12 World destinations that will take your breath away
Most Gorgeous Destinations Around the World
The world is a beautiful place. And we’re very blessed to live on a planet with so many destinations that inspire us – often beyond words.
Whether natural or manmade, their striking beauty captivates us, leaving us in awe and an unforgettable impact that lasts a lifetime.
Narrowing down the most beautiful sights in the world is no easy task, as visiting all the magnificent places our planet offers could take a lifetime, possibly more. But these are some of our favorites for one main reason – they are so unique and strikingly unbelievable; they leave us breathless.
Some you may know well, some you may not be as familiar with, but nonetheless, they are all magical sights we need to experience at least once.
Arizona’s Grand Canyon
I have to start the list with this destination because the first time I stood peering into the deep cavernous multi-hued cliff formations of the Grand Canyon, it almost took me to my knees. It’s a scene created with the brushstrokes of Mother Nature’s guiding hand.
There’s a reason over six million people visit this natural wonder every year. Its immense size leaves you speechless. Words cannot do it justice. At 277 miles long and one mile deep, it’s among the earth’s greatest ongoing geological spectacles offering some of the most stunning vistas imaginable.
Argentina/Brazil’s Iguazu Falls
There are so many stunning waterfalls throughout the world and of course, we’re familiar with some of the most popular such as Niagara Falls and Africa’s Victoria Falls.
Why are we so impressed with Iguazu Falls? Made up of 275 individual waterfalls, it’s one of the largest cataracts in the world. In 2011, Iguazu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the only waterfall on the list.
What sets it apart from other falls is that interspersed among its immense walls of falling water are delicate cascades and rivulets that dance among lush tropical foliage. Spectacular rainbows here are a routine occurrence.
Canada’s Moraine Lake
Views of this incredibly gorgeous glacially-fed lake in Banff National Park, Western Alberta are simply spectacular. Although arguably less famous than its nearby sister Lake Louise, Moraine Lake has the same incredible multi-hued aquamarine waters.
The panorama of mountains behind the lake in Valley of the Ten Peaks is known as the Twenty Dollar View and is stunningly reflected on the water’s surface. Add in a canoeing or kayaking trip on this crystalline lake, and it becomes one of the most serene travel memories you’ll ever experience.
Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park
Located in the southernmost part of Chile, this breathtaking national park serves as one of the 11 areas protecting the wild and magnificent Patagonia region. The diverse ecosystem includes lakes, grasslands, glaciers, rivers, and mountains.
Not only a place of unbelievably beautiful scenery, the park also is home to pumas, llama-like guanacos and wild horses. This is nature at its absolute finest.
Croatia’s Plitvice Lakes National Park
This mountainous protected forest reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in central Croatia. The park covers 114 square miles and features 16 turquoise crystal-clear lakes and several spectacular waterfalls everchanging the formation of the massive tufa rocks over which they flow.
A vast network of paths and boardwalks around the lakes make it easy to explore this enchanted wonderland. It’s filled with lush woodlands and beguiling wildlife at every turn like brown bears, wild cats, eagles, and more, as well as 75 endemic plant species.
French Polynesia’s Bora Bora
The South Pacific is known for its spectacular natural beauty, but the series of islands that make up French Polynesia’s Bora Bora are truly its crown jewel. This tropical paradise, once a volcano, subsequently formed a calm barrier reef. Its unique magical interior lagoon boasts some of the most pristine technicolor tourmaline waters in the world.
As the most celebrated island in the South Pacific, Bora Bora touts its stunning reef ecosystem as a sublime protected sanctuary. And those overwater bungalows you see in so many photos? Yes, they are man-made but are definitely a siren call to those who want to experience a true island paradise unlike any other.
Germany’s Neuschwanstein
This nineteenth-century fairytale castle perched on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany is the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. But this is the real deal!
Walking to the castle itself an absolute treat as the imposing neo-Gothic palace fortress surrounded by lush, wooded hills, slopes, and towering mountains comes into view. No, it’s not medieval, but it’s romantically unforgettable.
Italy’s Amalfi Coast
It’s almost impossible to describe the sheer majesty of this wild and wonderful Southern Italy coastline that runs from Sorrento on the northern end to Vietri Sul Mar on the south.
Vistas along this dramatic 50-kilometer coastline are mesmerizing. Sheer, craggy cliffs plunging into the sea and disappearing into mysterious grottos are around every bend. Each of the towns along the coast have their own unique beauty. One of our favorites is Positano, arguably the most picturesque and photogenic of Amalfi Coast’s charming seaside villages.
Kauai’s Na Pali Coastline
This is one of the most magnificent places we’ve ever visited. Known for its unique geography and unparalleled natural beauty, Kauai is one of the most breathtaking islands in the world. 97 percent of its land is covered with verdant, undeveloped mountain ranges and lush, tropical rainforests.
The soaring Na Pali Coast has stunning velvety emerald peaks and taking a helicopter tour is the best way to experience its unparalleled beauty. They provide birds-eye views of accordion-folded cliffs, countless waterfall plumes, and innumerable canyons and valleys. It’s no wonder that Na Pali provided the perfect location for Jurassic Park filming. Adding to its majesty, countless rainbows magically appear around every bend.
Hiking the Na Pali coast is another unforgettable experience. Though its pathways can be slippery with uneven footing, the views are simply indescribable. If there’s a heaven on earth, this is it.
Myanmar’s Temples of Bagan
Over 3,500 breathtaking Buddhist pagodas and temples dating back to the 9th century make up the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar.
Scholars believe that Bagan rulers constructed over 13,000 religious buildings over a 250 year-span, establishing this country’s Buddhist landmark. In 2019, UNESCO officially named Myanmar’s Temples of Bagan a World Heritage site and though many of its temples were destroyed over the centuries from earthquakes, preservation of the imposing and impressive still-standing structures is ongoing.
New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park
This astonishing national park is made up of nearly three million acres of mountains, scenic alpine lakes, picturesque fiords and lush rainforests. Fjordland is also home to a plentiful wildlife population flourishing in its many diverse habitats that thankfully see little human interference.
We love this place for it showcases the striking beauty of the wonders of nature preserved in one of the least disturbed corners of the Earth. It’s hard to imagine a place better suited to nature lovers and conscientious outdoor explorers than Fiordland National Park.
Peru’s Machu Picchu
No matter how many award-winning photos you’ve seen of Machu Pichu, there is nothing like experiencing in person this astonishingly beautiful ethereal ancient city in the clouds. It’s almost a life-changing moment. For here, man-made structures blend with nature in perfect harmony.
Archeologists believe this Andes Mountain city was constructed in the mid-1400s. Among its verdant rolling hills numerous palaces, residences and stone temples were expertly constructed. Much of the site is still surrounded by its famous Inca stone walls.
Today, Machu Picchu is not only one of the most cherished archaeological sites in South America but as an UNESCO World Heritage Site it is visited by millions each year.
Final Thoughts
India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru once said “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
The world embraces many beautiful places. But the ones that are sublime enough to literally take our breath away are those we will never forget. They live on in our memories forever as part of our ‘heaven on Earth.’