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Lake Tooni, Hokkaido, Japan
Lake Toyoni, located in Erimo town, Hokkaido, is known as the most romantic lake in Japan because of its heart-shaped form when viewed from above. Surrounded by primeval forest, the lake boasts a picturesque autumn scene with golden and red leaves covering the mountains. Lake Toyoni first gained popularity when it was chosen as a filming location for a famous Japanese souvenir shop. To reach it, visitors can choose between hiking through the forest or taking a helicopter tour to admire the panoramic view of the lake.
EASTERN EGG ROCK ISLAND, MAINE, USA
Eastern Egg Rock is an island located off the South Atlantic coast of St. George, Maine, USA. In 1973, Stephen W. Kress, director of the Maine Coast Seabird Association, launched Project Puffin to bring back extinct seabird species to Eastern Egg Rock, especially the puffin, which had been absent from the island since 1885. The project was a resounding success, and the island is now the primary habitat of puffins in North America. To protect the birds, visitor access is restricted during the breeding season from April to August. Pictured is a puffin perched on a heart-shaped rock.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN ICE LAKE, ICELAND
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in southeastern Iceland, at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. The lake was formed when glaciers retreated toward the Atlantic coast. Its current size has quadrupled since 1970, covering an area of 18 square kilometers.2and a depth of 248 meters. This place is considered one of Iceland's famous natural wonders. Notably, some visitors have photographed a heart-shaped hole in the ice cave of this glacial lake.
GUASSA COMMUNITY RESERVE, ETHIOPIA
The Guassa Community Conservation Area (GCCA) is one of the oldest nature reserves in sub-Saharan Africa. It is home to many endemic bird and wildlife species, such as the Ethiopian wolf and the endangered Gelada monkey.
The Gelada, also known as the "bleeding heart monkey," is a species of Old World monkey found only in the highlands of Ethiopia. This monkey resembles a baboon but has a bright red patch of flesh on its chest that looks like a bleeding heart. This red patch is present in both males and females, with males having a darker and more striking color, while females only turn red when ready to mate. Currently, this species faces a serious threat of extinction due to habitat loss and excessive hunting by humans.
ANTELOPE CANYON, ARIZONA
Antelope Canyon, located in Navajo territory near Page, Arizona, is the most visited and photographed canyon in the southwestern United States. The canyon is divided into two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon (also known as The Crack) and Lower Antelope Canyon (also known as The Corkscrew). Particularly noteworthy is a unique heart-shaped rock formation in Upper Antelope Canyon.
Heart Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Heart Reef, located within the Hardy Reef in the Whitsundays, about 60 km from the mainland, is a naturally formed heart-shaped reef with a diameter of 17 meters. It was discovered in 1975 by an Air Whitsunday pilot. To admire its beauty, visitors must travel by plane or helicopter, as authorities have restricted swimming and diving in the area to protect the reef's integrity.
Mount Elferspitze, Austria
For ten days in June each year, the people of Elferspitze mountain in Neustift, Stubai Valley, Austria, gather at the summit to arrange candles into heart and cross shapes stretching over 70 meters to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This tradition of lighting bonfires on the mountain has lasted for over 200 years, originally used to mark the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) or to communicate between villages before the invention of the telephone.
BOROUGH MARKET, LONDON, ENGLAND
Borough Market is a food market in Southwark, London, recognized as one of the largest and oldest food markets in the British capital. Particularly noteworthy are the striking pink heart-shaped murals painted by street artist James “Jimmy C” Cochran. These artworks were created after the terrorist attack on London Bridge that killed eight people on June 3, 2017, to express grief for the victims and to showcase the spirit and resilience of the people of London.
ŠPIČNIK, SLOVENIA
Špičnik is a small settlement located right on Slovenia's northern border with Austria. It's famous for its vineyards, where locals grow and produce some of Slovenia's finest wines. In addition, the winding heart-shaped road, dubbed the most romantic road in the world, is also a well-known attraction in Špičnik. To fully appreciate this heart-shaped road, visitors must stand on a hilltop at the Dreisiebner tourist farm. The farm owner explains that the road was created randomly because people wanted a less steep path to their homes.
DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN, DUBAI
Dubai Miracle Garden is a flower garden located in Dubailand, Dubai, and was inaugurated on Valentine's Day in 2013. It covers an area of 72,000 square meters.2With over 150 million flowers, this garden is recognized as the world's largest natural flower garden and received the Moselle Award from the Garden Tourism Award in 2015.
Dubai Miracle Garden is open to visitors from mid-November to mid-April – the time when the flowers in the garden are in full bloom and are trimmed and arranged into various shapes such as hearts, stars, huts, pyramids, etc. From May to August, due to high average temperatures, reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius, which are unsuitable for viewing the flowers, the garden will be closed.
