After a strong, initial response to our inaugural report on notable ghost towns, the next step was clear, if not logical. Quench the public’s thirst for more cool ghost towns! Thus, without further ado, here are ten additional gems that stand out as eerie reminders of bygone prosperity and what once was.

Tyneham, Dorset, England

The ghost village of Tyneham is a popular stop on the UNESCO World Heritage Dorset and East Devon Coast. Known as the Jurassic Coast, the English Channel shoreline is home to 180 million years of geological history and remarkable limestone scenery. While not quite as old as some of the fossils scientists have unearthed up and down the coast over the years, Tyneham is a wonderful gem nonetheless.

Craco, Italy

Craco is one of the most memorable ghost towns on record, with medieval hillside architecture that is absolutely frozen stiff in time. Earthquakes and adverse agricultural conditions doomed residents to relocation in the early 20th century. For visitors to the Basilicata region of Italy and in particular, the province and UNESCO World Heritage city of Matera, a visit to Craco is a must.

Calico, California

The end of the gold rush and silver mine era in California left many small towns without any discernible populace by the end of the 19th century. Fated to become dust-strewn relics of the past, they now draw a fair share of interest from tourists who yearn to take a venerable peek into the state’s heavily-romanticized past. Calico, in California’s Mojave Desert, was once the focal point for over 500 silver mines.

Quneitra, Syria

One of the most unusual ghost towns on record is in Syria. The former capital of the Quneitra Governate sits near the borders of Lebanon, Jordan and Israel but fell to the latter in the wake of the Six-Day War in 1967 and Yom Kippur War in 1973. As such, Quneitra is now part of the highly controversial and heavily disputed Golan Heights region. Virtually flattened by war, the city is now a pilgrimage site of sorts.

Eureka, Colorado

A once vibrant mine and mill town, Eureka’s demise is a bit of a mystery. Whatever the events were that led to the final abandonment, the ruins of the Colorado town draw scores of visitors every year.

Chernobyl, Ukraine

It seems odd to cite Chernobyl as a “great ghost town”. With the city’s tragic legacy still fresh in the shadow of history, great is certainly the wrong word. However, it may surprise many to learn that the Kiev Oblast city in Ukraine, together with the former nuclear power plant city of Prypiat, has become a popular, if not grim, tourist attraction in the country.

Rhyolite, Nevada

The Bullfrog Hills, some 200 km north of the neon glare of Las Vegas, is not the destination of choice for most visitors to Sin City. The ghost town of Rhyolite however, is a great reason to get out of the casinos and explore other parts of Nevada. Check out the Goldwell Open Air Museum just outside of town.

Sandon, British Columbia

The Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia contain some of the most beautiful wilderness in the pristine province. The town of Sandon was once a hotbed of activity in the Selkirks, as vast deposits of galena ore drew prospectors from all over North America in the late 19th century. Alas, a flood and steep decline in the price of silver some fifty years later left the town empty.

Gold Point, Nevada

Once a lively silver and gold mine settlement, Gold Point, Nevada soon became obsolete after a mine shaft dynamite explosion in the 1960s. In a post-World War II economy and world, the mine operation was left to wilt but today, Gold Point thrives as a major tourist attraction in the state.

Ballarat, California

Once home to more than 500 people, several saloons and brothels, a post office and school, today Ballarat, California is a classic ghost town near Death Valley and Yosemite National Park. Fans of the film Easy Rider will recognize Ballarat as the place where Peter Fonda’s character sheds his Rolex watch.

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Blessed with spectacular fjords, glaciers and glaciated valleys, Norway is also known as The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls. They are all powerful and beautiful, but some of them simply take your breath away. Here’s a look at the seven most amazing waterfalls in Norway:

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It’s time for Outside. Why Outside? Because I will post here some very interesting articles, videos or any other findings that are totally Outside the travel and hospitality industry. I have always tried to stay focused on what I know…

One of the best ways of living the greatness is finding it when you’re actually looking for something else. The same thing happened to Angel, an ex-american First World War pilot, in 1935. Angel was exploring the Auyan Tepui – The Devil’s Mountain, searching for a river with gold…

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Are you ready to take an island vacation but find yourself unable to come up with the cash necessary to visit a luxury resort on a Pacific Island? Think again. There are dozens of islands in the United States that we tend to forget about and completely ignore. They’re quiet, beautiful, and worthy of a visit. Add one of these to your next vacation itinerary.

10. Block Island – Rhode Island

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Rhode Island’s beautiful Block Island is truly a sight to behold. The quiet island spent years competing with nearby Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard but is not gaining popularity. It is considered one of the most remote islands between New York City and Boston but has a lot to offer visitors who want to spend some time communing with nature. Make sure you spend some of your time on the island exploring the amazing lighthouses or catching a glimpse of one of the sailing regattas.

9. Kodiak Island – Alaska

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Kodiak Islands is one of Alaska’s most guarded treasures. Visitors enjoy sitting along the shores of Uyak Bay and watching the local wildlife, including the bears. Others enjoy sport fishing for salmon and other local fish species. The best place to visit is Munsey’s Bear Camp – from which point you’ll have access to all the wildlife the island has to offer.

8. Smith Island – Maryland

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Smith Island is the only island on the Chesapeake Bay that was ever settled. The people who live there earn their livings not by commuting to the mainland but by catching local crabs, shrimp, and clams which you can taste at the Bayside Inn Restaurant. You’ll start with a ferry ride from Crisfield or Point Lookout and should then head over to the Smith Island Center to tour the museum before exploring the rest of the area.

7. Isle Royale – Michigan

A trip to Isle Royale will be a real adventure. You’ll have to start with either a 30 minute plane ride (if you can afford it) from Haughton or a three hour ferry ride from Copper Harbor. Upon your arrival you’ll have plenty of opportunities to kayak, canoe, or hike the bays surrounding the island. You can camp or, if you’d prefer, check into the Rock Harbor Lodge which is open during the summer season.

6. Isle Au Haut – Maine

Isle Au Haut, in Maine, is home to a mere 80 individuals throughout the year. Tourism to the island has increased over the past few years, as travelers flock to Acadia National Park to enjoy the myriad of hiking trails and isolated coves. Your choices for accommodations, after your 45 minute boat ride to the island, include either Bel’s Inn or the Duck Harbor Campground.

5. Santa Cruz Island – California

Santa Cruz Island wasn’t open to the public until 1980, when it left the hands of a private ranch owner and became part of the US Park System. Teamed with the Nature Conservancy, they turned Santa Cruz Island and four others into what is now known as Channel Islands National Park. You may choose to camp in the Scorpion Campground in between hiking or kayaking trips or you may travel to the island as part of a day trip. There are no other overnight accommodations on the island.

4. Sapelo Island – Georgia

Owned primarily by the state of Georgia, Sapelo Island includes a hunting reserve, a research station, and a public state park. You will find the tiny community of Hog Hammock on the island – home to a mere 50 individuals and featuring a bed and breakfast, one restaurant, and a building that serves as a cross between a country store and a pub. Access to the island is by ferry from the town of Meridian.

3. Orcas Island – Washington

Orcas Island is the largest of the five San Juan Islands found in Puget Sound. While the name of the island may have you thinking of killer whales, it was actually named after a Spanish explorer who visited the Pacific Northwest during his travels. You’ll especially enjoy your stay at the Doe Bay resort – featuring private cabins, yurts, and locally caught and grown foods.

2. Daufuskie Island – South Carolina

If you visit Savannah Georgia you will be able to see Daufuskie Island off the shores in the distance. The only way to get there, though, is by taking a ferry from Hilton Head. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to reserve a space in one of the handful of cabins located near the main pier – otherwise, we hope you know someone who already lives on the island willing to give you a place to stay. Do make sure to check out the Old Daufuskie Crab Company where you’ll have a chance to sample some of the finest seafood and pulled pork dishes around.

1. Little Palm Island – Florida

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If you’re looking for a luxury destination without leaving the country turn your eyes towards Little Palm Island. You can only reach this incredible resort island by taking either a seaplane or a boat. Once there, you will find yourself surrounded by comfy bungalows, lagoons, pools, and an astounding coral reef for snorkeling.

These amazing islands represent some of the best the United States has to offer. We guarantee that after a weekend or week relaxing with nature you’ll be glad you chose one of these incredible destinations.

An unspoiled archipelago of 83 islands created by 7 still-active volcanoes, with some of the friendliest local people that you’ll find anywhere, Vanuatu is a must if you’re in these parts of Asia. Moreover, the coastline of Vanuatu has some of the most breathtaking undeveloped pristine…

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An unspoiled archipelago of 83 islands created by 7 still-active volcanoes, with some of the friendliest local people that you’ll find anywhere, Vanuatu is a must if you plan on visiting Malaysia. Moreover, the coastline of Vanuatu has some of the most breathtaking undeveloped pristine…

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