Idea: Special Destinations in Maps

I am a new PoE 2 player, so apologies if this is an idea that has already been floated before, or if it is something that is already in POE 1.

One thing I love about the Atlas is how boundless it is, and how you can go in any direction and you don't know what you're going to find there until you've revealed it, whether by going there or by completing a nearby tower. It suggests that there is an element of exploration and surprise in the game, in theory, and that going in one direction might result in discoveries that you wouldn't necessarily find by going in a different direction.

In practice, however, we know that that isn't really true, since in reality what you find by going in one direction is mostly the same as what you find everywhere else: more maps of the same kind as you find everywhere else, with the occasional tower, the more rare citadel, or a unique map. Sometimes you find a hideout, but chances are that you've already unlocked that one, so you're unlikely to run that map again. We are never really surprised.

What if there were some destinations that were truly special? Maps that might not even involve combat, but might instead contain an encounter or a treasure or a service that was tremendously valuable by comparison with even unique maps as they currently exist.

What if a map contained a forge that you could use to craft weapons or armour of a higher quality than you would be able to craft using currency you get at your usual drop rate?

What if a map contained a mine you could explore that had the chance to contain special uncut gems whose quality could be raised to 40% instead of 20%?

What if a map contained a pool that you could enter which would anoint your equipment with a 'blessing' (or curse) that would help you on your way, like a Shrine that lasted for your next 10-15 maps instead of the next 30-60 seconds.

What if one map contained a clue about something you could hunt for in another map? For example, a treasure map that pointed to a chest that could be found in a nearby crypt or on a nearby shore or island map? Then, iff you had the map in your inventory, then you'd have a 30% chance to find a Unique chest when running any Sandspit or Crypt maps. (And what if there were indeed Unique chests?)

I could go on forever with specific examples, but the general idea is that maps can be more than just combat. There *could* be combat in these maps, and in fact there probably should be if there is something really valuable to find or do there. The Atlas is a unique and awesome system, and it feels like there should be more destinations that shape your journey and assist you along your way, and make it feel a bit more like an adventure or a hunt than just a grind.

Again, I'm sorry if this is a dead idea or one that already exists in PoE 1 (or even in the Unique maps in PoE2 that I haven't yet found), but I'm curious if others think this would be fun, and what kinds of destinations you would like to see in the Atlas if so.