If you're looking to spot an alien, you'll have the most luck in these destinations. Photo / Getty Images
If you're looking to spot an alien, you'll have the most luck in these destinations. Photo / Getty Images
Today is World UFO Day - a festival of all things extraterrestrial, celebrated all around the galaxy by those who want to believe.
If you've ever dreamed of seeing a flying saucer - or believe you have already - these alien-rich destinations are for you. From Roswell to the Australian Outback, the truth is out there...
Roswell, New Mexico
An alien themed gift shop in Roswell, New Mexico. Photo / Getty Images
Ground zero in any UFO-seekers bucket list, Roswell is where it's at. Back in the summer of 1947, a rancher found some mysterious debris in a field and reported it to the air force. The recovery of a "flying disk" was initially reported, before later being identified as a weather balloon. Despite the official explanation, supposed witnesses corroborated the original UFO story and cried cover-up. The stories haven't gone away – Roswell hosts multiple festivals over the summer to commemorate the event, while the city's UFO Museum & Research Center displays the evidence.
The Little A'le'inn in Rachel, Nevada - a small bar, restaurant and motel on the Extraterrestrial Highway. Photo / Getty Images
A military airfield shrouded in secrecy, Area 51 is believed to be where the ill-fated Roswell spaceship and its occupants were eventually taken. Some say the area is also used to manufacture aircraft based on alien technology. Today, it's protected only by a chain-link fence, a boom gate and a few no-trespassing signs – but cameras are always watching and how close you can get is limited. Whether the alien rumours are fact or fiction, they've become a major drawcard for tourism. The state of Nevada even renamed Route 375 as the "Extraterrestrial Highway", with destinations such as the Alien Research Centre and the Little A'Le'Inn dotted along the way. To the west of Area 51, you'll find the Alien Cathouse – advertised as the only alien-themed brothel in the world.
San Clemente UFO Trail, Chile
Chile is said to have the highest number of UFO sightings in the world. Photo / Getty Images
Chile is reportedly the country with the highest recorded number of UFO sightings – and its high altitude landscapes and clear skies have made it popular with international UFO-seekers. The country even has a government body, called the CEFAA (Committee for Studies of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena), which investigates UAPS (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) with the Chilean Air Force.
El Enladrillado in Chile. Photo / Leonardo Needham
Those who are keen to see a UAP for themselves can try their luck on the San Clemente UFO Trail. The city is considered the unofficial UFO capital of the world, with sightings reported there as much as once a week. The 30km trail winds through the Andes and covers areas where UFOs have been reported. One of the main highlights is El Enladrillado – a huge flat area made from 200 perfectly cut volcanic blocks. Was it the work of aliens?
Wiltshire, England
Crop circles at Wiltshire in 1996. Photo / Getty Images
The picturesque town of Warminster in Wiltshire is sometimes referred to as "Britain's Area 51", with dozens of reported sightings of alien visitors. The most famous occurred on Christmas Day, 1964, when a loud noise rocked the town, followed by an orange flame in the sky. A flock of pigeons were said to be killed by the sound and strange objects began appearing in the skies in the years following.
The Wiltshire area is also known for crop circles, which have appeared overnight in the fields of local farms. It's also not from the mysterious Stonehenge site – and some believe the ancient ring of massive stones was built as a landing pad for spaceships.
Wycliffe Well is the self-proclaimed UFO Capital of Australia. Photo / Getty Images
In the "UFO Capital of Australia", extra-terrestrial visitors are known to make an appearance during the dry season, from May to October. Located in the middle of the Northern Territory, this tiny town is the kind of place you stumble across on your way to somewhere else. During World War II, Wycliffe Well was used as a watering hole by servicemen – which is when the UFO sightings began. There were so many sightings that the local roadhouse started keeping a log – a tradition that continues to this day. The roadhouse is also known for its extensive beer selection, which may explain some of the sightings.
