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Tokyo( Japan)
There are global cities, and then there’ s Tokyo. It’ s hard to put this in context: The greater metropolitan area is home to over 41 million people; roughly the same population of Canada. Tokyo Metropolis is the beating heart of it all— here neon-lit skyscrapers and historic temples are equally at home. Your afternoon might be spent at an arcade or strolling the Imperial Gardens; dinner might be the( in) famous fugu or a baseball-game hotdog.
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Kumano Fireworks Festival( Kumano City, Japan)
This 300-year-old Japanese summer tradition is a sight to behold. Every August, the Shichiri Mihama Beach lights up the surrounding region with a two-hour pyrotechnic show as part of the local Obon festivities. The night sky becomes a cacophony of small supernovas; approximately 10,000 fireworks are launched.
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Uluru( Northern Territory, Australia)
This towering monolith in the heart of the Australian outback is also the spiritual heartland of ancient Aboriginal culture. It’ s easy to see why— a certain powerful presence seems to charge the very air as the sunset ignites the 550-million-year-old rock a fiery orange.
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Great Barrier Reef( Queensland, Australia)
The world’ s largest coral reef system is visible from space— even the most novice snorkeler will be overcome with awe swimming among it. Besides the stunning coral formations, other must-see sights include giant clams, rare species of whales and six of the seven marine turtle species … not to mention the roughly 1,600 species of tropical fish flitting all around you.
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Milford Sound( South Island, New Zealand)
Located in Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’ s South Island, Milford Sound feels like a land that time forgot. This spectacular fiord is wholly untouched by civilization; inky waters flow between towering, mist-clad mountains oozing waterfalls. Ancient rainforests coat the land in a deep, deep shaggy green. Be it a walk, a hike or a kayak expedition, this is one corner of the Earth well worth( proverbially) losing yourself in. •
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