Salt-rich travel destinations
Next time you grind some salt over an under-seasoned dish, take a moment to appreciate this remarkable mineral, the only rock that humans eat. Salt has been such a valuable commodity over the millennia that cities and kingdoms have been built around it, while of course it also has remarkable healing properties. Every cell in our bodies contains salt, so it’s no surprise that destinations around the world celebrate its presence and affects. Here are five must-visits, and what to do when you get there.
The Dead Sea, Jordan
The world's most famous salt destination, this spectacular natural wonder offers warm, super-salty waters where you float effortlessly, buoyed by salts including sodium, magnesium, and potassium. At 1,400 feet below sea level, you’re also in the lowest place on earth as you follow in the footsteps of bathers including Cleopatra. The mineral-rich waters help to heal skin conditions as you soak, while no visit is complete without also slathering yourself in rich, black, stimulating mud. Beaches, biking, hiking and more are on offer for those seeking some adventure, combining with remarkable cultural history to make this a truly iconic destination.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
The landlocked South American country of Bolivia is home to the remarkable Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat — known in Spanish as a playa — measuring almost 4,000 square miles. It sits in the southwest of the country 12,000 feet above sea level and was formed by the evaporation of prehistoric lakes some 40,000 years ago. Marvel at the remarkable vistas, take the chance to stay in the world’s first salt hotel, and get swept away by the sight of thousands of breeding flamingos. And if it all looks familiar, it’s probably because this otherworldly terrain was a filming location for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Bonneville Salt Flats, USA
Mind-bending mirages are just one of the draws at the stunning Bonneville Salt Flats near the Utah-Nevada border in the southwestern United States. They appear on hot days as waves of heat rise from 40 square miles of salty soil. Most visitors take the two-hour drive from Salt Lake City simply to look out in awe across a pristine landscape that feels like it comes from another planet. But for the adventurous, the nearby camping and hiking are great drawcards.
Las Salinas Grandes, Argentina
Another awe-inspiring destination where salt is the hero comes from northern Argentina, namely Las Salinas Grandes. The alluring landscapes sit in a remote area some 11,000 feet up, but visitors can join tours to let others take on the travel planning. A railway known as tren a las nubes (“train to the clouds”) includes pre-Incan ruins en route to the jaw-dropping silvery-white flats, which feature the snow-capped Andes mountain range as a backdrop, plus turquoise pools and — if you’re lucky — a herd of vicunas. You can start from one of several nearby towns, where you can shop for keepsakes such as beautiful salt sculptures that let you take part of this magical spot home with you.
Pink Lakes, Victoria, Australia
Australia's hot and dry climate means that there are countless pink lakes around the country, but a few hours’ drive north of Melbourne, in Murray-Sunset National Park, sit four that are truly fit for Barbie. That’s thanks to their extraordinary bright hues caused by salt-loving red bacteria and algae. Given ideal conditions, particularly after recent rainfall, the water explodes into color, attracting hikers, Instagrammers, and campers, as Lake Crosbie features fully equipped campgrounds. One must-have souvenir comes in the form of Pink Lake Salt, harvested in partnership with the local Wotjobaluk people, and a tasty reminder of the only rock that we eat.
Makgadikgadi Pan, Botswana
Finally to Botswana in southwestern Africa, and another spot that almost defies belief. It may be difficult to pronounce, but Makgadikgadi is an incredible spot — and huge, at 6,200 square miles — in the Kalahari Basin. As the area is largely undeveloped, it suits those with a thirst for adventure travel. While remarkable year-round, in the rainy season the pans flood and attract vast numbers of wildlife including zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, and hundreds of thousands of flamingos. This extraordinary natural phenomenon is where modern humans are thought to have evolved some 200,00 years ago, when it was verdant and fertile. Now it’s one of the greatest sights in the natural world, and further testament to the allure and power of humble salt.
