An old yellow camper van driving away toward some barren desert cliffs surrounded by low dry shrubs and red sand

Beyond Houston's Horizons: Faraway Destinations Around the World

If you’ve been keeping up with our blogs over the last few months, you’ve probably seen a few articles pop up with travel destinations that are exactly 1,000 miles away from various cities like Atlanta, Austin, Seattle and Dallas

Now that we’ve come around to Houston, we thought it would be interesting to expand our horizons a little bit. A thousand miles from Houston would probably not get you too far out of Texas anyways, so here are a few cool places around the world that are exactly one thousand, two thousand, three thousand and more miles away from our luxury Houston apartments!

1,000 miles from Houston

Milwaukee

Wisconsin, U.S.A.

The Midwestern United States has plenty of hidden gems, and Milwaukee is one of them! 

The city is the fourth-largest Midwestern city after Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit, and Milwaukee’s metropolitan area is home to nearly 2.05 million people. 

Although the city was founded on transport, manufacturing and shipping, Milwaukee is also home to a wealth of arts and culture. One of the largest music festivals in the world, Summerfest, is held there every year. Breweries, especially German breweries, were one of the earliest industries in the city. Five major art museums and four major science and natural history museums are staples of Milwaukee’s educational and historical efforts, and the city is even home to the world’s largest dinosaur skull!

InstagramWe ❤️our city. Thanks for this beautiful capture, @milesphillips_!

Canyonlands National Park

Utah, U.S.A.

If you’re looking for an impressive view and some truly breathtaking natural wonders, then Utah is the place for you! Canyonlands National Park is a massive area in southeast Utah that was formed by the Colorado River and the Green River over 70 million years ago.

The park features impressive rock formations featuring bands of colors, delicate arches, Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs and towering buttes. The landscape is unlike any other, so it’s definitely one to add to your bucket list!  

InstagramDruid Arch has awed visitors of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park for many years. Standing at 130 feet tall, this angular arch was named by Robert Deckert, a cousin of the parks founder, Bates Wilson. Deckert noticed its resemblance to Stonehenge in England - a place where druids went to worship. #druidarch #naturalarch #sandstonearch #arches #redrocks #desert #druid #history #england #stonehenge #vacation #canyonlands #canyonlandsnps #nationalpark #nps #southwest #desert #utahInstagramCan’t visit the park at the moment? How about a virtual visit! Pull up a map, find the amazing places within Canyonlands, and learn about how these places got their names in this virtual scavenger hunt our rangers created. go.nps.gov/1b9xp3 #canyonlands #canyonlandsnps #nps #nationalpark #scavengerhunt #placenames #utah #mightyfive

2,000 miles from Houston

La Push

Washington, U.S.A.

The La Push area in Washington is a must-see for anyone planning a Pacific Coast road trip. La Push is situated on the Quileute Indian Reservation on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula right on the Pacific Coast. It is known for its wild beaches, whale watching, rain forests and pristine natural environment. Forks, Washington, (a.k.a. the place where "Twilight" is set) is just 20 minutes inland along the U.S. Route 101, a scenic highway that hugs the Pacific coast from Washington all the way to California. 

InstagramOutside is always better.InstagramMy life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near the ocean's edge as I can go #calmversation . . . . . . . . . #girlgetoutside #cascadiaexplored #optoutside #beautifuldestinations #findmeoutside #pnwonderland #outdoorwomen #livewylder #rei #HerPNWLife #ourplanetdaily #wildernessculture #goneoutdoors #womenwhoexplore #agameoftones #wildernessbadass #pnwoutdoorwomen #travelnoire #outsidemagazine #shotoniphone #pnwescapes #pnwawearness #modernhiker #adventureculture #amongthewild #in2nature #lapushbeach #lapushrocksInstagram"In every walk in Nature, one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir * * * #thirdbeach #lapush #lapushbeach #olympicpeninsula #beach #pnw #washingtonbeaches #pnwonderland #optoutside #leavenotrace #waterfall #teamjacob #forkswashington #hike #hikersofinstagram #gooutside #girlswhohike

Galapagos Islands

Ecuador

If you took a compass and headed south for exactly 2,000 miles, you would not only find yourself on a set of small islands in the Pacific, but you would also find yourself exactly on the Earth’s equator. Not just near the equator, but exactly on it! Hooray for tropical vacations!

The archipelago you’ve conveniently come across are the Galapagos Islands, a province off the coast of administrative Ecuador. The islands, which are some of the best areas in the world for wildlife viewing, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are the location for many scientific study areas and research centers. In fact, it’s where Charles Darwin spent a great deal of time studying endemic species, a set of valuable research that contributed greatly to his theory of evolution and natural selection. 

InstagramHappy #worldoceansday Did you know the #galapagosislands are at an intersection of five major ocean currents? These ocean currents help dictate the islands #climate & their unique ecology, both above and below the water 🐢🐠🐧 Healthy #oceans = Healthy planet 🌍 #protecttheearth #oceanlife #oceana #oceanlover #galapagos #marinelife #savetheocean #savetheoceans #worldoceansdayInstagramNazca booby (Sula granti) is a #booby is found in the eastern #PacificOcean primarily on the #Galápagos #Islands #galapagos #galapagosislands #tortoise #turtle #water #picoftheday #photooftheday #nature #island #ocean #sanctuary #nofilter #nofilterneeded #animal #animallover #nature #earthpix #ecuador #pacific #pacificocean #bird #birds #cuteanimal #cuteanimalsInstagramGalápagos Giant tortoises 🐢 (Chelonoidis nigra) are native to seven of the Galápagos Islands, with lifespans in the wild of over 100 years. Spanish explorers, who discovered the islands in the 16th century, named them after the Spanish galápago, meaning saddle #galapagos #galapagosislands #tortoise #turtle #water #picoftheday #photooftheday #nature #island #ocean #sanctuary #nofilter #nofilterneeded #animal #animallover #nature #earthpix

3,000 miles from Houston

Qeqertarsuatsiaat

Greenland

Formerly known as Fiskenæsset, or “Fisher’s Inlet,” Qeqertarsuatsiaat is a settlement on a small island off the southwestern coast of Greenland. It was founded as a trading post in the early days of Denmark’s General Trade Company in 1754. Danes were the first to settle the island and gradually built the town into a trading port for salmon, cod, seal skins and whale blubber. The town has a population of 169, as of 2020. 

If you’re wondering how to pronounce Qeqertarsuatsiaat, check out this link!

InstagramInstagramAnother cold, clear and starry night in Greenland. A rather calm arch of northern lights is displayed as the Moon and Venus are setting to the west. #northernlights #auroraborealis #aurora #nightphotography #nightscapes #greenland #visitgreenland #nikond750 #starrynight #night #nature #outdoors #naturephotography #landscape #astrophotography #nightsky #nightskyphotography #moon #nikon #nikonphotography

State of Amazonas

Brazil

If you traveled 3,000 miles south-southeast of Houston, you’d find yourself quite literally in the middle of nowhere. To be more specific, you'd find yourself in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.

The State of Amazonas is a massive subdivision that is larger than the country of Mongolia and is one of the largest country subdivisions in the world, after Australia's Queensland and Western Australia states. The largest city in Amazonas is Manaus, home to nearly 2.1 million residents and nestled on the banks of the Amazon River. Most of the state, however, is rural jungle and waterways, and most of the towns are accessible only by boat or plane.

InstagramApu, the lead warrior of the Uru Eu Wau Wau telling us of his many battles against loggers and land invaders. After our interview with him, he laughed, joked, and carried a light-hearted energy as we walked back from the jungle.⁠ ⁠ Follow @oneforest.world for more stories!⁠ Follow @oneforest.world for more stories!⁠ ⁠ #indigenousculture #indigenousknowledge #indigenoushealth #indigenousrising #indiosbrasileiros #indigenasdobrasil #comunidadindigena #povosindigenas #indigenouspeoples #indigenousvoices #indigenouswomenrising #nativebeauty #indigenousrights #indigenouspride #aboriginal #manausamazonas #indigenouslivesmatter #indigenouspeople #indigenious #indígena #indígenas #amazonrainforest #loggers #stolenland #bowandarrow #environmentprotection #savethefuture #respectnatureInstagramQuem aceita ir para um lugar onde o único barulho seja o do vento? #lotusflutuante #manaus #amazonas #flutuante #brasil #rionegro #turismoamazonas #minhaamazonia #guiamanaus #tarumãInstagramCueva del río Marañon #turismo #viajerosporelmundo #mochileros #trekking #paisajes #discover #peru #amazonas #videostory

4,000 miles from Houston

St. Lawrence Island

Alaska, U.S.A.

Western Alaska and the northeastern portion of Russia are separated by 50 miles of ocean called the Bering Strait. Not only is this watery channel where the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean meet, but it’s also where the International Date Line runs through, separating the world into its time zones from the imaginary zero-line.

Nestled at the southern end of the Bering Strait is St. Lawrence Island, a 90-mile-long piece of barren land that is home to the Siberian Yupik people and an abundance of migratory birds and sea life. While the island is geographically closer to Russia, the island belongs to the United States as part of Alaska. 

InstagramStormy clouds in the Bering sea, the St Lawrence Island in the background. #beringsea #dusk #oceanship #stlawrenceisland #alaska #sunset #sky #nature #clouds #twilight #summer #ship #ocean #travel #Alaska #cloudsstormy #sea #StLawrenceIsland #landscape #stormclouds #naturephotography @ruramosInstagramWinter sun along the international date line #stlawrenceisland #gambellak #beringsealife #nofilter #beringstraitInstagramSt. Lawrence Island, where my family is originally from. We call this island Sivuqaq, which means land squeezed from the water in Siberian Yupik. Also, yes that is Russia on the upper left-hand side 😊. #siberianyupik #stlawrenceisland #savoonga #gambell #sivuqaq #island #youcanseerussia #hometown #eskimoInstagramWhale bones and homes #Gambell #stlawrenceisland #beringsea #alaskalife #Alaska

Vik

Iceland

The small seaside village of Vik is the southernmost village in Iceland and has a population of only 300 or so people. The quaint town is the largest in the immediate area, though, and is becoming a popular destination for tourists due to its incredible picturesque scenery.

You may recognize the black sand beaches around Vik as the popular tourist destination and filming location for movies like "Star Trek: Into Darkness," "Oblivion," "Thor: The Dark World" and even a few episodes of "Game of Thrones."

(Also, we can’t get enough of these pictures!)

InstagramHave you ever visited Vík village in south Iceland? 🇮🇸✨ Photos by @icelandmap & @gardarolafsphotography Share your adventure: #wildernessnationInstagramPretty little town in Iceland ❄️🇮🇸 Have you ever visited Iceland? ____________________________________ 🛑 Follow @_discover_north_ for more 🌍 🛑 To be featured tag @_discover_north_ or use hashtag #_discover_north_ 👍 ____________________________________ 📷@nika__w7InstagramWhen real life looks black and white. A small series- 2. • • • #monochrome #blackandwhite #colourphotography #beach #blacksand #blacksandbeach #ocean #atlanticocean #waves #water #seaside #vik #iceland #icelandphotography #icelandlandscape #icelandtravel #landscape #landscapephotography #nature #naturephotography #photography #sony #sonyalpha #sonya7 #fullframe #mirrorlesscamera #mthr_worldInstagramThrowback 1 of 3 because traveling is the best! 🤩 Photo cred: @warm.morning.sun #travel #penpals #snailmail #snailmailinspo #stationery #penpalswanted #lettersofinstagram #sendmoremail #writemoreletters #snailmailing #penpalletters #journaling #artjournal #journalinspo #journalspread #art #artjournalspread #giveaway #artspread #penpalsneeded #penpalcommunity #washitape #penpalsearch #outgoingmail #icelandInstagramVík - Iceland - March 2020 I was solo travelling from the east to the west along the south coast. This was my 4th trip to Iceland and I feel I’ve finally nailed the itinerary. I will be hosting workshops in 2022 for a 6 day trip to Iceland so stay tuned. For now, enjoy this stunning composition of the famous Reyniskyrka atop the hill in the southern town of Vík @nikoneurope Nikon z6 5seconds exposure, Iso 80, F 5 with a 10 stop NiSi neutral density filter and @nisi.uk v6 holder #iceland #travel #icelandtravel #photography #landscape #travelphotography #visiticeland #icelandtrip #icelandic #naturephotography #exploreiceland #icelandscape #roadtrip #wheniniceland #landscapephotography #inspiredbyiceland #guidetoiceland #photooftheday #icelandroadtrip #adventure #instatravel #icelandadventure #traveliceland #discovericeland #icelandphotography #explore #beautifuldestinations #igersiceland #picoftheday #traveltheworldInstagram📸 @kaiyhun 😍 Sunset... 😍 • 📍Iceland 🇮🇸 #🇮🇸 #iceland🇮🇸 #icelandtrip #travelvibes #travelon #travelpicture #travelpictures #trip✈️ #aroundtheglobe #naturecolors #naturevibes #natureview #sunsetpics

So, next time you’re looking at all those frequent flier miles you haven’t had a chance to use, think about some of these fascinating destinations around the country and around the world. You never know where you might end up!

Enjoy!

Pin it!

Featured photo courtesy Unsplash/Dino Reichmuth

Share this post