s beauty, sometimes this can be distracting when you want to practice deepening a nature connection.
National Forests and Bureau of Land Management offer less crowded options. Plus, many of the rules around camping and pets are more relaxed. It can also help to check for UNESCO sites. Here are some of my favorites in this category:
- Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites, Santa Fe National Forest.
- Everglades NP, South Florida (also UNESCO)
- Great Smoky Mountains NP, Tennessee & North Carolina
- Gustavus, Alaska, by land (not cruising). Glacier Bay National Park.
- Sequoia National Forest, California.
What are the entry fees for the National Forest?
Entry fees in National Forests tend to vary, mostly based on the services a particular stop provides. If there are working restrooms, the fee can be around $10. For more remote sites there often aren’t any fees.
Interagency passes, like the National Park’s “America the Beautiful” also work in National Forests. You can hand them on your dashboard, just in case.
Globally: UNESCO World Heritage Sites and National Parks
It’s hard to go wrong using the lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to locate an excellent destination for transformational nature travel. The designations are well-researched and thoughtful. I’ve also had great experiences in the National Parks of foreign countries, like Ireland and Malaysia. While this is not in any way an exhaustive list, here are my favorite global places that inspire a deeper nature connection:
- Glenveagh National Park, Ireland
- Meteora, Greece
- Tikal National Park, Guatemala
- Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia
- Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
- Mount QingCheng, Birthplace of Taoism, China
The key to the crowds.
Off the beaten path doesn’t exist anymore — at least not in a romantic way. Unless you’re willing to take a local bus ride for hours into the unknown, it’s helpful to understand a few key tricks to maximize your natural connection. The first is simply to add more time to your destination. The second is to stay as close as possible to the gateways to nature connection.
Break from the status quo.
There’s more to your nature.
Let me help you find it.
Travel the Pacific Northwest with purpose and meaning.
A lifetime of wandering about Oregon and Washington State gives me powerful practical wisdom to share about travel. And you receive the bonus of my unique mystic connection to the land. I can show you how and where to deepen in nature. This is perfect for:
- First-time visitors to the Pacific Northwest.
- Locals hosting out-of-town visitors.
- Those wanting to experience travel + nature + spirit in new ways.
Learn what impedes, supports, and transforms you through Nature Meditation.
Are you stuck in the hamster wheel of daily life, yearning for change but unsure where to start? Are life circumstances overwhelming you, leaving you feeling lost and anxious? Is there a background static of uncertainty holding you back? Welcome to a transformative nature immersion retreat and guided mindfulness experience that will empower you to see your wild nature. You will forever be changed.
