The places on your bucket list you should visit
Where are the world's most stunning locations? It's hard to select a favorite on a globe that is home to flamingo-pink lakes in Mexico, as well as wide, multicolored hills in the USA, green ripples of rice fields in Indonesia, and majestic icescapes in Antarctica, so why choose one? These are our top 59 most gorgeous spots to visit, which come from different nations all around the world.
Australia's Shark Bay
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is at the westernmost tip of Australian soil. It was established in the 17th century by Dutch explorers when Captain Cook had not yet reached Botany Bay. The region is diversified, including stromatolites on the edge of Hamelin Pool, a beach formed entirely of small white shells, and the world's purest salt mine at Useless Loop, which can only be reached by four-by-four or seen from the air.
Peru's Paracas
Paracas, a tiny beach hamlet in Peru's Ica province, is where the desert and the sea converge. An excursion to the rocky islands off the Pacific coast known as Islas Ballestas, home to large populations of young penguins and sea lions, is a must for anybody visiting the region.
Portugal's Algarve
The red-cliffed coastline and whitewashed Moorish villages in the southwest of Portugal have started to draw people away from the area's busiest spots. It also makes a fantastic winter sun choice because it has its sunny microclimate and inexpensive lodging options like Casa Mé in Lagos.
France's Paris
It is a city never sleeps with its spectacular architecture, magnificent boulevards, top-notch art, jewel-box patisseries, and traditional lodging options. The best way to explore its unrivaled culinary culture is to stumble upon corner bistros down cobblestone streets.
Hòa Bình, Vietnam
The province of Ha Binh, which translates to "Vietnamese meaning peace," lies in the north of the nation and is home to numerous rice fields and hill tribes like the Hmong, Muong, and Dzao.
Beach at Sarakiniko in Milos, Greece
Off-the-beaten-path Milos boasts some of the Aegean's best beaches without the commotion of Mykonos or Santorini. One of the island's most captivating bays is formed by the moon-like Sarakiniko, which is made up of mounds of undulating, bone-white, wave-like volcanic rock.
Antarctica
The aridest, windiest, driest, and least friendly to the life-forms continent on earth is also the coldest. Antarctica is pristine and uninhabited; only seals, penguins, and marine life are permanent residents. It's as far away as it can be.
California's Death Valley
Death Valley, dubbed the hottest area on earth, set a temperature record in 2019 with a temperature of 53 °C. The National Park has many varied environments, including icy summits, sweltering beaches, and flowery meadows. It is a big expanse of contrasts. The multi-hued Artists Palette, a collection of eroded hills whose coloring is brought on by the oxidation of naturally occurring metal deposits in the mountains, is one of the most well-known places. Fans of "Star Wars" will be curious to visit the location that served as the model for Tatooine.
France's Provence
The Provençal countryside becomes purple in the summer when the endless fields of lavender are in flower. When the crop is collected after the growing season, the plant's aromatic essence is added to honey, soaps, and pastries.
In Cambodia, Bayon
In the center of Angkor Thom, Bayon is a state temple from the 12th century that is a remarkable architectural achievement and was built in honor of one of Cambodia's most illustrious rulers, Jayavarman VII. The temple is filled with 54 Gothic towers that are decorated with 216 enormous smiling images of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, whose architecture illustrates the transition from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. Bayon, Angkor Wat's off-the-beaten-path younger sister, is a close second in popularity despite being nearby.
Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
One of Wyoming's most recognizable sites is the National Park's famed trio of peaks, with the Grand serving as the range's highest peak. Many experienced explorers recommend hiking it, while novices seeking an outdoor adventure may also choose to float down the Snake River or mountain bike through the 310,000-acre area. Finish it off with dinner at Snake River Grill in the heart of Jackson and a stay the night at the cliff-side Amangani.
Venezuela's Angel Falls
The UNESCO-protected Canaima National Park is home to the 3,212-foot-tall waterfall that serves as the world's largest waterfall and served as the basis for the Disney movie "Up." Only boats and airplanes can reach the location.
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country with a gateway to the East. The land is characterized by unspoiled pine woods, rugged slopes, and rolling jailors (summer pastures). Visitors swarm to glacial lakes during the summer months, and in the winter, staying with semi-nomadic shepherds is an experience unlike any other.
Venice's Grand Canal
The center's 12,500-foot-long canal, which has served as an inspiration for artists like Monet, JMW Turner, and Canaletto, runs right through it. It's the largest river in the Floating City, bordered by structures constructed between the 12th and the 17th centuries.
Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park
The largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe, Hwange contains a high variety of animals than any other national park in the world. It is big than Belgium and is home to 500 different bird species and more than 50,000 elephants. The ideal time to view migrating birds is during the rainy winter months. You may also schedule an off-season safari around this period when the park sees fewer tourists.
Mongolia
Despite being the 18th biggest nation in the world, Mongolia has the fewest people—three million—and a third of its land is covered in desert. Travelers may experience local life by horseback riding, caring for animals, and staying in a herder's ger, a traditional felt yurt.
Australia's Lake Eyre
The lowest point on the continent is this salt lake. The body often only fills up entirely twice per 100 years and is typically dry owing to evaporating water and salt deposits.
Indonesia's Bali
Scooter-buzzing is just minutes away In Ubud, there are artistic, unassuming towns, vividly green rice terraces, verdant woodlands, and enormous rainforests. One of the 17,000 islands in Indonesia, Bali has year-round average temperatures of roughly 30 °C. Bicycle about and then visit one of the great beach clubs.
East Sussex Country Park, United Kingdom
One of the nation's best walking paths and coastal parks, the Seven Sisters, may be found on Britain's unspoiled south coast. The coastal walk begins close to Eastbourne, the beginning of the 100-mile South Downs Way, and 280 hectares of chalk cliffs, a twisting river valley, and flat top grasslands with views of the English Channel.
Desert of Atacama in South America
Follow the path taken by revolutionary Che Guevara, who left Buenos Aires on his motorcycle and rode across the Atacama Desert, the Peruvian Amazon, and up to Venezuela. Huge sand plains gradually transition into towering dune tops and canyons that rise to plateaus of dusty grass. The Andes tower above the Chilean-Argentinean border, blending one into the other, making this a journey for adventurers. Future Mars missions are even tested on the desert by NASA.
Japan's Fuji Mountain
The tallest peak in Japan, Fuji-san, is a holy mountain and a national emblem. On a clear day, it can be seen from Tokyo, but traveling the shinkansen bullet train from the City to Osaka is one of the great ways to observe the still-active volcano (top tip: sit on the right-hand side for the best views). During cherry blossom season, it is worthwhile to travel to the neighboring cities of Hakone and Fujigoko (where there are natural hot springs).
Jaipur and the Hawa Mahal Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan
The biggest City in Rajasthan is teeming with bustling bazaars, holy lakes, and glittering royal castles, including the opulent Rajmahal Palace, a sophisticated hotel owned by the 18th-century royal family. The honeycomb-like Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is undoubtedly the most recognizable of all the Pink City's well-known pink-hued structures. The sandstone building contains 953 tiny outside windows, or jharokhas, which are embellished with elaborate latticework.
Namib's Skeleton Coast
The oldest desert in the world, the Namib, is surrounded by miles and miles of stone and sand, dry riverbeds, and dunes in the heart of its massive Skeleton Coast. Elephants, giraffes, lions, brown hyaenas, and Cape fur seals are among the creatures that have adapted to the desert and may be found here.
The Scottish Highlands
The beginning of the eastern Highlands is a few hours away from bustling Edinburgh, which is close to the Cairngorms. The region includes Skye, the North Coast 500 route, and the community of John O' Groats. It also includes Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. Everything in nature is beautiful, from bubbling Fairy Pools to herds of big-horned cattle to crystal-clear coastal seas to snow-capped mountains.
Turkey's Pamukkale
This natural beauty is composed of layers of white travertine terraces with ice-blue spa pools and has the Turkish name "cotton castle." It is also close to the location of Hierapolis, a Greek-Roman city built in the second century BC, with its well-preserved remains.
The Alps.
The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe, spanning eight nations: France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia. Popular cities include Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (the highest peak), Lech, Gstaad, and Courchevel, and it offers some of the best skiing in the whole globe.
Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago.
The five islands that make up this archipelago—Bazaruto, the largest, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina, and Bangue, the smallest—were previously joined to the mainland by a peninsula, but now, when the Indian Ocean recedes at low tide, white sand ripples and swirls may be seen. Its seas are home to manta rays, schools of dolphins, hawksbill turtles, and dugongs, making it a protected marine park (cousins of equally curious manatees).
Bolivia's Ojos del Mar
Within the salty plains of Ojos del Mar, which are located in the Tolar Grande area of Bolivia, there are six waterholes with a turquoise coloration. The water, which is home to microorganisms and stromatolites (deposits made by algae), can change somewhat in color, from dazzling blue to seafoam green, depending on the position of the sun.
New Zealand's Mount Cook
The South Island's Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, which is a part of the Te Whipounamu World Heritage Site and is home to New Zealand's tallest peak, is a mountaineer's paradise. The Tasman Glacier, which is the biggest and longest in the region, covers more than 40% of the land. Sir Edmund Hillary received his training for the historic first climb of Mount Everest here.
Provence's Gordes
On the edge of the Vaucluse plateau, Gordes stands out as one of Luberon's most stunning hilltop hamlets. The classic medieval town, with views of the Provence countryside around it, is a must-see. The journey will be complete if you stay in Bastide de Gordes, the village's most opulent hotel.
Emerald Lake, in British Columbia, Canada
Yoho National Park in British Columbia contains Emerald Lake, which is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Canadian Rockies. Backdropped by the tall mountain peaks of President Range, the clear glacial water is great for canoeing and taking a quick swim in the summer.
Islands of the Faroes
This remote archipelago, which is self-governed, is made up of 18 volcanic islands, where sheep outnumber people. The Nordic scenery is made up of grass-covered homes, rugged coasts, and gorgeous waterfalls, but there is also an unexpected cuisine scene.
In Hong Kong
One of the world's most densely populated cities, retro Hong Kong, combines modern high-rise structures with historic architecture. It is a city known for its street cuisine, and having dim sum like a native in an antique teahouse is a must-do activity. Take a Star Ferry or trek the highlands of Ma On Shan, one of the City's surrounding peaks, for the greatest views of the harbor.
India's Jodhpur
The Blue City is a walled, enchanted city with twisting medieval alleyways. The 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, still owned by the royal family and now a museum, overlooks the ancient city's box-shaped houses, shops, and bazaars.
Arizona's Antelope Canyon.
The small ravine is a jewel of the American Southwest, filled with ripples of eroded stone formations, with sunshine producing orange filters and vibrant patterns. The Navajo name of this slot canyon translates to "the place where water pours through rocks." This location is one of the most stunning spots on earth, as evidenced by the appeal of this location among serious photographers.
Norway's Svalbard
A three-hour trip from Oslo takes you to this Arctic archipelago, which boasts one of the world's tougher climates. Nearly two-thirds of it is protected. The islands are made up of bird sanctuaries, nature reserves, and national parks where polar bears roam. Wintertime viewing of the Northern Lights is possible, while summertime viewing is also possible when temperatures reach a high of 6°C and the sun never sets.
Denmark, Copenhagen
The forward-thinking epicenter of Scandinavian chic is popular with food, design nerds, and hip young people. It's a city to be taken seriously with its innovative cuisine culture, including Noma (and Noma 2.0), which is renowned worldwide. The downtown Nyhavn harbor is dotted with colorful structures, but it's also worthwhile to see the alternative communities of Christiania, Vesterbro, and Nrrebro.
Kenya's Lamu
On the same island in the Indian Ocean, the historic town of Lamu was founded in the fourteenth century. The port city, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a mash-up of cultures, including Swahili, Asian, Arabic, and European, while beautiful dhows float past all day long along the laid-back shoreline.
China's Wulingyuan
In the Hunan Province, Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area are made up of more than 3,000 skinny quartz-sandstone pillars. These majestic natural formations, several of which rise above 656 feet, are divided by gorges, caves, and waterfalls. It's simple to understand how James Cameron got the idea for Avatar when visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
California's Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park, north of San Francisco, is home to the tallest trees in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a component of an International Biosphere Reserve that safeguards over half of the world's old-growth redwood trees, some of which are 370 feet tall. It's great for camping, hiking, and biking with more than 200 miles of trail paths.
Cuba's Havana
The capital of this island nation's decaying facades continues to draw waves of wandering artists, rum enthusiasts, and cigar smokers. Seven of Hemingway's works were written there, and he frequented La Bodeguita del Medio for Mojitos. And with December temperatures reaching 27°C, it's the perfect place to enjoy the winter sun.
Japan's Kyoto
Kyoto, regarded as the cultural epicenter of Japan, is flooded with historic temples and shrines, tranquil teahouses, and exquisite gardens. Shinto temple Fushimi-inari, which is brilliant orange and located in the hills, is stunning to look at. Grab a cup of specialty coffee, which is highly valued in the old-world city, then make the two-hour trip past the hundreds of torii (gates). Other places to explore include Gion, the geisha district, Kinkaku-golden ji's pavilion, and Nishiki Market, where you may eat some street cuisine or partake in a traditional kaiseki feast at one of the city's restaurants.
Morocco's Marrakech
The colorful city may be most known for its market culture, spice traders, and historic medinas, it also has reinvented riads, hip independent stores, and a vibrant contemporary art scene. There are many sites to explore, from the cobalt-blue Jardin Majorelle that Yves Saint Laurent restored to the smokey street food booths in Jemaa el-Fna.
Italia's Ischia
A short boat trip from Naples, the island of Ischia is a jumble of fishing towns and beaches that rival Amalfi without the tourists. It is famous for its thermal baths and unassuming local life.
In Israel, Jerusalem
The Old City, considered sacred by many religions, combines elaborate architecture with sites of worship. One of the earliest pieces of Islamic architecture still in existence is the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. The Kotel, commonly known as the Western Wall, is the most sacred place in Judaism and is a must-see for everyone traveling there for the first time.
Australia's Bondi Icebergs
The Bondi Icebergs swimming pool is arguably the most well-known in the world. The Olympic-sized building has been at Bondi Beach's southern end for more than a century. It is filled with salt water, neither heated nor chlorinated, and has the Tasman Sea lapping at its edge.
The Philippines
More than 7,000 islands, around 5,000 of which are deserted, and 175 different languages are spoken in the Philippines. El Nido is the best location for diving because of its clean water and abundant marine life.
Japan's Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
The eerie Arashiyama bamboo grove is located around 20 minutes outside of Kyoto's downtown. To escape the crowds and get a chance to view, touch, and hear the wood groaning in the wind, arrive at about 7 am. The morning light is equally otherworldly. A neighboring Arabica coffee shop has a view of the Hozugawa River.
Yucatan, Mexico; Las Coloradas
On the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico, the amazing pink lakes are a part of the Ra Lagartos Biosphere, a legally protected natural area. In addition to turning the local flamingos pink, red-colored algae, plankton, and brine shrimp that flourish in the waters also contribute to the annual production of 500,000 tons of salt.
Madagascar's Avenue of the Baobabs
With good reason, this is one of Madagascar's most popular natural attractions. Along with the amazing photo possibilities provided by the auburn-hued trees, visitors flock to see the rare fauna that lives nearby in the overgrowth and to support local conservation efforts.
Iceland's Blue Lagoon
Unexpectedly, one of Iceland's most breathtaking locations is man-made. Water from a neighboring geothermal power plant flows through turbines and into the Blue Lagoon as a byproduct. Travelers take advantage of the water's abundant mineral content by bathing in it and smothering themselves in the rich clay, which is explained by natural geological layers.
South Africa's Cape Town
Are you hoping to see some penguins in the wild? Even though visiting Antarctica is a dream vacation, there is no need to save up for it. The animals congregate on the sands of some of South Africa's most picturesque beaches in search of a mate away from the dreadful great whites that circle beneath the waves only a few meters away.
USA's Grand Canyon
In addition to being stunning, the Grand Canyon is also important from a geological perspective because the water flowing through it has exposed layers of rock that date back billions of years. It is a part of the Colorado River basin. Native Americans still call it home; they first settled there in the caves thousands of years ago, and it is a well-liked destination for tourists on day trips.
Mexico's cenotes
Mexico's cenotes, formed by the collapse of worn limestone, have mysteries and beauty that sunshine-chasers find each year. The ancient Maya people celebrated the distinctive formations, and archaeological digs over time have uncovered artifacts made of gold, jadeite, shell, and other materials on the sandy depths.
USA's Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has uncovered stone tools and spearheads that indicate the area may have been inhabited as long as 8,000 years ago. By staying in opulent micro resorts and catered vacation cottages, modern travelers experience this environment differently. Do you think the scenery is fantastic throughout the day? At night, the sky will offer a unique and wonderful spectacle.
In the Maldives
The sandy shores of the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, are littered with spoiling getaways of various sizes and kinds. The luxurious spa resorts, diverse dining options, and crystal-clear seas provide plenty of opportunities for snorkeling and diving excursions. When you dive into the water, you'll discover a world of kaleidoscope colors where fish flit in and out of focus.
Canada's Peyto Lake
On cloudier days, one of Canada's most picturesque and photographed lakes is a pool of cerulean, while on sunny days, its glacial waters reflect the sky's mottled blue hue. As they approach Bow Summit, the highest point on the Icefields Parkway, ardent amblers are well rewarded.
Seychelles, La Digue
La Digue, Seychelles' third-most populous island, was named after a ship in the fleet of French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion de Fresne, who traveled there in 1768. Anse Source d'Argent is frequently cited as one of the world's most beautiful beaches because of its surreal granite formations, crystal waves, and fine sand; visitors swoon over the location as they leave the island's ultra-luxurious hotels and resorts.
USA's Yellowstone National Park
The oldest national park in the world is home to numerous wildlife, including bison, bears, geese, and deer. As many people hunker down throughout the chilly winters and wait for the first signs of spring, each shift in the seasons pulls new inhabitants out of their houses. The Yellowstone Caldera, a massive crater created by a catastrophic volcanic explosion around 640,000 years ago, is a feature of the park.