The Azores, Portugal
This Portuguese archipelago, located some 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon, may pique travel fever with just one image. The Azores are a place worth seeing because of its lush valleys, sheer oceanside cliffs, rows of blue hydrangeas, and scattered waterfalls. Just be sure to go before everyone else you know does.
Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China
In this case, “scenic” could be an understatement: Thousands of sandstone pillars make up this 100-square-mile tourist destination in China’s Hunan Province. Some of them even reach heights greater than the midway of the Empire State Building.
Antarctica
Yes, we did put a whole continent on this. Despite having ice covering 99 percent of its surface, Antarctica’s scenery nevertheless manages to be incredibly diversified, with 360-degree views of virgin snow, active volcanoes, strange blue glaciers, and turbulent rivers like the Drake Passage. And when an emperor penguin or humpback whale shows up, those sights get much better.
Na Pali Coast, Hawaii
With its majestic waterfalls and secluded crescent beaches, Kauai’s shoreline is among the most beautiful in the entire world. Just be aware that you’ll need to put out some effort to really appreciate its charms, as the only ways to view Na Pali are from a helicopter, catamaran, or a strenuous trek.
Namib Desert, Namibia
Namibia is unlike any other place on Earth because of its surreal scenery, remote luxury lodges, and herds of rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. In fact, you could mistakenly believe that you have been transported to Mars instead of Southwest Africa because of its crimson sand dunes and skeleton trees.
Capri, Italy
Italy has a wide variety of natural beauty, from rugged peaks and green hills to turquoise oceans and white-sand beaches. Few places in the world can make such a claim. However, Capri Island is unquestionably one of the most beautiful (and glitziest) places in the nation.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
This natural wonder, which reaches a height of 702 feet at its highest point, is one of the best examples of the wild, unadulterated beauty of Ireland’s west coast. In spite of the fact that you might be more familiar with them as the Cliffs of Insanity from The Princess Bride, the cliffs are really near Galway.
Banff National Park, Canada
With views of the Canadian Rockies and a regular cast of wildlife, Banff National Park is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and glacial Lake Minnewanka are just a few of the park’s many stunning lakes, each one more immaculate than the previous.
