World's Prettiest Lighthouses (PHOTOS)
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A A AStrikingly tall structures perched on rough windswept coastlines hearkening back to an earlier seafaring time in history, lighthouses are a constant source of fascination for travelers.
Some are shuttered and crumbling, others are still in full-time operation and some are open to the public and climbable, so you can experience the vantage of a lighthouse keeper yourself.
Several historic lighthouses have been converted to hotels as well, so you can voluntarily become a light sleeper (so to speak).
If you're a fan of these bright beacons from a bygone era, Lonely Planet put together a list of their top light spots around the world which are guaranteed to dazzle.
Text by Ben Handicott, Lonely Planet.
Eddystone, UK
The lighthouse on the Eddystone rocks is the fourth such structure to bear the Eddystone name. The Great Storm of 1703 (a hurricane that blew for a week) destroyed the first incarnation, lit in 1698. The second structure was a wooden wonder, lit in 1709 but destroyed by fire in 1755. The third attempt was made from stone and lit in 1759, but the rock it was built on was unstable, so the structure was dismantled 120 years later – today, you can visit the reassembled lighthouse at Plymouth. In 1882 the current structure was lit, a sleek, modern-looking tower built near the stumpy remains of Eddystone III.
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Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (Maine) is simply beautiful.
August 23 2011 at 9:58 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyPortland Head Lighthouse in Maine, Yaquina Head Lighthouse in Oregon & Heceta Lighthouse also in Oregon are my choices.
July 20 2011 at 11:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThose are great, but not one of the great lighthouses along Michigan's coast made the cut? I find that unacceptable....there are some beautiful ones!! Just saying.:)
July 07 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI can't believe that the lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth, Maine wasn't included. See my photo on Facebook. Donna Opfer
July 07 2011 at 9:37 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyDIDN'T IT SAY, 'WORLD'S PRETTIEST LIGHTHOUSES??' THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE ~~ COULDN'T THEY FIND SOME 'PRETTY' ONES??
July 02 2011 at 8:39 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI'm planning to do a lighthouse 6 day tour in the New England states this fall. Any recommendations?
I've been to Pemaquid Pt and Peggy's Cove and maybe a few others but I'm interested in seeing what you suggest. OH, also any other points of interest not to be missed like maybe ???
Thanks
THE SOUTH EAST LIGHT ON BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. IS NOT ONE TO PASS ON LIGHTLY.
July 02 2011 at 3:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe Great Lakes have some very nice ones. :)
July 02 2011 at 3:25 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyI didn't realize that we had prettier lighthourses around the world other that the U.S.
July 02 2011 at 3:22 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyReally that's the best you have. Split Rock Lighthouse-check the Edmund Fitzgeral Memorial picture.
July 02 2011 at 2:58 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyHot 5 Deals
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