Turkey, Burma, Peru, Antarctica, France ... the most incredible spots on Earth not overrun by tourists

The spectacular Zhangye Danxia hills of China. Picture: rolando000 Source: Flickr

IT’S one thing to tick off seeing the iconic sites around the world, but to stumble across places so remote and untouched is even more exhilarating.

We’ve put together a list of the most incredible locations around the world that have managed to stay off the beaten track. We’re so glad they did.

Rock tombs in Myra, Lycia, Turkey
The preserved rock cut tombs in the ancient city of Myra were carved into cliffs and were a common form of burial for the wealthy.

Eerie but awesome at the same time. Picture: jiuguangw Source: Flickr

Hallstatt, Austria
One of the most picturesque villages in Europe, it lies tucked away between a lake and a spectacular mountain range. Breathtakingly beautiful, it became prosperous after making its wealth through the mining of salt.

Straight off a postcard. Hallstatt, Austria. Source: ThinkStock

Huacachina, Peruvian desert
This tiny oasis in the Peruvian desert is home to slightly more than 100 people showcasing rare life in the desert dunes.

Respite from the desert heat. Picture: Nouhailer. Source: Flickr

The Bastei Bridge in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Germany
The Bastei is a rock formation towering 194 metres above the Elbe River in Germany with one of the best lookout points in Europe. In 1851 the old wooden bridge was replaced by this more secure stone one.

Bastei bridge is camouflaged with the rock face. Source: ThinkStock

Zhangye Danxia Landform, Gansu, China
These incredibly rich coloured rock formations are made up of red sandstone and mineral deposits that were created over 24 million years.
The amazing shapes were formed by wind and rain that carved valleys, waterfalls, towers and ravines into the rock face.

This looks like a landscape painting. Picture: epherterson. Source: Flickr

Procida, Italy
One of the best-kept secrets in the Bay of Naples in Italy, Procida is a cluster of picturesque pastel houses and fishermen that has remained relatively hidden from the tourist beat.

Life hasn’t changed much in Procida. Picture: JJKDC. Source: Flickr

Chichilianne, Rhone Alpes, France
Towering above this French town lies Mont Aiguille, a 2000 metre high mountain made of limestone and surrounded by steep cliffs

The daunting mountain towers over the village. Picture: girolme. Source: Flickr

Deception Island, Antarctica
With a distinctive horseshoe shape, Deception Island is one of the most remote places on earth.
Offering sanctuary to animals including hundreds of penguins, its unique landscape is made up of barren volcanic slopes, steaming beaches and ash-layered glaciers.

It’s rare to see humans this far south. Picture: ravas51 Source: Flickr

Monument Valley, Utah
Monument Valley is made up of a cluster of vast sandstone buttes, the largest reaching 300 metres above the valley floor with access via dirt road or tour group only.

The impressive three sisters rock formations. Picture: Ron Cogswell Source: Flickr

Fès, Morocco
The ancient Leather Souq is the world’s oldest leather tannery. Numerous stone pots are filled with different coloured dyes, a practice that dates back to the 11th century.

Huge vats of dyes date back over 900 years. Picture: fr.zil. Source: Flickr

Bagan, Burma
The ancient city of Bagan is home to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Thousands of incredible temples were built by the kings of Bagan between 1057 and 1287 and over 2000 survive today.

It’s not ancient without some King’s temples. Source: ThinkStock

Meghalaya, India
Looking like a movie set straight out of The Hobbit, the Meghalaya hills receive nearly 480 inches of rain every year. The valley floors of this remote rainforest are transformed into rivers meaning the only means of travel is via a series of bridges.

A series of man made bridges links the forest. Picture: fixing-shadows. Source: Flickr

Craco, Matera, Basilicata, Italy
The medieval village of Craco is now an abandoned ghost town after a series of landslides forced its residents out. Rumour has it that the ruins are now inhabited by ghosts.

Eerie ruins are now haunted by ghosts. Picture: Andrea Tomassi. Source: Flickr

Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal
This unique estate is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and features a series of wells that were used for ceremonial purposes including Tarot initiation rites.

Walk down ancient initiation wells. Source: ThinkStock

Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River, Arizona
Shaped like a horseshoe, this majestic natural bend in the Colorado river is only accessible by hikers.

Nature never ceases to amaze us. Picture: tailwindsphotography Source: Flickr