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Our planet is filled with so much mystery and wonder,
yet we've only been able to explore a fraction of what's out there. But
what we have discovered is so captivating that words don't usually do it
justice.These underground wonders, for example, were once hidden in
plain sight, and they're insanely beautiful.
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Crystal Ice Cave, California - This cave is just one of many in Lava
Beds National Park, and it features startlingly beautiful ice
formations.
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Crystal Cave, California - This cave, located in Sequoia National Park,
calls the famously massive forest home.
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Luray Caverns, Virgina - These caves,
discovered less than 150 years ago, feature beautiful stalactites and
stalagmites that took thousands of years to form.
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Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines - This breathtaking
subterranean river goes on for more than 15 miles.
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Skocjan Caves, Slovenia - Part of an entire cave system, this
underground wonder includes miles of pools and tunnels formed over many
centuries.
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Fingal's Cave, Scotland - This picturesque site is located on an
uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland. It's also home to some
adorable puffins.
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Blue Grotto, Italy - One of the world's most stunning natural
destinations is this underwater sea cave on the island of Capri. It
holds beautiful blue waters that are illuminated by the light that finds
its way in through small openings.
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Caverna Bellamar, Cuba - Serving as one of Cuba's oldest tourist
attractions (now open to the American public), this cave system features
numerous excavated halls, underground pools, and even an attached
restaurant.
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Grutas de Mira d'Aire, Portugal - This cave system features
spectacularly lit caverns and rock formations that are thousands of
years old. It even has a restaurant attached to it!
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Grutas de Cacahuamilpa Caverns, Mexico - One of the
biggest cave systems in the world in terms of sheer size, this series of
caverns features a series of underground rivers within. It also has a
makeshift "auditorium," which has featured a variety of concerts over
the years.
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Gruta de las Maravillas, Spain - This brilliantly lit
underground oasis in Andalusia is not as large as other caves in the
country, but it makes up for that with beautiful unground lakes and
ancient formations.
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Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil - Beneath the
steep cliffs of this beautiful park lies a sunken pool with beautiful
blue waters. Beneath the surface lies remnants of an old world,
including ancient trees and creatures heavily protected by the country's
law enforcement.
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Jeita Grotto, Lebanon - These limestone caves extend
for nearly six miles, and were inhabited during prehistoric times. It's
also home to the world's largest stalactite, along with a series of
other wonders that make these caves the top tourist destination in the
country.
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