15 of the World’s Most Scenic Locations
If you’re stumped for your next holiday destination, look no further: here are 15 of the world’s most beautiful locations, perfect for snapping photos or simply gazing in awe. Add them to your bucket list, or you’ll wish you had.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The name translated to “Descending Dragon Bay,” and it’s just as impressive as that suggests. At around 1500 square kilometres, this giant lake is full of towering rocky islets covered in tropical plants, but the real treasure lies further inside: the floating fishing villages of Ha Long Bay.
La Grotta Cove, Corfu Island, Greece
Romantic and secluded, this is the place for a honeymoon swim or a holiday romance. It’s rocky, not sandy, but the water is crystal blue and ideal for floating blissfully as you listen to the music coming from the nearby bar. Corfu is dotted with holiday resorts and can get crowded in summer, but the scenery is worth it.
Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang, China
Melted snow runs into this valley from the nearby mountains and turns a spectacular turquoise blue, so bright that it almost seems to glow. Not only that, but at the head of the valley, the rock formations in the river have been eroded into a series of white-water terraces. A real photographer’s dream.
Inca Trail, Peru
This trail leading up to the world-famous Macchu Picchu site is a sight worth seeing just on its own. 43km long, it covers all kinds of landscapes from jungle to cloud forest to sweeping alpine views – and along the way you’ll see ancient Inca ruins, leading up to the main event at the top of the trail.
Torres del Paine, Chile
One of Chile’s newest national parks, it includes rivers, lakes, awe-inspiring glaciers and craggy mountains – there’s a different, beautiful view everywhere you look. Take the 9-hour ascent up the the southern tip of the Andes for breath-taking views – if you have any breath left after the high-intensity trail.
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Sprawling over a remote part of what Australians like to call the “Top End” of the country, the 20,000km2 expanse is the ultimate Aussie getaway, with rainforests, pristine rock-pools, bizarre and beautiful wildlife, and ancient Aboriginal art on its red rocks. Watch the sun set over the sandstone cliffs, and feel at peace.
Schlegeisspeicher, Austria
This deep valley surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks looks like a cross between Middle-earth and The Sound of Music. In winter, you can ski on the mountains and enjoy a view like no other on earth.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah, USA
2,000 feet deep, this sandstone canyon can be seen two ways: on horseback, or by hiking through the Virgin River at the bottom of the canyon. It’s a trek for the adventurous, with slippery rocks, but the payoff is worth it: stunning visuals of hanging gardens, natural springs, and a soaring rocky cathedral.
Lau Archipelago, Fiji
This isn’t just one place, but more like 50 – a collection of islands and atolls, 200 miles from the mainland. Its remoteness means there are few other tourists, so you can marvel at the huge diversity of marine life in peace or simply float in the sunlit, shallow waters. Every morning and evening, the islanders sing traditional storytelling songs to accompany world-class sunrises and sunsets.
Petra, Jordan
Known as the “Pink City,” these ancient buildings are made of rose-coloured sandstone that glows at sunset, when the city is lit up with candles. Full of incredible palaces and ornate tombs, it’s a rare and haunting glimpse into another time.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
One of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the Okavango is a haven for wildlife from elephants and hippos to monkeys and rare African birds – it’s an animal-spotting bonanza. But perhaps the best part is watching the delta come to life each year as rivers flow in, turning it into a huge green wetland.
Bordeaux, Gironde, France
Famous for a reason, this is the place for wine lovers, foodies, history buffs, and anyone with a liking for true French elegance. Wander in the countryside, sip wine in ornate town squares, or marvel at the ornate Palais-de-la-Bourse and its perfect reflection in the miroir-d’eau (mirror pool).
Tuscany, Italy
Forget Rome – when you think Italy, this is probably the place you think of. Full of timeless rolling hills, golden haze, vineyards, olive groves, medieval towns and ancient ruins, you’ll feel as if you’re starring in your very own chick-travel movie.
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Dating back to the 9th century in places, the temple site is huge, complex, gorgeously designed and, even in its slightly decrepit state, awe-inspiring. You can wander around for hours looking at sculptures of Buddhist mythology, imposing towers and feeling the immense age of this place.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This entire city is a sight in itself, whether seen from the foot of its famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, or from ground level where you might run into Carnivale celebrations, perfect beaches, samba dancers, brightly-coloured barrio housing, or the jungle of Tijuca Forest in the heart of the city.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
The name translated to “Descending Dragon Bay,” and it’s just as impressive as that suggests. At around 1500 square kilometres, this giant lake is full of towering rocky islets covered in tropical plants, but the real treasure lies further inside: the floating fishing villages of Ha Long Bay.
La Grotta Cove, Corfu Island, Greece
Romantic and secluded, this is the place for a honeymoon swim or a holiday romance. It’s rocky, not sandy, but the water is crystal blue and ideal for floating blissfully as you listen to the music coming from the nearby bar. Corfu is dotted with holiday resorts and can get crowded in summer, but the scenery is worth it.
Blue Moon Valley, Lijiang, China
Melted snow runs into this valley from the nearby mountains and turns a spectacular turquoise blue, so bright that it almost seems to glow. Not only that, but at the head of the valley, the rock formations in the river have been eroded into a series of white-water terraces. A real photographer’s dream.
Inca Trail, Peru
This trail leading up to the world-famous Macchu Picchu site is a sight worth seeing just on its own. 43km long, it covers all kinds of landscapes from jungle to cloud forest to sweeping alpine views – and along the way you’ll see ancient Inca ruins, leading up to the main event at the top of the trail.
Torres del Paine, Chile
One of Chile’s newest national parks, it includes rivers, lakes, awe-inspiring glaciers and craggy mountains – there’s a different, beautiful view everywhere you look. Take the 9-hour ascent up the the southern tip of the Andes for breath-taking views – if you have any breath left after the high-intensity trail.
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Sprawling over a remote part of what Australians like to call the “Top End” of the country, the 20,000km2 expanse is the ultimate Aussie getaway, with rainforests, pristine rock-pools, bizarre and beautiful wildlife, and ancient Aboriginal art on its red rocks. Watch the sun set over the sandstone cliffs, and feel at peace.
Schlegeisspeicher, Austria
This deep valley surrounded by soaring snow-capped peaks looks like a cross between Middle-earth and The Sound of Music. In winter, you can ski on the mountains and enjoy a view like no other on earth.
The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah, USA
2,000 feet deep, this sandstone canyon can be seen two ways: on horseback, or by hiking through the Virgin River at the bottom of the canyon. It’s a trek for the adventurous, with slippery rocks, but the payoff is worth it: stunning visuals of hanging gardens, natural springs, and a soaring rocky cathedral.
Lau Archipelago, Fiji
This isn’t just one place, but more like 50 – a collection of islands and atolls, 200 miles from the mainland. Its remoteness means there are few other tourists, so you can marvel at the huge diversity of marine life in peace or simply float in the sunlit, shallow waters. Every morning and evening, the islanders sing traditional storytelling songs to accompany world-class sunrises and sunsets.
Petra, Jordan
Known as the “Pink City,” these ancient buildings are made of rose-coloured sandstone that glows at sunset, when the city is lit up with candles. Full of incredible palaces and ornate tombs, it’s a rare and haunting glimpse into another time.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
One of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the Okavango is a haven for wildlife from elephants and hippos to monkeys and rare African birds – it’s an animal-spotting bonanza. But perhaps the best part is watching the delta come to life each year as rivers flow in, turning it into a huge green wetland.
Bordeaux, Gironde, France
Famous for a reason, this is the place for wine lovers, foodies, history buffs, and anyone with a liking for true French elegance. Wander in the countryside, sip wine in ornate town squares, or marvel at the ornate Palais-de-la-Bourse and its perfect reflection in the miroir-d’eau (mirror pool).
Tuscany, Italy
Forget Rome – when you think Italy, this is probably the place you think of. Full of timeless rolling hills, golden haze, vineyards, olive groves, medieval towns and ancient ruins, you’ll feel as if you’re starring in your very own chick-travel movie.
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Dating back to the 9th century in places, the temple site is huge, complex, gorgeously designed and, even in its slightly decrepit state, awe-inspiring. You can wander around for hours looking at sculptures of Buddhist mythology, imposing towers and feeling the immense age of this place.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This entire city is a sight in itself, whether seen from the foot of its famous statue of Christ the Redeemer, or from ground level where you might run into Carnivale celebrations, perfect beaches, samba dancers, brightly-coloured barrio housing, or the jungle of Tijuca Forest in the heart of the city.
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