Two fascinating sites in Turkey that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage are Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Pamukkale is well-known for the breathtaking white travertine terraces that once supported Hierapolis, a significant center of trade and culture. The name comes from the hot springs, which discharge mineral-rich water onto the landscape below, creating a distinctive structure that resembles a cotton castle.

The travertines in Pamukkale are similar to a hot spring in that hot thermal water flows down the hill, creating pools that you can bathe in. Other hot springs in the area include Cleopatra's Antique Pool and the Red Springs of Karahayit. Pamukkale means "cotton castle" in Turkish, and it got its name because hot springs released mineral-rich water onto the hilly landscape below over time, forming a unique natural structure that resembles a cotton castle.

Since Pamukkale is extremely crowded in the summer, the best times to visit are in the spring (April through May) and fall (Sep through October), when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the crowds and visit Pamukkale in the summer (Jun - Aug), it is best to arrive as early as you can. Given that we visited Pamukkale at the end of October when the daytime temperature was still very high and the water was warm, spring and fall should still be pleasant times to travel there.

If you visit Pamukkale in the early morning, be prepared to be cold on your feet because you must walk barefoot over the cold rock. It will take a few minutes if you enter from the side of town to reach the section where the flowing water becomes warmer.

Location: Denizli Province, Southwestern Turkey

Few places can compete with the Erawan Falls, a seven-tiered waterfall near Kanchanaburi. Each of the tiers is accessible via an exciting jungle trail. At the bottom is a pool of crystal clear water in which visitors can see fish with their own eyes and take a refreshing dip!

The waterfall has seven tiers; the first few are pretty easy to get to, but the upper tiers require a bit more of a hike. You can swim in most of them and if you arrive early, you can basically choose the type of pool you’d like to hang out in and have it almost to yourself - deep pool, shallow pool, large waterfall, small waterfall, and even one with a natural rock slide. Pretty soon it became evident that the Erawan Falls wasn't just any waterfall. As moving through the lush, green jungle, you will notice streams of clear water flowing into various rock outcroppings and streams where it is possible to see the leaves that were lying on the bottom and schools of fish swimming by.

There is a way to avoid dealing with large sections of the crowd: climb to the top. The highest tier, the seventh level, is 1.5 kilometers high and takes about an hour to reach. The trail's beginning is properly paved, so visitors in slippers and high heels can reach the third tier. The trail then ends, and the climb, which includes small bridges, rocks, small waterfalls, and small steps, becomes more difficult. Make sure you're wearing good hiking boots! People will continue to leave after each tier, making it less and less crowded.

And also more and more lovely! You'll come across waterfalls that were basically natural slides, so slide as much as you can. There were also waterfalls with stunning white calcified rocks and trees that gave the flowing water a milky, blue, and white hue.

Then there was the final waterfall on the seventh tier: a large waterfall with water clattering down large, white rocks. A pool of water at the bottom contains fish that nibble at your feet. There's also a small cave opening where you can swim. True daredevils can scale even higher. They'll have to negotiate some slick rocks before taking a refreshing "shower" beneath the cascading water.

The Erawan Falls are a must-see attraction when you're in the Kanchanaburi region, regardless of whether you're a backpacker or traveling with kids. You can have a great day up there if you bring enough snacks, drinks, and swimming gear. Do, however, pay attention to the monkeys. When the owners are swimming, they have been known to steal items from bags.

The Erawan Falls are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you want to have the park all to yourself, get there early. Because it gets dark early in Thailand, a park ranger will go to the seventh tier around 3:30 PM to remind and assist visitors in descending. The entrance fee is 300 Thai Baht per person, plus an additional 20 Thai Baht if you arrive by motorcycle. On weekends, many locals visit the waterfalls, so it can get quite crowded. During the rainy season, the waterfalls are at their most beautiful.

Erawan National Park is about 65 kilometers away from Kanchanaburi. Between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, a bus departs from the bus station every 90 minutes to take you directly there. The trip there costs 50 Thai Baht per person and takes about an hour and a half. At 4:00 PM, the last bus departs for Kanchanaburi. Another option is to sign up for a guided tour, which runs about 600 Thai Baht per person (entrance included). Or you can rent a motorcycle for about 150 Thai Baht per day, not including gas.

Location: Erawan National Park, Tenasserim Hills range of Kanchanaburi Province, West Thailand

Many rock pools have formed near the great Victoria Falls after thousands of years of erosion - one of them... right on the edge! Devil's Pool is the ultimate infinity pool, with a sheer drop and an up-close-and-personal view of the sheer drop off the side of the falls!

It takes a rocky walk and a swim in the Zambezi to get to the pool, where you can plunge into the adrenaline-pumping swimming hole. Those who are brave enough to jump into the pool are pushed to the edge by the force of the river, with the rock lip bringing them to a halt as the Zambezi's raging waters crash over the cliffs a few feet away.

You can feel the force of the Zambezi River flowing past you and crashing down over the precipice; there is a 100-meter drop. The view from the edge is absolutely breathtaking. There are guides available at the falls' entrance to accompany you to the pool because it's not a good idea to mess with the over 500 million liters of water that cascade over the falls every minute.

On the edge of Victoria Falls, Devil's Pool is close to the well-known Livingstone Island. During their visit to Livingstone Island, visitors have the option to take a thrilling swim to the edge of the falls. The Devil's Pool typically remains open from the middle of August to the middle of January, depending on the Zambezi water level.

Location: Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia

Would you go swimming in a volcanic lava pool? The natural swimming pools at Porto Moniz with lava-formed sea water are a must-see on your trip to Madeira. The natural swimming pools of Porto Moniz are saltwater pools formed by the ocean in lava formations in the municipality of Porto Moniz. The pools, as the name implies, are naturally filled by the generous tides of the ocean and the waves that splash into them on days of rough seas.

People swarm to Porto Moniz's pools to unwind, spend the day by the water, and take in the breathtaking views. This is not a beach for parties. It draws visitors looking for a tranquil day in the sun and has a laid-back atmosphere. Spending the day here, as opposed to at a beach, is enjoyable because you can walk along the boardwalk-like path and dip your toes into the various depths of these open waters.

Madeira has several natural pools, but the ones in Porto Moniz are arguably the most beautiful on the island. Why? The water is absolutely pristine, with an average annual temperature of 20 to 21o C - nice and refreshing! It's nice to know that the pools are both shallow and deep, so you can sit, lounge, or swim in the salty water. Also! Near the natural pools, there are services. These amenities include a locker room, showers, and bars, making it the ideal place to relax after a day of hiking in Madeira.

There are some gorgeous beaches on the island of Madeira. Though the majority of the beaches are rocky and frequently have waves as powerful as the Hulk, the island is volcanic and mountainous. You can swim in Madeira's crystal-clear waters in a natural pool without being concerned about the waves or possibly getting pushed up against sharp rocks. Additionally, the majority of beaches in Madeira are pebble beaches, making it difficult to lie on them and unwind. A natural pool, like those in Porto Moniz, has lots of room for relaxation.

Porto Moniz is located on the island's northeastern coast, and it is one of the furthest places from Funchal. By car, the 49km distance between Porto Moniz and Madeira's capital takes just over 50 minutes. You can park your car near the pools in Porto Moniz. Remember that the parking spaces with blue lines are paid. In the parking lot, there are payment machines nearby. You can pay with coins or a credit card at the parking lot machines.

With Rodoeste's so-called "Carreira n° 80," a bus route, you can take a bus from Funchal to Porto Moniz. Every day of the week at 10:00 am, bus number 80 departs from Funchal. On weekdays, the trip takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes; on weekends, it takes a little less time due to fewer stops. It costs €6 ($7 USD) to take the bus from Funchal to Porto Moniz.

The entrance fee for Porto Moniz's natural swimming pools is €3 EUR ($3.2 USD) per person (it was €1.5 EUR/$1.6 USD until 2021). The number 5 reigns supreme here: a beach umbrella will set you back €5 EUR ($5.3 USD), as will a beach bed and a locker room for the day.

Porto Moniz's lava pools are open all year, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the winter and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the summer. You can visit Porto Moniz's pools all year. The temperature drops slightly during the winter months, so expect both the air and the water to be slightly colder.

Location: between Porto Moniz and Madeira’s capital

A trip to a local thermal pool is among the must-do activities on the Azores island of Sao Miguel. The Caldeira Velha hot springs, which are situated in the island's center, are among the best options. On the rim of the Fogo volcano, Caldeira Velha, also known as the Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Center, is a Natural Monument with hot springs, a brief interpretive trail, and an information center.

Caldeira Velha is able to offer three warm man-made thermal pools and one more natural waterfall pool due to the iron water flowing from above. The Interpretation Centre provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the Azores' volcanic origins as well as some background on the area's rich biodiversity. You can visit the Environmental Interpretation Centre and a short walking trail throughout Caldeira Velha during your visit, or you can also take a dip in one or more of the hot spring thermal pools.

Renting a car and driving around Sao Miguel on your own is the most convenient way to navigate the island. A car rental would be my suggestion in this case given the abundance of things to do on the island and the fact that many of the locations can be quite far apart. Caldeira Velha, which can be a perfect add-on to many other local attractions, is situated 25 minutes from Ponta Delgada's main town. It is conveniently close to the EN5-2A highway, which is also the route that leads to Salto do Cabrito and Lagoa do Fogo. There has recently been a new parking lot built, so you should have no trouble finding a spot. Previously, most cars were parked on the side of the road, but this does not appear to be an issue any longer.

Location: Island of Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal

The famously large Tian Tan Buddha, the Disneyland Resort, and the Hong Kong airport are all located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. On Hong Kong's largest island, there is a lot more to learn, though. The infinity pool in Tai O is one of Lantau's secret gems.

The Tai O Lantau infinity pool resembles a natural swimming pool, as it is filled with water from the nearby falls. Many people, particularly tourists, are unaware of the existence of the Tai O Lantau infinity pool in Hong Kong. Or they were never there! This is due to the fact that getting there is quite difficult. And it is because of the extremely limited accessibility that this location is so unique.

At the bus station in Tai O, there is a stone bridge. You must cross this road on foot, and after an hour you will come to a red fire hydrant with the number 470. Then, on your left, look for a concrete staircase. You walk up for about fifteen minutes until you reach the specific Tai O Lantau infinity pool.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery and go skinny dipping in the cool water. Bet it is worth all the traveling!

Location: Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

The cascading tiers of the Kuang Si Falls, tucked away in the Laos Jungle, captivate tourists from all over the world who come to marvel at the scenic vacation spot. This destination in the beautiful countryside of Luang Prabang has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor fun. Tourists can swim, hike, picnic, or simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this tropical paradise at Kaung Si Falls. Nothing beats swimming through cool natural pools on a hot afternoon.

The driving time to Kuangsi Falls from Luang Prabang city is 45 minutes. A songtaew (a covered pickup truck with two benches in the back) ride to Kuang Si Falls costs roughly $17 to $23, or you can take a tuk-tuk for about $20. You can hire a motorcycle for about $15 if you are an experienced rider. If you are inexperienced behind the wheel, it is best to avoid accidents as a good portion of tourists do. Additionally, you can trek or bike to Kuangsi Falls and enter from the top, which is a lovely experience.

The pools are shallow enough for most swimmers, skilled or inexperienced. The lower pools are the best places to swim, with fewer people as one moves higher up. The resort has small wooden huts near the pools that serve as dressing rooms for visitors to change into their swimsuits. Swimmers are advised to bring modest swimming gear in order to respect the conservative nature of the local population.

Although there are some excellent jumping spots from trees and rocks, care should be taken to prevent harm. Kuang Si Falls, regrettably, lacks lifeguards. Areas, where swimming is prohibited, are marked with a sign. Some pools are prohibited because they are regarded as sacred locations by the locals, but access to most forbidden areas is restricted for safety reasons.

Visitors can carry their essential items for the trip, even though there are vendors selling various items at the destination's entrance. A towel, bathing suit, toilet paper, snacks, and bottled water are all items that may be useful at Kuang Si Falls.

The spectacular Kuang Si Falls is best visited between December and May when Laos' monsoon season has already ended. The limestones have been gradually covered by the waterfalls during these months, giving them a blue-turquoise hue. This is also the best time to take photos because the location transforms into a fantastic setting for Instagram-worthy images. To avoid large crowds at the falls, a helpful tip for first-timers is to go here on a weekday.

During the monsoon season, June to October, hiking and swimming can be dangerous in Kuang Si Falls. Roads are usually closed or dangerous because many Laotian towns are prone to flooding. The only advantage of visiting Kuang Si Falls during this season is that it is less crowded. In both seasons, the best time to visit the falls is in the morning. Arriving before 10:00 a.m. is a great way to avoid the busloads of people who will be arriving throughout the day. Furthermore, early morning visits provide refreshing serenity and spectacular views while hiking, as well as better photography without any intruders, ruining the snapshots.

Hours open: 8:00 AM to 5:00 AM, daily

Entrance charges: $1.3 per person

Location: Luang Prabang, Laos

The Gunlom Plunge Pool in Jabiru, Northern Territory, is one of the world's great natural pools. This hidden gem is located on Waterfall Creek in Kakadu National Park, which is a World Heritage Site. Waterfall Creek is a major tributary of the Upper South Alligator River and is the world's only large tropical river system that is entirely protected within a national park.

Gunlom is breathtaking, offering a rare fusion of a tranquil plunge pool and cyclical waterfall. Overhead above the picnic areas, shady gums provide shade from the heat. Many visitors refer to the view from the top of Gunlom as "the ultimate infinity pool" because it is so breathtaking. You can choose between the stone country, woodland, or riverine areas, the three habitats of the southern hills and ridges of the park, from sweeping vistas. You can always take a leisurely stroll along the walking path to the main pool beneath the magnificent waterfall if you don't feel like making the short, but steep climb to the top of Gunlom.

The plunge pool is ideal for a refreshing dip after a long walk in the heat, and it is also crocodile-free because they cannot climb that high! Gunlom's pools were named one of Australia's Top 100 Best Views by Australian Traveller, and Gunlom was recently named a finalist in the category of 'Australia's Top Secret Spots' by Hooroo.

Location: Gunlom, Kakadu National Park, Australia