Perito Moreno, Argentina

Water is not only sea or lake: it is an element capable of shaping landscapes, guarding legends and giving unforgettable experiences to travelers. For those looking for authentic destinations, far from the most crowded circuits, there are places where water becomes the absolute protagonist, giving life to sceneries that seem to come out of a dream. From the cenotes hidden in the forests of Mexico, where one feels suspended between air and water, to the ice giants of Patagonia that reveal the millennial power of nature, to the mysterious “Blue Eye” of Albania, a spring that still holds unfathomed secrets: three little-known destinations, but perfect for those who want to experience an experiential tourism made of emotion, adventure and authenticity.

Mexico: the transparency of cenotes

Derived directly from the Mayan language, the word “cenote” means-and it could not be otherwise-“sacred water”. Indeed, as soon as one enters any of these underground caves characterized by the presence of lakes, streams and sometimes even waterfalls, which dot several regions of Mexico, one cannot help but be enveloped by a sense of mysticism, if only because of the beauty of the environment in which one finds oneself immersed. But the real exciting-and unmissable-experience is to try swimming in a cenote, possibly with a mask: you will immediately notice the incredible transparency of the water, which at times will literally give the impression of being suspended in the air. Among the most famous cenotes, there is certainly the one discovered near the wonderful archaeological site of Chichén Itzà, most likely used for various sacred ceremonies-as evidenced by the numerous ornamental objects and furnishings found-but also for macabre human sacrifices.

Perito Moreno: water in a solid state

We move on to Argentine Patagonia and specifically to El Calafate, a village that has grown perhaps too fast in recent years but has a lively character, where water reigns supreme in all its textures: in fact, the agglomeration lies on the splendid Lago Argentino, the largest lake in the country, up to five hundred meters deep and with astonishing turquoise tones, above which float majestic icebergs with azure hues; not only that: the shores of the lake are also overlooked by some marvelous as well as imposing glaciers-water in a solid state, then-that form the third largest freshwater reserve in the world. If the Perito Moreno is the most famous, both for the beauty of its walls, for the thunderous roars caused by the pieces that break off from time to time, and for the unforgettable crampon treks it allows, the Spegazzini glacier, with its 135-meter-high average front, and, albeit from a distance because it “does not enjoy good health”, the Upsala glacier are also worth a mention (and a visit).

Albania: a mysterious blue eye

Let us now return to Europe, to one of the nations that has been enjoying great success in recent seasons, Albania. Here, in addition to the beauty of its coasts, there is a mysterious place that is worth a visit for its beauty and the vividness of its colors, it is the Blue Eye, Syri i Kaltër in Albanian, a true wonder-very cold-a karst spring whose waters, which never exceed ten degrees centigrade, are a bewitching deep blue-turquoise color while the depth still remains a mystery: divers have in fact descended as far as fifty meters, defying the strong current that pushes upward from below without, however, finding the bottom, which, according to recent geological studies, would be at least twice as deep. Although it is officially forbidden, a swim in the blue eye is an irresistible experience, to be combined, perhaps, with a trip to nearby Gjirokaster, a splendid historic town protected by UNESCO, with fascinating fortress houses that punctuate its urban fabric.

Traveling to discover water means being surprised by what nature can create in its most unusual forms. Not only sea and lakes, but chasms of subterranean light, imposing expanses of ice and springs that defy the imagination: each place tells a different story, one that is capable of thrilling and remaining imprinted in the heart. Whether it’s the crystal-clear plunge into a Mayan cenote, the thunderous sound of a breaking glacier, or the awe before a blue eye that seems to have no end, these scenarios remind us how diverse and surprising the world is. And so, for those who desire authentic, off-the-beaten-path tourism, all that’s left to do is to hit the road: the water will always know how to guide us to new wonders.

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