Places on Earth That Don’t Look Real
And a New Year’s Special 🎁
Scottish-American naturalist John Muir once said:
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.
Yesterday, I opened my front door and was struck by a little moment that made me smile. The air was cold, but the sunlight touched my face in a way that made me pause and just breathe. It reminded me of the word apricity. It’s an archaic English term, borrowed from the Latin apricus, meaning “sunny,” and it describes the pleasant warmth of the sun on a cold winter’s day.
It’s in these moments, when warmth and light break through the chill, that the world feels a little less heavy. Nature becomes not just a refuge, but a mirror, reflecting the poetic beauty of life back into our small, weary selves. With that in mind, I invite you to travel with me today across 6 of the most surreal and breathtaking corners of the Earth, where wonder and serenity intertwine…
NEW YEAR’S SPECIAL 🎁
Reminder: this is a teaser for my subscriber-only articles.
Beauty is Truth is a reader-funded publication, supported entirely by you. There are no ads here, only independent writing devoted to celebrating beauty.
With New Year’s around the corner, I want to say thank you to my readers by offering 20% off all annual subscriptions — for yourself or as a gift for someone dear to you.
If you’ve been thinking about supporting my work, becoming a paid subscriber is the most meaningful way to do it. The offer ends in just a few days:
And if you’re looking for a gift that truly feels heartfelt, you can now give a year of beauty — short, uplifting 5-minute reads that add a bit of light to everyday life. It costs less than a coffee a month:
1. Sea of Japan, Where Snow, Beach & Sea Meet
This magnificent photograph was taken by Hisa Matsumura at the Tottori Sand Dunes.
Stretching 9 miles (14 km) in length and less than 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in width, it is the largest sand dune in Japan. In winter, the dune transforms into a beautiful snow-covered landscape, where the white snow contrasts sharply with the golden sand and the deep blue waters of the Sea of Japan… a magical sight typically visible from December to February.
2. Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
It may be hard to believe, but this is a real place…
This surreal green tunnel is part of an industrial railway near Klevan in Rivne Oblast, Ukraine, connecting Klevan with Orzhiv. The tracks are framed by dense, arching greenery, forming a natural tunnel that stretches three to five kilometers.
Over time, it has become a favorite spot for couples, who often wander along the path — though trains still pass through the tunnel three times a day.
In The Wilderness World of John Muir, the famous “Father of the National Parks” is quoted saying:
The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.